Untitled- Eminem (no relation to plot; the title just works out for a part of this. The full song is...oh my. Trippy and grungy at best. But I love it!)

Yeah, I realized that I stopped putting a song before every chapter. I completely forgot about that. I'll probably put them at the beginning of the chapters I can come up with a song for (like this one). Sorry if anyone noticed, but if you didn't….never mind. :)

And, I have a snow day, so I'm updating! Yay!

But anyway, a lot of this chapter was written during a bout of bronchitis-induced insomnia. I talked to my wonderful friend XJendall_LoverX on Twitter during that time (seriously, go follow her if you have a twitter!) and she really inspired me since we are both Kendall freaks. X]

Oh, quick note- look up The Church Lady before you read this. She doesn't really have anything to do with this chapter, but a little bit of background is needed for a tiny part, so I don't want you all to be lost in case you don't know who she is. :)

This is the chapter where the drama starts, so hopefully it turns out like I want it to.

Enjoy!

When I see your face

There's not a thing that I would change

'Cause girl you're amazing

Just the way you are

Sam's phone was ringing, but that wasn't her usual ringtone- for anyone. She picked it up off the table and looked at the caller ID.

Kendall.

With an amused smile on her face, she answered, "Hello?"

"How do you like your new ringtone, babe?" Sam could practically hear his smirk through the phone.

Playing along, she responded, "Oh, I love it! But how ever did you get a hold of my phone? Are you creeping on me, Mr. Knight?"

Kendall's musical chuckle rang out. "Nah, I'm not creepin'. I just swiped it while you weren't looking last night. It's only for me. It says how I feel about you." He said the last part in a coy way.

Sam's heart leapt at his words. They had been going out for about two-and-a-half months, but she was still amazed at how sweet and affectionate Kendall always is. For having the immense responsibility of being the strong leader of his group (musically and otherwise), he really was a softy since that shell was cracked.

"Could you be any cheesier?" she joked lightly, her frame shaking slightly with laughter.

"Oh, shut it. You know you like it," Kendall said back.

Sam sighed in mock defeat. "Oh…alright. You got me." She paused. "But your occasional corniness is part of the reason I like you so much."

Jeez, when did this turn into such a love-fest? They both thought.

"Anyway," she continued, blushing slightly. "What did you need, Ken?"

"Well, I just wanted to see if you were going into the studio today. I wanted to pick you up if you were."

Sam was not really expecting that. "Aww, Kendall! I don't want you to go out of your way just for me-"

"Nonsense!" Kendall cut in. "Seriously, Sam. I got past the Palm Woods every day on my way to work. It's no big deal. Plus, it'd give us more time together…" he trailed off.

The brunette couldn't help but cave. "Fine! Yes, I am going in today. You're lucky you're too cute to resist."

"Aww shucks," the blonde replied, feigning innocence. "So I'll pick you up in an hour?"

"Yep," Sam smiled. "It's a good thing both of our producers run on similar schedules."

Kendall grinned on his end of the phone. "Yeah, that is good, I guess. I'll call you when I'm on my way, okay babe?"

"Sure, Kenny," Sam said smoothly.

"Careful, Sammie," Kendall warned in the same tone.

"You're a dork, you know that?"

"Maybe," he retorted. "But I'm your dork."

Sam sighed jokingly once more. "Fine. Go get ready. I'll see you in a bit."

They said their goodbyes quickly and went about preparing themselves for the day.

An hour later, Sam was ready, guitar case in hand. Her producer had called and told her they would be having writing sessions over the next couple days.

She wrote a quick note to her parents, both of whom were at work already, saying she'd probably be home after they got back. Taking one last look at the apartment, she walked out the door, shutting it behind her, and made her way downstairs.

As Sam exited the elevator into the lobby, she spotted Jo waving at her with a pleasant smile on her face. The brunette reciprocated the gesture and strolled over to meet her. "Hey, girl. What's up?" the blonde greeted her.

Sam grinned. "Not much. I have to head over to the studio. Kendall's coming to pick me up. How 'bout you?"

Jo sighed tiredly. "I had a late night at the set yesterday, and now they want me there again!" New Town High had ended up being a flop, so Jo was on a new series about four best girl friends who break out in the acting industry. The hours were almost as bad as her previous show's had been.

Sam frowned and pulled Jo in a sideways hug. "Aww, I'm sorry. Maybe if we've both got time tonight, we could hang at my place and watch a movie with Livi. She's got the day off…lucky girl." Her features turned to mock-disgust at her new best friend's good fortune. Both girls chuckled lightheartedly and wandered over to the lobby couch, sitting down and chatting while they waited for their respective rides. (Jo's was her favorite coworker Melanie.)

