A/N
Hi guys!
Okay so I see all of you really enjoyed the last chapter! I am glad you did because here's the next one :)

Carlos POV

My throat burned.

I spoke. Barely, but yes I spoke. It was quiet, barely audible, even to myself. I didn't think when I slowly opened my mouth, my tongue moving gently against my teeth. My tongue moved by itself, whispering his name. I barely heard it. I bet a dog wouldn't have even heard it.

I was amazed and while James slumbered that day, I had sat forward during the day, letting tears fall from my eyes. I wanted to heal, I wanted to forget my past, but the only person who could help me was also damaged.

His wrists proved that fact.

I lay in bed now, staring up at the ceiling. It was a week later James was back to health. I sighed and looked at my clock. Only six am. I was glad it was the weekend.

I stood, shivering as the cold floor seeped into my toes. My long matching pajama bottoms covered my toes, making me look shorter than I was. I grabbed my puppy and slowly dwaddled over to James's bed. I stood there, shaking, whimpering. I didn't know what to do. I nibbled on my fingernails before I reached one hand forward and stroked James's face.

I let my fingers trail down to his sleeve. I pulled it up, and trace my fingers over his gauze. I realize I startled him, because he sits up immediatley, grabbing his wrist. I whimper, because I can I see his eyes are glassy and I realize he's stuck in his dream. He blinks a few times and then looks at me.

"Carlos? What are you doing up so early?"

I shake a little and scoot closer. He suddenly understands and throws the covers back, letting me climb in next to him. I smile, and tuck myself and my puppy between us. He chuckles, and wraps his strong arms around me.

"did you have a bad dream?"

I shake my head.

"just can't sleep?"

I nod and he caresses my cheek. I lean into the warm touch, giving a small sigh. James smiles and pulls me close. I hold his wrist in my hand and he watches as I rub the gauze covering his wrist.

"Carlos-

I press my cheek to his and he sighs.

"so you want breakfast?"

XXXXXXXX

After a nice bowl of fruit for breakfast, James and I are sitting in the dorm. Kendall and Logan are off somewhere, but at the moment I don't care, I get time with James. I smile as he sings to me, whispering softly. We're laying on the same bed, him sitting up with his legs crossed. I'm laying down, my head in his lap. He's trailing his fingers through my hair as he sings. He sings Walking on Air, by Kerli, which is usually for a girls high voice but James's beautiful voice blends beautifully with the lyrcis.

"Feel it and breathe it, believe it

And you'll be walking on air

Go try, go fly so high

And you'll be walking on air

You feel this, unless you kill this

Go on and you're forgiven

I knew that, I could feel that

I feel like I am walking on air"

I smile and James sighs.

"Carlos?"

I nod at him, but his face stays hard and blank.

"I-I heard you, Carlos."

My heart thumps in my chest and James caresses my cheek. I start crying, because I know what he's going to ask. My tears leak down my cheek, and he brushes them away. He gently kisses my cheek and holds a hand in his big one.

"please, one word. It's all you have to try and say. One word."

I shake my head and James pulls me close. I began crying harder. What if I didn't? What would James do? Would he leave me alone? Not alone! I can't be alone, not again! I shudder at the thought of not having someone there to help me again...

He presses our cheeks together and I sob a little harder.

"please let me hear your beauiful voice, Carlos."

I shake my head and I curl into him. I can't, I just can't. I can hear him sigh and I realize his disappointment. I just...I just can't.

XXXXXXXXXXX

His hand circles around my mouth and I scream. The scream doesn't get far, though, because I can't breathe. His hand is covering my mouth and my nose and I sob hard. I shake as I slide up and down on the hard desk. The pain keeps shooting up and down my spine. I can't speak, I can't get the words out. His hand is covering my mouth, and nothing can get out.
I scream as I feel the horrible warmth seep deep inside of me-

I scream and sit up, my entire throat burns as a fierce sounding screech erupts from my mouth. I'm scratching at my face, trying to get rid of the hand that's forcing off my air, pressing my words back. The hands grab at mine, and I'm being shaken.

