Have you ever had one of those moments where life catches you so entirely off guard that you have to look around to see if there are hidden cameras? And it feels like there is no way that the situation could be real? I had experienced that feeling a lot over the past year but this time it really was unexpected.

"This has to be some kind of cruel joke, right?" I questioned, trying to keep the irritation from rising in my voice. "I mean you can't be serious about this."

"No this isn't a joke or cruel. In fact, you should consider yourself lucky that I even swung you this deal." My manager Liz explained, taking a moment to look up from her phone. "It's not like the offers are exactly pouring in anymore."

I rolled my eyes. "Tell me something I don't know."

"I had to fight tooth and nail to even get you this deal so you can't blow it," Liz said bitterly. "Come on Elle, I know you want to be back onstage."

She had a point, but it was the collaboration I was agreeing to was where I found an issue. I huffed and tried to not sound like the ungrateful pop star the media accused me of being.

"I do, I really do." I started, trying to sound grateful. "But Big Time Rush? Seriously? My fans fucking babysit their fans. I know I told you to get me on tour with anyone but this is a bit much."

Liz shook her head. "We talked about this they have an older fanbase just like you do. They're trying to appeal to an older audience now. Late teens and young 20 somethings same as you. Besides, they have a large fan base and that could pull in more people to buy your album. You agreed to this, it's too late to back out now."

I pursed my lips in frustration. Liz was right, it could help my album do well on the charts once it was released. I had known for awhile that I would be touring with them, I had signed the contracts weeks ago. But now that it was going to be official I was in disbelief. All I could think of was the basic ass, boyband sound I had heard from them in the past. It was the polar opposite of my edgy pop sound. Huffing, I glanced out the tinted window and crossed my arms.

"They're just so-" I trailed off, looking for the right word. "Boring."

"And by boring, you mean well behaved, popular, and innocent. All things which you aren't and need to be if you want back in the game. This is going to help you clean up your image and show that the 'Jett incident' was your rock bottom and this is your comeback."

I couldn't help but notice the way Liz cringed at the words 'Jett incident'. That was something that was happening a lot when people saw me and mentioned it. A slight wince of embarrassment or disgust and then it would be brushed off. I shuffled uncomfortably in my seat, opting not to think about the event that was now the reason I was desperately looking for a comeback. The sleek black car we were in pulled into the parking garage of Rocque Records and I unbuckled my seatbelt.

"Fine, I'll be on my best behavior." I gave my manager an overly fake grin and the older woman cracked a small smile.

"Best behavior Elle, not creepy fake smiles that make you look insane." She shook her head. "Listen the contracts are signed this is just the informal meeting for you guys to meet and have a quick photo op to create buzz."

I simply nodded and stepped out of the backseat of the SUV and smoothed out the skirt I was wearing and fixed a few stray hairs. "Let's get this over with."

Liz answered a call and I took the chance to roll my eyes at the situation. This was actually happening. I had nothing personal against them when we had met in passing they seemed nice. But the thought of having to tour with them to get back into the spotlight was still jarring.

"Big Time freaking Rush," I mumbled under my breath as I was led to the elevators. "More like Big Time freaking Lame."

"Elle you need to at least try to be polite their producer is taking a huge gamble on you."

"Fine." I spat as I stepped out of the elevator, I took off my large sunglasses. "Just make me famous again."

Liz shook her head. "That's my job, now don't forget to be nice. Throw out some compliments, act humble"

We turned down a red and white colored hallway and into a conference room. It was empty so I leaned against the long table. Nervously, I checked my hair once more. From out in the hall, I heard voices. I looked up and caught a glimpse of the band before they saw me, I had to admit they appeared nice enough. Big Time Rush and I had been at the same award shows enough that I recognized them and knew their names. Logan was standing closest to the door and had always come across as friendly. James had never seemed phased that I was dating someone when we saw each other. Carlos would flirt hopelessly and get tongue tied which I had found endearing. Then there was Kendall who had never said more than a few words whenever we came across each other. I knew that Jett wasn't his biggest fan, mostly because he was dating Jo.

Despite the fact, Jett had been my boyfriend he still made his feelings for Jo known. This was yet another reason Jett was a dick. However, I had to hand it to Liz. They were attractive guys and their fans would support whoever they backed. I jumped and was torn from my thoughts when Big Time Rush's producer walked into the room.

"Dogs! I dragged you here today to meet your new opening act. She's going to draw a new crowd so don't mess this up!"

"Guys meet Eleanor Harper from Condor Records." Kelly, a pretty, short woman introduced.

They walked in the door and I stood up, folding my arms. Feeling a bit awkward, it was like I was the new kid at school.

"Just Elle please, nice to meet you guys." I put on my best smile. "I can't wait to tour with you."

Logan shook my hand. "I'm sure the fans will be excited."

"Let's hope." I sighed, "I'm probably more excited than they are."

Carlos practically threw himself at me and smiled anxiously. "Hey Elle, uh nice to see you again."

"Nice to see you too." I waved slightly and then pointed at his wrist, remembering Liz's instructions. "Nice watch."

His cheeks reddened just a bit as he sat back down. Kendall rolled his eyes as he walked in.

"She is not coming on tour with us!"

My head turned so fast I had probably given myself whiplash. "Oh yeah and why's that?"

"Well, you're kind of not what our fans listen too. You're kind of problematic." He shrugged and gave me a fake smile.

