DISCLAIMER: I do not own Big Time Rush or any of its characters.
"Stop pouting," Ari murmured, poking James in the side jokingly as they walked through the Palm Wood lobby with the other three guys.
"I'm not pouting," James objected, but smiled and put an arm around Ari's shoulders, squeezing her close to him.
"You're just jealous because I get to dance with your girlfriend," Logan proclaimed teasingly. "Should have been just a bit shorter, giraffe man."
After the first day of dance rehearsals for their new music video, Logan had indeed been paired to dance with Ari. James had objected at first, but relented after a few minutes. Ari's petite 5'4" height made her better suited to dance with the smaller Logan, while James danced with a taller girl, helping the guys seem even taller. It was some sort of thing to make the guys look more attractive in the video.
Whatever. James had just wanted to dance with Ari.
Ari smiled up at James. "I'll practice with you if you want, James. We can dance together then." She stood on tiptoe and laid a kiss on his cheek. "I think it's cute that you wanted to dance with me."
"Of course I wanted to dance with you," James replied. "You're the only girl I ever want to dance with." That earned a wide, sparkling grin from Ari and the two moved together to kiss deeply.
"Ah…AHEM," Kendall cleared his throat rather obnoxiously, looking at the two who were coming dangerously close to a make out session as they stood waiting for the elevator to arrive. "Guys? We're still here."
James and Arianna broke apart, grinned at each other, and contented themselves with just holding hands.
"Only you can bring out the cutesy in James, Ari," Carlos commented. "He's never that mushy. Ever."
"I try," Ari said with a smile.
"Carlos!" The group turned to see Stephanie standing across the lobby, by the doors to the pool. She waved enthusiastically and Carlos just as happily waved back. James gave him a nudge.
"Do it now," James told him.
Carlos looked shocked. "Now? Here?"
Ari gave him a confused look. "What?"
"Yes, here!" prompted Logan. "What better place?"
"Umm, anywhere else?" Carlos suggested.
"Do what?" Ari asked again, getting slightly more annoyed.
"She's coming over," James whispered frantically. "Just do it!"
"What if she turns me down?!" Carlos panicked.
It clicked in Ari's head. "She won't. She likes you. She told me," she whispered quickly in Carlos's ear. "Do it."
Kendall finally gave Carlos a subtle nudge forward. Stephanie reached them, smiling and oblivious.
"Hey, so how was—"
"Stephaniewillyougooutwithme?" Carlos said in a mumbled rush that even his closest friends had trouble understanding.
Stephanie looked confused beyond belief. "What?"
Logan nudged Carlos on the shoulder and James demonstrated a deep breath for him. Carlos copied, taking a big breath before starting again, more slowly and a bit more eloquently.
"Stephanie, would you…would you like to go on a date with me this Friday night?" he finally managed.
"Are you serious?" When Carlos nodded, obviously bracing himself for the rejection, she burst into a grin. "Carlos, hell yes!" She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. Carlos's eyes were wide and he smiled in that surprised-boy way he did and hugged her back as enthusiastically.
The elevator dinged, bringing Camille with it. She awwwwwed at the sight of Stephanie and Carlos and slipped under Logan's arm.
"Well, look at that," James observed. "It's a happy ending for everyone."
"Oh yeah, real happy over here," Kendall exclaimed, gesturing to his lack-of-girlfriend.
Camille rolled her eyes. "Jo will be back before you know it."
"Still," James continued, ignoring Kendall's interruption. "It really is a happy ending."
Yeah, it's one of those disgusting happy endings that is horrible but I HAD TO FINISH THIS DANG STORY OH MY GOSH JAMES FICS ARE HARD. Ugh. But I hope you all have enjoyed this! Remember to vote for the next story, and check out my others!