Several minutes later a familiar face moseyed into the Palm Woods' lobby. He was wearing a gray vintage t-shirt that was just loose enough to hide the well-formed chest muscles. On his long, lean legs he wore a pair of black skinny pants with his favorite red high-tops. Completing the look was the gray beanie on his gorgeous head, his blonde bangs hanging down casually but not blocking his stunning emerald eyes.

Walking in, he immediately spotted Sam and Jo conversing on the couch. They each had a smile on their face and laughed occasionally. Kendall always got a weird feeling seeing his current girlfriend and ex-girlfriend together. He knew Jo held no hard feelings against him, and he was extremely happy she was super friendly to Sam as well. Nothing was wrong with the picture, but for a guy, that sort of situation is just weird.

He rolled his eyes playfully and made his way over to the two girls. He and Jo briefly made eye contact (Sam's back was to Kendall), so he held a finger to his lips as a sign to continue the conversation and not give him away. Jo played along and discretely watch the dirty-blonde teen sneak up on Sam. As soon as he flung his hands around her eyes, he disguised his voice and whispered, "Guess who?"

Jo could see Sam's brows furrow in confusion and then thought. "James?" she mused.

Kendall's face fell. After several seconds of silence, Sam- eyes still closed- blurted out, "Kendall, honey, I know it's you."

He took his hands off of her eyes. "You scared me there for a second."

Sam instantly looked guilty. "Oh, I'm sorry. I was just playing around!" She stuck her bottom lip out and made her puppy-dog face at her boyfriend. She knew she was forgiven when he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"Aww, get outta here, you love birds!" came Jo's playful tone from the chair in front of the two.

Looking up, they got the 'subtle' hint and began making their way out. Kendall grabbed Sam's guitar case, even though she send him a look that said she could do it herself; he was still a firm believer in chivalry.

The car ride was silent, but the couple held hands the entire way. Starr Records was about a block down from Rocque Records, so Kendall could always walk to meet his girlfriend after a long day.

Today he parked in his usual spot, got out and grabbed Sam's guitar case from the trunk. The brunette girl jumped out as well, immediately snatching her case away from him playfully and intertwining their fingers together. They walked in the opposite direction of Rocque Records and made their way down the deserted sidewalk. It was about ten-thirty in the morning, so no one was really out-and-about. The teens strolled at a leisurely pace, just basking in the early L.A. sun and enjoying each other's company.

Sneaking a glance at his girlfriend, Kendall smiled inwardly and broke the comfortable silence. "So…Sam," he began smoothly. "What are you going in for today?"

"Oh, just some jam sessions," she said. "My producer wants me to have a couple original songs on my first album."

Kendall smiled, surprised. "You write you own songs, too?"

The brunette blushed humbly. "I guess...You could say I dabble…"

He squeezed her hand gently and grinned at her warmly. "I think that's awesome, Sam. You'll have to show me one of your songs some time."

They stopped walking and saw they were in front of Starr Records. Sam looked up at her male companion. "Sure. Maybe if one of them works out."

"I don't doubt your skills," Kendall assured her, giving her a loving peck. "Call me when you get done, okay?"

Sam set her case down, wrapped her arms around his torso, and looked up at him. "Alright." The two teens shared another kiss, this one deeper and longer.

They eventually came up for air and rested their foreheads against one another's. After sharing a quick glance, they pulled apart, and Sam turned around to open the door. Both teens were too flustered to say anything, so she smiled wide and bit her lip as her face reddened slightly. She gave a small, shy wave and disappeared inside. Kendall began walking back to Rocque Records, an immovable grin plastered on his face.

Sam had been in the studio for three-and-a-half hours. Checking the clock in the 'jam' room, she flopped back onto her bean bag chair. Her band and producers were all around her, their designated instruments in their laps. Papers were strewn everywhere: Sam had actually had a bout of inspiration and was loosely clutching at eight sheets of lyrics and chords. "Okay guys," she piped up. "I think I've got this one almost all the way figured out. Umm…just jump in if you want to add."

She counted off four beats to set the tempo and began strumming her guitar.

As she sang the melody, one band member joined in on a set of bongo drums, keeping the beat going strong. Another member added a layer with her acoustic guitar. It was a simple rough draft, but Sam's producer, Marvin Fletcher, whipped his head up as the song came together.

When Sam played the last chord, motioning for her band mates to stop as well, Marvin started a slow, amazed clap. He was practically speechless. "Sam…that was-"

"That was AMAZING!" her bassist Adam finished.

