A/N: Soooo yeah chapter 2 is officially up! I'm much happier with the very small changes I made. It just made more sense to me and it flows better I think! Plz let me know what you think, honestly.


I guess the best place to start is at my birthday party. The guys had decided to throw me a huge bash, seeing as it was my big 2-2, as Kendall explained. Honestly, I thought people only said that if it was like the big 4-0, but I guess it sounded like what he should say. I actually had no idea about the party until I got home and realized my house had been invaded by about a thousand people. Well, maybe I'm over exaggerating, but it was still a lot of people. I had just hugged Logan and Camille when I finally found my two best friends, whom had arranged the whole thing. They both gave me identical smirks as I approached them, my hands on my hips as I stopped in front of them, looking back and forth between the two.

"I suppose you guys think you're both just hot shit right now don't you?" I asked, a smile on my face even though I was trying to be mean.

"Well, not hot shit, but...well, we are kinda hot shit dontcha think?" Kendall asked, that mischievous grin spreading across his face.

He knew too well how to melt a girls heart, even when he looked like he was up to something. I laughed lightly, as did they.

"C'mon Kennah. You know you like us surprising you." James finally said, pulling me into a big bear hug.

I inhaled his scent as he enveloped me in his arms. Nothing ever made me feel as good as I felt when he held me close. It was intoxicating and breathtaking just to be near him. It felt so perfect, so right.

"Okay, okay." I replied, as James pulled away and stepped aside for Kendall to hug me as well. "I guess I can forgive you, but only cause it's my birthday and I love you guys."

Kendall pulled me into his arms and kissed the top of my head.

"Happy birthday Kennah." He said as he pulled away.

"Thanks guys. Really." I said, looking up at the both of them.

"C'mon on guys, let's get this party started!" Someone yelled from behind me.

When I turned to look, I realized it was Jett Stetson, the one and only. Good God, the man could never be inconspicuous, even if he tried.

"Stetson, you dick. Oh how I've missed you." I said just as Jett grabbed me up and swung me around.

"Happy 22nd Mack." He replied, sitting my feet back on the ground. "So another year closer to 30 and you're still sexy as hell. How the fuck do you do it?"

"Simple, I keep myself as far away from your cock as possible Stetson." I explained, fake hurt spreading across his features.

He dramatically grabbed his chest as if he'd just been stabbed.

"Oh the pain you put me through Mack. The ungodly pain." He exasperated.

"Jett, give it up. No matter how much you try, you are never, ever gonna get Kennah." James explained, laughing.

"Yeah. You've only been trying for like 6 years dude." Kendall added.

"Well, I'll just have to keep trying then won't I?" Jett asked, playfully winking at me.

As we all continued our conversation, Logan, Camille, and Carlos approached us, joining in.

"Kennah, happy birthday girl." Carlos said, one arm hugging me around my shoulders.

"Thanks Carlos." I replied, hugging him in return.

"So do you feel any older yet?" Camille asked.

I thought about it for a few seconds.

"Nope not really, but I'm sure I will soon enough." I answered, shrugging slightly.

"We'll all feel older when we hit 30." Kendall said, throwing his arm around my shoulders.

"At least it's still a few years away." James added. "Oh shit. I'll be right back guys."

James quickly ran off into the house, since the party was in my backyard. After he took off we all dispersed into our own areas, mingling with the other guests. Kendall stuck by my side though, which was always comforting. That was just something about him. He could make me feel comfortable no matter the situation or mood I was in.

"Fuck there's a lot of people here." I exclaimed, mostly to myself. "Where'd James go?"

"Um...I'm not real sure. You never know with him sometimes." Kendall replied, breaking eye contact with me completely.

Something was going on. Kendall always looked me in the eye when he spoke to me. Unless he was lying or keeping something from me that he thought wasn't his place to say.

"What is it Kenny?" I asked, looking at him skeptically.

"I really shouldn't say anything." He told me, trying his best to smile.

"Say anything about what?"

I was confused as to what he meant. Before he could answer my question, I heard James's voice and turned in the direction it came from. He was walking towards Kendall and I.

"Where've you been mister?" I asked, once he was by our sides.

"Sorry Kennah, but I want you to meet someone." James replied, a smile across his face.

"Really? Who?"

I was so hoping he brought someone famous to meet me, but I have no such luck. James grabbed my hand and led me around the yard to the back patio. I was still confused as hell, but I followed him anyway. Of course I would though. I loved him to pieces. He pulled me through the back door and into my living room, where I noticed a few people sitting, one female in particular catching my eye. She looked so familiar. I realized James was pulling me toward her too. Soon we were right in front of her and it became clear as to whom it was. Her name was Nicole Smitts, a girl whom we had known for sometime, but never even so much as looked in James' direction. Well until now it seemed. Ihad never really gotten to know her. She seemed like a snob, considering that we had seen her at several places that the guys had invited me to go to and she always seemed so stuck up and into herself. But that didn't stop James from smiling widely as we stopped in front of her.

"Nic. Glad you came." He said as she stood, kissing him lightly on the lips.

I swear my heart sank to the bottom of my stomach. It hadn't been that long ago that he broke up with the last girlfriend and he'd already moved on to another one? I was speechless.

"Kennah, I'd like you to meet Nicole. Kennah, Nic, Nic, Kennah." James said once he parted from her.

"Hey, James has told me so much about you." She said, sticking her hand out.

I looked down at it, almost not knowing what to do. I wanted to kick her out so bad, but I knew that causing a scene would only make things worse. The lady in me wouldn't, and couldn't do that. Plus, James would be outraged and making him mad or embarrassing him was the last thing I wanted to do. I placed a smile on my face and pulled out the best "happiest girl in the world" routine that I could. After all, calling her every nasty name in the book and kicking her out of my birthday party would only upset James, which was something I couldn't bring myself to do.

"Nice to meet you Nicole." I finally replied, placing my hand in hers.

I wanted to hate her. I almost needed to just because of how much I was in love with James, but hating her wouldn't change his feelings or make him love me as more than just a friend.

"God, I'm so glad you guys finally met." James said, his smile never fading.

"Finally?" I asked.

"James, exactly how long have you kept me a secret from everyone?" Nicole asked, hand on her hip.

"Hey, you were not a secret babe." He said, wrapping his arms around her.

I kept the smile on my face, but inside I was falling apart. It happened every time he got into a relationship. I was happy when he was single, even though I knew he wouldn't be mine, but as soon as he was with someone else, my whole world seemed to crumble beneath me. It was like a cruel joke that the world was playing on me. But I couldn't really blame him. After all, he didn't know how deep my love for him was. I was still too chicken shit to tell him and it didn't seem like the truth would be coming out any time soon.


A/N: Yeah I needed a random girl to throw in here as James' gf, but I didn't wanna use anyone from the show seeing is idk exactly what I'm gonna do with James' and Nicole's relationship just yet. Let me know what you think...ppppllllllzzzz!