I pull at my hair once again, as I stand in front of the Palm Wood's door. I let out a bated breath through my teeth and stared at the door. My fingers brush the nape of my neck as I pull on my hair again. I wonder if maybe I've gone too far. That isn't entirely out of the realm of possibilities. Of course it is far too late to change anything now. So why was I standing outside the building to get the boys?

After a few moments of contemplation I finally push open the doors. It's silly for me to think about how nervous I am to see Kendall. And honestly I shouldn't care! He's got a girlfriend and I've got…well a job. A job indeed and apparently coming fall online college classes. I sigh audibly as I cross the lobby to the elevators. It's unlikely they are outside today, due to the grey sky. I look out the window as I walk by to be sure though. No one is at the pool. They mull around the lobby and hang about their apartments today.

No one is at the elevators though, which I am grateful for. It will save me the embarrassment in case I have a panic attack. There isn't a lot of time for one seeing as they live on the second floor, but it does give me enough time to observe my hair more freely. I stare at my reflection on the gilded doors and tug once again on my shortened hair. It might even be shorter that Kendall's at this point. I do like it although I'm entirely sure why I did it. I mean it might make Kendall like me less and that's not entirely good or bad. The only for sure thing I see is that from some angles I look like a young, Asian lad.

My knocks on the door are short as I'm in a hurry to get going. I might not get fired, but no one actually likes being yelled at by Gustavo Rocque. As I wait I rub my hands on my arms, angry I forgot my sweater, in the cold building. Of course now my tank top reveals some rather previously unseen ink. I wonder if I have something in my bag to cover them up when suddenly the door opens.

"Why hell-oh." I toss a cold glare at James. Partly mad he's still flirting and annoyed he's shocked by my hair. I don't say anything as I brush past him into the apartment. Logan's eating some sort of bland cereal at the table while Kendall and Carlos watch T.V. on their shockingly orange sofa. They don't look up, unnoticing of my appearance. James has somehow overcome his shock though and joined my side, for once silent.

"Work time," I call out and look at the group of boys sitting around. It's very comical watching their heads go up, see me and look away, then back to me.

"Oh wow," Logan says quietly. I make a face at him and he meekly apologizes. Carlos comes up to me and grins brightly which I can only return. Again it is no wonder why Mikayla liked him. He was rather sweet.

"I like your hair," Carlos says and smiles agains, full of dimples. His eyes move downward to my now bare arms and he notices my inked skin. "oh cool!"

There exposed to all four members of BTR is my minor collection of tattoos. This collection includes: one cursive G on my wrist, three sparrows the back of my right shoulder, a deathly hallows sign on near my left elbow, and a series of small, Japanese characters in white ink on other wrist. All of which preapproved and paid for by Arthur Griffin.

"Those are very nice," James says smoothly and joins Carlos in examining my arms. Logan hasn't moved, but studies me from afar. I blush deeply and wonder if this is better from talking about my hair.

"Thanks, but we should really get going," I tell them all. James lets out a rather high pitched scream and clutches his hair. It's then I notice none of them are dressed. Even Logan is still in his pajamas.

"We didn't know you were coming here so early," James says. I frown and check my phone for the time.

"It's ten thirty," I respond. "I'll give you all ten minutes to get dressed and be in the car. Goodbye."

James lets out another hair trauma induced yell. The rest of the guys roll their eyes. I peek behind Carlos to see Kendall. He hasn't said a thing and is instead looking at the morning news as if it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. I bit my lip a little out of uncertainty.

"Ten minutes," I tell them again finally, speaking a little louder. Then I simply turn and leave. If Kendall wants to ignore me, then that's just fine. I don't and shouldn't need to even really be involved with him. We're just coworkers really. In fact you should never mix work and romance. Mercedes the prime example of that statement.


Kendall's P.O.V.

I think she is trying to kill me. I mean she was beautiful at first, but now…GAHHH! The short hair and the tattoos are adding to the beauty with, like, a dash of sexy.

Pushing that last thought away, I finally get up off the couch. Maybe ignoring Elena isn't the right method of dealing with my head's internal conflict. A conflict I shouldn't even have. I love Jo. It's really that simple. I guess.

Thankfully, since I said nothing, I don't have to see the official Logan face of judgment. I do have to hear Carlos and James have a conversation though.

"Dude, she has a tattoo," Carlos says.

"Multiple," James comments.

"She'll regret that when she's older," Logan causally slips in, ever the sensible one.

"Shut up!" the other two reply simultaneously. I roll my eyes and keep my mouth shut.

"What do you think Kenny?" James asks me suddenly and I blush, before lashing out completely.

"WHAT? WHY SHOULD I CARE?" I start, alarming my best buds. "If she wants to ruin her body then fine. I don't care. AT. ALL."

