Unknown Happen Stance

Chapter 27: Belittling Someone Encourages Inadequacy

Back at the palace, the atmosphere hummed with tension. Jane crossed her arms, her brow furrowed as she spoke. "To be honest, I'm concerned about what Audrey's cooking up and how Chad is going to react."

Carlos leaned back in his chair running a hand through his hair a sigh escaping his lips. "You know we can't control his choices, Jane. It's his own fault he's slipping back into his old ways."

"Sure, it's sad and true," she agreed, pausing to gather her thoughts. The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of their concerns settling in. Jane looked around at her friends and spoke with a quiet intensity. "But belittling someone like him and reminding him of his mistakes is only going to encourage his inadequacies. He's coming to my birthday party even if you don't like him."

"Eugh!" Carlos groaned theatrically; tossing his hands behind his head and leaning back in his chair, the wood creaking under his weight.

"I think Jane is right, Carlos." Mal leaned forward, her gaze steady and sincere. "If we want Chad to grow and improve, we need to support him even when we don't get along. Our goal is to build empathetic kindness."

Ben nodded in agreement his voice firm. "Mal's right. Auradon Prep is all about empathy. It's the slogan Fairy Godmother placed for a reason."

Musa sat up a little straighter, her eyes sparkling with encouragement. "Carlos, do you not realize how incredibly empathetic you are yourself? You can nail this task. Remember what you told me in Remedial Goodness class? You and Evie signed up to be counselor interns, helping students with difficult lessons. You have a pretty big and exceptionally wise brain. You're clearly not afraid of Chad—so why act like you are?!"

A stark blank expression washed over Carlos's face, his usual confidence faltering. He shifted in his seat; the playful spark dimming as he processed Musa's words.

"Do I really?" he finally murmured an unsure frown replacing his earlier bravado. The lingering silence spoke volumes; his friends regarded him with a mixture of hope and determination.

"You do," Jane affirmed softly breaking the stillness. "We all see it. You care. That's what matters."

Carlos hesitated the gears in his mind turning. He glanced around the room each of their expressions urging him to rise to the occasion. A flicker of realization crossed his features and, with a slow nod, he began to understand the challenge laid before him.

"Jay said you had a decent brain, and that it helped you guys make strategic wins for Ben when you played sports together. Do the same thing with Chad," Musa replied, her voice steady but encouraging. "Be like the twin brother he never had. Jay did something rare for you. Most people underestimate the talents and ideas of younger brothers, but Jay never did with you. Even though he feels like an older brother to you, he values your insights."

Carlos shifted uncomfortably in his chair, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees. "But Chad is so... different," he murmured, searching for the right words. "He's always in this mess, and I'm not sure how to handle it."

"Chad needs you to be the gentle way Jay was to you," Musa urged, her eyes wide and earnest. "Sometimes, it's a younger brother from a different mother who helps another boy see his mistakes as being really bad, Carlos Deville."

As Musa's words landed, a flicker of realization sparked in Carlos's eyes. He straightened up, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. His gaze shifted to the floor, lost in thought, as if he could feel the weight of Musa's perspective settling deep within him.

"I guess I never thought of it that way," he finally said, a hint of determination starting to creep into his voice. "Jay always brought out the best in me, even when I doubted myself. Maybe I can do the same for Chad?"