a/n: Uhhhhhhh I dunno I'm pretty sure this is just a filler chapter. The drama is coming soon! So… BE PATIENT! Sorry… along with Carlos' dad I took sensitivity training 9 times.

Disclaimer: I used to own BTR, but then they escaped their cells I kept them in. Now all I own in the plot.

Chapter 3: Headaches and Friendship

I blinked hard and then rubbed my eyes, as if by doing these actions the limo would magically re-appear in front of my eyes. As I removed my tanned hand away from my eye I sighed when I noticed that I still had no mode of transportation.

I was beginning to feel miserable. Huge headache, aching muscles, no limo to drop me home, and at this point… no friends. "My life keeps getting better and better," I mumbled sarcastically to myself.

'I might as well get going,' I thought. With a deep breath I started my 45 minute trek to the Palm Woods.

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It seems like everything and everyone are trying (and succeeding) in making me trying to feel absolutely horrible.

Despite what people may think about me, I'm very observant. I was always good at noticing the smallest details in things. I was good at reading people; finding out what makes them tick.

Being this way was both a curse and a blessing. It's a blessing because it helps me notice things not typically seen by the human eye. It's a curse because sometimes there are things that I really don't want to see.

The whole way there I managed to find things mocking me. Everything was practically screaming "You're such a friendless loser!" in my face. I recalled seeing a group of ants, 4 of them to be exact, carrying food of some sort. The one trailing at the back dropped his tiny piece of bread and stopped to pick it up, struggling to do so. When it finally did, the ant soon realized that he was left behind by the others. 'Welcome to my world buddy,' I thought bitterly.

I saw banners and billboards advertising happy friends. I saw T.V commercials about them. I even saw four girls with shopping bags in hand, talking and laughing together, gently pushing one another. I found myself longing to be in their position again (but with duffle bags instead of shopping bags).

By the time I had gotten to the Palm Woods it was 4:50 p.m. We were released at 4:00. I groaned when I heard Stephanie call my name.

"Dude! Where were you? I needed you like an hour ago; you know when the other guys were here!" I could tell that she was upset. I was supposed to help with writing her script again when I got back; and she took her script writing very seriously.

"I'm really sorry Steph but… something happened," I confessed, rubbing the back of my neck with my right hand.

"Well it better have been important!" she exclaimed angrily. I pondered on how to tell her what happened. I decided on just telling her the truth without beating around the bush.

"James and I got into a fight. Well actually he yelled at me… but then after he left I told Kelly the whole story and what happened after she saw me upset. When I walked outside to the limo, it was gone. I had to walk home with a headache, that's why it took me a little longer to get home than usual. I'm really sorry Stephanie." I felt like I was complaining, and I didn't want that, but by the end of my confession I noticed that Stephanie's eyes softened, and sadness and regret were buried shallowly into them.

"Oh Carlos," she started, coming in for a hug which I gladly returned. "You shouldn't be the one apologizing, I should. I immediately suspected that you ditched me or something. I should've known that you wouldn't… I'm such a horrible friend-"

"Stop right there Girly Girl," I interrupted, using her odd nickname that I gave her. "I probably would've done the same if I was in your shoes. You are most definitely NOT a horrible friend, got it? All this time you've stuck by me when I needed it the most and others wouldn't. Now let's just agree that neither of us is to blame, OK?" I asked.

"OK, Manly Man," she replied, now using my nickname.

I smiled back at her but winced when my head continued to pound against my skull. "I think I'm going to go upstairs and lay down for a while," I croaked. "Alright, see ya soon Carlitos." I nodded and headed towards the elevators.

When they opened a minute later I saw Logan exit, dressed in his swim attire and a big science book in his hand. When he noticed me he looked away. I nearly cringed and gaped because it hurt so much.

Logan and I were always naturally close. We were best friends in Pre-K, even before we met Kendall and James.

I didn't get a look in his eyes, but I'm sure if I did I would find that they would be full of betrayal and hatred, just like James' were over an hour ago.

I stepped into the metal cage and pressed the 'close' button, Right before the doors slowly came to a close I got a glimpse of Logan's eyes. I was surprised when instead of what James felt, I saw sadness, guilt, and morose; just like me.

a/n: not a long chapter this time and I'm kinda disappointed with it. But I liked the middle. :D Ummm… well I hope this chapter was OK… I don't have much to say right now so…

Later peepz