Chapter Text
He was at a party he got dragged too by Nilanjana. “C’mon Carlos it will be fun.” She said, Darryl, standing beside her, said “We’ll only stay a few hours It’s fine.” Reluctantly Carlos agreed. They got into Nilanjana’s car, Nilanjana and Darryl in front Carlos in the back.
They arrived at the edge of the desert to a house playing with way-to-loud music. Carlos leaned over the sat. “So, Nils, who’s party is this? And shouldn’t we have brought gifts?” Darryl answered, “Larry Leroy and no we didn’t have to bring gifts, c’mon let's go.” They got out of the car and Carlos followed, sticking close to the couple.
They went in and they were greeted by loud music and a bunch of people. Darryl dragged Nilanjana to the kitchen and Carlos followed. Darryl poured them drinks and threw his back in one motion, while Carlos sipped at his. They stood there for a while before Nilanjana pulled Darryl to the living room, Carlos tried to follow but lost them in the crowd.
He looked around for them, barley getting through the mass of people. Ten minutes later he found them in a corner making out. He sighed and turned around disappearing with the people.
He tried to find the kitchen again, but he couldn’t see anything. He wandered around, the people around him feeling more crushing the more he moved. Finally, he popped out of the crowd into a hallway almost bumping into a couple.
He leaned against a wall, clutching his drink for dear life. He could feel his face blood rushing in his ears and his breaths were loud and hurried. He sank down to the ground looking for something to ground himself.
Someone crouched down before him.
“Hey, are you alright?”
Carlos looked up and met the eyes of Cecil, the intern at the radio station. He opened his mouth and closed it again, before shaking his head. “Alright” He stood up and held out his hand. “Come with me.” Carlos took his hand and followed him to a room that was quieter and closed the door. Carlos sat down on a couch while Cecil stood next to the door.
They sat a while in silence, muffled music coming through the door.
“Thank you”
Cecil looked up “OfCourse! You alright?” He nodded; his eyes studied him. “You’re Cecil right?” Cecil nodded “The one and only.” “I like your cane” Carlos said and chewed on his lip. The cane was purple and it had a keychain hanging of it with the logo of the radio station. “Thank you” He said and sat down next to him on the couch. Carlos felt his face heat up slightly.
“If you don’t mind me asking, why do you need it?” “Oh well I have cerebral palsy, so my muscles tension is messed up, it also has an effect on my joints, so my knees and wrists hurt.” He rolled up his pant leg “Here look I also wear braces.” He was wearing purple braces with an eye design on it. Carlos tilted his head “Isn’t Cerebral palsy normally much worse.” Cecil nodded “There are also less severe forms, but people normally don't know that as cerebral palsy.” Carlos nodded “That makes sense.”
He stopped chewing on his lip and fidgeted with his hands instead. “sorry” Cecil looked confused. “What why?” “For keeping you here, you probably want to go back to the party.” Cecil shook his head” I was planning on leaving soon anyway, it got way more crowded then I thought.” “Oh” “I can stay if you want, it’s quiet in here.” Carlos nodded. “You sure? You don’t have to stay for me.” Cecil nodded “I don’t mind staying; besides it’s good company.” Carlos smiled and they started talking.
Suddenly a couple burst in, they leaned against the wall and were making out. Carlos and Cecil jumped, and Carlos realized who they were. “Nilanjana!” He screamed. They broke loose and laughed “Oh sorry Carlos.” Her eyes drifted to Cecil and laughed. Beside her Darryl held her arm and kissed his shoulder. Nilanjana giggled, winked at Carlor “Have fun” she said before leaving the room with Darryl.
Carlos turned red and turned back to Cecil. “Sorry about that. I should probably go.” He said and stood up. Cecil turned to him “Oh- alright. Wait how are you going to get home?” Carlos stopped at the door, he hadn’t thought about that. “Oh yeah uhm- I-” He didn’t have his license yet and Nilanjana and Darryl were busy; he didn’t have money for a cab. Maybe walking?
He was pulled from his thought be Cecil's offer “I can drive you.” He paused “If you want.” Carlos turned to him “That would be great actually, are you sure?” Cecil nodded “Yeah of course.” Cecil stood up and grabbed his cane and jacket before stepping out. When the door opened Carlos was overwhelmed by the loud music. Cecil saw his hesitancy and held out a hand. “So we don’t get separated.” He explained and Carlos took his hand, it felt grounding in his own. They weaved through the crowd, Cecil knocking people out of the way with his cane.
Soon they popped out on the other side. Cecil led them to his car still holding his hand, they walked trough the parking lot like that, the silence washing over them. They arrived at his car and Cecil let go of his hand to go open the car. He folded his cane and put it in the back seat and got in, Carlos slipped in the passenger seat. While they drove Carlos shot Nilanjana a text and started out of the window.
“Are you okay?” Cecil asked pulling Carlos out of his dozing. He looked over at Cecil and nodded “Yeah just very tired.” “Alright, we’re almost there.” Carlos hummed and leaned back against the window.
He got woken up again by Cecil “Carlos, were here” Carlos rubbed his eyes and sat up. “Ah, thank you.” He mumbled and got out of the car. “Wait Carlos, can I get your number?” Cecil asked. Carlos flushed red and nodded eagerly, opening his phone and handing it to him. Cecil typed in his number and gave the phone back. Carlos got out of the car. “Thank you for getting me home and saving me from the party. Goodnight” Cecil blushed slightly “It was my pleasure” Cecil said “Goodnight” He said and closed the door. Carlos walked inside. He got changed and fell into bed, putting his phone and glasses on the nightstand before shutting of his lights and falling asleep quickly, exhausted from the party.