*Hey, guys! Again, as always, thank you so much for your reviews! I really appreciate it! Anyways, this chapter happens to be the longest one out of the others, so I hope you enjoy it! I'm planning on making the next chapter Carlos' POV, so we'll see how that goes. Have a good one! = ] And no, I don't own Big Time Rush; I wish I did. = [*

Chapter 6

Lucky Girl

The whole time I was sitting at the table with the guys, I mainly kept to myself. I would glance up every now and then and laugh at a joke or two, but I was too busy thinking about everything that had happened. I pushed my food around, making it seem like I was eating. I didn't want the guys to notice and give me a long lecture about it. I couldn't stop thinking about how James reacted over Carlos. I know I shouldn't jump to conclusions, but it really bothered me. I know his reason is purely innocent, thinking about me and my feelings; but I know James, and somethings telling me there's more to it.

I glanced up at him in front of me. It seemed like I was looking into a mirror, because he was doing the exact same thing I was. He had his head down, concentrating on his food, and resting his chin on his left palm. It was so unlike him to be acting this way. James was always smiling, flashing his pearly whites whenever he got the chance to. Sure, he could be full of himself at times, but when it comes down to it, he definitely has a soft spot for helping others.

I was brought back to reality when I felt my phone vibrate. I pulled it out of my pocket and saw that it was a text from Kendall. "U ok Bails? U kno I'm always here if u need 2 talk. = ] 3"

I smiled to myself as I replied to his text. "Thanx Kendall. I really appreciate ur concern. I'm ok, jus thinkin. = ] Luv u like a fat kid luvs cake!"

I picked my head up and looked over at Kendall. He looked at me and smiled. In a way, he was like the "leader" of the pack; he was the one who kept all of us grounded whenever we were in a state of panic and would lend an ear if one was ever needed. I could trust Kendall with my deepest and darkest secret, knowing that he wouldn't judge me or tell the other guys about it. You would expect me to trust James more with things like that since I've known him my whole life, and I do; but there was one thing, just one thing I couldn't tell him. Only Kendall and myself know and that's how I want it to be.

"You okay?" Carlos asked, putting his arm around my shoulders.

I looked at him confused. "Oh, yeah. I'm good." I flashed him a quick smile to reassure him that I was indeed okay.

"I guess you don't have much of an appetite today." Logan said. "You usually eat the pudding."

"Yeah, I know. Did any of you guys want it?"

"I do!" Carlos said without hesitation. Logan hit the back of his head. "Uh, I mean, if that's okay with you."

"It's okay, Carlos." I laughed handing him the pudding. "I was the one who offered."

He quickly devoured the pudding, three minutes tops. "Dang Carlos, slow down would you?" James laughed, clearly in a better mood. "If you choke, Logan will have to give you mouth-to-mouth."

"There is no way in hell I'm putting my lips on his." Logan disagreed. "We'll have Bails do it."

"In that case, I want to choke." Carlos laughed as he nudged me.

"Whatever Carlos." I laughed shaking my head. "I'll just call our lovely nurse to come and resuscitate you."

"Ms. Wilkinson?" Kendall burst out laughing. "Oh yeah, she's Carlos' type."

"Most definitely!" James and Logan laughed.

"Ha, ha, ha." Carlos said sarcastically. "Laugh it up guys, laugh it up."

"You like them mature and wise, eh?" I said nudging Carlos.

"Ms. Wilkinson is WAY past mature." Kendall laughed. "She's old enough to be his grandma."

"Hello, you don't have to be OLD to be mature and wise," Carlos said. "Look at Bails."

I slowly turned to him and glared. "I don't know if I'm supposed to take that as a compliment or be offended."

The other guys immediately froze and looked at Carlos and I. He was looking at me with remorse in his eyes. It was so hard for me to look at him with a straight face; I knew he didn't say that to offend me. In a way, I thought it was sweet of him to say. Most girls our age only had air in their heads and acted like little kids. I just loved making the guys squirm when they think they did or said something wrong; it was adorable.

