DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Wizards Of Waverly Place or its characters. Those rights belong to Disney and associates. I am NOT making any monetary profit from this.

A/N: Hello everyone! Sorry for the late update, but life never seems to allow me to do much. Anyway, last I was on fanfiction, I was reading a story by Rae666, and she mentioned in her story Nadean (Great story by the way! I definitely recommend it, and anything she writes!) that the title for one of her chapters (chapter 8 to be exact...) was inspired by a song. Well, as I had mentioned before, on my very first chapter, I wasn't too satisfied with the title of this story. So, biting a piece off of Rae666, I've decided to change the title, also inspired by one of my favorite bands OneRepublic, off of their debut album, Dreaming Out Loud (Great listen! Check it out!). The new title to this story will now be: Someone To Save Me. (I changed one word, though. The title of the song is really: Someone To Save You by OneRepublic. See where the change was made? LOL) With this new title, I feel the story has more meaning now than ever. If you haven't heard this song, you should, but I'll see to post the lyrics on my profile, and find a link to the song itself (If I find the time...). It could possibly help you, the readers, understand the story further, and in a new way. Seriously, when I first began to write this story, I was just aiming for release from my original story, as well as― hopefully― a good read. I had no idea my subconscious took over slightly, and influenced my writing this way, though it has happened to me before. Anyhow, here's the next chapter! Hope you enjoy! :)

Someone To Save Me

Elm Treigh

7.

As they were entering through the gates of the fair, Carmen suddenly was overcome by nerves and shuddered. She began to feel self-conscious of what others would say if she came to the fair with Justin Russo. Not that she was ashamed to be with him. Quite the opposite. She was proud to be on Justin's arm. She just wasn't sure where and when she became anxious.

Maybe it was from the stares she had a feeling she would receive from some of the guys she turned down. Justin wasn't the only boy to ask her to the fair, and she politely rejected each and every one. She wanted to go with Justin. The young men that she rebuffed didn't seem too pleased with the kind dismissal. It had shrunk their ego's. Arriving at the fair with Justin... Yes, she was feeling very insecure.

Justin gave Carmen's hand another encouraging squeeze, sensing an uncomfortable restlessness, and once again, Carmen's nerves disappeared. She, instead, walked closer to Justin, laid her head gently on his shoulder, and gripped his arm lightly with her free hand. She didn't want any space between them. She sighed, content with the warmness he emanated. Justin smiled pleased.

Max walked ahead of Carmen and Justin. Along with the sulking Harper. He was slightly hurt with the obvious attraction between the two. He remembered when he first saw Carmen sitting with his siblings and Harper. She was the prettiest girl he'd ever seen. Even prettier than Gigi, though he felt immensely guilty for thinking that. And when she smiled at him, he felt his heart skip a beat. She was always so nice to him and she didn't treat him like a child. He really, really liked her, but he was no fool. He had seen she was interested in Justin and vice versa. He wondered if he'll ever find someone like Carmen.

He looked up, and saw the hot dog stand just ahead. He ran towards it, distracted of previous thoughts. All he could think of now, is making himself the biggest, most scrumptious hot dog in the history of hot dogs, EVER.

"Max!" Carmen called out. But it was too late. He was out of sight.

"Don't worry about him. He'll be fine," Justin commented. Carmen sighed and followed Justin to some carnival games.

Harper, however, decided to leave the couples to themselves. She hated being the third wheel when it was Alex and Dean, though she felt that they needed a chaperon. Especially, when Dean was involved. But to be the fifth wheel to Alex, Dean, Carmen, and Justin, one of whom she's still upset with for not caring for her like she did for him, was a bit too much for her. She said a quick, "See you later!" to the foursome, and slumped away, annoyed, irritated and sad.

Alex wanted to run after her best friend and comfort her. She sympathized with Harper, though she often felt uneasy and weary with her insistent blabber about her brother. But she had been supportive of her attraction to her brother because that's what friends do. They support one another's endeavors, despite how inane they appear to be. Harper had always been there for her, and she refuses to not be there for Harper.

She suddenly clenched her jaw as she stared at the back of Carmen's head. It wasn't fair! She couldn't even truly dislike her!

Harper had told her about Carmen's effort to come to her and speak openly about Justin and of how she felt about him. How she wanted to pursue him but would refrain in doing so if it would not only hurt Harper, but would jeopardize their friendship. Harper had told Alex that she very reluctantly gave Carmen her blessing, only because she appreciated Carmen's honesty.