I raised my eyebrows and went to speak but was cut off when James made a move to shake my hand. He gave me a charming smile that probably would have made me blush on any other day but right now I was irritated. "Ignore Kendall, I'm James I can't wait to tour with you."

I managed a tight smile and shook his hand. "Nice to meet you."

"So how about we hang out later, maybe get to know each other?" He suggested, his eyes wandered up and down my body and as he pulled his hand away he slipped me his number.

"Dogs sit!"

James sat down and gave me a smirk while Kendall just rolled his eyes and huffed. Gustavo didn't seem to care because he continued talking.

"Elle is coming on tour with us to get back on the scene and get you guys exposure to a new age group."

"Gustavo" Kendall questioned, his voice sounded smug. "What about her behavior isn't she kind of wild?"

"And aren't you kind of an asshole?" I spat before I could bite my tongue. This caused the others to catcall and gawk under their breaths.

"Elle!" Liz hissed. "Enough."

Gustavo rolled his eyes. "She's coming whether you like it or not so I suggest you start getting along now and take this picture. I need to start writing an amazing single for the tour."

The guys came around to the front of the room. The 5 of us grouped together and smiled like we were old friends and not just acquaintances. James and Kendall slipped their arms around my waist and I gave a bright smile. Once we broke apart the picture was tweeted out and they were all instructed to post it onto Instagram over the next few hours.

"Now Elle, we're going to go talk final business details for just a minute. Play nice."

I smiled coyly and gave a thumbs up. "Will do."

Once we were all left alone Kendall scoffed. "I don't like this or you."

"I could say the same thing but I'm going on tour whether you like it or not Kenny." I stared at his face, my brown eyes into his bright green. "So you better get used to it."

"Dude chill out, it'll be fun." James shrugged. "We want to grow our base don't we?"

Kendall sighed. "Well yeah but she's trouble. You saw what happened with Jett he had negative press for months."

If I hadn't been so disgusted by his attitude, I would have pointed out that Jett's shitty press was because he had reacted like an asshole and threw me under the bus. It wasn't because he had been attached to me. In fact, if people knew what had really happened his press would have been way worse. It didn't matter right now though, I wasn't going to let some bushy-eyebrowed asshole try to intimidate me.

"She's right here you know?" I grumbled. "I dealt with the media and I don't appreciate being talked about like I'm not here. And you're not trouble? You've been an asshole since the moment you walked in here."

"Just stay out of my way and don't ruin this for us."

I crossed my arms and huffed. "Or what?"

"You'll be off the tour."

"We'll see about that. When you get your dick out of a twist let me know." I shook my head. "Until then get used to me because I'm not going anywhere."

Behind me, Liz cleared her throat and I was secretly relieved.

"Come on Elle lets go."

His bandmates seemed conflicted about what to do but I smiled genuinely at them. "It was actually nice to meet you three. I can't wait to spend the summer with you guys."

Logan shook my hand. "Same here. We'll see you at rehearsal."

"Elle." Liz urged pointing to her watch. "Places to be and people to see."

Kendall smirked. "Better go, don't want to be late to the strip club."

"Maybe I should, it's the only way you'll ever see what's under these clothes." I winked as I patted his cheek. "Later Kendork."

Kendall turned red and searched for a comeback but I turned on my heel and strutted out of the room trying to ignore the lump in my throat. I had been used to people making judgments about me because of what happened a year and a half ago. I was used to it before the 'Jett incident' but this stung in a new way. Never had I gotten such a visceral reaction from someone from the very beginning. It wasn't like a fan or a parent I saw in line at the coffee shop who made a comment under his or her breath. This was a tour mate, someone I was spending the next few months with. I blinked a few times, refusing to look weak. As I stepped into the elevator I could hear his voice down the hall.

"She seems like a bitch."

As the doors slid shut I stared at my reflection in the mirrored walls and let my brave face falter. All I wanted to do was get back to making music and doing what I loved. This was supposed to be a fresh start for my career and who I was as a person. How was that ever going to happen if my own tour mates wouldn't even give me that chance? I let out a breath and pulled my skirt down over my thighs. Maybe everyone was right, maybe I was just washed up. I jumped when Liz's phone rang.

"Dani, hey. It went okay, a little rocky because one of the guys was less than thrilled that she was touring. He'll get over it, we'll just polish Elle around the edges."

I felt my face flush as I shifted my weight. It was Danielle Condor on the other line, head of my label. Dani was normally relaxed but had been unsure of keeping me signed on. Liz had gone to bat for me, but hearing them talk about 'polishing' me made me uneasy. Maybe I really was nothing but trouble. I thought of my fans reaction to what happened with Jett. I thought of my label's reaction and then of Kendall's. His green eyes were full of disgust and judgment like I was nothing. I had always prided myself on having good instincts about things. I knew that my music was good, I knew I could be a handful and I knew I could make a comeback. But then, thinking about how I would probably spend the summer dodging Kendall's insults and outspoken dislike, there was one thing I was certain of.

This summer was going to blow.

AN: This is the first chapter of my new fic Anything Can Happen. I know it seems slow now but it picks up and I have the first 12 chapters written. I will be posting every 1 to 2 weeks depending on the feedback I get. If you liked this chapter let me know! Just an FYI Elle is mixed, she is a person of color and you can see a photo of her if you click on the cover. Let me know what you think? Why is Kendall so against her joining BTR on tour? Thanks!