Iris
Chapter 8
Author's Note: I just have a quick little note here I hope. I wanted to point out Jaime's name is in fact spelled J-A-I-M-E and is pronounced like we might say "High-May". I used this choice because you can tell a lot by a person's name (or at least, that's how I feel). I felt it was especially important in this (possibly the last) chapter because she plays a very important role now. Anyways, thanks to all my readers. I'm afraid we are coming to a close, most likely in this chapter. So, enjoy, my friends!
Carlos opened the door, rubbing sleep out of his eyes. However, once he saw just who was standing on the other side, he jumped, grabbed her hand and drug her inside. "What do you think you're doing? You need to schedule these things! You can't just show up here. I- I mean, I'm glad to see you, free, and all, but still."
"I'm sorry, Carlos." Jaime said, though it was arguable just how sympathetic she was. "Speaking of scheduling, I have a press conference scheduled for the the seven of us around three o'clock. And yes, you have to go. I have a plan to clear things up." She said. To which Carlos just glared.
"Fine," he said, "listen, everyone else is asleep so will- erm- you know what, just stay right here please. Or, actually just go sit on the couch." He led her to the couch then went in the direction of Katie and Mrs. Knight's rooms. Jaime could hear what he told them (you learn there is no such thing as privacy in prison).
"Listen, Jaime showed up this morning without notice... I'm sorry Mrs. Knight... Well I was wondering if you might help cook breakfast while I go wake everyone up before they stumble in there without notice and freak out on her... Thank you so much Mrs. Knight!" He then sprinted out of there, waved at Jaime in passing before heading in the other direction, towards his and the other boys' rooms. From there, she couldn't hear what he said.
"Oh, so you're the famed Jaime?" Katie said, looking Jaime up and down.
"Yes, that is me. Oh, and I bet you are Katie. Carlos told me so much about you, including you're personality." Jaime added, winking.
Katie laughed at that. "Well, I suppose if you're a friend of Carlos' you're alright." Katie said, then asked, "So how long are you staying?" which caught Jaime off guard, because it made it sound as if she was expected to.
"Erm, I'm not. I am just here to clear Carlos' name today and then- and then I'm going to find my own place in the world. I think it will help Carlos more." Jaime said. Katie nodded, but wouldn't look Jaime in the eyes afterwords.
At about that time they heard a door slam and simultaneously Mrs. Knight entered the kitchen, starting breakfast. Once the food started cooking, she turned to Jaime. "Oh, I'm sorry. I'm Mrs. Knight, Kendall's mother. I have temporary custody of all four boys though."
Jaime nodded. "Glad to meet you. Carlos always said you were just like a mother to him. I'm sorry- I'm Jaime but from what I gather you all know that."
Suddenly, an angry Logan stormed out of the apartment. Carlos, James, and Kendall appeared soon after, staring at the door. "Um, guys, this is Jaime." Carlos said, "If you'll excuse me for a moment, I will gather Logan." Carlos said, before rushing after his friend.
Jaime nodded, the only one seeming to take in his words. James stepped forward then. "Well, I'm-"
"James. I know. Carlos has told me a lot about you. The good parts- always sticking up for him and your friends. And also your great voice and looks. And the selfish parts- namely your evident narcissism but that's not for me to judge." She paused. "And you must be Kendall." She said, turning to the blonde boy. "You are the one I was more anxious to meet. Carlos has told me everything about you. Maybe he has romanticized a few parts but still. I can see why he lo-" but she was interrupted when Carlos basically dragged a kicking and screaming Logan into the apartment.
"I don't wanna meet that bitch! Look at what she's done to us! I can't help but blame her!" And other phrases seemed to come from Logan but when he noticed where he was he shut up, stood and apologized to Mrs. Knight, stumbling on his words. "I- I'm r-real-ly sorry Mrs.- Mrs. Knig-ht." he said. But, much like how he was ignoring Jaime, Mrs. Knight ignored Logan.
On the contrary, Jaime got up from the couch and walked by Carlos. "Are you guys sure this is Logan?" she asked humorously, "I remember Carlos saying he was a very bright fellow who always outsmarted him and when he got nervous he was kind of silly. He always was afraid to act out and he almost always had his nose in a book. Surely I can't judge you from what I saw, but surely this is not who you usually are?" Jaime asked, directly to Logan.
But the smart boy just turned his head off to the side and blushed, ashamed of his actions. "Well, anyways, we best get ready," Jaime said. "The news cast is expecting all seven of us." As this was news to the rest of the family, many looked at her as if she was nuts. "What?" she asked, oblivious to their obliviousness.
Around two o'clock Jaime stood before the family; Carlos dressed in a dark blue shirt with a black biker jacket and gray pants, Kendall dressed in a gray shirt with a tan jacket and blue jeans, James was wearing just a black shirt and black pants (despite Mrs. Knight's protests), and finally Logan wore a light gray jacket over a black-and-white-striped shirt with gray pants. Mrs. Knight wore a red dress with her hair in a bun while Katie (despite her own refusals) wore a light blue dress and had her hair back in a ponytail. Jaime herself actually had been wearing business-like attire; a black jacket over a purplish blouse with a black skirt, her hair also in a bun.
Once they were all gathered and approved of by the two older females, Jaime announced: "Okay, so we are ready to get to your studio now, right? I do believe Kelly- it was Kelly wasn't it?- has everything set up by now." Jaime smiled and led the way out the door. Once the rest of them collected their shock they followed, rushed to keep up.
"So, Mrs. Tuyo, can you tell us what really happened?" a news reporter asked of Jaime. She stood up by the microphones, next to Carlos and the other family members, Kelly and Gustavo however were off to the side, next to the plug-ins in case things got too personal.