Alex, on the other hand, didn't have the same sentiments. She believed it was an elaborate way to trick her. Alex was convinced Carmen wasn't who she said she was. She had to be someone skilled with the ability to manipulate, if she could captivate her boyfriends interest without making too much an effort.

Ugh! Did Carmen have to be so perfect?Did she have to be so polite? Did she have to be so caring and considerate of others? Did she have to be so pretty, and smart, and funny, and have half of the male student body after her? One of which was her boyfriend?

Alex still had unquestionable doubts about Dean's supposed sibling feelings for Carmen. If he did see her as just a sister and nothing more, then why did he contribute an opinion about her appearance and revealed that he thought she looked great? He hadn't even said anything about her outfit! Come to think of it, he didn't even bother himself to compliment her appearance at all. But, no! Carmen comes along, and he's all gaga and concerned and protective of her!

She huffed. It's not fair! I can't even hate the girl! She thought angrily.

She regarded Dean and found him staring after Justin and Carmen, who were a few feet away from them. His eyes narrowed at Justin, his nostrils flaring. He looked very jealous.

That's it! Alex thought, haughtily.

She grabbed Dean's arm roughly and dragged him away from the pair opposite them. Dean began to protest but then saw the look of irritation and anger in her eyes, and thought better of it. Ooh, he was in trouble now.

Carmen looked back to see the retreating forms of Alex and Dean. She heard Dean let out an odd sound, and could see Alex pulling Dean away from them. She appeared very upset. She wondered what that was all about. She hoped it didn't have anything to do with her. It seemed that lately, what ever was going on between them was her fault. Even when she wasn't doing anything or wasn't even around, it was her fault. At least that's what Alex thought.

Carmen sighed. Couldn't anything be simple between her and Alex? Couldn't they go back to the way it used to be? To the days where she and Alex were friends or at least, beginning a friendship. Wasn't it obvious to her that she wasn't interested in Dean that way at all? Hadn't she seen her avoiding Dean relentlessly? Hadn't she seen her stare at her brother, Justin, adoringly? Why couldn't Alex get over her ridiculous jealousy? It was harming her relationship with Dean. It was harming a potential friendship that could be blossoming into a dear comradeship.

Justin glanced at Carmen. She looked so angelic, so serene, and calm. He liked seeing her this way. So relaxed and carefree. Alright, so maybe she was visibly upset and worried about Alex and Dean, but he was sure he could take her mind off of what ever troubles she had.

"Everything will be fine, Carmen. Alex is just overreacting. As she always does," He whispered in her ear.

He smiled as he noticed her shudder and goose bumps formed along her arms. He liked that could give her that reaction. He's never received that kind of response from a girl, and he was relishing that he could have that effect. It was a major ego boost.

"Oh look, Justin! It's that tilt-a-whirl ride! Can we go?" She beamed earnestly.

Justin smiled and led her to the ride.

The night had, so far, gone without a hitch. Carmen and Justin talked, laughed, gone on more rides, and laughed some more. It was apparent they were having a great time together. This was exactly as she had wanted their date to be. This was exactly how she envisioned her date with Justin to be like. Just good fun with the person she cared about and delighted in their company. She felt overjoyed.

Her first date with Justin Russo, and hopefully many more to follow. She was looking forward to many more fun dates. Dates without any drama. Dates where she wouldn't have to worry who's feelings she's hurting. Dates where Dean wouldn't be around to surveillance her every move. Where Alex wouldn't wish harm upon her because Dean was shadowing her. Dates where they would be established enough in the public eye that she will no longer feel as though she were under a microscope. Carefree dates, with someone she really, really, liked. That's what she wanted.

Carmen had been itching to go on a certain ride, but was unsure whether Justin would be game or not, but that didn't stop her from trying. She used her doe-eyes on him, and grinned triumphantly as she got her way.

They approached the ride and bumped into Max, Alex, and Dean outside of the Fireball ride. (A/N: I'm not sure if that's what the ride is really called. It's the one where it goes round andround in a circle...?)Carmen managed to convince Justin to go on it with her after she noticed that her doe-eyes weren't going to be enough. But once they saw their friends standing in line for the same ride, Justin offered to stand by the side lines, and watch nervously.

"Fine," Carmen grinned teasingly at him. "I'll go with Max."

She stepped in line with Max and took hold of his arm. Max grinned sheepishly. Justin returned the grin with a smile of his own. He knew why Max seemed happy. Carmen should know better, but as he's suspected, she was far too nice. Fine. He could be generous. He'll allow Max his time with Carmen. There's no harm in that. There couldn't be.