"Really?" Sam wondered. "Nah, it wasn't that good!"

"Marvin shook his head in disbelief. "You're lucky I recorded everything in here today, missy. That song is going to be your first single!"

The teenager beamed. "What? No way!" She jumped up and hugged each of her band members tightly. "Marvin, are you serious?"

"As serious as ever, child. Now quick- get in the booth before this energy wears off!"

"But I don't even have the entire chorus figured out!" Sam countered.

"That's okay," Marvin encouraged. "Just improvise for now!"

Fifteen minutes later, they had a general demo of the song, which Sam had left untitled until she came up with the perfect chorus. Marvin, being so excited for his prodigy, gave her the rest of the day off to celebrate. He called her a 'little scamp' affectionately on her way out.

And that was why they got along so well.

Sam took her phone out of her pocket and dialed her favorite number, holding the device to her ear.

"Hello?" Kendall answered.

"Hey, Ken; it's me."

He hesitated. "Who is this?" he asked jokingly in his best Church Lady accent.

Sam rolled her eyes. "You're such a goob! You know who it is!"

The blonde chuckled. "I know, babe. Anyway, what's up?"

"Well, I'm out early, so I'm heading over to Rocque Records now."

Kendall smiled big, earning a playful eye roll from Logan, who was standing next to him. James and Carlos turned around and both made kissy faces at the love-struck teen. Kendall flipped them the bird. "Okay. Well, me and the hockey-heads and I have a quick meeting with Gustavo about God-knows-what, so I don't know if we'll be done by the time you get up here." He made a face back at the boys telling them to cut out the joking.

"Okay, I'm at the front door, so I'll see you when I see you."

"I'll talk to you in a bit then, Sammy."

"Bye."

"Bye. Carlos! James! You're such-" The line went dead. Sam laughed at her friends' antics.

She made her way up to the floor that contained Rocque Records, passing various offices and posters. As she entered the studio, portraits of boy-bands' past smiled down at her in typical nineties fashion. She glanced around the lobby and was unsurprised to hear silence- that is, until she heard a collective, "WHAT?" resonate throughout the chic space. Startled, she moved quickly toward where she heard the cry come from. She stopped outside Gustavo's office door and put her ear to the black-painted wood.

The voices behind the door were slightly muffled, but she managed to make out what they were saying. "…Europe. I've already got it all planned out," Gustavo boomed. "Two months of nothing but music and screaming fan girls."

"So we're actually going?" James sounded ecstatic and Sam could hear the smile splitting his face in half.

"Yes," Gustavo continued. "You all wanted it, and now it's here!"

"So when do we leave?" Carlos shouted.

There was a moment of silence, and then, "Next Sunday!" The fat producer replied excitedly.

The entire area fell into a hush. Sam wasn't sure if it was a happy quiet or not. She, on the other hand, gasped softly and the world seemed to stop. Backing up from the door in shock, she stumbled and fell onto her back, loudly. Righting herself, she looked up just in time to see the door open and six faces stare down at her in surprise.

She knew she shouldn't have been eavesdropping, but she was rooted to the spot. Sam gave them a deer-in-headlights gaze and could only squeak out a shaky, disbelieving, "W-what?"

Kendall looked at her sadly and detached himself from the group. He held out his hand for her, hauling her up when their hands clasped. "Sam," he began. "Let's take a walk. I need to tell you something."

"What else is there for me to know?" she shot back a little too bitterly as they stepped outside into the suddenly chilly air.

The blonde sighed deeply. "There's more to it than what you probably heard." He looked away guiltily, and Sam noticed he seemed like a little kid; she felt kind of bad for snapping. Kendall glanced back at her briefly. "I'm just sorry you had to find out this way."

So, yeah...I'm not really sure about this chapter. It kind of got away from me, and then all of a sudden I see it was at 2500 words. Xd

It seems like a filler to me. What about you? Reviews are much needed because I'm losing sleep posting this. Reviews are like sleeping pills...? No. Not quite. Let's not go there yet. Oops! Did I say that out loud?

But anyway.

I don't want to sound like I'm desperate for reveiws, but if you have any suggestion, feel free to let me know! I need some more inspiration than what's just up in my head! I love hearing from you guys! :)

So...later. I'm going to sleep. Because I have...school in the morning. Blech. -dies-

Sorry for any errors. And see that little button at the bottom that says 'Review'? He's lonely. His name is Phillip, so please stop by and say hi to him! All those who do will get a special home-cooked meal from Chef Carlos! Who doesn't love that little cutie? C:

Oh, and on another note: who watched Big Time Beach Party? It's my new fave! Anyone else? Thoughts? :)