Chapter 14

"Hey Carlos!" Carlos flinched as he heard someone call his name. Every time that happened, it was usually someone wanting to beat him up. He walked faster and faster until he was practically sprinting.

"Carlos, wait! I just wanna talk to you!" Carlos froze and turned, watching as Bethany, panting, approached him.

"Oh, sorry… I thought you w-were someone else..." Carlos admitted embarrassedly.

Bethany smiled. "That's nice. So, what are you doing this weekend?" She asked, tilting her head. Carlos was really starting to like Bethany. She was so nice to him, and because of her, Simon hadn't even touched Carlos for three whole days.

"Um, n-nothing. Why?"

Bethany smiled. "I just wanted to know if you wanted to go somewhere… with me?" Her eyes bore into his, and Carlos couldn't tear his gaze away from this beautiful girl.

"M-me? You want me to g-go with y-you somewhere?" Bethany nodded. Carlos licked his lips. Why was it that Bethany was always so nice to him, but everyone else hated him? It confused him, but he was glad there was at least someone in this world that cared about him.

"Don't sound so surprised. You're a sweet guy," Bethany said casually. "So, what do you say? You wanna go out for dinner on Saturday?"

Carlos looked around doubtfully. Was this a prank or something, because no one had ever asked him out on a date before. But there was nothing unusual.

"Uh… sure?" He squeaked. Bethany squealed and hugged Carlos tightly. Carlos had to admit that it felt good. Someone was hugging him,, giving him physical comfort. The only times people had laid a hand on him was when bullies beat him up and when Kendall had punched him.

"Alright, then, I'll meet you at Fun Burger's at 6, alright?" Bethany smiled when Carlos nodded, batting her eyelashes. Then, in the blink of an eye, she vanished.

Carlos stood there, mesmerized. He'd never felt so… dreamy, before. He felt like he was walking on clouds. The joy he felt in his heart was too much to even describe. Did Bethany just… ask him out? Like, on a date out?

Carlos figured she had, and he practically skipped into History class. He sat down next to Kendall, James, and Logan. Unfortunately for him, the seats they'd sat in the first day of school were their permanent seats for the whole year. He was stuck every day in the middle of Kendall and James during History class. It always felt so awkward and tense.

Like today, when the teacher told the class to find a partner in their "desk group", James, Kendall, and Logan all fought to not be partners with Carlos. But in the end, Kendall and Logan were partners, and Carlos was stuck with James. Or, James was stuck with Carlos.

They were learning about World War II. Carlos remembered learning about that millions of times in middle school and elementary school… but whatever.

Recently, Carlos had started paying more and more attention to class. He had nothing to do at home, so he figured that actually doing his homework would make him feel less pathetic and lonely and friendless. When Mrs. Knight asked him why he wasn't out with someone, Carlos just forced a cheerful smile and said, "Oh, I've got tons of homework to do". It worked really well, too.

But since he started casting an effort to learn, he had learned quiet easily. He was actually smarter than he'd ever thought he could be. Before all the crap happened to his life, he was the dumbest brick you could ever meet. But now, he was getting almost all A's and the occasional B.

Carlos surprised himself more than anyone.

But today, Carlos wasn't surprised when James had no idea what to do with the worksheet. He just stared at it blankly, confusion written on his face. Carlos almost laughed when he remembered that that was how he used to be like.

After 5 minutes of listening to Kendall and Logan chatter excitedly, and James staring at them enviously, Carlos cleared his throat. "Alright, number one. 'Name three countries that were part of the Axis Powers.' James, do… d-do you know who they were?"

James whipped his head around and stared at Carlos like he was crazy. But then, his face softened, and he looked like he was thinking really hard. "Um… weren't they like, weapons, or something?"

Carlos tried to hide his smile, but failed. James glared. "What are you laughing at, freak?" Carlos looked down, still smiling, but he couldn't ignore the pain in his heart when James had called him a "freak".

"I'm sorry, but James… that's one of the sides who fought in the war."

James's face turned a little shade of red. "Oh… I knew that. So, um, what's the answer?"

"Well, three of the countries in the Axis Powers were Japan, Germany, and Italy."

Carlos walked James through the rest of the worksheet, trying to ignore the pain in his heart when James continually snapped at him for some unknown reasons. Carlos knew that James still hated him, but since Bethany had asked him out on a date, Carlos still felt happy.

The bell rang, and James quickly gathered up all his things and started to leave. Suddenly, he stopped and just stood there to the right of the door. Carlos slowly packed up his things, walking towards James to leave.

Right when he took a step out the door, a hand stopped him. Carlos turned and saw James looking at him.

"Uh, do you need something?" Carlos asked nervously. What if James had found some reason to be mad at him? What if he hurt him…

"Thanks. For helping me." James said softly. He flashed Carlos a smile, and then, he turned and walked out of the room, getting swept away by a large group of his friends laughing and joking around.

Carlos, once again, stood there in shock. This was the best day he'd had since he came to this school. Bethany asked him out on a date, and James smiled at him.

Carlos really didn't want this to be a dream.

Line line line

That night at 5, Carlos dug out the nicest looking suit he had, and put on his polka-dotted tie. He brushed his hair, took a shower, decided he should brush his hair again, and put on his suit.

He looked at himself in the mirror, smiling slightly when he saw himself. He didn't look too hideous.

Just then, his three bandmates walked in, and stopped short when they saw Carlos. "Dude, what are you doing? You look like you actually took a shower!" Kendall asked, raising his bushy eyebrows.

Carlos coughed nervously. "Um, um…"

Logan chuckled. "This is the first time I've seen Carlos actually on a date! And this time we didn't even have to bribe the girl to come!" James and Kendall laughed along with him. Carlos looked down, not knowing if they were just joking around or if they were making fun of him. Either way, that comment hurt.

"Well, run along. And don't trip over your shoes!" James mocked as Carlos walked out the door, head down.

Carlos wiped a tear away from his face, sniffling. He wasn't going to let them get to him. He wasn't.

But they'd never made fun of him like that before. But now… they were laughing at him… Carlos knew right then that they weren't who they used to be. Who Carlos wanted them so desperately to be.

Just when he thought James liked him again, he had to go and make fun of him… James and the other did hate him. He was stupid to think they actually liked him again. He sighed, shaking the thoughts out of his head.

But when he got to the restaurant, his mood was happy again. He was going on a freaking date with a pretty girl. And she had asked him out. Things could not get any better, even though his life was still horrible on all the other aspects.

He walked in after taking a couple deep breaths. He heard the bell jingling as he pushed the door open. He was about to start looking for Bethany when a voice surprised him.

"Hey, Carlos!"

A/N- Well, that's KINDA a cliffhanger? But what do you think's gonna happen on Carlos's date?

I don't have much to say… so please review? I'll be updating this story more since my other story is finished! Yay! *happy dance*

Peace, Love, and Giraffes,

Anonymous Skrtle