Chap. 2 New Friends
All night, Carlos thought about James. He dreamt about James, drew pictures of James, and just thought about him. Carlos was falling for him. He was an emotional wreck, writing and talking about James, between drifting off to sleep and eating. Carlos looked at his alarm clock. It was 3:00AM, but Carlos wasn't tired at all. The thought of the handsome boy becoming his friend kept him wide awake. Carlos heard a knock on his door.
"Carlos!" It was his mom. "Are you still awake? You should at least get ready for school if you're not going to bed!" His mom yelled. She sounded irritated.
"Okay, Mami!" Carlos called back. It was surprising because Carlos hadn't called his mom that in years. Carlos didn't see this, but his mom walked away from his room smiling. James had awoken the sweet, fun little boy inside him. Only he knew that inside this sad, broken, pathetic kid there was a talented and nice little kid ready for the world. James made him come out of his shell.
It was now 7:10 and Carlos was anxious to get to school. But then, he realized that he would be back in the hallway at 2:30, getting beaten up by Craig, like usual. The smile slipped from his face. But Carlos held it in because he was used to it. He said goodbye to his parents and ran out the door.
7:20. Carlos was early enough to find James in the cafeteria. Carlos hid his face with his hoodie, still scared and ashamed, but he was a little excited. He raced through the cold, crowded halls in search of his new friend. When he arrived in the cafeteria, he saw James there. He was beautiful. So attractive, gorgeous. But Carlos felt insecurities seeping into his soul as he saw all of James' popular friends surrounding him. Jocks, mediocre kids, girls. They were sitting around him laughing. Carlos wanted to die. His sadness came back, seeing he could never be as great and attractive as these kids.
"Hey, Carlos!" he heard James' voice call. Carlos looked up to see James waving to him happily as all his friends stared. Carlos slowly and timidly walked to the table and died a little inside as he saw all but 2 kids and James leave. James was oblivious and didn't notice a thing.
"Hey, Carlos. Still tired?" James asked, patting next to him, signaling for him to sit down. Carlos sat and looked at the other two kids. They were eyeing him, but they were smiling.
"Yeah. Running can be really tiring." Carlos wearily laughed, trying to lighten the tension. James cleared his throat and the other two looked at James, confused. James sighed.
"This is Kendall and that is Logan." James said pointing to the blonde first and the brunette next. Carlos nodded approvingly and slowly shook their hands as they held them out. Then he realized what he had done. Will James be hurt that I shook their hands, but yesterday I was too afraid to touch him?, Carlos wondered. Nah, he truly cares about me. I trust him. The bell rung, interrupting his concerns. James jumped off the table and the other two did the same.
"Well, we better go." the blonde, Kendall, said. "Nice meeting you dude."
Carlos shyly nodded and the brunette, Logan, spoke up. "Hope we can be friends."
Carlos watched as they walked away, and blushed, realizing he and James were alone. Carlos didn't want things to be awkward between them. James had a concerned look on his face, but this time he didn't ask if anything was wrong.
"Hey Carlos, do you always go by that hallway afterschool? I always have to cut that way to get from class to the exit, so..." James said, looking at Carlos for a response. Carlos didn't know what to say. All he knew where that the jerks from the football team forced him to come there everyday to be harassed. It was physical and mental torture, especially since Carlo couldn't tell James.
"Uhh, yeah. I cut through there too." Carlos lied, looking down to hide his guilt.
James smiled. "Great! We should meet there everyday afterschool and go to the park! I can get to know you better." Carlos smiled back and walked away quickly as James headed to class.
*Later that afternoon*
"Hey, Carlos." Carlos waved nervously to James when he saw him. Carlos knew Craig would be here any minute, and it was killing him because he couldn't tell James. James would just have to protect him when the time comes. James stood dangerously close to Carlos, and Carlos restrained himself from doing anything that might mess things up.
"So. How you liking being my friend?" James asked, walking in random circles around Carlos. Carlos twitched. He felt like he was being cornered again.