I stop and blink, the haziness disappearing from my eyes and my roommates come into view. James is holding my face, Kendall and Logan gripping my hands. I immediately begin sobbing and James yanks me forward.

He peppers my forehead with kisses and push Logan and Kendall away a bit. He hugs me close, yanking me up and out of my bed. My matching pajama pants cover my feet as James holds me bridal style and rocks me back and forth. I sob into his long sleeve tee and he cradles my head.

"Dude, is he okay?"

"shh!" James shushes him angrily. He rocks us back and forth and kisses my head. I shake and James holds me closer.

"it's okay-it's just a bad dream-no one is going to hurt you." James mutters. I whimper and then James kisses my forehead.

"I'm here, I promise, no one will hurt you." my heart thumps and I press my head to his shoulder, letting my eyes slip close as he rocks me. I slumber against his shoulder gently.

It isn't until I wake up later, that I realize James has sat in the same spot for almost five hours, holding me so I can sleep peacefully. James sighs and holds me close. I whimper and he shushes me.
"I'll always be here for you, Carlos."

XXXXXXXXX

The next day starts out horrible. I watch as the rain splatters hard against the window and I draw the thin, lacey curtains back. The clouds are dark and thunder and lightning crackles against the sky. I tug my puppy against me as James plops next to me, making me jump.

"you scared?" he chuckles. My cheeks fill with heat and I shake my head quickly. James smirks and looks out the window, pressing our shoulders together.

He pushes me playfully and I smile.

"looks pretty bad outside."

I nod in agreement and he smiles.

"how 'bout I run down to the cafeteria and grab us some hot cocoa?"

I clap my hands gently and James chuckles. He stands and slips on his shoes.

"I'll be back."
He leaves the room and I turn back to the window. A few minutes pass and I wait patiently for James to return. He hasn't come back. I'm a little scared. Suddenly, a large crack runs through the sky, the light flickers and goes out. The wind is rattling and it is pitch dark. I grip my puppy harder and whimper.

I'm here,alone.

The lightning strikes and I scream, leaping off the window seat. I run for the door, because all I can think is,"Where is James?"
I run down the hall, stopping after a few steps and gripping my puppy. I walk slowly along, passing no one. It's pitch dark and suddenly I bump into someone. I go to scream and someone grips my shoulder.

"Carlos? It's me!"

"it's Kendall, Carlos!"

But I push them away. Their good friends but I'm scared.

"Carlos? Where's James?" I can't see them, but I try and push them away.

"Carlos! We're trying to help!" but I grab my puppy and run. I race down the steps, knowing the path towards the cafeteria by now. I run fast, stopping when the lights flicker back on and I'm in a hallway with lockers. The lights flicker on and off, but stay on. I cry when I begin walking. I'm so scared and all I can imagine is someone jumping out from behind doors.

I hear a sound behind me and the hairs on the back of my neck prickle. I don't have time to react as large hands grip my sides and lift me up. I let out a choked gasp as my sides are squeezed hard and I glance back to see Ozzy. He's grinning, his pudgy fingers gripping my sides. Jett walks up from behind them and smiles as he traces my face.

"your really cute." he sneers.

"it's disgusing." he grabs my puppy and stretches it. I let out a cry as I watch the stitches around my puppies neck stretch and then snap. Cotton explodes and the head is disconnected. He drops it to the ground and I stare at it in defeat. Tears run down my face and dribble to the ground. No one is going to be walking around in a storm like this.

I'm alone.

I feel my sides being squeezed hard again, and I squeak.

"he sounds so cute when he squeaks." ozzy chuckles. I whimper and kick my legs. He squeezes ALOT harder than before and I cry out as he slams me against the lockers. Jett puts a hand over my mouth and glares at Ozzy.

"dude do you want lover boy to attract that long haired bastard?"

"uhh no?"

Jett roll his eyes.

"whatever you dumbass. Just hold him still."

"I'm pretty sure you're the dumbass here." we all turn to the direction of James's voice, but we don't have time for snide comments, because James throws our hot chocolate. It explodes all over us, drenching Ozzy and Jett in searing hot liquid. Ozzy drops me and runs. Jett falls down and rubs at his eyes.

