I would like to thank, Franches, ArkieAlev, Chey21, CUTE CARGAN LOVE, Mystery Girl 911, DeniseDEMD, LoganLover96, and annabellex2 for all taking the extra time to revirew. Thank you it means so much to me to hear your thoughts so keep them coming.
Chapter 29: Someone Like You
Leora walked into the living room where Kendall and James were watching TV together. She had been putting off asking them about the concert for a few days now. She knew she had to ask them sooner or later. She just hoped they would keep an open mind.
"Um, dad, pops," Leora said getting their attention.
"What's up Ladybug?" Kendall asked looking turning to look at her.
"I was wondering if maybe I could go to this concert next week," Leora said slowly. She had to approach this carefully.
"What concert?" James asked.
"With who?" Kendall asked.
"It's for this new band TBA and Caleb invited me," Leora said biting her lip. Kendall opened his mouth to protest, but James quickly slapped a hand over his mouth.
"Leora don't you think you're a bit young to be going to a concert with Caleb on your own," James asked.
"We won't be alone," Leora said shaking her head quickly. James started to protest that a crowd of strangers didn't mean they weren't alone. "His dads are going," she added.
"Ow," James said turning to Kendall as he pulled his hand way from the blonde's mouth. "Did you just bite me?" he asked looking at the blonde shocked.
"Don't put your hand over my mouth," Kendall said glaring at his husband.
"You bit me," James said shocked.
"It's not like I haven't bit you before," Kendall said rolling his eyes at James.
"Ok, I'm still here," Leora said getting their attention. She did not want to hear them arguing about this. Kendall and James both looked at her.
"No way," Kendall said looking at Leora.
"Why not?," Leora said.
"Because, I said so," Kendall said.
"Come on, dad you were going to concerts when you were a teenager," Leora argued.
"We were performing," Kendall shot back.
"No, pops told me you were fourteen when you went to your first concert," Leora said looking to James for help, which was odd, because he was usually the one that needed convincing.
"She's right," James said looking at Kendall.
"Not helping," Kendall said looking at James.
"Please, it's not like we'll be alone, his dads will be right there," Leora reasoned.
"You really want to go to this concert don't you?" Kendall asked. Leora could tell he had a plan forming in his mind. She knew that look too well by now. She had seen it several times when he and James wanted to get her and her brothers out of the house, or when he had a plan to get her or the guys to do their chores without really seeming like he was trying.
"Yes, I do," Leora said slowly. She wasn't sure if this was going to be good or not.
"Ok you can go," Kendall said. James looked over at Kendall shocked. He never caved so fast.
"On what condition?" Leora asked knowing there was more to this. She wasn't dumb. She had done this before. There had to be a catch, there was always a catch.
"When's the concert next weekend?" Kendall asked Leora nodded her head not knowing where the older blonde was going with this. "We have to make sure they are ok to watch two kids at a concert. They have to come over for dinner this weekend," Kendall said. Leora and James' jaws dropped.
"What?" James asked.
"You've got to be kidding me," Leora said.
"That's my condition," Kendall said.
"I'm not going to that concert," Leora muttered to herself. She looked up at Kendall who was looking at her. "I'll talk to Caleb, but I don't know if his dad will agree since you've got some personal vendetta against him and he seems to hate you just as much," she said. With that she turned and left.
-Landslide-
Jake yawned as he walked into his next class for the day. This class just happened to be a class that he shared with Marty when he decided to show up for school. Marty rarely showed up to school. He usually was busy getting his hands on drugs or getting high.
Jake groaned inwardly. Today was the day that Marty had decided to show up. Jake took his usual seat in the middle of the room. He wasn't in front with all the nerd, but he wasn't in back with the burnouts like Marty. Marty moved to sit beside Jake.
"What do you want?" Jake asked knowing Marty wanted to talk to him. He didn't know why Marty kept talking to him. He wasn't polite to him all the time, and he showed no interest in really being Marty's friend. Marty pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and placed it on Jake's desk.
"Not this weekend, but next weekend," Marty said.
"Another party?" Jake said looking down at the piece of paper. Marty nodded his head.
"I was instructed to get as many people as I could," Marty shrugged, "you still need to loosen up a bit," he added as he moved back to his original seat.
Jake sat there started at the piece of paper. That would make this the fourth party Marty had invited him to. It would be the third one he had gone to if he went. Jake stuffed the piece of paper in his pocket for the time being. He knew if he threw it away in front of Marty he'd just be more insistent that Jake go to the party. He was always calling Jake up tight and said he needed to relax.
Jake sat through his class with the party in the back of his mind. He couldn't help but wonder why Marty kept inviting him places. Maybe Marty was trying to get him hooked on drugs like him so he could deal to Jake and make more money. Jake wouldn't put it past the stoner to do so.