"Yes, I can..." she said, he voice trailed as she began to recite from memory, the events that went on that day, from her point of view.
The lights on Peterson Street were dimly lit, the four of us using one of these streetlamps to go over the plan. When I first heard of my brother's idea to help Angél with his 'hit', I was very skeptic. I'm not saying that I'm innocent or that what was going on wasn't wrong, but I couldn't help but go along with my brother. Anyways, we then headed towards Mr. Sallan's house. I had a feeling things wouldn't go well, but I had no idea how bad.
Jon discreetly told Carlos and I to go scope the place while he and Angél planned the go-in. After scoping things out, making sure Mr. Sallan was the only one home, I returned to the front and gave Jon the all-clear. I ran back to Carlos so he wouldn't have to walk back alone- he was so young then. Anyways, as we were walking back, a gunshot split the air and we both fell to the ground. I told Carlos that we had to hurry as we stood so we could find out what happened. But as I turned the corner I hurriedly pushed Carlos back.
"Stay here," I whispered before taking off towards Mr. Sallan's house. I managed to surprise him, his back was turned to the entrance as he didn't expect more so I grabbed Angél's gun, and I shot Mr. Sallan, or so I thought. He actually had a stroke and I really shot a corpse, the autopsy had revealed. But still, I rushed to grab Carlos and lead him home, I didn't want him to get involved.
Unfortunately, Mr. Sallan had called the cops that night, they were already on their way. We were both taken to the police station, but luckily I was the only one they pressed charges against.
Jaime looked up from the paper she had written last night. "I was charged with manslaughter one. Six years in prison and strict probation."
"What about Carlos?" one reporter asked.
"He was not considered as an accomplice and released almost immediately. He was rightly set free. He was just a child." Jaime fought. One reporter left the room with her camera. It was quiet enough we could hear her saying 'Channel 4 news, signing off'.
One last reporter turned to Jaime and asked, "Do you regret what happened, at all?"
Jaime sighed. She shuffled her papers before replying, "No. I did what I did, but even if I could take it back, I don't think Carlos' like would have turned out as it did. I would never be so selfish as to take that from him. That is all I have to say, and I hope this matter disappears as I do."
She stood down from the pedestal, walking out the nearest door, the others following behind her. "If that doesn't clear things up, I don't know what will."
The others nodded, heading towards the door. Carlos then noticed Jaime heading towards the opposite door. "Jaime, aren't you coming with us?"
"Erm, no actually, Carlos. You see, I only came back to dispel all the drama about the case. I don't want to intrude in your life Carlos and I don't think I have a place here anyways. I'm gonna go back home and see what I can do. Maybe I'll see you again sometime, Carlos." She hugged him close, a single tear falling from her eye. "Well, here I go." she said, turning around and exiting the building.
Carlos sat cross-legged on the couch, writing on a notebook. The door opens and Kendall, James, and Logan enter, laughing and pushing each other. Apparently, Carlos doesn't even notice though. James grabs Logan by the arm then, and leads him to the kitchen, leaving Kendall standing there, staring at Carlos.
A random nudge from James pushes him forward, just enough to encourage him to sit next to Carlos, as in right next to Carlos. "Um, hey," Kendall tries, "What are you writing?"
Carlos looked up, a bit shocked to see Kendall, let alone find him so close, "Umm... just a note. I- I'd rather not let you read it," Carlos says, but a defiant Kendall takes it from his arms and runs to the kitchen, where a triumphant James and Logan stop Carlos. "Seriously guys, it's personal." He tries. James and Logan just shake their heads.
Behind them, Kendall stands over the counter reading (in his head, luckily),
"You stood there, luckily you couldn't see me. I wasn't sure what I was going to say to you, but I knew I couldn't just walk away. I tried to hold onto you, but I wasn't sure what to say. I knew you wouldn't hold me anymore. Luckily, I managed to gather myself. I can hold on a little longer now. I still don't know what to say. How do you tell someone you love them? So, until I find a better way, I'll keep holding on."
Kendall looked back at Carlos. "He reached out and grabbed his hand and they left the apartment. James and Logan shrugged at each other.
Once up on the rooftop, Kendall let go of Carlos' hand and turned around to face him. "I'm sorry, I just didn't think you wanted to talk about it in front of them." Kendall said, handing Carlos' notebook back to him.
"To be honest, I don't want to talk about it at all." Carlos replied, turning away from Kendall.
"Come on, Carlos. Surely you can trust me?"
"You- you don't understand, Kendall."
"Sure I do, it's about Jaime, isn't it?"
"N- no. It's... it's about you."
There was a silence, then. Kendall suddenly grabbed Carlos' arm and turned him to him. "I thought it might be; I was hoping, but I didn't want to get ahead of myself." he then leaned in and kissed Carlos, the other boy kissing back, happily.
"I actually have to tell you, Kendall, I didn't write this, Jaime did. She gave me the notebook before we left. She was the only one I ever told about how I felt for you." Carlos said. Kendall smiled and leaned in, kissing Carlos again.
"Nothing matters anymore, Carlos." he whispered into Carlos' ear. The two embraced as night fell on the rooftop.
Unbeknownst to them, Logan and James were at the rooftop entrance, a camera in their hands. "Here's the next scandal." James said, jokingly.
Author's Note: Sorry if any of it doesn't make sense or is just plain wrong or rushed. I really don't like this (what kind of author would I be if I did?) but alas this is the end. Thanks for all the favorites and follows! And a BIG thanks to all my reviewers!