Carlos looks scared before running off towards his room and I very much so regret yelling at them. James looks at Logan for some sort of explanation, while Logan just stares at me. After a moment James speaks up.

"Haven't you wanted to get a tattoo since like ever?" James asks and his brows furrow in confusion. I open my mouth for a moment, thinking of something to say, before just leaving.

I ignore Logan and James calling after me. I just need to make it to my room. I shut the door quickly once I get there, very aware that Logan will come in anyways. I stare at my pillows for a moment before roughly sending my fist into its feathery plushness. I get in a couple of punches before I calm down enough to look for a clean shirt.


Elena's P.O.V.

For some unknown reason, the car ride is silent and incredibly awkward. Well not entirely unknown, I'm sitting next to Kendall. Carlos is on my other side, while Logan and James face us. Logan has taken to texting on his phone. Carlos won't look at Kendall and James won't stop looking at the both of us. His eyes narrow is suspicious as he darts back and forth between me and Kendall.

The moment the car stops, I decide I don't think I will ever be so glad to see Rocque Records in my life. I practically push Carlos out of the way to get out. The tension in the air is incredibly thick and I'm more than glad to breathe again. As soon as I'm out of the car I speed walk into the building. I don't bother to look if they are even behind me.

I take the buildings stairs because they really are quicker, making it to the office just a few seconds before the boys. Gustavo is waiting with his normal, unhappy expression, while Kelly grins at us happily. It's all alarmingly creepy and well alarming. I glance over my shoulder to see the boys are behind me, standing apart from another, but mostly Kendall.

"Guys, we have some exciting news," Kelly tells them and looks pointedly at Gustavo.

"That's right dogs," he leers at them. A collective shudder resounds throughout the group. "Big Time Rush is going on a big time tour! Again."

In that instance the tension shatters. The four boys cheer and jump and thank Gustavo and Kelly. Kelly watched them with a laugh and even Gustavo cracks a little smile. And honestly I can't help, but do the same. Even if it is a little selfish. I mean I am excited for the boys, but it really means that I don't have this job anymore. I can relax the rest of the summer and live my life. It might not even be too late to apply for the L.A. Times intership. I let out a quiet sound of joy.

"Does this mean I'm done here then?" I ask Gustavo as the boys start to jump on the white couches. Carlos jumps off of one and attacking Logan.

"Of course not," Gustavo says. "I've talked to your…parents and they approved you going on tour." I froze at that and was cursing my father. He would to this to me.

"Actually I asked your parents," Kelly says and visibly shivers. I sympathize with her. Arthur Griffen is quite scary, but my mother can be way worse. I look at Gustavo and Kelly with a fake look of joy.

"I'm very happy," I tell them, the entire sentence laced with falseness.

"Good cause it will be a lot of work," Gustavo barks. "Dogs in the studio!"

The boy band offers a collective groan and gets off the couches. James and Kendall stop to break up the wrestling Carlos and Logan are doing. Kelly laughs at them a little before looking at me.

"This will be a great experience for you," Kelly says and I feel incredibly guilty. She is an amazing worker and her sincerity shows.

"I know," I reply with as much honesty as I can muster. Kelly nods and flashes me a bright smile.

"We should start some tour stuff now," Kelly suggests and I nod. "By the way I didn't know you already graduated high school."

Mother. Of she told Kelly about that. Was it her sole job to both embarrassment in her attempt to brag about me. Couldn't she have bragged about Mercedes instead. That woman would be the death of me.

"You're not in high school?" Logan asks, suddenly behind us. I turn and see the whole band there. Apparently they had heard our conversation.

"No I skipped two grades and I graduated year early," I tell him and Logan actually looks mildly impressed. "I've been taking community college classes until I can go to a four year place at the same time as my friends."

I left out the part where they were just general education classes. Or the fact I skipped a few grades because I'd gotten a tutor. The tutor because my mother decided two years in Japan would be good for me. Despite the fact I spoke no Japanese and could basically only talk to my cousin and tutor. And that I basially hated my lonely existence for those years. We didn't need a personal moment right at Rocque Records.

"Wow that's actually really cool," Logan said. James and Carlos nodded in agreement. I gave a small smile and awkward thumbs up. I moved my gaze past the three members of BTR to see the leader of them all.

Kendall stared at me for a little while. Then he turned slightly and collapsed face first onto one of the white couches.

A muffled "Oh God why?" resounding from where he was.


So what do you think? I know its been quite a while! I'm very very sorry about that! I've been busy with school and now I'll be busy with school again. Oh well. I sincerly hope you like this chapter! Also if you don't know what white tattoos are look them up! They are super cool looking!