The lined moved, surely, but slowly, until they finally reached their destination. As they were getting ready to take their seats, Dean stood by Carmen, and tapped her on the shoulder. Carmen jumped startled. She turned to face Dean.

"What?" She asked him confused.

"Nothing," he replied, appearing to have changed his mind. And walked back to Alex's side.

Alex had long decided she was going to ignore Dean. He seemed to want to be with Carmen, not her. He didn't even acknowledge her, unless she was speaking to him, or touched him lightly, or made her presence known to him in any way. Maybe a dose of silent treatment would do the trick.

Max climbed in his seat first, and was buckled in, trembling with excitement. Carmen took the seat next to him, also trembling with a mixture of excitement and nerves. She loved going on thrill rides. She loved the feel of adrenaline pumping through her veins, opening her senses to new experiences. Her sight, touch, smell, taste, they were enhanced slightly with adrenaline, and she reveled at the sensation.

"Are you scared?" Max asked as he saw her shaking like a leaf.

Carmen shook her head. "You?" She countered.

Max also shook his head. "I'm excited though. This is going to be fun!"

Carmen nodded her agreement. "I know! But I am a little nervous." She confessed. Max agreed, smiling mockingly. Carmen laced her fingers with Max. "Mind if I hold your hand?" She asked.

Max shook his head, dazed with the tingling sensation he felt. He was gob smacked. He couldn't believe it! He was holding her hand! They were holding hands! It was so small, and dainty, and so unbelievably soft and warm. Just like her. He felt her squeeze his hand tighter and he thought he was going to melt in his seat.

The ride commenced. Carmen noticed Dean and Alex were sitting in the seats in front of him. She saw Dean lean back, turn around to see her, smile, and return to his seat to anticipate the rush of the ride.

Without further delay, the ride slowly started. They went forward, then upward, and continued on until they were hanging upside down. They were hanging like that for what seemed like forever, when they soared rapidly backward.

Carmen could hear the other passengers on the ride scream and she laughed loudly. She felt her hair rush to her face as the ride sustained its momentum for two full circles before her hair was blasted away from her face as the ride went forward all the way till they reached the top, as they had before, then they flew forward instead of backward at what seemed a much faster pace; lasting for another two full circles until they hung upside down for the third time.

They stayed that way for a while longer. Carmen thought for a split second that maybe they were stuck. She could feel the blood rushing to her head, until, out of nowhere, they fell backward, startling Carmen to let out a squeal and she tightened her grip on Max's hand, as her stomach flew to her throat than fall uncomfortably to her bottom. It continued this way for another two consecutive turns before the ride began to slow by teetering forward and tottering backward, until it finally came to a smooth stop.

Carmen and Max stared at each other, wide eyed and silent; then burst into laughter. They were released from the ride by the ride operator and stumbled down the steps, still laughing and giggling to one another.

"Did you hear the other's screaming?" Carmen chuckled.

"Yeah! But, you! Oh, man. You should have seen your face!" Max exclaimed, laughing loudly.

"Me?" Carmen also exclaimed, smiling. "What about you?"

But Max was shaking with merriment and Carmen couldn't help but smile at him. They both reached Justin and Justin couldn't help himself. He rushed toward Carmen.

"Are you OK?" He asked her.

Carmen nodded, smiling animatedly. "Oh, Justin! You missed it! Max was screaming and squealing―" Carmen began laughing, enjoying very much in teasing Max, playfully.

"No, I wasn't! You were the one that practically bruised my hand by squeezing it so hard!"

Carmen stopped laughing. She looked down at Max's hand. "Did I really?" She asked concerned, and frowning.

Max stared at her, momentarily confused at her sudden change of mood. "No, I'm fine." He stated simply, as if it were obvious and he couldn't believe she would take him seriously.

Carmen beamed, clearly relieved. "Oh, good." She breathed out.

"Max!" Someone called. Max turned. "Oh, hey!" He said and ran to meet the friend that called him.

Carmen watched Max leave before she turned to face Justin. He was staring at her, warmth evident in his gray eyes. She nearly melted under his gaze. But something was bothering her from enjoying his gaze properly. Something was nagging at her. She glanced back at the ride, and sighed heavily. Dean was approaching them with a moody, upset Alex following reluctantly behind him.

Justin followed Carmen's gaze and frowned. Couldn't Dean just leave Carmen alone? Just because he was her best friend and is protective of her and doing what he felt was the right thing, didn't mean he had to shadow her every move and be around all the time.

Justin could sense Carmen's spirits diminish. If Dean's presence makes her sad, and his makes her happy, then he'll just have to whisk her away from him. Every single time, if need be.

