James stares at the bags on your arms as the three of you walk into the apartment. He and Logan had bought the apartment yesterday and you would be moving in with them today and tomorrow. It makes you smile as you set down the bags. "Oh, like you haven't come back with more."
He laughs because there's no reason to deny it. James might be the boy, but he is definitely the power shopper of you two. While you like to go to one place and get a small amount of clothes, he's more likely to go all over town and buy a store's worth of jeans all in one day.
Logan comes out with one bag in each hand, probably moving them to the new apartment, but he stops when he sees all the clothes you have. Setting down the bags, he raises an eyebrow at the other two girls.
"Did you force her to buy everything in L.A.?" he asks and they scowl.
"We didn't force her to buy anything"
"Except that hat, those shoes, the dresses. That skirt with the flower print…" you intercept, letting the list trail off. They turn and glare at you as well but you take away the fun with an easy grin. "Sorry, doesn't work on me. I've dealt with my mother, and she's much worse."
It amazes you, because while you naturally started calling them Mr. and Mrs. Diamond, you choke and stumble on the word 'mom'. You guess the same way some people fall out of love; you fell out of family with your parents. You're even more amazed because you don't feel remorse or regret for your lost parents, only hope for your new future.
"Oh, James" Logan says, fishing in his pocket for a moment, "Here's a key for you and for Maria. Don't lose them."
"Why do you assume I'll lose them?" Your brother asks, but Logan just shoots him a look that has James blushing and ducking his head in embarrassment. It surprises you because your brother isn't easily flustered most of the time, always ready with a snappy comeback.
Logan grins at the taller boy and kisses him on the cheek before grabbing the bag and heading out. You feel a little envy at the way James watches the younger boy so carefully, but for the most part you have an overwhelming sense of ease. He catches you staring and raises an eyebrow, a silent question.
"You guys are just so sweet" you say, setting down a bag full of jeans. "It's nice to see you this happy."
He looks slightly confused, as if wondering when he wasn't happy. In truth, James has an easy life and he was never really sad, but there has always been a discomfort behind his eyes. It was something most people missed, the spark of uncertainty behind charming hazel, but you look into the same eyes every day, and you see what others don't.
Finally, he shrugs it off and helps grab some of the bags. Camille has an audition and Jo is meeting up with Kendall, so they leave the bags and you and James begin lugging as many as you can carry to the apartment one floor up.
You meet up with Logan waiting outside the elevator and he doesn't hesitate to grab a couple bags from each of you. You like Logan. He's kind and very smart. You figure he balances James and keeps him out of trouble. Sliding through the door and placing your bags in the room Logan directed you to, you take a moment to watch the two of them.
James watches Logan carefully, as if afraid he's going to fall apart or disappear, but Logan watches the taller boy in a completely different way. His gaze is almost disbelieving, as if it couldn't be happening. The two of them have a dynamic that surprises you. They'll share a glance and it's like an entire conversation. You feel like you're missing something, like secrets are being swapped right under your nose and you just can't catch them.
Despite that, you feel happy for them. James would never admit it, but seeing his parents like that has him shaken. He's trying to hide it from you but you are his sister and the only person who knows him as well as you is Logan. You're glad he has someone he can talk to and not have to appear strong for. If anyone could help him with this it would be Logan.
After three hours most of the stuff is unpacked and Logan and James gracefully agreed to allow you to pick colors for all of the rooms. Now you're sitting with the Katie and Kendall watching Thunder Cats. The three of you compare it to the old version and you and Kendall laugh at fond memories. Carlos texts you asking if you can be ready by seven and you immediately text back yes.
Once the show is off you go find Camille and insist she help you get ready for your date. It doesn't take much; you give her your puppy dog face and she melts in your hands, just like everyone else.
Your clothes and make-up are already in the new apartment, and James and Logan are at the movies, so the two of you head up and soon you're rummaging through your closet while she tries to bully you into wearing the heels you bought today and gets out the makeup she needs.