He laughed awkwardly. "Bails, you know I didn't say it to offend you." he stuttered. "Please don't hit me!" He quickly picked up his arms, using them as a shield for his face.

I looked over at Kendall and he held up a piece of bologna. He mimicked himself throwing the bologna to Carlos' face. I looked at James and Logan and they flashed a devious smile followed by a thumb's up.

"Carlos," I said. I reached over and he flinched at my touch. "I'm not going to hit you. I know you didn't mean it that way."

He moved his arms and exhaled a sigh of relief. He was about to say something when Kendall threw the bologna and smacked him in his face. Carlos slowly turned to face Kendall, the bologna clinging to his face. "What did you do that for?" he yelled. He was getting up to plunge at Kendall when I grabbed his arm and forced him to sit down.

James, Logan, Kendall and I started laughing hysterically. Carlos looked at us back and forth, slowly calming down. "Okay guys, I know it was funny but it wasn't THAT funny." he said, blushing a little.

"Carlos?" I asked, still laughing.

"Yeah?"

"You do know that the bologna is still stuck to your cheek, right?"

"What? I thought it..." he stuttered as he touched his cheeks. "Fuck, I didn't know. I thought it just fell after it smacked me." He started laughing as he took off the bologna and threw it back to Kendall.

Five minutes later, the bell rang.

"So, what did you guys want to do next?" James asked. "I mean, since we already attended our last class for the day."

"Oh, I know what we can do." Kendall said getting up to dump his tray. "We can go to the hockey rink and practice for the big game."

"No kidding." Logan said. "How come I didn't think of that?"

"If we're going to practice, I need to go and get my things." Carlos said as he wiped his face clean of the bologna. "Is someone willing to take me home?"

"I already have my stuff here." James said.

"So do I." Kendall and Logan said simultaneously.

"I can take you Carlos." I offered as I stood up to dump my tray. "We can just meet you guys at the rink." I looked at the others and they nodded in agreement.

"Cool, thanks Bails." he smiled. "Whenever you're ready to leave."

The guys and I waited outside the cafeteria for Carlos as he got rid of his trash.

"So, did you guys need anything on our way back?" I asked leaning against the wall.

"I guess just water." Logan shrugged.

"Yeah, that's about it." Kendall agreed.

"James?" I asked looking at him.

"Water is fine." he said smiling a little. "Thanks."

"I'm ready." Carlos said as he exited the cafeteria.

We said our goodbye's and headed to my car.

"Hey, would it be okay if we could stop by the pet store before or after we grab your things?" I asked as I reversed out of the parking stall.

"What did you need there?" he asked out of curiosity.

"Eh, nothing really. I just want to see the puppies they have there."

"You're planning on getting a puppy?"

"Possibly." I smiled. "I've been wanting one since Hopscotch passed."

I could feel my eyes welling up with tears at the thought of Hopscotch. I know some people would think it's ridiculous for me to cry over a dog, but he was my best friend since I was little. Even James got a bit emotional when Hopscotch passed. My dog was a big part of my life, of my family; if you can't understand that, then I feel sorry for you.

"Aw, Bails." Carlos pouted. "I know how badly you miss him."

I felt comfortable talking to Carlos about dogs, because he's a dog lover as well. I never feel embarrassed when I get worked up over an animal because there's a good possibility he'd feel the same way. "I really do." I sighed.

"We can get my stuff first, that way we can take our time at the pet store."

"Sounds good to me."

As we pulled up to his house, I could see his mom sitting outside on the porch.

"Hi, Bailey!" she greeted me as we walked up. "How have you been sweetie?"

"I've been great, Mrs. Garcia." I said as I kissed her cheek. "How have you been?"

"Oh, just fine darling!" she laughed as Carlos hugged her.

"Where's Papi?" he asked as he opened the door. "Is he still at work?"

