Sorry this one is so short. And unrevised. I just had to get it out, so I could start working on the final one. Which, from the ideas that have been floating around in my mind, is going to be epic.
Seriously, though, this one is really short.
And, of course, thank you for the reviews.
Dedicated to my new friend. :) You know who you are.
James unintentionally clenches, then unclenches his fists at the mere thought of Adam. He hurriedly pushes away the image, replacing it instead with a different memory.
And then, there was the whole Big Time Rush thing. Well, actually, before that. Five days before they actually became Big Time Rush, to be exact.
After getting pummeled by the girls' field hockey team, and after limping back to Logan's house, after seeing the commercial for the audition, and after kidnapping Mrs. McCowskey, James and Carlos were huddled together in the backseat, close enough to share body heat. Their neighbor hadn't driven in a long time, and her heating system was totally shot. Kendall was up front next to her, per request that he keep her warm. The expression on his face was actually pretty humorous-one of disgust combined with embarrassment.
James was shivering under the small throw blanket, not as much from the cold as from pure nervousness. He had wanted this for as long as he could remember- to be famous- and now, the opportunity was right in front of him. He was, in a word, terrified. Terrified beyond belief.
"Hey," Carlos whispered, finding James' hand under the blanket and caressing tender circles with his thumb. "You'll be great. I know it. You're the best musician I know."
"But-" James' voice cracked, his eyes beginning to sting with unshed tears. "I-I don't know if I can do this, Carlos." He willed himself not to cry, willed himself to stay strong, but it was too late. The tears slowly spilled over, trailing in streams down his cheeks.
Carlos held him tighter, and really, James couldn't understand why he was crying over this. It was what he wanted, right?
"You'll get this, James. They'll love you. I promise. They're whisk you away to superstardom, and you'll be living in Los Angeles, in a huge penthouse."
"But, that's what I'm afraid of, Carlos." The last word rolled off his tongue so easily, so comfortably, and the tears came harder. "I-I don't want to leave you. Ever."
"That's bullshit," Carlos said fiercely, shaking his head. "James, this is your dream. You've always wanted to have this. Well, it's coming at you now, and you're saying you don't want it?"
"I'd rather have Kendall and Logan, and-and you, than be some star. God, Carlos. Why is this so hard?"
"It doesn't have to be," Carlos said softly, leaning down to stroke his cheek to his friend's hair. "Just do your best. For me."
James looked up at him tearfully, before nodding slowly. "Okay. I promise."
Carlos grinned, the bit of anger that he showed flying away, and kissed away James' tears.
