A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews:) They really encourage me to keep writing. This story has kind of changed from what I originally had planned.. it's not going to be as long as I wanted, but there are still plenty of chapters ahead. The next couple of chapters I'll give you a little more insight on BTR itself, and where the guys are in their lives (or at least Kendall and Logan..).
"Dangit!" Katie shouted, desperately. All she had wanted to do was finish her stupid science project that was due tomorrow. It really shouldn't have been that hard. Katie was not incompetent. Having the darned thing explode all over the kitchen was not part of her plan today. She grumbled, taking in the mess before her (and next to her.. and above her.. and below her..). She sank slowly to the floor, allowing herself to slide on top of the blue goop she had created, probably ruining her jeans. That's one stain mom won't be happy about, Katie thought. She winced, hearing footsteps shuffle into the room. That was exactly what she needed.
"Katie! What's wro- whoa.." Logan trailed off mid-sentence. He was the only one in the house, which gave Katie a bit of relief. The guys had all gone down to the pool while he chose (wisely) to stay in and study for a test they had tomorrow. Her mom was off still trying to find a decent job.
"My life. Is. Fail." Was all the eleven year old could choke out. She felt absolutely absurd, sitting on the floor, covered in blue.. stuff. She really didn't know what it was.
"What happened?" Logan asked, bending down. "Was it your project? I mean, wh.. blue..? I'm confused."
"Mom's gonna kill me."
"Come on, it was an accident. And you were doing school work, it's not like you were creating a mess on purpose- you weren't creating a mess on purpose, were you?"
"No. I was following the directions and the stupid thing exploded and I don't know what I did and now there's a huge mess and I'm an idiot."
"Whoa, whoa, you're not an idiot. We all make mistakes, Katie. Would it make you feel better if I helped you to clean up? And maybe helped with your project, too? I mean, I'm pretty good with science." Katie laughed to herself. Logan, only 'pretty good' at any subject was funny. He was a freaking genius.
She accepted the older boys hand and allowed him to pull her up. She smiled faintly, glad he had offered to help. "Thanks. I'd like that."
"Don't mention it. You know, I'll always be here to help you clean up the mess. Whatever it is. Just don't be afraid to ask."
"Sorry about the me-" Katie covered James' mouth, pushing him out the door. He and Carlos had offered to help her clean up themselves, but frankly, Katie didn't trust them. It was as simple as that. Things would get done at a much faster rate without them around.
"Don't worry guys, I've got it. Just, go. Please," she finally managed to say, shutting the door.
"Hey, Katie, I wanna help you clean up, but.. Jo just called and.. well.." Of course, Katie thought, ignoring her brother. She'd almost forgotten Kendall had mentioned he might go on a movie-date-night with his fiancé. She was actually surprised they had made it that far in a relationship, what with barely anything in common.
"Go. Go, go, go, go." She motioned toward the door. "Seriously. Leave. Now. Go see your beautiful bride-to-be. I'm just your unimportant little sister. Just remember that you owe me one."
"Thanks, sis. And I do not owe you. I helped you move in today, remember?"
"That doesn't matter. Besides, you owe me for my whole life. Having to grow up with you and everything."
Kendall laughed, giving Katie a hug before leaving.
"Looks like it's just you and me.." Logan said. Katie had almost forgotten he was still there.
"Oh, so you're not going to leave, too?" she joked, smirking.
"Of course not. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'll always be here to help you clean up the mess. Literally or figuratively. This time.. literally.." Logan scrunched his face, looking back at the mess his two friends had left.
"Well, thank you," Katie replied genuinely. Logan really had always been there. Of course, Kendall was too, but there would always be those times when he couldn't. And that was when Logan came in. He somehow always magically saved the day when she was in trouble or just needed help. Katie didn't know why, but he was. She never had to ask, either. He jus-
Logan grabbed Katie's hand, startling her, shaking her from her thoughts. "Come on, let's get started." He dragged her from her spot in the foyer into the dining room. As he let go, she rubbed her hand where he had held it. He must have gotten pretty strong overnight, Katie thought. She had lost all feeling in her hand, it was completely numb. "Come on," Logan laughed, flicking a bit of cold water from a bucket on the floor at Katie.
"Haha, sorry, just went a little brain dead for a moment," Katie replied as she picked up a sponge, soaking it in the sudsy water.
"You know, if you had really gone brain dead, you would be dead."
"Oh, shut up, brainiac, now isn't the time to be a smartass."
"Ooh, touchy," Logan smiled, but focused on scrubbing the floor.
"You think you know so much, huh?" Katie teased. "Hey! Dab, don't rub, smart one; you rub, you stain."
"I guess I don't know as much as I thought.." he admitted, looking Katie in the eyes. She caught his glimpse straight on and held it, not sure what force was keeping her there. Her stomach twisted, and it was hard for her not to cry out at the feeling in her gut. Words began to form on her lips, but they were unfamiliar to her, and she lost them before she could speak.
"You're right, you don't," she managed to spit out, finally, and smiled. For whatever reason Logan had gone back to focusing on the carpet alone, and Katie couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. "..but I'd kill to be as smart as you.." She hoped that would help him to show his award-winning smile again.
"Yeah, but no one really cares about intelligence. It's all looks.." Katie didn't quite understand what he was getting at- she sincerely thought he had it all in the looks department, though she wouldn't say that to him out loud. "If you're smart here, you're kind of a joke to some people. Other than what I am scientifically and mathematically, I'm a mess."
Don't worry, Katie thought. I'll always be around to help you clean up the mess.
