So, I was feeling bad about this story. I felt like it was turning to complete garbage. And some of that may have been because people have felt the need to tell me how horrible it is. I was really close to just ending the story as soon as possible since I felt like people believed it's so terrible. But then a few people (you all know who you are) made me feel better about this, and thanks to all of you I was able to go on with this without hating it and my writing abilities. So thank you. So much. To anyone who defended me and told me that they genuinely like this story, and said that I shouldn't give up on it. I really needed to hear what you all had to say. :D

Now that all that is over, on with the story.

Chapter Seven: Working Things Out

Logan was getting frustrated. Weeks had gone by since Kendall caught him with James. Kendall still refused to talk to or look at him. Logan just wanted to put the whole mess behind them and try to rebuild their friendship. But it was kind of hard to do when Kendall was acting like a diva.

It was Sunday, a week before school would start, when Logan finally had enough. Carlos was out with Stephanie—she was leaving to go to school in California the next day—and James was with his mom. So it was just Logan and Kendall in the house.

Logan went into the living room and stood in front of the TV. Kendall just acted like he wasn't there. Logan sighed. "You're acting like a child."

Kendall just raised his eyebrows.

"I was trying to protect your feelings and you lashed out at me," Logan continued. "I get that you were upset. I know you were paranoid about me and James while I was still dating you. But that doesn't give you the right to call me a whore. Or give me and James the silent treatment. James hates that he might be losing a friends he's had for years, and I'm afraid of losing one of my first friends ever."

"What?" Kendall asked, sounding surprised.

Success. I got him to talk. "I didn't have any friends until high school. Until you first talked to me."

"How is that even possible?"

Logan shrugged. "People have always thought I'm weird."

"You kinda are," Kendall said quietly. He sighed. "I admit I was... out of line."

"You think?"

"It's just... after we had been dating awhile, I really started to see the connection you have with James. You liked being with him more than me, and I was your boyfriend. For some reason, seeing you with James made me feel betrayed. I felt like I had been cheated on. Even though we aren't together anymore."

Logan shut his eyes. He figured he might as well fess up now. He opened his eyes again. "But I did chest on you."

Kendall stood. "What?"

"It was only twice. And the incidents were about a year apart."

"Was it with James?"

"Yeah."

"That son of a bitch!" Kendall yelled. "He should've backed the fuck off when you and I started dating."

"It kinda just hap- Wait. What do you mean he should've backed off?"

Kendall appeared slightly guilty. "The night you told us you like guys, James and I both realized each of us had a thing for you. We agreed to let you choose one of us."

Things suddenly made sense. "Is that why you suddenly got flirty?"

Kendall nodded. "Yes."

"And why you sometimes looked smug when James was around?"

"Maybe?"

"Was being with me just a fucking game to you?" Logan asked.

"No! I really did like you. I mean, yeah, the competition made me want to pursue a relationship a little more..."

Suddenly, Logan was laughing. "What the fuck is wrong with us?"

Kendall smiled a little. "No clue."

Logan shook his head. "How long had you wanted to break up with me before you finally did?"

Kendall looked up, thinking. "A few months? I worked to get with you, and I didn't want to just throw that away. Or hurt you. You're kind of pathetic when you're sad."

"I didn't break up with you because I didn't want a miserable failure of a relationship. And I didn't want to ruin our friendship," Logan told Kendall. "God. The whole situation is fucked."

"We didn't like each other as much as we initially thought, I guess."

"Yeah." Logan looked at Kendall a bit. Part of him wondered if dating Kendall had just been a waste of time. Yes, it was good in the beginning, but once it went south, Logan should've ended it. They both could've moved on and avoided all this drama. "Do you not hate me anymore?"

"I never hated you," Kendall said. "I was mad. Maybe irrationally so. I'm sorry for being so cruel."

"It's OK. I'm sorry for handling this all so badly. And for cheating."

"It's all in the past now." Kendall smiled. "Wanna watch TV with me?"

James got home that evening. He was surprised when he saw Carlos just sitting in his car, his head resting on the steering wheel. James knocked on the window and Carlos sat up. He looked like he'd been crying. James opened the car door. "Is something wrong?" Carlos nodded. "What is it?"

Carlos rubbed his eyes. "Stephanie... we... we broke up."

"What?" This was ludicrous. Carlos and Stephanie were a forever couple. The forever couple. They were painfully cute, and always proclaimed their love for each other. James always figured the two would get married.

"I-I..."

