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Hell Hall was covered in torn streamers, bowls of rotten apple cider, and red and gold balloons. Mal had texted Carlos the week before to ask about throwing another party over their All Hallow’s Eve break. It was nice that this time she asked instead of demanded, and he replied he was happy to host as long as he would have some help cleaning.
Mal, Evie, and Jay had come over that afternoon to set everything up and they were all supposed to sleep over and clean in the morning. Cruella was on a spa weekend so it had just been the four of them. It was…nice. It felt like they weren’t even on the Isle anymore. They were just friends hanging out and throwing a party.
Carlos had used his old tactic of, “Be there or Mal will make sure you’re only known as vermin,” to get people to show up. Mal’s name was enough to scare people, but the extra threat was fun for Carlos. It was sure to be a great party. A real howler.
But as Carlos looked around the room, he felt anything but great. Maybe it was that the devil’s food brownies were crawling with flies, or maybe it was that he was standing alone watching the party instead of being in it. He sat down on the bottom step of the staircase and watched the moonlight pour into an otherwise dark manor. He saw Jay on the dance floor surrounded by girls, and Mal and Harry making out in a corner. Evie was nowhere to be found, but he assumed she had snuck into another room with some guy. Maybe one of the Gastons, they were all over her at school.
It wasn’t that Carlos begrudged his friends for being with other people, it would just be nice not to be alone. He’d never been great at the talking to people thing, but neither had Mal and she’d found someone. Maybe Carlos just had a problem.
Before he could get too deep into an identity crisis, someone sat down next to him. He guessed he looked pitiful enough to warrant a check-in. But when he shifted his head to look at the person, he was surprised to find it was Evie who had sat with him. She was wearing a spaghetti strap navy dress that barely covered her, with red boots and a red jeweled headband
“Hey, what are you doing over here? Come dance with me!” She grabbed his hands but he was resistant to move.
“Maybe later.”
“Come on Carlos, I can’t stand to see you moping by yourself. Having fun at a party won’t kill you.” He weighed his options and decided to stand up. Evie could be so persuasive, and besides, having fun really couldn’t kill him.
She kept her hold on his fingers and dragged him into the center of the dance floor. The music was playing so loud he could barely hear himself think, but he let himself get lost in the blaring noise. Dancing with Evie was fun, he couldn’t deny it. He watched her eyes sparkle as the moon washed over them. She interlaced their fingers and spun them around so the room became blurry, and only she was in focus. They both laughed, falling out of the circle and letting each other go.
The song changed as they were catching their breaths, to something even louder. Carlos hadn’t thought that was possible, but DJ Freddie Facilier proved him wrong.
“I’m going to sit back down,” Carlos yelled over the music.
“I’m coming with you,” She yelled back. He was surprised to hear that, but he wasn’t going to argue with her.
They made their way back to the staircase, weaving through all manners of kids on their way. This time, Carlos led them to the top step. He wanted to see what it would be like to watch the party from above. He sat down, leaning his head against the railing.
“It’s peaceful up here,” he mused.
“Mhmmm.” They sat in the silence for a moment. It was nearly the same position Carlos had been in a few minutes prior, but it felt completely different. He didn’t realize how much he needed a friend.
“Have you ever felt like you’re falling behind?” he blurted. He hadn’t really intended to say that, but it just kind of came out of him.
“What?”
“I don’t know, never mind.” Evie scooted in closer to him, until their legs were touching.
“No, tell me.” He took a deep breath before he decided to speak again.
“It’s just…you and Jay are always with people, and even Mal has Harry and I just feel like…god I’m sixteen and I’ve never even kissed someone.” He put his head into his lap, too scared to face the girl next to him.
“Carlos…” she whispered. She hesitated, not knowing what would help, but she settled on putting a hand on his shoulder. He lifted his head after a minute and looked up at her. “I don’t…” she started. Her eyes were pensive and unsure, but full of the love she was known for. Carlos wondered what she saw in his eyes.
