I'm aware this didn't win the poll. I don't care. I'd already written a good half of chapter 1, so I decided I'd finish it and publish it! XD I hope you guys like it!

"We're moving," Brooke Diamond announced over breakfast.

Instantly the breakfast table fell silent. The four boys stared at her, eyes wide. "You can't be serious!" Kendall exclaimed. "Why the heck do we have to move?"

"Well, I think it'd be nice to have a change of scenery," Brooke replied optimistically, keeping a smile plastered on her face. "Don't you think so?"

"Mom, we like the Palmwoods!" Carlos argued. He'd been calling her mom for a while now; it was just a habit. "We've been moving around these dumb apartment blocks for ages and we finally found somewhere good! Where are we going now?"

Brooke Diamond was just insane. First the sudden adoption of three random messed up teenage boys as 'company' for her only child, and now this.

James sighed, staring down at his bowl of cereal. It was true. They had moved around a lot the past year. His dad had ditched them for a woman fifteen ears younger than him and taken most of the money. Since then they'd moved around a few cheap and run down apartment blocks, finally finishing off at the Palmwoods. It was their third try, and by far the best. It wasn't the cleanest and sometimes there were issues like no power, but they'd all liked it there. They'd been able to manage just fine. He liked the Palmwoods because on the top floor there was a door onto the roof, and he loved to sit up there away from his insane 'flatmates'.

Carlos liked the Palmwoods because there were a lot of guys around to hang out with, like a big gang that ruled the whole block. Carlos was a couple of months from turning seventeen, and Brooke had adopted him almost eighteen months ago. James was the closest to him out of the three, and he could probably honestly say he was one of his best friends. And he was really the only one James knew a lot about. Carlos's dad died when he was five or six, and since then his mother fell apart, turning to drugs to ease the pain. After losing her job and struggling with money for a few years, she eventually gave up and let Carlos put her in rehab. He was thirteen then, and sadly the social workers, having looked at his record, put him in a home. A home for bad kids, though that wasn't the official name. Carlos was always getting into fights with other boys, and nearly always winning too. He was strong and angry, but he liked most of the guys at the Palmwoods. They knew who was in charge.

Kendall liked the Palmwoods because his new boyfriend Dak lived only two doors down. Kendall was also sixteen, but younger than Carlos; he turned sixteen only a week or two after they adopted him just less than ten months ago. James didn't know much about Kendall at all. He knew his dad was in prison, but he didn't know why, when he got there or how long he'd be there. All he knew was that his mom had put him in a foster home about a year before they adopted him. Kendall never talked about his family, and only had one photo of them. He looked a lot like both of his parents, though James could tell he tried not to. His parents both had sort of thick brown hair, but Kendall dyed his blonde, along with adding some washout dye streaks of whichever random colour he felt like, whichever day he felt like it. He had a pierced belly button and tongue, along with five silver rings in his left ear, and he was truthfully a bit of a slut. He wore the tightest clothes he possibly could, wearing his jeans low on his hips so that whenever he wore a g string you could see the top when he bent forward. He'd slept with at least six different guys everywhere they'd lived in the past year, and sucked off plenty of others. Probably most of the male population in the surrounding area. James often wondered what went on in that boy's head.

Though he wouldn't admit it, Logan liked the Palmwoods too. He liked it because they had this small park at the back, where he could sit and read to himself or listen to his iPod. Logan was fifteen and was adopted only four months ago. James didn't know what happened to his dad. But he knew recently his mom died in an accident, resulting in his placement in a foster home. But just because Logan liked where he lived, didn't mean he liked the people he lived with. Most of the time he wanted absolutely nothing to do with them, sitting in a corner and reading some book, making no effort to talk to them. Of course they had all tried, but they were unsuccessful.

"Well, we'll be leaving these blocks for good. We're moving into a house a couple of miles from here."

This instantly caused uproar.

"Mom, we can't afford a house!"

"I have a gang to take care of, they're totally lost without me!"

"I won't get to see Dak, this is so unfair!"

Brooke sighed, turning to look at the dark-haired boy sitting at the end of the table. "What do you think, Logan?"

"Huh?" Logan looked up from his medical book. He gave a feeble shrug. "I don't really care," before going back to reading.