"Let's get inside," James interrupted. Carlos looked like he was about to lose it again. He took Carlos' arm and helped him out of the car. He guided Carlos into the house, and he was confused when he heard voices in the living room. He and Carlos walked into the living room and James was shocked to see Logan and Kendall talking animately about whatever they were watching on TV. James would discuss this with Logan later. Carlos was the priority right now. James cleared his throat. "Guys."

They both turned. Logan immediately looked concerned, got off the couch, and walked up to them. "Carlos, what's wrong?" He helped James guide Carlos to the couch.

Carlos sat. "Stephanie and I broke up."

"What?" Kendall asked.

"Why?" Logan wanted to know.

Carlos sniffled. "She thought... because we're gonna be so far apart for college..." He paused. "She figured it'd be best if we broke up for that time. Long distance relationships suck, she said. It'd be easier this way. And if we're meant to be together, we'll be reunited."

Logan gave Carlos a hug. "I'm so sorry."

"I didn't see this coming at all," Carlos said as he clung to Logan. "She didn't even so much as hint at it."

"Want me to go buy alcohol so you can get drunk and forget the pain?" James asked Carlos.

Carlos shook his head. He stood. "I just wanna go to bed." He walked away and headed upstairs.

Kendall sighed. "I'm gonna keep him company whether he likes it or not." He ran off after Carlos.

James looked at Logan. "So, um, what was going on with you and Kendall when we came in?"

"We made up," Logan said with a smile. Then he looked serious. "You and Kendall agreed to let me choose one of you."

That bastard. He just had to go and tell Logan about that. "He was never supposed to tell you he liked you. But you were too dense to realize either of us had a thing for you, so he gave in. Are you mad that I didn't tell you about it before?"

Logan put a hand on James' knee. "I get that you and Kendall always end up competing with each other. So, no. I'm not mad. But... you felt like Kendall won, didn't you?"

James nodded. "And you were the one thing I wanted the most."

Logan moved closer to James and kissed him. "After so long, I thought you didn't like me back. And unlike you, Kendall had said he liked me. I kind of liked Kendall too, so I think I may have settled for him. But I wanted you more."

James felt his heart begin to pound. "Really?"

Logan nodded. "Yes. I've wanted you a long time, James."

James gave Logan a kiss. "Wanna watch a movie in my room and cuddle?"

"Sure."

"Go set a movie up. I'll get us snacks."

"OK." Logan happily walked off.

James grinned to himself and went into the kitchen. He grabbed a bag of chips and two sodas. James hated eating in his bed, but since Logan enjoyed it, he allowed it. The things you do for love.

When he got upstairs, he saw Kendall leave Carlos' room. "Is he OK?"

Kendall nodded. "He had a good cry and fell asleep. I get why Stephanie did it, but she should've discussed it with him."

"Yeah. So, um, things are good with you and Logan again?"

"Yup."

"What about us?" James asked.

"I don't know. I've been friends with you for years, and you messed around with Logan while I was dating him."

"Shit. He told you?"

"Yeah," Kendall said.

"We both felt so guilty after, Kendall. I didn't do it to get back at you for getting Logan when I didn't. It just... happened. Logan and I just haven't been able to stay away from each other. I'm so sorry we betrayed your trust."

Kendall let out a breath. "Since you actually seem sorry, I guess I'll forgive you. I may still be a little bitter for awhile, though."

"And I deserve that."

Kendall smiled. "Have fun with Logan."

Logan was happy when school started up. He enjoyed having something to do, and he liked learning. All of his professors were really awesome. They weren't boring at all. They captured everyone's interest. Logan would leave every class with lots of notes, loving that he acquired so much information. James would make fun of him for reviewing his notes every night, but logan didn't care. He wanted to be able to remember everything; keep it on his long-term memory.

Logan walked into the dinning hall after his last class of the day. He found James sitting with Carlos and Lucy. Logan had always liked Lucy. He remembered she was James' date to Homecoming Freshman year. And when Logan was dating Camille and he had to hang with the girls, Lucy was always fun. Now, Lucy was helping Carlos get over Stephanie. She would drag him to parties, and introduce him to girls he could have rebound flings with. Hanging out with Lucy definitely lifted Carlos' mood. Logan was grateful for that.

Logan put his bag down at the table then went to get his food. As he waited in line, someone tapped his shoulder. Logan turned and saw a guy from his Japanese class. "Hey, Josh. You weren't in class today."

