Carlos stayed and watched Jay and Ben finish up their Tourney practice. He had to admit, despite the fact that tourney was never going to be something he knew a lot about, the team seemed to be shaping up nicely. Ben and Jay were a well-oiled machine with Chad close behind. Carlos felt a small pang of jealousy at how well they seemed to mesh. With all the wild things that have happened since they came to Auradon Prep, Ben and Carlos haven't really had a whole ton of time to do things together other than at night in the dorm. His face fell and he looked over at Audrey who was watching Carlos with a worried expression. She sent the other cheerleaders off before coming to sit by him. She nudged him forcing a smile.
"Hey there puppy-boy why the long face?" Audrey looked at him and Carlos gave a weak smile.
"Am I really that obvious?" Carlos whined looking pained by how easily Audrey seemed to read him.
"If your face gets any longer, I'm going to have to call you horse-boy." Audrey chuckled genuinely attempting to lift his spirits. Carlos gave a weak smirk and sighed looking at Audrey wearily. "Look I know you have like zero reason to trust me, but I genuinely am worried. I know you are dealing with the whole Mom thing, I don't know any details but I can read between the lines. I also saw the way you just looked at Ben and Jay. I'm not stupid either Carlos, I know me and Mal really messed with your relationship and I am really sorry. If something is bothering, you then I am happy to listen." Audrey took his hand in hers and gave it a small reassuring squeeze making Carlos gasp slightly. He had completely forgotten to breathe as his head swam with worries.
"Me and Ben haven't gone on any dates or done anything much really this past month. Things are good between us but I just… I want him to be my best friend and my boyfriend. He was both before but with school and tourney…" Carlos grimaces looking back at all the tourney mates horsing around and roughhousing like Carlos and Jay used to do. "Not to mention the performances the VK's have put on nearly every weekend."
"You miss him basically." Audrey summarizes seeming to follow his line of thinking. Carlos nods reluctantly.
"He is here so I shouldn't miss him but when it was just Dal and Adam… we always said good morning and good night. We talked about everything. Now it just feels like there's a gap there that wasn't before." Carlos frowns looking quite frankly like a sad little puppy. Audrey gritted her teeth and stood up. Carlos looked up at her confused, but she gave him a warm smile before marching onto the field. All the boys seemed to stop roughhousing and turn to her. She smiled innocently, flipping her hair. Half the tourney team practically swooned.
"Sorry to interrupt the fun boys… but can I borrow Ben for a while? I'm sure you all can manage without him." She flirted twirling a hair between her fingers. Most of the boys seemed to agree. Ben gave her a concerned look and she pulled him along. Once she and Ben were out of earshot of everyone she stopped, whisper yelling, her entire flirty side gone completely. "You really need to talk to Carlos." Audrey reprimanded sounding more like an angry mother than his friend. Ben looked over at Carlos then back at Audrey.
"Messing with my relationship again Audrey?" He said warily of her still. Audrey growled in annoyance.
"No, I'm trying to save it before you and Carlos have to get separate dorms." Audrey snaps. Ben seems to sober from his good mood at that looking back at Carlos who is now watching them. Audrey fakes a smile and Carlos smiles back, though it doesn't reach his sad puppy dog-like eyes. Ben frown and turns back to Audrey.
"Fine, I'll bite. What are you talking about?" Ben sighs heavily and Audrey smirks crossing her arms.
"Carlos misses you. Before you even say that you are there every night with him, think about the last time you two went on a date or went somewhere other than your dorm. When was the last time you texted him good morning or good night? He just told me he misses Adam, his best friend. You are so wrapped up in your princely stuff and school stuff he clearly isn't seeing the you that he loves." Everything she said made Ben look more and more guilty and hurt. "Worst of all his mother is here now, for god knows what reason. He really needs you right now Ben. I know you guys don't trust me but you can ask him yourself. In fact, you should because you clearly need to talk to him." When she finished Ben was fidgeting with his jersey looking like a scolded child.
"Thanks, Audrey." Ben smiled sadly.
"Don't thank me, just fix it. I already messed your relationship up once. I'm not letting you mess this up on your own either." Audrey smiled and waved at Carlos before going to find Evie and Mal, hopefully this time the two would be dressed when she goes to their room.
Ben walked over to Carlos and sat down next to him smiling. "Hey there Pup." He looked into Carlos' eyes and could see the warmth and the sadness both. Ben pulled Carlos close embracing him like they haven't seen each other in far longer than it really had been.
"Hi." Carlos' voice was small and tinged with confusion and a bit of sorrow. Ben picked him up and sat him on his lap ignoring the wolf whistles and whoops of his teammates. Carlos, however, couldn't help but blush at the show of support.
"How about once I get cleaned up we go grab dinner in town tonight? Just us two?" Ben smiled charmingly in a way that always made him melt. He nodded and kissed Ben with such an influx of love that it felt refreshing to finally kiss that this again. He didn't even realize it was missing until now. The team made more noise and teased the couple.
Meanwhile, Samuel walked into the Fashion program's classroom.
"You wanted to see me, Miss De Vil?" Samuel questioned the woman who sat on the edge of her desk legs crossed looking at him like a starved wolf at a piece of steak.
"Come in and close the door. There's something we need to discuss." Cruella grinned with a look that could only be explained as truly evil.