What Really Happened with the Tapes

Chapter 4

Chapter Song: Falling For Ya from Team Beach Movie

Before he knew it, Carlos had lived in Night Vale for two months. He and Cecil often hung out on the roof of city hall. Cecil told him about how one day, he was in city hall, and he saw the secret door slightly cracked open. Not being able to ignore such a  mystery, he went exploring. He found himself on the roof, and from then on, it was his own secret place. He decorated and made it comfortable, so he had a place to go when he was upset or needed to get out of the house.

Carlos was slowly growing accustomed to this strange town and its antics. He's gotten used to the mysterious hooded figures, accepted the randomness of the Sheriff's Secret Police, and learned not to question the vague yet menacing government agency.

Several times, Carlos had wanted to come out to Cecil, just to get it out there, and maybe then he could sort out the strange feelings he had towards his friend. But it never seemed to be the right time. It always felt like he would be doing it just for attention, or to ask Cecil out, both of which never the case. So Carlos just kept putting it off.

Anyway, his birthday was fast approaching, and he wanted his friends to attend. He currently sat addressing invitations to a few people, including Dana, Mary, and of corse Cecil. He sighed at the thought of him, tracing circles with his finger on his bedroom desk. Wait, what?

Since when have you been daydreaming about him? This is so weird, He told himself. You don't have a crush on him, he's just your best friend.

Best friend. That was a new concept for him. Carlos thought back to his elementary school days, trying to remember if he'd ever called someone that before.

There was a knock on his bedroom door that made Carlos jump.

"Carlito," his mother called him by his nickname, given to him when he was 2. "Dinner is ready"

"Thanks Mamá, I'll be out soon," he replied. Carlos sighed and quickly finished addressing the letters.

...o0o...

Cecil had just finished the last season of Deathnote on a rental dvd. Trying to cope with the sadness of the end, he set about writing a Lawlight fanfiction (otp!). He had a sudden urge to text Carlos about the feels.

He really had a significant crush on his best friend, but didn't want to screw up their friendship. What if he confessed, but Carlos didn't reciprocate? And worse, what if he didn't want to be his friend anymore? He didn't even know if Carlos was into guys. Cecil couldn't take that kind of rejection.

Cecil sighed, then resumed his writing.

...o0o...

The next day, Carlos handed out the invitations to his friends. His circle grown to include Kevin, Cecil's twin brother, and Earl Harlan, one of Cecil's childhood friends. He handed each of them an invitation, saying "I hope to see you there." When he gave Cecil his designated envelope, he felt his heart flutter as their fingers brushed together.

Calm down, he thought. You're just happy that you have another friend of another sexuality than strait. Yea, that's it.

...o0o...

As soon as Cecil got home, he tore into the invitation. The party was this coming Saturday, from 6-8 pm.

With a giddy squeal, the blonde wrote 'Carlos birthday party' in big purple letters on the corresponding spot in the calendar. In almost an instant, he was on his bike, wallet in his pocket, riding down to the mall.

...o0o...

Carlos waited anxiously at the entrance of the bowling alley for his guests. Well, one in particular. Earl called ahead and said he couldn't come, and Mary and Dana were already there.

Just as he was about to turn away from the door, two bicycles turned the corner across from the Arcade Fun Complex. One was purple (of corse), and the color made his heart leap. It's platonic excitement. Purely best friendness, he kept telling himself.

Cecil and his brother locked up their bikes before coming inside. Carlos studied the two for the hundredth time, just to be sure he never confused the two. Kevin was more tan, due to more exposure to the sun. He was also about an inch taller than his brother, standing at 5'9". However, the most obvious difference between the two were their eyes: a bland sand-brown verses a vibrant violet. All in all, Kevin seemed very... bland compared to his brother.

The smaller boy pulled a backpack from one shoulder and produced a box wrapped in purple paper. Cecil gently handed it to his friend and whispered "Be careful with it" in his ear before moving inside. Kevin laughed quietly at the blush on his face. Carlos shook it off before turning back inside.

...o0o...

The evening progressed as a birthday party should, starting with a round of bowling, then about an hour of arcade gaming. A little before the cake, Carlos heard S Club 7's "Natural" come on the radio. He just froze in place, thinking about the lyrics, until Cecil, not looking where he was going, bumped into him. Cecil stuttered his apologies before scuttling off to the table where candles on the cake were being lit.

Carlos felt his face turn bright red. He quickly walked to the bathroom to hide in a stall, waiting for the blush to subside. What has gotten into you? He asked himself. This is your best friend, nothing more.

Upon emerging from the restroom, Carlos found himself engulfed in a chorus of "Happy Birthday", immediately followed by cake and present opening. He gratefully thanked each person for their gifts before opening the purple box. With nervous excitement, he quickly peeled back the paper, only to meet a plain cardboard box. Tension growing, the future scientist opened the flaps at the top.

From the box he pulled the coolest gift he'd ever received. It was a purple lava lamp, about two feet high, the base and top covered in metal cutouts of stars. On the base were the words "I am star stuff".

Cecil beamed. "What do you think?"

Carlos leaned over and hugged his friend. "I love it. Thank you so much!"

At that moment, Carlos accepted that he liked this person more than a friend.