its been 2 years since my last update omg. i am so sorry. i will be finishing this story though. even if no one reads it.

if you are still reading it; thank you, i appreciate you.

James, Jonah, and Carlos stood outside Alex's house.

"Do you think there will be alcohol?" Jonah asked.

Carlos gave her a pointed look. "There will be adults there."

James rolled his eyes and was about to ring the doorbell when the door opened. Alex was wearing a huge smile on her face and a really ugly Christmas sweater. It was bright green with 3D reindeers.

The three guests stood there, staring at her.

Alex gave them a flat look. "If you want to come in you can't make fun of me."

"You look…great!" Carlos said, laughing awkwardly.

Alex rolled her eyes and let them in. Carlos and Jonah went straight to the kitchen, probably to sneak some alcohol. James made his way to the backyard where the patio was adorned with white Christmas lights.

And under those lights, Kendall sat in one of the patio chairs.

In an ugly sweater identical to Alex's except Kendall's was bright red.

James went to join him.

"The sweater really brings out the colour of your eyes." He said before taking a seat.

Kendall looked up, his face lighting up at the sight of the brunet.

"Don't make fun of me." The blond said, pulling a face. "Alex forced me. Their parents have this tradition where they like to make everyone miserable."

James laughed. "It doesn't look half as bad on you."

The blond placed a hand over his heart. "That is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me."

Just that moment, their kid who was laying in Kendall's lap, decided to cry.

Kendall sighed and hugged him to his chest. "When is this assignment due?"

"You don't like spending time with our child?" James teased.

"It would be nice to spend time with him together." The blond shrugged.

"It would." James said quietly.

"Guys!" Carlos whisper-yelled, coming to take a seat with them.

Jonah, Alex and Logan followed him. They all sat around the Patio table.

"We found alcohol." The Latino grinned, holding up a water bottle. "It's vodka."

"Don't be a bad influence on our nephew." Alex chastised, taking the doll from Kendall.

"It's a doll." Carlos and Kendall said in unison.

"A doll that is worth half of our grade." James retorted.

Kendall sighed. "I kept him alive didn't I?"

"Just barely." Logan commented.

Everyone at the table laughed. James looked at the faces. Some looked back at him and it made him feel warm inside. At the beginning of the year he didn't have anyone. He didn't have any friends and now he was sitting at a table with 5 people who put smiles on his face.

Carlos raised his water bottle at him and winked at his best friend.

James grinned and nodded back at him.

So many things have changed in less than a year and he couldn't be more grateful for them. He and Kendall went through a lot but it made him grow as a person and it brought him to the people sitting with him right now.

He was suddenly startled when he felt warm fingers intertwine with his own. He looked down at his hand and found Kendall's hand finding it's place in his. He felt his entire body melt. He looked at the blond and found Kendall looking back at him with a fond smile on his face. James smiled back at him and squeezed the blond's hand. Kendall squeezed back, his smile widening.

"Is this what happiness feels like?" James whispered to himself.

But Logan, on his other side had heard him.

"It is and you have more of it coming."

James smiled at him. "What about you?"

Logan raised his eyebrows. "What about me?"

"Do you like Carlos?"

His eyes widened as his cheeks turned a light shade of pink.

"Maybe." He squeaked out.

"What are you two talking about?" Alex said, eyeing James and Logan.

"Nothing." They shrugged.

"Anyways, does anyone know where they're going for university?" Jonah asked, not so subtly looking between Kendall and James.

"I got into UCLA." Alex said.

Logan cleared his throat. "I got into Columbia, NYU, and U of T."

Carlos whooped. "James, looks like your genius has competition."

The taller brunet rolled his eyes. "I only applied to one school and I got in."

"You got into U of T?" Alex asked excitedly. "So did Kendall!"

James blinked before turning to look at Kendall. The blond was already staring back at him.

"Are we going to the same school?" The brunet asked softly.

Kendall nodded. "Looks like we are."

James felt his heart soar.

"You two are gross. Stop staring at each other like that." Carlos stated, making a face.

The brunet smiled shyly and Kendall blushed a little.

"You and Logan could be just as gross." The blond retaliated.

Carlos' eyes quickly darted at Logan before it was back on the water bottle in his hand as Logan coughed and did everything to look away from the Latino.

Jonah and Alex rolled their eyes and made a face. "Ugh. Boys."

"Pizza is here!" Katie called from the inside.

"Pizza!" Carlos yelled and ran into the house with Jonah, Alex, and Logan following him.

James stood up and started to walk inside but Kendall stopped him.

"How do you really feel about us going to the same university?" He asked James.

"I'm looking forward to it."

"Really?"

James nodded "Really."

Kendall shot him a blinding smile. "I can't wait."

Maybe Logan was right.

Maybe his happiness would continue.

Maybe he has a future to look forward to after all.