"Well, boys, I have found a house. I looked at it online, and it's a lovely place. I'm sure we'll be very happy there."

"Yeah, you think," Kendall snapped, taking out another piece of gum from what seemed like an endless supply and popped it into his mouth. "This is so stupid!"

"Oh, don't get all bitchy just because you can't see your pervert of a boyfriend!" Carlos teased him.

"He's not a pervert!" Kendall snarled.

"I think the law would—"

"Shut the fuck up, like you ever obey the law you asshole!"

"Get over yourself you skank!"

"BOYS!" Brooke screamed, silencing them. "Stop it!"

Carlos glared at Kendall. Kendall blew out a large bubble of pink gum at him, popping it inches from his face with a smirk.

Brooke sighed, standing up. "We'll talk about this later. Right now, I'm going to go work. Clean up the table, will you?"

It was Sunday, so they had no school. Brooke, however, worked seven days a week in some community centre thingy down the street. James honesty didn't know much about it. And if he was totally honest, he didn't care all that much either. He picked up his tea and drained the rest of the cup, grimacing as it slid down his throat. He hated cold tea. It was so gross.

Kendall had gone back to his texting, perching his feet up on the table as he popped the piece of gum that matched the pale pink streaks running through his hair. Yesterday it was black. His hair was just bipolar or something. Carlos was looking over at him, then he burst into some sort of rage that seemed both teasing and just plain furious. "Dude, stop sexting him! He's such a perv!"

"Mind your own business, Carlos!" Kendall yelled back, standing up and shoving his phone in his pocket, cheeks red. "You don't know anything!"

"I do know one thing, and that's that your boy toy is—"

"Carlos!" James warned. "Don't say it again. Seriously."

"Whatever," Carlos huffed, folding his arms.

There was a knock on the door and Kendall hurried over to answer it, obviously knowing who it was. "Hey, baby," Dak greeted once the door was open.

"Hi," Kendall replied, standing on his toes and kissing Dak, who was a lot taller than he was. Instantly Dak's arms were around him and they were in the middle of a steamy make out session, Dak's hands moving down to squeeze Kendall's butt in his tight ass jeans. Carlos was making a face at them, and James couldn't help feeling a little disgusted too, especially when he heard Kendall give a weak moan. Maybe Carlos was right.

Dak was almost twenty, and Kendall ignored everybody's warnings about dating him and got straight to it. Some nights he would go over there and wouldn't be back until the next evening. At first Brooke had yelled at him for it, but when he just rolled his eyes and ignored her, she eventually gave up.

Kendall finally pulled back, breathless and took Dak's hand, leading him out. "Later, guys!"

The door slammed shut. Only a minute later Carlos hopped up too. "I'm gonna go hang out with the guys!"

"You're meant to be cleaning!" James protested, but he was already gone. And when Logan's response was simply to get up and walk out of the room with his book, James sighed and got to work.

They were such a family of fuck ups, weren't they?

When James had finished all his (their) chores, he decided he might as well do some homework. He tended to leave it all for Sunday evening, but he had nothing better to do. Still, if he wasn't going to be in school the next couple of days . . .

James put his homework down and went to play video games instead.

When he got hungry, he went to look in the fridge for food. Nothing interesting or mildly appealingly he sighed, shutting it again. Maybe when they moved p, his mom might be able to pull it all together a little easier. Maybe. Ever since Dad left, she hadn't always seemed all there.

Carlos hurried back into the apartment, teeth gritted. "That idiot!"

"What?" James walked over to him. "Who, one of the gang?"

"No. Kendall!" Carlos rolled his eyes. "It's kind of funny, actually."

"Oh dear God." James facepalmed. "What happened?"

"Well, I was out with the guys, and they were gonna go hang out at the slate park so I led them to it. I was coming back here right, and then as I was walking past the stairwell up to the balconies . . . I heard it."

"Heard what?" James asked impatiently.

"The moaning." Carlos made a face. "I look in that little gap under the steps, it's half hidden by the wall. And there's Dak, pants around his ankles, moaning—"

"Oh God." James's eyes widened. "Is Dak cheating on him?"