"OW FUCK! you asshole!" Jett screams.

I sit still on the ground, not caring my bum hurts.I watch as James immeidately jumps on him. I'm shocked. My heart feels like it stops as James attacks.

He throws punches fast and hard, his eyes narrowed in anger. Blood flies from Jetts nose and mouth and he screams loud. James doesn't stop, though. He picks Jett up and throws him against the lockers. Jett sags a little, but James holds him up. He punches him a few more times and I watched as Jett spits blood, two small white teeth clattering to the floor in a sticky red mess.

Jett looks ready to faint, but James won't let him. He holds him up and presses them eye to eye.

"didn't I already warn you?"

"mmf-"

"DIDNT I ALREADY WARN YOU?" James screams so loud, I shake. Jett looks at him with wide eyes.

"yeshh,yesh wu dif." Jett mumbles through a mouth of blood. James is standing so still, his frame tense, and then he drops the sagging boy. Jett crawls away. James watches him all the way to the staircase. I sniff and watch James drop to the floor, pulling me close.

"he just can't get it can he?" he whispers.

I sob into his shoulders, but stop when James gasps. I look up as he picks up the pieces of my puppy. I sob hard when I see the mangled toy. It's ruined. James growls low in his throat, scooping up anything he can find that belongs to my puppy. I turn away and curl up. I can't look at my destroyed property.

Something catches my eye and I pick it up, brushing the cold liquid off of it. I frown when I see the photograph.
James's hand comes around and plucks the photo from me.

"damn it.." he grumbles. I suddenly take in the three people in the photo, the young boy. My throat burns as I hold my tears back and I crawl through the liquid to hold James. He tenses and turns to me.

"Carlos?" I trail a finger down his cheek and press our cheeks together. He sighs and holds me close. I can feel my throat burning and a small tingle forces my mouth open.

"j-James..." it's low. Barely there. But his name is pressed out of my body and James's eyes bulge a little. His face breaks out in a huge smile.

"Carlos! You-"

We both stop when we hear the clacking of heels. I feel my heart pound as James and I turn towards the clacking sound. I come face to face with black seven inch heels, pantyhose covered legs that lead up to a black pencil skirt and then a white button up tucked into the skirt professionally. My eyes meet the grey eyed blonde therapy teacher.

I swallow hard as she crooks a thin finger at us and motions for us to follow.

"my office. Now."

James POV

Ten minutes later, we're sitting in our therapy teachers office. I hold a soggy, ripped toy in my hand, and I'm covered in Jett's blood. Carlos sits next to me, shaking in fear. I can already tell we're probably in big trouble.

Ms. Natalie sighs and presses her fingers together, before she looks at us from across the desktop.

"Be glad I was in the office at the time I saw the security footage, and the principal wasn't there." she says sternly. I see Carlos shake harder and I go as far as to reach over and hold his hand in front of the teacher. Carlos stops shaking a bit.

I give the teacher a small glare, daring her to say something. She just simply smiles and clasps her hands together.

"you guys seem...good, together." her face hardens a bit as she turns to me.

"but James, your temper is out of control." she motions towards my blood covered clothes. I feel my cheeks heat up in anger and I stand up, waving around the mangled toy around.

"BUT YOU SAW THEM! YOU SAW WHAT THEY DID TO CARLOS-"

"James! Calm down!"

I growl, but I stay standing.

"they attacked Carlos first! I watched them! And this wasn't the first fucking time!" her face is a little in shock, but she slowly stands and walks around the desk. She sits on the end of the desk and sighs.

"look, James, I will report them to the principal, but first you need to control your anger."

"DONT TELL ME I NEED TO CONTROL MY ANGER!" I stomp my feet.

"LOOK-LOOK WHAT THEY DID TO HIS PUPPY!" I wave around the mangled toy and I heard Carlos whimper. She casts him a look and sighs.

"I think your problem is worse than just these bullies."

I roll my eyes and sit down, staring at the ripped toy.