He grabbed her hand, and whisked Carmen away as he planned to. He dragged her away from the pair and into the crowd to blend within them; making it difficult for Dean to spot them. Justin could just hear an angry and disgruntled grunt a littles a way behind them. Justin smiled, pleased with himself.

"Justin?" Asked Carmen.

Justin turned at hearing his name. He distinctly saw Carmen's eyes water with a mist of confusion. He stopped in front of her and held her hands in his, and stared deeply in her eyes. An unspoken understanding passing through them. Carmen smiled at Justin. She appreciated Justin now more than ever.

"Look!" She said. "House of Mirrors! (A/N: It's been so long since I've been to a fair/carnival that I forget what the proper names of some of the rides/games are. I don't remember the proper name for this one, but it's the one where it's a maze made out of glass and/or mirrors, where you have to find your way out.) I used to go through those all the time with my friends in Cali. We used to try to scare each other." She smiled mischievously at Justin.

House of Mirrors? That could be fun. He would be alone with Carmen, not to mention he'd be able to admire her beauty from different angles. All sorts of angles. The possibilities! He grabbed her hand, excitedly and ran toward the House of Mirrors, Carmen laughing gleefully behind. She knew why he was in a hurry and she blushed.

They entered right after a pair of chuckling kids. Carmen letting go of Justin's hand lightly, walked ahead. She turned around to face him and began walking backwards, an impish glint in her eye. Justin raised a brow, curious as to what Carmen was planning. Without warning, Carmen made a turn and disappeared.

"Carmen?" Justin called out smirking.

"Yes?" Echoed Carmen's voice.

"Where are you?"

"Why don't you come and find me?" She replied playfully.

Justin smirked wider. He made a left turn, continued on, and found himself at a dead end. He could hear Carmen giggle and tried to follow the sound. He back-tracked a few feet and took a right turn. He thought he saw her and strolled quickly toward the form, but the vision of Carmen disappeared.

"Almost had me!" She sang, a trill of amusement in her voice.

Justin chuckled softly. He was glad Carmen was having a good time, even if it was at his expense. All he wanted to do, aside from watching her form in the reflections of the mirrors, is make her happy and keep her happy. What ever it takes to keep that beautiful smile on that sweet face would be all worth it to him. That's all he, currently, aspired to.

He looked up an inhaled a breath. There she was. Standing before him, smiling a dazzling smile. She looked so beautiful, as though a glow was emanating from her. Her hair was so long, so shiny, and soft and was a gorgeous brown. A perfect shade of chocolate brown. Her skin was of a sun-kissed satin that felt blissful under his touch. Her eyes a hazel-green that often mesmerized him into a trance. It brought shivers down his spine just staring into them.

He took a few steps forward, toward her. His eyes refusing to look anywhere but into hers. He noticed her smile widen, encouraging him to come closer. That she was waiting for him. He obliged happily. He stepped closer and closer...

"Umph!" He said as he was met with the cold, flat surface of the mirror, instead of the soft warmth that should have been Carmen. He scowled at the reflection of a giggling Carmen.

"Sorry! That's not me!" She managed to say through her giggles.

"OK, Carmen. I'm not playing any more." Justin pouted, rubbing his forehead.

"Aww, poor Justin. Did you hurt yourself?" She teased.

Justin huffed, then smiled at Carmen's reflection. A glint of his own in his eye that Loki himself would be proud of. Carmen's amused smile faltered. Justin was up to something. She saw him take two steps back, then one step to the left, and vanish.

"Justin?" She called, stepping out into the open. "Justin, c'mon. I was just teasing you."

But all she saw was her reflection. She turned left, her. She turned left again, her. No matter which way she turned it was herself she was facing. She'd turn right, hoping for a different result, and again, was met by herself. She turned two more times, and still herself. She walked forward, touched the mirror, and traced the length of the mirror for a while, walking alongside it. She found the edge and cautiously took the turn.

"Justin?" She tried again. Still nothing.

She stared at the person in front of her. Another reflection. But something was different. The young lady in front of her had the same hair, the same lips, skin, features, but the eyes. The eyes were different. They weren't hazel-green. They were brown. Actually, the more she analyzed the form in the mirror, the more she realized it wasn't her. It was her mother!

"M-Mom?" She whispered.

The woman in the mirror smiled sadly at her and nodded once. Carmen shook her head. No. There's no way. Another form appeared behind the image of her mother. It looked like Jesse. Jesse was here? Carmen's heart accelerated with fear. She turned quickly behind her, but saw no one. She returned her attention to the mirror. She regarded the man in the mirror, focusing on his appearance. It was older. The eyes were hazel-green.