Clearly she saw something, because he blinked and her lips were on his. The kiss was soft, but so much more than he ever imagined. The railing was digging into the back of his head, but it was worth it.
When she pulled away, both of them were smiling wider than they probably should have been. This time it was Carlos who leaned in and kissed Evie. This time it was more intense, more fervent, just more. He grabbed the back of her neck, and her hands grabbed onto his black and white curls. She arched her back against the step above them.
Now, when Carlos pulled away, it was different. Evie stood up and held out her hand.
“Do you want to go somewhere a little quieter?” she proposed. Carlos nodded, taking her hand and following her lead. She’d hung out there enough to know where his bedroom was. As they walked there they found a dude in a pirate hat passed out in the hallway.
“Wanna take bets on who spiked the punch?” Carlos laughed.
“My money’s on Harry,” Evie wagered.
“No way, it was definitely Jay.” Evie shook her head with a giggle.
Carlos turned the doorknob into his bedroom, well, closet, but it was close enough. His mattress on the floor was now adorned with a pillow and blanket Evie had given him. He sat down on the floor and she followed him down, both of them sitting with their legs crossed. He let out an awkward laugh, avoiding eye contact with her.
“So…what did you want to do now?” he asked sheepishly. Evie smiled at his discomfort.
“I want to make sure you’re comfortable,” she offered. He finally let their eyes meet.
“There’s no one I’ve ever been more comfortable with.” Evie smiled softly, it was true for her too.
She leaned in to kiss him, letting her mouth open farther. She slowly brought her hands up to his shoulders and removed his jacket, leaving his black t-shirt. He grabbed one of her straps, but didn’t move it until Evie broke their kiss and nodded to him.
* * * * * * * * *
Carlos lay there, only covered by his blanket, looking up at the ceiling. Evie was curled up next to him, her head resting on his shoulder and her eyes closed. Carlos was still breathing heavily, even minutes after. He’d never felt so connected to another person. He hoped Evie felt the same. She giggled a little, hearing his panting.
“Everything you thought it would be?” she asked him. He just nodded, not breaking his eye contact with the ceiling. “I’m glad.”
“Was it…good? For you, I mean,” he asked her.
“It was perfect, Carlos.” He smiled wide.
“Good. I mean…not that…” he took a breath to collect himself, “I don’t want you to think I expect anything now.” Evie lifted her hand to turn his head to her and rested it on his cheek.
“Carlos,” she whispered, “I’m glad I got to be your first, and I can’t wait for some beautiful, incredibly lucky girl to find out what an amazing guy you are. I know she’s coming.” He smiled at that, and at the genuine care in her eyes.
“I’m glad you were my first too. I’m glad it was someone I love.”
“I love you too. I always will.”
He was glad they knew each other enough to not have to talk too much about their relationship after this. It wasn’t awkward. They were best friends and they loved each other. And for once, it really was that simple.
They lay next to each other for a while longer, listening to the sounds of each other’s breathing and the faint party noise downstairs. Eventually they got dressed and made their way back downstairs. They found Jay cleaning up and Mal “supervising.” Carlos hadn’t realized how late it was, but everyone was gone so he guessed it was two or three in the morning.
“Finally!” Jay cried, “where the hell have you two been?”
“Oh, we just went upstairs for a little while. Carlos had a new machine to show me.” She took his hand and gave it a squeeze.
“Well get moving, no way am I cleaning this place all by myself.” He glared at Mal, but she skillfully avoided his eyes by fixing a loop on her belt.
“I’m only cleaning if Mal does.” Evie smirked and gave her best friend a provoking look.
“Fine.” Mal rolled her eyes and jumped off the barrel she was sitting on.
Between the four of them, the place was cleaned up in about an hour, and they could finally get to sleep.
“We have two sleeping bags and someone can share my bed,” Carlos explained as they entered his bedroom. Jay and Mal both dashed for the sleeping bags, citing that they did not share.
“I am perfectly okay with sharing,” Evie laughed and winked at Carlos. He fell asleep happier than he could ever remember being.