"James you need to confront your problem, you need to talk about it."

"what if I don't care? Huh? What if nothing helps?"

"James-"

"no!"

I sit there and huff quietly. I don't need help. I'm perfectly fine. Besides, I'm pretty sure I've been down this road before. I feel a small weight on my hand and I look to see Carlos placing his hand on mine.

Something down this road was new. Carlos was here.

And I had a reason.

I look at the teacher and sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. I groan and look at her.

"fine! But only for Carlos." a small smile dots his face and I grip his hand. I'm...not ready for this. I feel my stomach churn and suddenly my throat is dry. I grip

Carlos's hand harder.

"it's okay, everyone...it's hard for them to let it out. But trust me, you'll feel better."

I nod and feel a prickle of sweat drip down my skull. I can do this...hopefully. I throw my head back against the chair and sigh.

"umm..." I close my eyes. Get it over with.

"well..." I huff.

"I was raped when I was eight,okay? I had a teenager friend who spent the night at my house and raped me. He was crazy and-and stupid! And I was an idiotic little kid, alright?" tears pepper my eyes and I quickly scrub them away.

I notice...how light I feel suddenly. But I feel sick, like I'm about to throw up. I cross my arms, still holding onto Carlos's hand, though. I glare at the floor.

"are you happy? You know what I am. I'm disgusting." I whisper harshly.

I feel my hand being squeezed and I look like Carlos. His lip is trembling, and I grab him and hold him close.

"it's okay, you don't have to cry for me, Carlos." he shakes his head against my shoulder and I sigh. The teacher squeezes my shoulder.

"James, you'll be moved into the same class as Kendall and Logan. Carlos, you'll start having private sessions with me-" Carlos squeals and buries his face in my shoulder. I turn to Mrs. Natalie and I sigh, running my fingers through Carlos's hair.

"can I come with him instead?"

She nods and I sigh.

"please, please deal with those guys. I can't stand the idea of Carlos being hurt again. It's-it's just way out of hand and-and I don't think I can take it if he gets hurt again." she nods and I stand.

"I'll call the principal, so both of you guys expect to be called up for questioning, okay?"

We both nod, and me gripping Carlos close to my chest, we leave and return to our dorm.

When we returned, Kendall and Logan hurled questions at us. I didn't say anything, I just washed Carlos's puppy and stitched it up, replacing some cotton with a shredded up sock.

I attached the head, asking Logan for anything. He gave me a sewing kit with a worried look, but I didn't care. I took white thread and stitched up the head as best as I could.

I made Carlos take a shower, and when he got out and got dressed, I made him stay in the bathroom.

"raise your arms."

He shook visibly as he did and I raised his t-shirt a bit. I inspected his sides. My temper soared when I saw the bruises shaped in fingers. I ran my fingers over them and looked up to meet Carlos's scared look. I let go of his pajama top and pulled him close, pressing a chaste kiss to his lips. I pecked his lips and then his cheeks, hugging him close.

"we'll be okay? Alright?" I looked at him and watched his face pale. His mouth moved. My heart soared as he tried, over and over again, licking his lips, moving his jaw. He smacked his lips gently and I grabbed him, lifting him up. He wrapped his legs around my waist, after hesitating, but I pulled him close.

"I-I-d-" he was trying so hard!

"yes? Yes? Come on Carlos!" I whispered. He pressed his lips to my ear, and wrapped his arms around my neck. I stood there, waiting, my heart thumping hard. The blood was rushing in my body as I listened intently to Carlos.

"you can do it!"

"I-I...I..love...you.." barely there, his voice scratchy and barely audible from lack of speak of the years. The tears rolled down my cheeks and I kissed Carlos, making him whimper. I pressed our foreheads together and we cried at the same time.

"you did it, you did it..." I whispered. He nods and I hugged him tighter.

"you can get through this, Carlos. You can do it. I know you can." he nodded and I kissed him again.

Maybe, in some form, he was just like me. Broken, but healing.

Okay ending sucked a bit but hey! Carlos spoke!
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Love, FAQ