It's kind of ridiculous, really. Should it be this hard to get ready for a date? It's never been before. But it's never been Carlos before, and he's something special. After an hour of primping and dressing and changing, and lots of yelling, you're ready for your date. You didn't wear the heels, but the two of you agreed on a pair of grey ballet flats. To make up for the shoes you wear a green skirt with an ivy pattern at the bottom that stops about two inches before your knees. A grey shirt is added on top and you put on a silver necklace with a topaz to complete the look.
Camille does your makeup with gold and brown eye shadow, a little blush and an almost-clear lip gloss. She adds some brown eyeliner and a light coating of mascara. Looking in the mirror, your eyes pop and you look just girly enough to suit you, while you also don't feel like you're too exposed.
Its six fifty-five and you hurry down to the lobby to meet up with Carlos. James and Logan are just getting back and the taller boy takes one look at you before groaning. "She's going to kill me" he says as you and Logan laugh.
Carlos comes out of the elevator with a picnic basket and you're glad to see you aren't overdressed. He's wearing jeans and a grey jacket over a black graphic tee. You almost giggle when Logan points out that you match.
The goofy grin Carlos gives you makes you want to jump up and down in excitement and you do your best to shake off the feeling. You smile back and bite on your lower lip, the way you do when you're nervous since you were six. It's obvious he recognizes the movement because his smile morphs into a smirk.
Despite the cocky smile, he's very sweet as he takes your arm and leads you out of the lobby, talking about going to the park for a picnic. You nod and hold his arm tight, enjoying being with him and noticing the people staring at you. Somewhere behind you, somebody starts talking about the new girl.
The two of you set out the blanket and Carlos unpacks sandwiches and chips with a jug of lemonade and two glasses. He grins at you again and asks about your time in Minnesota. "You know, other than the insane parents' thing."
You laugh and tell him about school and soccer and figure skating. He listens and asks questions and somehow you end up debating what movie is better. His favorite is Toy Story, much to your amusement, and you like Shawshank Redemption. "How can you think Toy Story is better? They're just a bunch of toys!"
He gasps and fakes being indignant. "They are living toys! How can a prison break compare to that?"
You gasp and pretend to glare at him. "It is not just a prison break! Look at what he did? He set that entire prison on its ear!"
"Oh, big deal!" he scoffs, "Woody and Buzz were awesome! You have to admit, you always want your toys to walk, right?"
"No! That's childish and impossible" you counter, but he looks at you in a way that suggests he isn't buying it. And, really, of course you wanted your toys to walk and talk on their own, but it didn't work like that and everyone knew it.
"Really? You never dreamed of your toys coming alive while you were gone" you bite your lip. "C'mon, everyone wants to believe their toys love them just as much as they love their toys."
You glare at his reasoning. There really isn't an argument. When you were five, your best friend was a hand-me-down G.I. Joe from James. You used to imagine it would protect you from the bullies at school, but after a while, you protected yourself.
He's smirking at you in that way, the one that says he knows he's won. Once upon a time, you would have wrestled him over that smirk. That's probably not the thing to do here, but you do consider it. "Ok" you finally say. "Let's race for it." His eyebrows shoot up like he thinks you're insane but you don't really care. "If I win, Toy Story is immature and Shawshank Redemption is the best. If you win, I admit that I see your point and Toy Story's the best. Deal?"
He considers for a moment before nodding. You stand up and he points to the tree. Whoever touches it first wins. The two of you stand just within arm's reach and it's hard not to push him over. He yells go and the two of you take off. He isn't above pushing you and you aren't above smacking him, so it's a nice fit. In the end, you grab his arm and throw yourself forward, touching the tree just before he does.
He stares at you in disbelief for a moment before slumping to the ground. "Cheater," he says, glaring from his spot on the ground and you laugh.
"I am no such thing! We never made any rules." He seems shocked by your sly move, but then he grins, and you know something's coming. With a lunge, Carlos propels himself forward and tackles you, tearing a scream out of your throat. From there he tickles you without mercy.
"Admit it! Admit you cheated" he half yells, as you squirm.
"Never!" you shout back, giggling uncontrollably until you find that place at the base of his neck. He shrieks and tries to twist away from you, falling on his back as you follow.