Josh sighed. "I know. I slept through my alarm. Could I borrow your notes?"

"Sure. We have homework too."

"Shit."

Logan laughed. "It's not too bad."

Yeah, OK. Coming from the genius here."

Logan smiled and shook his head. "I'm not a genius. I just study a lot."

"Which I don't get at all," Josh said.

Logan shrugged. "I like it. I enjoy knowing everything I can possibly know about a subject."

Josh shoved him lightly. "Nerd."

Logan laughed again, and suddenly, James was next to him.

"Who's your friend, Logan?" James asked, putting an arm around Logan.

"This is Josh," Logan said. "He's in my Japanese class."

Josh waved. "Hi, James."

"Uh-huh. So. What were you guys laughing about?" James seemed to grip Logan tighter.

"We were just joking around," Logan said. He noticed that James was glaring at Josh.

Josh, seeming to sense the tension, said, "Im gonna go to my table. When you're done eating, come drop your notes off at my table, Logan. We're usually here for awhile."

"OK." Once Josh was gone, Logan shoved James away. "What was that?"

"Were you flirting with him?" James asked, ignoring Logan's question.

"What? No!" Logan got his food and quickly moved to the drink area, James following. "How could you ask something like that?"

"I could hear your laughing all the way across the dinning hall."

Logan rolled his eyes and put his drink on his tray. "Ooh. I laughed at something a friend said. Big fucking deal."

"You didn't introduce me as your boyfriend."

"Because Josh already knows your my boyfriend. He saw my phone's wallpaper one day, and I told him all about you. Then he told me all about his boyfriend Chris."

James was silent for a minute. "Oh."

"Yeah. You feel like a jackass now?"

"A little..."

"Do you really think I would flirt with someone else?" Logan asked.

"No?"

It annoyed Logan that James said it like a question. That definitely insinuated something. "Do you not trust me?"

"What? I trust you!"

"Well, it doesn't seem like it." Logan went back to the table without another word.

He was pretty silent during lunch; pissed that James assumed he would flirt with someone. How could James not realize there was only him in Logan's eyes? Did he think Logan would cheat on him? If James seriously thought that, Logan would have to punch him. And, yes, Logan cheated on Kendall. But that was a fucked up situation. Logan would never do that do James. He'd rather die than cheat on James.

After they finished lunch, Logan went to Josh's table and gave him their Japanese notes. Then he and James went home—since their classes started and ended around the same time on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, they came to school together in the same car. The car ride was silent. Logan was still a little pissed at James for assuming he'd flirt with another guy.

Once they got home, Logan said, "I'm going to my room to do homework." He walked off before James could respond, but Logan heard him sigh.

Logan spent two and a half hours on his homework. During that time, he heard James go into his room. Then when he was finished his work, he got a text. It was from James. Logan read it: Can we please talk? Logan let out a breath and left his room. He knocked on James' door.

He heard James run and then the door opened. "Come in."

Logan walked in and heard James lock the door. He sat down on James' bed. When James sat across from him, Logan asked, "What do you wanna talk about?"

"Please stop being mad at me," James begged.

"I wouldn't be mad if you trusted me."

James leaned against the headboard of the bed, looking sad. "It's not that I don't trust you."

"Oh, please. I cheated on Kendall, now you're afraid i'll cheat on you."

"No! That's not it at all! What we did while you were with Kendall... That was a special case, I guess. That happened because we were too dumb to actually be together. Feelings just kind of erupted and things went farther than appropriate. I know you wouldn't cheat on me. It's just... I'm afraid of losing you, Logan. You're, like, the best thing to happen to me. I'm scared that someone more appealing than me will steal you away."

Logan should've known. He should've realized that James' insecurities were what made James freak out. Logan grabbed both of James' hands. "James. No one is going to steal you from me. There's no one more appealing than you. No one takes up as much space in my mind and heart as you. You never have to be afraid of me leaving you."

"You promise?" James asked.

Logan's hands went to James' face. "I promise." His lips went to James'. The kiss was slow. Logan wanted this to be sweet, loving. When he pulled back, James looked at him with raised eyebrows. Logan knew the question James was silently asking. Logan responded by nodding. Then he got onto his knees and removed his shirt.

James looked slightly overwhelmed, but excited. "I-I don't have any lube or condoms. Do we need those? I used condoms with Dak..."

Logan smiled and ran a hand through James' hair. "Well. I don't have any STDs. Do you?"

"No!"