"No way. I wish; then maybe he'd see sense." Carlos rolled his eyes. "So there's Kendall, on his knees, sucking Dak off. It was gross. I was barely there two seconds when Dak just grabs Kendall by the arms and lifts him up, ripping his pants off —I gotta hand it to him though, he works fast— and he's there pushing Kendall up against the wall and lifting his legs up when I feel I have to step in, y'know?"

"Oh God." James hid his face in is hands. "What did you do?"

"Well, I just barged in, demanding Dak step away or I would have to take action. Considering fucking a minor is illegal. Then Kendall got really mad, getting dressed and coming over to give me a right old mouthful. So then he told me to piss off and Dak went to push him to the wall again, and I decided . . . I'll kick him."

"Oh, no—"

"Where it hurts."

"No, ugh!" James was horrified. "So what happened then?"

"Well, I warned him one last time, and I left them there figured I'd let them all it out themselves." He chuckled. "If all went well, he shouldn't be home for another few hours. But if not—"

Then the apartment door opened and Kendall stormed in. "You jerk!" he shouted. "You stupid jerk!"

Carlos gave a sigh. "Well, what happened?"

"He dumped me!" Kendall yelled, shoving Carlos angrily. "He fucking dumped me, all because of you!"

"Because of me?" Carlos couldn't resist playing a bit. "Are you sure it's not because you won't be putting out anymore?"

At this, Kendall lost it. "You asshole!" he screamed, lunging at Carlos. "I hate you!"

James leaped forward and grabbed Kendall around the waist, tugging him back. "Kendall, stop!"

"I'm gonna fucking kill him!" Kendall shrieked, squirming in James's arms. "He has to wreck everything for me!"

"Oh please, you wrecked everything for yourself, you whore!" Carlos yelled, a smirk on his face. "No wonder Dak dumped you, he probably figured you were fucking other guys behind his back! No wonder your parents gave you up!"

Kendall stopped. James gasped. Carlos's eyes widened, and it was clear even he knew he'd gone too far.

Kendall wasn't trying to attack him anymore, so James let him go. He walked to the side so he could see Kendall's face. He just looked shocked. "Kendall . . . he didn't mean—"

SMACK!

Carlos squeaked in pain, holding his stinging cheek. "Ow!"

Kendall was laughing, eyes narrowed. "You jackass. You don't know shit." Then before anyone else could react, he slapped Carlos's other cheek even harder, before turning and flouncing out of the room, chuckling to himself.

James stared at Carlos with wide eyes. "That was weird."

Carlos nodded, both hands on his bright red cheeks. "I expected him to like, scream or cry. Or both. Didn't think he'd laugh. Or hit me."

"Well, did you want him to cry?" James asked worriedly. Because while Carlos and Kendall really pushed each other's buttons, he didn't think either of them would ever sink that low. "Is that why you said it?"

Carlos shook his head. "No way. I . . . I don't think so, anyway." He bit his lip. "I didn't want to hurt him. Why can't he get I'm just looking out for him?"

"He just has no idea what he can get himself into," James sighed. "We'll get through to him some day. Maybe. Hopefully."

Carlos shrugged, then smiled. "Wanna watch tv?"

They sat down in the living room, feet thrown up on the coffee table. They watched tv for the next three hours, flicking through the channels mindlessly. "There's nothing great on during the day," Carlos sighed. "It's bloody annoying."

"During the weekdays it's worse." James chuckled. "Still, it is because everybody's meant to be at work, or school." Emphasis on that last word.

Carlos rolled his eyes. "Whatever, that school is crap anyway. Think we'll be going to a new one when we move?"

"I dunno. Depends on how far away we are; Mom never told us. We'll probably be walking or taking a bus, so it can't be too far away."

"I hate our school," Carlos sighed, "The teachers hate me."

"No they don't. They just think you should try harder. And don't appreciate when you bunk off . . ."

"Whatever. You've got no problem."

James chuckled. "Except Mr Smith. He's an ass to everybody, isn't he? He just hates life in general."

"He doesn't hate Logan. Then again, Logan is a total nerd."

"I guess so." James leaned back and sighed,mutating at the ceiling. "All the teachers like Logan. I think school's about the only thing he enjoys since we met him." He paused. "He likes Kendall too, doesn't he?"