"Yes, he still is. He won't be home until after 6PM."

"Okay. I just want to let you know that I'll be at Bailey's house till maybe 9PM."

"He's going to help me clean my room." I added.

"Are you two heading over there now?" she asked sipping her drink.

"Oh, no. We're heading over to the hockey rink." he said. "I just came by to pick up my stuff. Let's go, Bails."

"We'll see you in a bit, Mrs. Garcia." I smiled as I entered the house.

Carlos' room was indeed organized; there was a place for everything and everything in it's place. I walked over to his desk and sat down on the chair, there was no way I was going to sit on his bed, it was fixed and everything. I glanced down at his desk and there was a paper with writing on it. I looked closer and realized that they were lyrics.

"He must be trying to write a song." I thought as I picked up the paper. Carlos was a really great singer, although he didn't want to admit it or show anyone. He was even great at playing the guitar and piano. For some reason, he wanted to keep it on the down low.

"I was just doodling." he said behind me. I quickly turned around to look at him, almost falling off the chair. "I didn't mean to startle you." he laughed. "Sorry."

"It's okay." I laughed. "I was just in my own little world."

"Yeah, speaking of which, what happened during lunch? It really seemed like there was something bothering you."

"No, nothing was bothering me." I lied.

"Are you sure?" he asked concerned. "You weren't that way before you went to talk to James. Did you guys get into an argument? He seemed a bit distracted, too."

"No, we didn't get into a fight. Nothing happened, scout's honor."

"Okay, but I hope you know that I'm here for you if you need anything."

"Thanks." I smiled as I stood up. "Are you finished gathering your things?"

"Yes, ma'am." he smiled holding up his hockey gear. "Off to the pet store!"

We said goodbye to Mrs. Garcia and headed over to the pet store.

"So, about the song you were trying to write, what did you want it to be about?" I asked.

"I don't know." he shrugged. "I'm still trying to figure it out. I heard a love song is the easiest to write."

"Wouldn't you have to be in love, though?"

"What do you mean?"

"Wouldn't you have to be in love to actually write a love song? Songs are mainly based on the feelings of the person who's writing it." I explained. "Right?"

"Yeah, I totally agree with you." he said nodding.

There was a moment of silence. "So?"

"So...?"

"Are you in love with someone?" I asked.

"No comment?" he stuttered.

"Okay, maybe it isn't love yet. Do you strongly like someone?"

"No, it's definitely love."

"So, there is someone!" I exclaimed. "Who is it?"

He hit his forehead with his palm. "Crap." he mumbled.

We pulled up in the parking lot and I put the car on park. I looked at him and I could tell that he was blushing. "So..." I prompted. "Who's the lucky girl?"

"What makes you think it's a girl?"

I looked at him completely taken aback. I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out.

"Bails, I'm just joking!" he burst out laughing. "Dang! Breathe!"

I inhaled sharply and exhaled slowly; I didn't realize that I was holding my breath. "You scared me there for a moment." I laughed softly.

"As for your question," he continued. "I'll let her know when I get the chance. I'm still trying to figure out how to tell her."

"Can I give you some advice? If you say no, I'm still going to tell you."

"Advise away."

"Just let your heart do the talking." I said. "Even if your voice shakes, even if you stumble with your words; more than likely, she'll find it adorable."

"Do you find that adorable?" he asked looking at me.

"Yeah, I do. It shows that he really means what he says."

"But you girls like it when we express our feelings in a unique way, right? You know what I mean?"

"Oh sure, like how guys think of crafty ways to ask a girl to prom." I smiled. "Yeah, stuff like that would be even more amazing."

"Got it." he said nodding. "So, you ready to see some cute little puppies?"

"As ready as I'll ever be." I smiled. We got out of the car and walked towards the building.

"I wonder who it is." I thought, feeling a pang of jealousy. "One thing's for sure, she is one lucky girl."