I'm so sorry this is up so late. I left to go visit family at 5 am this morning, didn't get here until four and then we went out to dinner and I just got back. But I've finally got a second to do upload it so I came here straight away!

o*o*o*o*o
Secrets are things we give
to others to keep for us.
-Elbert Hubbard
o*o*o*o*o

17 Years Old

Things are getting better, Logan thinks. He's managing to keep a safe distance from Kendall without almost completely cutting the blonde out of his life. He can tell from the lingering glances the taller boy sends his way that he wants that closeness they used to have. Still wants that touchy feely relationship they'd had in Minnesota. That they'd had up until Kendall had started dating Jo, really. He's sure the blonde doesn't understand why they can't have it.

But he doesn't say anything about it to Logan, for which the genius is grateful. He's not sure he could deny the blonde anything if Kendall asked for it outright.

The genius even does a good job at hiding how relieved he is when Kendall initially expresses no interest in Lucy when she first arrives at the Palm Woods. Because he's not supposed to be relieved. Because, as Kendall's friend it shouldn't matter to him who Kendall dates, as long as the blonde is happy.

They're singing All Over Again out by the Palm Woods pool, practice for their upcoming world tour. Camille uses her hands to make a heart and Logan, completely in "concert mode" does what he would normally do and smiles and winks back at her, not even realizing that Camille is not a random fan he'll never see again.

He doesn't miss the way the curly haired Jennifer waves at Carlos. And he definitely doesn't miss the way Lucy winks at Kendall. He doesn't miss Kendall's semi-pleased reaction to her wink either. And he tries to not be upset by. Tries to be excited about it. And it only half works.

He's only half able to school his face into a neutral expression when the rocker chick gives the blonde a congratulatory hug after they're done singing.

"That was awesome, guys!" She congratulates and even though she's talking to all of them, she's only smiling at Kendall.

It's takes a little while after that because everyone in the Palm Woods is busy congratulating them, but eventually it's just Kendall, Logan, James, Carlos, Camille, and Lucy. The rocker chick smiles at Kendall again. "So I've got that new Zombie Slashers film in my room. We should watch it."

And even though she doesn't say that she's just talking to Kendall, everyone knows that she is.

"Ah, no thanks." Kendall smiles, "I mean, I would. But we all just got over a really huge fight and I kind of just want to spend some time with Logan…and James and Carlos." He adds, but Logan can tell that their other two friends were added as an after thought.

"Go ahead." Logan moves to stand next to Camille. "I'm going to grab something to eat with Camille." He needs to apologize for winking at her, because he's not interested in getting back together and he doesn't want her to think that he is. That's not fair to her.

"Oh okay…" Kendall's face falls for a fraction of a second and Logan's pretty sure he's the only one who catches it before the blonde turns to face Lucy with a (slightly forced) smile. "Zombie Slashers sounds great. James, Carlos," he turns to face his other two friends. "You in?"

Logan mentally face palms. So maybe one person doesn't realize Lucy was just talking to Kendall.

Before they can point this out to the blonde, Lucy smiles and turns towards them as well. "Yeah, come on guys. It's rated R for gore and blood…" She says in a singsong voice.

And that's when James and Carlos crack. "Okay!" The Latino cries, shoving his helmet onto his head. "Let's go!"

-0-

Camille and Logan don't talk much until the get to the restaurant. In fact, it's not until they're seated and their salads have been brought out to them that the silence is broken.

"So…" Camille asks, taking a small bite of her salad, "what's going on between you and Kendall?"

Logan nearly chokes on his glass of water. "W-hat? What are you talking about? There's nothing going on between Kendall and I."

The actress raises an eyebrow and gives him a smirk that clearly says she doesn't believe him. "Oh please. Logan I saw the way he looked after you said you weren't going to hang out with him. And I heard how he just wanted to hang out with you and added James and Carlos in at the last minute. Seriously," her face becomes concerned. "What's going on?"

"N-Nothing."

"You like Kendall, don't you?" The genius opens his mouth to deny this but she cuts him off. "Don't lie to me, Logan Mitchell."

He sighs. "Yes. Okay? I do."

Camille nods and the genius is relieved that she doesn't look particularly upset by the news. "I'm not surprised." This surprises Logan though and he's sure she can see said surprise written across his face. "Logan…I don't know if you realize this, but just about everyone at the Palm Woods thought you and Kendall were dating when you first moved to L.A. I think people were more surprised to find out that you weren't."

Logan groans at this news, letting his head fall to the table. "No. No. No!"

"What? What's wrong with liking Kendall?"

"Everything's wrong with it! For other people!" Logan cries, lifting his head and gesturing wildly. "Kendall is straight and he deserves to be with a nice girl. Not me."

The actress smiles sadly at him. "Do you have any idea what you look like when you say that?"

"What?"

"You look like your whole world is falling apart. It's okay if you're in love with Kendall."

"No," Logan insists. "It isn't." But he can feel a very insistent tug in his chest as he says these words.

"…Do you know why I kissed James?"

The genius is caught of guard by the question but he shrugs. "Because you got caught up in the acting and didn't want to say the word bomb?"

Camille shakes her head, smiling and laughing lightly. "Well, yes, that's the surface reason. But it's also because I felt compelled too. I wasn't into James at that point in time and-"

"Wasn't?" Logan interrupts, smirking slightly.

"Honestly," Camille shrugs, "I'm not entirely sure how I feel about him now. But back then I knew I wasn't interested in him. But I think that's what was meant to happen. After trying this whole on-again, off-again thing, it's obvious you and I aren't meant to be together. And that you were meant to be a good friend." She reaches over the table and gives Logan's hand a squeeze.

"Thanks Camille." He smiles gratefully at the actress. "It's going to be really nice having you as a friend."

"And listen, if there's anything you need, just let me know. I know this is probably hard for you and I want to help."

"Do you think, maybe, it would be okay if I just came and talked to you when things got to be too much?"

Camille smiles. "Of course, Logan. My door is open any time. And, if it helps, we can let people keep thinking we're still doing the on-again, off-again thing. At least for a while. But really, you should try just telling Kendall how you feel."

Logan shakes his head and sighs. "I can't Camille. It's just too…complicated."