Celerity: Chapter 2 - Heroes
Author: Malachite
Disclaimer: BTR is not mine. This story is.
Carlos clutched his Bible to his chest as he walked between his mother and father into the Catholic Church's parking lot. His mother gently placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently.
"Aye, mi hijo, I told you not to eat a corn dog with your huevos rancheros!" she half-teased, half-scolded.
"Not to mention the extra beans!" Carlos' dad chuckled, punching his son playfully in the arm.
Carlos ducked his head, not really knowing what to say. He wasn't exactly a master of quick-witted thinking. Besides, being quiet and looking slightly embarrassed meant he didn't have to open his mouth and lie.
A relieved smile lit up Carlos' face as he saw the old car parked next to his father's truck. He almost got teary eyed as the two drivers' side windows rolled down to reveal Logan driving, Kendall in shotgun, and James in the backseat. His three best friends manically, goofy grins on their faces. All three were in their "Sunday's Best". James even had the hat Carlos affectionately called his "Jewish beanie" (which he never, ever wore because it messed up "The Hair").
"Good afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Garcia!" the three chirped in perfect harmony, flashing three dazzling smiles. No one could resist the combined charm of Big Time Rush.
Logan leaned out the window, motioning to his passengers. "We were all just heading out to lunch after church…"
"Synagogue!" James added.
"Could Carlos come with us?" Kendall asked, trying to look wide-eyed and innocent.
Carlos parents traded one of those parent glances with each other and Carlos bit his lower lip. Usually they had a big family lunch after church. It was a big deal with them.
"Please?" Logan added, adding in his patented puppy-dog eyes.
Kendall decided he had to step in and save the day as usual. "Uh, we'll all be talking about what we learned today in church?"
"Or synagogue." James added in a way that could be annoying if he didn't have The Smile turned all the way up to swoon-level, combined with his "I'm a good little Jewish boy" face.
Mrs. Garcia smiled widely, clasping the large golden crucifix around her neck. She turned to her husband. "Oh, that sounds wonderful!"
Mr. Garcia nodded slowly, stroking his goatee. "Okay, Carlitos, you can go, for today."
Carlos squealed happily, doing a little jig. He offered his Bible to his mother, who shook her head and pushed it back at him gently.
"You'll need that for your discussion, won't you?" she asked.
Carlos blinked quizzically, but then nodded rapidly. He quickly climbed into the car, climbing over James to sit behind Kendall. James caught his eye and winked at him, making Carlos grin.
"Oh yeah!" yelled Mr. Garcia, a hairy arm wrapped around his wife, "Show the boys that scripture we read when the priest talked about gay marriage in Canada." He said something else after that, hugging his wife and smiling merrily, but Carlos had mentally checked out.
Carlos choked, turning it into a cough. James frowned as he saw Carlos clench a fist tightly, fingernails digging into his palms. "Si, Papi."
As Logan rolled the windows up hurriedly, James reached over to grab Carlos' fist, unclenching it and sliding his fingers between the other boy's. He locked their fingers together, squeezing tightly. "I'm sorry," he whispered softly.
Author's Note: Reviews? Feedback? It'll help me get out Chapter 5! Thanks everyone!