Carlos held in his panicking. "I...I love it." Carlos confessed. "You're a great friend."
And then, seeing James smile at him adorably again, Carlos couldn't hold it in. It was literally killing him, starting with his brain and working through his weak body.
"I like you, okay!" Carlos suddenly blurted. "I...more than like you, but..uhh, yeah..." Carlos stammered turning red and preparing himself for what he thought would happen.
James took a step closer and Carlos winced. "I'm not gonna hurt you Carlos." James said, almost angrily, but it sounded more hurt than mad. "I like you too. The moment I saw you I wanted to protect you and you looked so adorable when you ran into and i just-"
Carlos cut him off by dropping his backpack and practically jumping on James. He kissed him. Carlos pulled back and felt tears welling in his eyes, because he knew he had been too impulsive and had messed up big time. But instead of yelling at him, James pulled Carlos in again and kissed him, more passionately now. James ran his tongue against Carlos lip, and Carlos parted his lips, letting James explore his mouth.
And, oh god, Carlos had never done this before. All the hurt, pain, and sorrow he had been enduring for the last 2 years vanished miraculously as James kissed him. He really didn't think this could be really happening, James Diamond was kissing him. Him, the stupid, weak misfit. Carlos pulled back and gasped for air.
"That was...great." Carlos gasped, not being able to put it in words. "You're great. I love you." Carlos leaned back in to kiss James again, but James stopped him.
"Hold on. I just...need to get some water." James muttered, jogging down the hallway. Carlos wanted to stop him, to make him be with him, to talk about it. He was afraid he had upset James and made things move too quickly. But Carlos wasn't given enough time to think, because when he turned around, there was Craig and his posse, leaning against the lockers watching him.
Craig started clapping, slowly stepping toward him. "Well done, little Carlos. You got yourself a little boyfriend." Craig said mockingly, grabbing Carlos by the shirt and slamming him against the lockers. "So, since when did you have a man crush on Diamond? He would never truly love a little loser like you."
Carlos groaned. Craig and thrown him off guard. How much had he seen? Carlos felt reality coming back to him, his stupid piece of crap life was still there. James made it seem like it went away, but it didn't. Carlos stood up feebly.
"Stop it, Luke-Captain Luke." Carlos corrected himself and flinched as Craig slammed him against a locker again.
"Shut up, you queer." Craig hissed, causing his posse to laugh. Carlos felt a big bruise in his heart form when Craig called him that. Craig did not know how much this affected Carlos. "Always thought you had something wrong with ya. Didn't know what, though. Gaywad."
Carlos closed his eyes and whimpered, praying that this was just a nightmare and he was dreaming, sleeping, in James' arms. He felt a series of slams, punches, jabs, and kicks as he slid to the floor in a clump below Craig. Carlos opened his eyes to see that Craig was about to give him a big kick in the face, but then something happened.
"HEY!" Carlos heard a familiar voice yell. James. "Get the f*** away from him!"
Carlos' vision was fuzzy from the beating, but he could make out James slamming Craig into a locker and telling him off. Carlos drifted into sleep every second, hearing James cussing and yelling and punching. Then he felt someone picking him up. Carlos opened his eyes and let out a weak smile.
"James." Carlos murmured, close to tears. "Sorry. S-sorry I...didn't tell y-you."
James stood up, angrily. Angry at Craig. Angry at himself for leaving Carlos behind. For not knowing what was going on. "Let's get out of here. You should've told me Carlos. I could've gotten them suspended-we could've." James stormed out of the school, and Carlos felt guilty all over again. Carlos opened his eyes as the bright sunlight hit his face.
"Where are we going?" Carlos asked curiously.
"Kendall's apartment." James stated, not stopping to take a breath. "We're spending the night."
Note: Did you like? :D The beginning was a bit boring, but I liked the ending. R&R please! Thanks!
-datsRUSHERiffic