"Logan?"

"No, Mr Smith. He's always praising him."

Carlos laughed. "Honestly, James. Mr Smith is a pervy old creep. Always making rape faces at Kendall, why do you think he gets those good grades?" He sighed again. "All he has to do is wear a tight pair of shorts to school and he aces algebra. It's so easy."

"Whatever. Don't talk about school anymore." James bit his lip. "Do you miss your mom?"

"Yeah. I do."

He said nothing else. So James said nothing else.

Then he heard the apartment door open and looked up. "Mom?" he called.

"I made dinner!" Brooke called, carrying in a paper bag that smelled of Chinese food.

"Sweet!" Carlos cheered, running over and taking the bag before going over to the table with it. "Thanks, Mom!"

James walked over to the table with glasses and a bottle of Pepsi from the fridge. He set out knives and forks as he heard Brooke yelling for Kendall and Logan to come in to the kitchen. They never used chopsticks; they were messy enough without them.

Logan arrived with one earphone in his ear, looking unimpressed at the food selection. "Chinese, again?"

"We had it almost a week ago," James said patiently to him. They always felt they should be patient with Logan, because he was the most recent arrival and probably missed his old life.

Kendall walked in next, texting on his phone. He looked up. "What is it, Mom?"

"Are you texting Dak?" Carlos demanded.

"No! Piss off! I can text other people if I want to!"

"We're having dinner, Kendall," Brooke said to him, smiling.

"Oh." Kendall's expression turned from angry to what looked like worry. He stepped backwards. "I, I'm not really hungry, thanks."

James and Carlos exchanged glances. They never really got what this behaviour was all about, but it happened really frequently.

"It's Chinese."

"I know, but . . . I dunno . . ."

"Come on, honey." Brooke sounded so gentle as she talked to him. "I got your favourite. Come on, just eat a little bit."

"Um . . . ok. I'll have a little."

"Good. Sit down."

Kendall sat down, cheeks pink as he stared at the table, pocketing his phone. James handed him his food without a word, but gave him a friendly smile. Kendall smiled back.

Yep. James really didn't understand him.

They opened their boxes and began to eat, in silence at first. Then Brooke spoke up. "Ok, tomorrow we're going to have to get things organised. Well, you four are. I'll be working again."

"We have school," Carlos said uncertainly. His face lit up. "Does that mean we can ditch? Awesome!"

"You ditch half the time anyway, you bad boy." Brooke was smiling. "But we don't really have another option. We've got to get everything packed, we'll be signing off this apartment on Tuesday."

"So, it's really a house, Mom? With a garden and everything?" James asked. He'd always lived in apartments, whether they were large fancy ones when his dad was around or shitty ones like this.

"Yes, it is. And there are pets allowed."

"Can I get a cat?" Kendall asked suddenly, for once not sounding like a hooker or just a brat, and more like a sweet sixteen-year-old. "Please?"

"Of course, sweetie! We could get more than one of we wanted to. And maybe a dog."

"Will I get my own room?" Logan asked, trying not to sound hopeful, though he wasn't fooling anyone.

"Maybe. I'm sure there's room for that," Brooke smiled, delighted he was joining in on the conversation.

They'd always had to share rooms. When it was just James and Carlos they were fine, with a room each and a room for Mom. Then Kendall arrived, and was put in Carlos's room because he had more space, less furniture and possession to take up space. But that didn't work out too well, with the two literally at each other's throats 24/7. Any guy Kendall had with him often resulted in a fight because Carlos coincidentally wanted to be in his room too. Eventually Brooke had tired of it and moved Carlos in with James, leaving Kendall with the room to himself, which he loved. Now Kendall and Logan shared. James liked it this way. If he was to pick a favourite of his new family, it would definitely be Carlos. But his own room again would certainly be nice.

"I guess a house does sound nice," Carlos admitted, grinning. "Have you been to see it?"

"Not in person, but I went to the council and the girl there showed me photos on the computer. And I got our notice, so everything is signed and settled. I'm glad you're all getting excited now."

And the truth was, they were. Maybe moving wouldn't be so bad after all.

Tell me what you think of the four guys :) and tell me what you think of the chapter in general! XD