Chapter 1

Marina's POV

Here's how my contract works:

I have to convince the public that I am in an overwhelmingly romantic relationship with none-other than the handsomely famous Reynaldo Vega. While also maintaining an image of purity and innocence. Despite having no actual interest in him, nor a particularly good reputation, I decided to sign. In return I received residency at the Palm Woods, free of charge, and a chance to get away from my home city and all the people there. It seemed the best deal in the world.

That was until he arrived…

Kendall Knight.

Yes, he was a year younger than me. Yes, he was working with Gustavo Rocque, a man I couldn't stand after meeting him at the VMA's alongside my gorgeously ignorant date, Reynaldo. And yes, of course, how could I forget? He wasn't Reynaldo. And last time I checked I was only allowed Reynaldo.

Still, when I first saw Kendall, sat between his three other friends, his band, the motivation to move all the way to LA from what I heard was Minnesota, my heart skipped, time stopped. It was only him and me. Reynaldo didn't exist. Reynaldo's publicist didn't exist. And my name signed over that dotted line didn't exist.

Certainly, it's too inappropriate to be thinking these things. There was nothing to pursue even if I could. Kendall didn't even look back to me. He was preparing to record his demos and become famous, eventually earning a Marina, a girl to call his own, a girl to own. I was being dramatic, certainly. But maybe there was that glance, his eye catching the hem of my bright, honey-shaded sun dress, splattered with flowers. And maybe with that glance came fire, that rested in his chest and attempted to push forward, but was repressed by the nerves only a young woman could inspire. Maybe…

However, I knew it would only get me into trouble. So, I stayed away from him when I could. Which was much easier than I liked it to be considering he lived on the second floor with his three bandmates, mother, and sister, and I lived on the third. Sometimes I would ask my friend Camille about them. She was getting cozy, especially with the short white one, Logan.

"They seem very sweet. Crazy, but sweet," Camille told me one afternoon over smoothies. "Why are you wondering anyway? Wanna start dating one of them in secret?" I told Camille about my little arrangement a couple months after moving to the PalmWoods. Actually, she sort of picked it out after analyzing my behavior with him and without, something I am striving to close the gap on each and every day.

"No, no, of course not. I'm just curious. And, I mean, they are… cute. And they have nice voices. And such beautiful eyes…"

"Mari, you're spacing out again," Camille reminded.

"Oh, yeah, sorry," I apologized, taking a sip from my smoothie.

"Just talk to them. Get to know them. If you can't date them it would still be nice to be friends."

"I suppose you're right," I said. I looked over my shoulder, across the pool and immediately caught eyes with Kendall. We stared at each other for a good thirty seconds, before James, the third white one, stuck his head in between ours and waved flirtatiously towards me, smiling wide to display his perfectly straight teeth. I smiled back and then returned to my smoothie before hearing loud crashing noises coming from their direction and then the swift movement of James, Logan, and Carlos, the racial diversity of the band, pop up in front of my eyes.

"Camille, who's your friend?" James asked, waving once more to me.

"Marina Rivera," I introduced myself, looking over my shoulder once more to see Kendall walking into the lobby and out of my sights.

"My names James, and this is Logan, and Carlos. We're in a band. It's called Big Time Rush," James informed me.

"I know. Camille's actually told me a lot about you all," I said.

"Only because you asked," Camille replied.

"Shut up, Camille," I muttered, scratching the back of my head.

"Well, um, we'd just like to say that, um, uh… What was it that we were going to say?" Logan asked his friends.

Carlos just shrugged happily before James took over, asking, "We'd like to ask if you are single?"

"Wow, um, no, sorry. I have a boyfriend," I half-lied.

"See! I told you she'd have a boyfriend!" Logan squawked as he ushered the boys away from the table.

"It was nice meeting you," Carlos said, before being pulled away.

"Nice… to meet… you too…" I attempted to say as they ran off.

Camille began laughing and looked to me.

"Okay, I get the crazy now," I said.

"Oh, I think they're just nervous," Camille said, but I wasn't paying much attention because Kendall was standing in the entranceway to the pool area, looking over to where Camille and I were sitting. Why hadn't he come over to say hello?