"Dad?" She choked out, her throat constricting.

What was going on here? She cannot be seeing her dead parents in the mirror. They were... They were dead for goodness sakes! And last time she checked, she was still in the House of Mirrors, not in one of Hogwart's classrooms. This is ridiculous! She shut her eyes, and slowly reopened them. Her parent's were still staring at her in the mirror.

A third figure appeared, placing itself in the center. It looked exactly like her brother. She narrowed her eyes at him. He smirked maliciously at her. Carmen glanced briefly at her parents. They stared at their son's seemingly look-alike figure. Fear and sorrow streaking their face. Carmen relayed her attention to the figure once more. His malicious smile widened at her interest, and then he turned toward their mother, and without warning, took a strong hold of her neck.

"No!" Carmen hissed.

The figure, still watching Carmen, twitched his hand slightly, and snapped Carmen's mother's neck.

"No!" Carmen yelled.

She rushed to the mirror, and knelt before the dead form of her mother, trying vainly to hold her, but her hands were flat against the mirror. She began to sob. She stared angrily at the figure that resembled her brother. Then stared, just as angry, at her father. Why did he just stand there? Why didn't he do anything to stop that monster? He was willing to take a bullet for his wife, but he allowed this monster to snap her mother's neck?

As if reading Carmen's mind, the Jesse look-alike repeated the gesture to the other parent. Carmen stood.

"No, please!" She begged.

But the Jesse clone just leered at Carmen, and while keeping hold of Carmen's pleading glare, also, grabbed a very strong hold of the father's neck. Carmen's father stared at Carmen, tears in his eyes. He mouthed an "I'm sorry" to Carmen and then, he too, died with a hand twitch by the figure.

"NO!!" Carmen yelled, anguished. "Why?"

The figure's leer widened, if that were possible, brows raised.

What could this mean? This figure looked so so much like her brother. Same exact features: same hair, and skin tone. It even had the same small scar on its chin that Jesse had. Could it be? Could this figure be Jesse? A manifestation of her brother? And if it were, what did it mean? That he killed her parents? That he had wanted to? Nothing was making sense. She didn't want to believe that. She couldn't. She loved her brother. She refused to believe her brother capable of anything as horrible as snapping his parents neck. And without remorse? No.

She stared into Jesse's face, pleading with him, begging him for an explanation. Jesse began to laugh and Carmen's blood boiled with an anger she's never felt before. Jesse ceased his laughter, then, stared at her intently. Promising the same fate comes for her and Carmen's anger disappeared instantly and was replaced with a fear that paralyzed her.

She shut her eyes tightly. Then opened them, and Jesse was gone.

"Justin?" She called out, her throat still a little constricted. But she was met with silence.

"Justin!!" She screamed, panicked.

She was very frightened, now. Her emotions obscured by the fear that held her in place. She didn't know what to do. She didn't know what to feel or what to think. All she knew was that she needed to feel anything but the coldness threatening to engulf her. She fell to the floor, and released what ever emotions she was able to.

Justin had heard Carmen cry out "No!" twice and tried to reach her but got lost when she was no longer in his line of sight. When he heard her cry out his name, his searched intensified. But it was the panic in her voice the second time she cried out for him that he resorted to his magic. He used a locater spell his father taught him a while back and thankfully found her crouched on the floor sobbing uncontrollably. He knelt down on the floor beside her. His heart wrenching at the sight of her.

"Carmen?" He asked her tentatively.

Carmen looked up and sighed feeling reassured and calm with Justin there. She lunged onto him and hugged him fiercely. She held onto him as if her life depended on it. Justin hugged her back, unsure of what else to do but hold her as closely as she was holding him. Carmen pulled away, and stared into Justin's eyes. She saw confusion, concern, and hurt. He was hurting because she was hurting and she didn't want to feel hurt anymore.

So, she did something she didn't expect. Something that Justin didn't expect. But to her, it was the only way she could feel better. It was the only thing she could think of to feel the warmth she so, so, so desperately needed. She was feeling empty and cold and all she wanted was to feel protected. To feel cared for and wanted. There was no other way.

She caressed Justin's face. He cared for her. She could see it in his eyes that he wanted to be the one for her; to be her comfort. She grabbed his face and kissed him. She kissed him hard and desperately.

A/N: Well, there you have it! This was probably one of the hardest chapters I have ever written. But I feel alright about it. Did you like it? I hope you do. By the way, the right kind of flattery can definitely take you ANYWHERE... ;)