It takes a minute for the situation to register, but suddenly there you are, pressed against Carlos Garcia. The Carlos Garcia, who you've known for years and used to wrestle for the remote. It shouldn't be a big deal, but it is. You watch him carefully as you both pause. His hands slide from your rib cage to your hips and your arms wrap around his neck.
For a moment, you wonder if you're about to wake up. Usually, this is where your dream becomes a nightmare and someone comes walking through and completely ruins the moment, or James shows up and screams before dragging you away. But of course, this isn't a dream and you're already awake.
For a moment there's absolute peace before he leans up to you. The kiss is short and sweet and makes you feel like you're going to faint. A strong hand brushes the bangs out of your eyes and your arms tighten around him. There's a small smile playing at his lips and you grin before brushing your lips against his again.
He's warm and sweet and you feel like you're walking on air. You're convinced his kisses are addictive. The feel of just being near him has you overwhelmed. But you can't not notice the darkened sky. Trying to hide from time, you bury your head in his chest and he holds you close. "We should get back. James will kill me if you aren't back before ten" he whispers, still keeping you close against him.
You groan and shake your head. He laughs gently and sits up with you on his lap. For awhile you just sit there. But time stops for no one, and all too soon his phone is ringing. He pulls it out of his pocket and glances at the screen. "It's your brother" he says, still whispering in the silent park.
"Don't answer" you whisper back, standing up to find the picnic blanket. He raises an eyebrow and you sigh as he hits the green button.
"Hello? Of course, where else would she be? Yea, we're heading back right now. I am aware James. Yea…ok, see ya." You raise an eyebrow as he hangs up. He smiles and grabs your hand. "James wanted to know what happened to his baby sister."
You blanch at the title and the teasing tone he pulls as he says it. "I am not a baby."
"Trust me, sweetie," he says, pulling you against his chest and leading you to the blanket, "I know."
You blush at the tone and whack his arm. "Just take me home" you say with a pout and he grins at you, kissing it away. The two of you gather up the blanket and glasses and trash before heading out of the park.
James is waiting in the lobby with Logan beside him looking tired. "I tried to tell him you were fine but…" you laugh as he trails off.
"Look, I just wanted to make sure she got home okay" James defended and you smirk.
"What would have happened, James? The big bad Carlos would have kidnapped me and locked me away in a tower? Or maybe he was going to eat me." Your brother narrows his eyes at the teasing tone and you're pretty sure you heard Carlos snicker.
The four of you make your way to the elevator while James glares at Carlos and you and Logan chuckle. "James" Logan says as you step through, "Give it a rest. She's obviously fine."
Your brother stops glaring, but still doesn't speak. You sigh. "Wow, you can almost feel the awkward."
Carlos grins at you, reaching out to hold your hand. You weave your fingers between his with a smile. He's so much darker than you are, making the two of you contrast dramatically. It occurs to you that he really is very short, and then you laugh at yourself because you're even shorter than him.
Logan looks at you with a silent question and you grin. "How is it that my brother is a giant and I'm not even 5'4"?"
He only smiles and you laugh as James pretends to be hurt. "Giant?"
"Think of it as the friendly giant" Carlos suggests and you laugh as the door opens. He gently pulls you in for a kiss and whispers a goodnight in your ear.
"Night" you reply as he steps out, feeling slightly shell shocked. Logan laughs at you and you blush. "What?"
"Nothing" he says, a sly grin on his face, "I've just never seen the great Maria so flustered."
You reach out and swat his arm as the doors open again and the three of you step out. Logan winks at you and waits for a moment. Once James is in front of him, he jumps on his back. "Give me a piggy back ride." He insists as James looks at him like he's crazy.
You laugh and open the door for the two of them. The three of you make your way to your rooms, calling quick goodnights, before shutting the doors.
You lay awake for awhile, considering. Just two days ago you were stuck with deadbeat parents and no way out. Now you're living with your brother in L.A. It's surprising how quickly things change. You have a boyfriend, an amazing boyfriend that you love. Content, you allow yourself to drift off to sleep.