See The Light 💜✨

x.

When the pep rally was over, Carlos immediately ran to me like his life depended on it to stay away from the developing crowd trying to either leave the bleachers to go to their dorms, talk to the bands that performed before the game, or congratulate the Auradon tourney players for winning. He was a nervous wreck and I couldn't help but feel anxious to leave too.

"You ready?" I stood up from my chair, Carlos standing behind me in fear.

He blinked hastily but shook his head,"Don't you want to say goodbye to Alex?"

I felt my heart swell with the feeling of courage he was currently expressing..just so I could say goodbye to my friend. I mean, I hoped Alex considered me his friend.

"Uh, yeah, but you look like you're ready to jump out of your own skin. Maybe we should just leave," I wrapped an arm around his shoulders like I do to help calm him down, giving him a playful smirk.

He looked up at me, always with these puppy dog eyes (probably the wrong analogy to use but whatever) every time, with hope but only shook his head again,"N-no, it's fine..he's right over there." He pointed into the crowd surrounding Alex's drum set and I sighed in defeat.

"Do you want to come with me?"

"Yes please," he sounded pitiful but I couldn't help but feel a lump forming in my throat looking at the crowd.

I put a hand on his shoulder as we made our way towards the band equipment, my blood pressure spiking as people flocked around us.

They continued to give us dirty looks like earlier and I wanted to bark at them. That would give them a scare for sure.

We eventually found Alex talking to none other than Prince Ben, all decked out in his tourney gear and his face covered with dirt spots from being tackled a few times, whom I had no idea he was even friends with.

We were barely fifteen feet away from them when Alex grinned widely, he motioned for me to make my way over and we trotted over there.

Ben turned around to see us and smiled even more optimistically than Alex had somehow,"Hey, guys! Didn't know you'd be here!"

"Yep, they came to see me, obviously," Melody materialized behind Alex, she squeezed herself in between Ben and Alex,"Who else?"

"Well, definitely not Laddie," Alex joked, rubbing the back of his neck, making Ben raise his eyebrows...did he not know?

"Speaking of, where is he?" Ben asked, making my suspicion ring truer,"I haven't seen him since yesterday in History."

"Mellie kicked him out of the band yesterday..well, she says she did," Alex had a tinge of giggle in his voice and even Ben couldn't hold back as he laughed loudly.

"Melody? Kicking Laddie out of the band? Wow, I needed that laugh," he clapped Alex on the shoulder and Melody crossed her arms and scrunched her nose like she did when she got annoyed.

She rolled her eyes and started tapping her foot,"I didn't necessarily kick him out, I told him to leave practice early the other day because of a certain..." she looked over at me but I just pursed my lips,"incident."

"Since when does Laddie not get into incidences?" Ben inquired. Alex and Melody shrugged simultaneously, making Ben sigh,"Guess he'll always be the same."

I wanted to roll my eyes but instead I looked at Alex, my eyes pleading for him to notice me so I could say 'bye' and leave.

Soon enough, he looked over and I gave a small wave,"You guys did great and this has been fun but Carlos and I have to leave..we have P.E. tomorrow and need to sleep in to get enough strength."

"Oh yeah, are you guys prepared to play mock tourney?" Ben gave us a curious look, actually wondering if we'd enjoy the barbarically cool sport we watched not too long ago.

I licked my lips,"I mean, I'm not much of a team sport kinda guy.."

"Yeah and I'm not really a....sports in general kinda guy," Carlos piped up, making Ben nod in thought.

"Hey," Alex got my attention,"Why don't you guys come by the music room after your class before then tomorrow? I have it that same period and it would be cool to have someone to walk with me."

"I actually have something to do before we go so I can't," Carlos said nervously.

"Oh, yeah, that's not a problem, Carlos. Don't worry," Alex smiled at him with reassurance, making Carlos feel accepted even more,"What about you, Jay?"

I blinked a few times before registering that he was asking me,"Yeah, I'll be free."

"Then it's settled, I'll see you guys tomorrow."

"See you then."

"Bye," Carlos turned around and began walking away, I followed after him before noticing Alex watching us leave.

When we made it to the exit, I turned around and noticed Alex still staring at us...when he noticed me noticing, he waved. I waved back.

"You're so whipped," Carlos giggled childishly before walking faster so I wouldn't catch him.

"Oh, shut up, Carlos," I laughed as I went to grab him, running all the way to our dorm room with smiles on our faces.