Logan chuckled. "And guys can't get pregnant. So I guess we don't need condoms."

"What about lube?"

Logan thought that over. They could use spit, but that didn't work as well. What else... "Lotion?"

"I have some in my bathroom." James pushed Logan off him and ran to the bathroom.

Logan laughed and laid down on the bed. He all of a sudden got a little nervous. He and James were about to have sex. What if he did something to make it terrible for James? He herd James exit the bathroom and turned his head. James was holding the lotion and was in only his underwear. "Aw. You undressed without me."

James set the lotion on his bedside table and got on the bed. He ran a hand down Logan's torso, then started to undo Logan's pants. "I wanted to save time." He pulled Logan's pants off. Then he leaned forward and kissed at Logan's neck. "I was thinking..."

"About what?" Logan asked. He was starting to feel all tingly from James' kisses.

"I always topped with Dak, and you always bottomed with Kendall. So... you could top tonight, and I could bottom."

"I like that plan." Logan rolled them over so he was on top of James. "It'll hurt, though."

"Don't care."

"Alright." Logan brought their lips together. As they kissed, he slid James' underwear off for him. Then he got rid of his own. He opened his eyes briefly to grab the lotion. He put some on his fingers. "You ready?"

"Yeah."

Logan took his time preparing James. While he did so, he kissed James' neck, lips, chest. He wanted to try and dull James' pain.

"Fuck!" James cried out, and Logan knew he hit James' prostate. Good, Logan thought.

"Logan, I'm ready," James said breathlessly.

"OK." Logan removed his fingers from James then used the lotion to lubricate himself. He was even more nervous than he was before. He really wanted to make this good for James. He took a deep breath and slowly entered James. And then he got why Kendall enjoyed topping. It felt so good. But then again, it could've just been James.

"You can move," James whispered.

Logan nodded and rested his forehead against James' as he slowly began to thrust. And, shit, James felt amazing. Finally, Logan understood why sex was such a big deal. It was one of the best feelings in the world. And in this world there was only him and James. He was able to pour all the feelings he had for James into the act of making love.

Logan watched James face to see if he was in pain. He appeared to be at first, but slowly his features relaxed. Logan re-angled himself so he could hit the right spot.

James' eyes flew open. "Oh god!"

"Is that the spot?"

"Fuck yes!"

Logan smiled and gave James a kiss. "I want to look in your eyes."

James nodded and put a hand on the back of Logan's head. "So good, Logan. God yes. Touch me, please."

Logan reached between them and began to stroke James. He could feel himself getting closer to his release as he watched James' eyes. Those eyes glazed over as James cried out Logan's name and came. Seeing James come undone like that was what did it for Logan.

After catching his breath, Logan pulled out of James and rolled off him. James curled up against Logan, and Logan put an arm around him. "Was it OK?"

"OK?" James said. "It was more than OK. It was fucking awesome. I didn't know sex could be that great."

"Yeah. Me either. You'll be sore tomorrow, though."

"Totally worth it." James yawned. "I'm pooped."

Logan laughed. "Me too."

"Let's call it a night. I don't care how early it is."

"I'm completely fine with that."

James' alarm went off and for a second he wondered why his ass hurt. When he opened his eyes and saw Logan, he remembered why. He quickly shut off his alarm.

He looked at the still sleeping Logan, whose arms were around James. They had sex the night before, James happily recalled. And it was about time in James' opinion. He'd been waiting forever for that moment. It had exceeded James' expectations. He got completely lost in Logan; the feel of him. It was fantastic. And it was as if their commitment to each other was finally sealed. James felt so much closer to Logan now. The closeness he always wanted.

James wished he could stay in Logan's arms forever. But he had an early class. He tried to get up, and felt Logan's arms tighten around him. James smiled and Looked down at Logan.

Logan's eyes fluttered opened. "Don't go," he mumbled. "Stay in bed. All day. With me."

James laughed and kissed the top of Logan's head. "I have class, darling. And I need a quick shower and some breakfast."

"Skip class."

James had to laugh at that. "Is Logan Mitchell, King Nerd, suggesting I ditch school?"

"Yup."

James sighed. "I would love to. But we have out first test in, like, two weeks. I don't wanna miss something important and fail."

Logan pouted. "Fine. But I'll get there early before my first class, and we'll have lunch together."

James kissed him. "I'd enjoy that."

So I feel better about this chapter than the last one.

OK. I'm not sure how many more chapters there are left. Maybe one or two. Just a warning.