Water is rising it's filling the room
Light of my life darling we are renewed
If I am the waves then you must be the moon
You pull so hard I am drowning
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CARLOS WAS only in one of my classes: computer science. And because of his existence, it has become my favorite class, though I was terrible at it.

"Okay, let me go over this again." He chuckled, reaching in front of me for the mouse, "You see that? That's how you change the dimensions. And when you put that at 30, this side would appear. Yeah?"

I nodded, but the look on my face must've given away how confused I was. He laughed.

"Just get out, you dumbo."

I got up from my seat, but not before giving him a playful jab in the ribs at the remark. He squealed slightly, causing some of the other kids in our class to momentarily turn away from their computers and glance at us.

"I didn't know you were ticklish." I said as he sank into my chair and started typing.

"Me either." He replied absentmindedly, eyes fixed on the screen, "I'm used to being beaten up, not tickled."

I frowned at his words. "Does it still hurt?" I asked, referring to his bruises.

He looked up at me, and I caught him glimpsing at the cut on my face. "It's getting better." He answered indirectly, "Don't worry about it."

That did not wipe away my frown. Gosh, if I could get my hands on Cruella-

"There you go." Carlos pushed the chair back and went back to his seat next to me, "Just put the dimensions in and you're good..."

He trailed off when he saw the disapproving look on my face.

"What?"

I stretched my arm towards his face and lightly touched the purple patch. It was the first time we've had any physical contact since the night before and he kept his stunned gaze on me. I tapped lightly on the area above his cheekbone and he tried but failed to hide the pain. Carlos reached up and gently took my hand off his face, not breaking eye contact.

There was something about that moment that was so raw and strange to me.

The way he rubbed his thumb over the back of my hand, wordlessly communicating with me made my heart swell with emotions.

I'm okay.

I saw it in his eyes.

I'm okay.

I saw it in the way he carried his gaze.

I'm okay.

I saw it in the way he clasped his other hand on mine, the weight both light and heavy.

Believe me.

I felt it.

"You're okay." I murmured.

He smiled, as if he was hoping I'd say that. "Yes, I'm okay." He turned towards my computer, letting go of my hand, "And you need to get this done with before class ends."

I smiled, before sitting myself down in my chair and placing my hands on the keyboard. I felt him staring at me as I worked, arms proped up on the space between him and his laptop.

"Okay guys." Our teacher called from the front of the classroom ten minutes later. I had to peak out from behind my screen to see him. "Class is about to end. I suggest you start logging out."

"Are you doing anything after school?" Carlos asked me as he yanked the strap of his bag up his shoulder.

I pursed my lips, giving him an apologetic look. "Yeah, Evie wants me to try on the dress she's been working on. It's for cotillion. Sorry." I explained as we started walking out of the classroom.

Carlos looked surprised. "She texted me about trying something on tomorrow too."

We paused, then synchronously grinned when we realized Evie's intention.

"Well she's determined." I commented.

Just then, a fairly tall boy who was heading in the opposite direction of us pushed me by the shoulder. "Thief." He tutted at me.

Carlos turned around sharply, looking like he was about to throw an insult back at him before I grabbed him by the arm.

"Let him be, Carlos." I said.

He glowered. "But-"

"Carlos." I said, more sternly than the first time.

"Fine." The white haired boy sulked. It was actually kind of cute to see him grumpy.

I turned a corner and was surprised to see him follow behind me. "You have PE. You're literally going the complete opposite way." I reminded him, stopping at the side of the corridor so I could properly face him.

"Yeah I know." He shrugged, stopping as well, "But you know how much I hate PE."

"So what? You're gonna go to my class?" I giggled.

His smile was dreamy. "I wish I could." He looked down, gently taking my hand into his, then meeting my eyes again, "I just gotta know... if we're... you know, a package."

I made a face at him. "A- a package?"

Is that what you're supposed to call it?

He started laughing when I started laughing. "Yes! Yes, a package!"

"A package!" I exclaimed like it was ridiculous.

"Is that a yes or what?" Carlos asked, grasping my other hand.

I smiled at him after I got over my fit of giggles. "Yeah. I suppose."

"Well then," He moved closer, disregarding the people who eyed us when they strolled by, "I think it's safe for me to do this."

He briefly kissed my forehead, resulting in a fresh new layer of redness in my cheeks. His lips were soft, the touch so featherlike I almost didn't feel it. Or maybe I was just numb with the feeling in my chest, so foreign yet so familiar.

"I know you're gonna need some time to understand what exactly this is." This sweet boy whispered near my ear, "But I got you, okay?"

"Okay." I smiled.

With one last squeeze of a hand, he walked away.

My heart was both full and empty. My fingers were tingingly with electricity.

The warning bell rang. "Shoot." I said under my breath as I snapped out of it and hurried to chemistry. A red poster hung on the board when I walked in.

"I thought you were gonna be late." Evie told me when I finally came in running.

"Blame Carlos for being so distracting." I replied, words flying out of my mouth as I searched for my textbook.

"Distracting, huh?" Evie teased, resting her chin in her hands.

"Says the girl who stares at the back of Doug's head for the whole forty minutes of class." I grinned back at her, eyebrows raised.

"Oh shut up."

We spent the next twenty minutes listening to our teacher's lecture about fire safety and elements, jotting down notes as instructed. It was difficult to keep my mind of him, but somehow I managed.

"We have a lab on Thursday." The teacher told us, "So I suggest you get a head start on the worksheet before-"

There was a knock on the door. The teacher looked annoyed as he dragged himself towards the door in a huff. His face mirrored our confused expressions when Fairy Godmother walked in, followed closely by Belle and her son. Belle whispered something to the teacher.

Ben almost immediately made eye contact with Evie and I, worry knitted his eyebrows.

What? I mouthed.

"Please excuse our interruption." The Fairy Godmother said, voice full of authority as she addressed the mystified students in the classroom, "Have any of you seen Audrey since last night? Her roommates reported that she never returned to her room."

Evie and I exchanged panicked glances. This was exactly what we were worried about.

The class shook their heads, looking at one another.

"No one?" Fairy Godmother's voice went up in dismay before turning to Belle and whispering "This is the last class we've asked."

"Did something happen?" A girl in the front row questioned.

Belle turned to her. The Queen's voice was small and polite. "Please don't worry, dear. I'm sure everything will be sorted out."

Murmurs arose. I slipped my phone out under my desk and saw the new messages from the group chat.

Jay: Did y'all hear? Audrey's missing

Mal: !!!

Carlos: Yeah Ben showed up at my class just five minutes ago. They had to stop our game of frisbee

Mal: Geez she's making it such a big deal

Jay: A big deal out of what?

Mal: She stormed into my room last night after Ben broke up with her

Carlos: Yikes

I started typing.

Brae: I hope she doesn't cause herself or anybody more trouble

Mal: Knowing her she probably will

Jay: Where could she have gone tho? Auradon isn't that big

Carlos: I dunno. But there are places to hide.

Mal: I honestly don't care. She's probably just tryna make a scene

Brae: maybe

Evie urgently poked my shoulder and I looked up.

"Would you mind telling the class what you found so interesting on your phone, missy?" The teacher said wryly.

I was so caught up that I didn't realize Ben, Belle and the Fairy Godmother had left.

"Just checking the time, sir." I answered extra sweetly.

He crossed his arms. "First warning, Braelyn." He said, "Two more and you'll be sent to the headmistress' office."

I nodded.

First warning indeed.

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Thank you so so much for reading. It means the world. Don't be afraid to comment if I made any mistakes.