Jake sat through most of the class thinking about the invitation in his pocket. He didn't want to think about it, but he was curious. Jake nearly jumped out of his skin when the bell rang. He gathered his things and left the room. He headed to his locker. It was lunch time and he wanted to go off campus. It would allow him some time to think about thing. He stuffed his things in his locker and turned around. He nearly ran into someone.
Jake looked up and saw his ex-boyfriend Evan Turner standing before him. Jake looked at Evan shocked to see him. Evan smirked.
"What do you want?" Jake asked letting his annoyance show.
"I heard you're hanging out with Marty now," Evan said.
"Marty's a loser that can't take a hint," Jake said shaking his head. He moved to step around Evan, but he stopped him.
"If you were smart you'd drop his ass," Evan said.
"He can't take a hint, he won't leave me alone, and why do you even care?" Jake snapped. He was getting really annoyed with Evan.
"I'm just saying, if you want to end up like your brother or worse keep hanging out with Marty," Evan said.
"That doesn't answer the question," Jake said.
"Maybe I care about you," Evan said looking away form Jake. Jake let out a loud obnoxious laugh and shook his head.
"You never cared this much when we were dating," Jake said shaking his head.
"I did too, I just didn't show it like I should've," Evan said.
"I don't have time for this," Jake said pushing past Evan finally. He heard Evan following him. He started for the parking lot.
"Jake, look I've been getting some help and I don't want to see you throw everything you have away," Evan said keeping up with Jake.
"You're just a little to late Ev, I don't care about you," Jake said, "and I am not throwing my life away. I know what I am doing," he added quickly as he walked outside. Evan still followed him.
"Look, Jake I know Marty and he can get you in deep," Evan said as they reached Jake's car. Jake whipped around shocked at what Evan was implying.
"I am not on drugs," Jake hissed.
"I know how it starts, you don't want to try and Marty keeps inviting you to parties and curiosity get the best of you and you keep going," Evan said lowly as he looked around the parking lot. No one was really paying much attention to him.
"I know what I am doing and drugs is not one of the things I am doing," Jake hissed.
"I'd just hate to see someone like you get mixed up with Marty," Evan said.
"Someone like me?" Jake asked confused. Evan was acting so different than he had before. He almost seemed like he really cared about Jake right now.
"Yeah, all star athlete, smart, and very attractive. Jake you're the complete package," Evan said.
"What are you even doing here, I thought you were out for the rest of the year," Jake said looking at Evan. He hadn't seen Evan in months and there were rumors that he was being home schooled.
"I've been around, I talk my parents in letting me come back and one of the first things I hear is you making the same mistake I did," Evan said.
"I'm not making a mistake, I know what I am doing," Jake said. He looked at Evan trying to fill in the blanks. Where had Even been these last few months. His eyes went wide as he realized where Evan had been. "You were in rehab weren't you?" Jake asked. Even looked away form Jake.
"Yeah, my parents intervened and if they hadn't I might not even be here today," Evan said.
Evan had been in rehab. That explained the big change in him. Jake never would've thought Evan could sound so caring.
"Look Jake, I lost my way, but I've found it again," Evan said looking at Jake once more. Jake arched an eyebrow at Evan in question. "I really don't think you should hang out with Marty," he said. Then he did something Jake wasn't ready for. He leaned in and kissed Jake. Jake gasped shocked and Evan took a step back. "Just think about what you're doing," he said.
-Landslide-
Cooper and Damien were walking down the hallway together. Ever since Adam left and Jake started acting different the two had become a bit closer. Damien was worried about Jake and at school the only one he could talk to was Cooper.
"You don't think he's on something do you?" Damien asked quietly.
"I don't know, I mean is would make the most sense as to why he's been acting to secretive," Cooper said looking around the hallways. He didn't want anyone to over hear them.
"I'm worried about him," Damien admitted.
"We all are," Cooper assured him.
"I've never seen him act like this," Damien said. Cooper nodded his head. Damien was right this wasn't Jake. He was steadily getting worse too.
"His dads think he might have an eating disorder," Cooper said.
"They just don't want to believe he might be doing something like drugs," Damien pointed out. Cooper nodded his head. Damien was right. Kendall and James didn't want to admit that they made a mistake somewhere.
"I don't know what to do," Cooper sighed. He wanted to help Jake. He was his friend after all. He didn't want Jake to get hurt. He knew Damien was worried too.
"Honestly, I don't think we can do anything yet," Damien said shaking his head.
"The sad thing is, I think you're right," Cooper admitted.
Cooper looked over at Damien and thought about what he had seen during lunch. He had to run out to his car to get his wallet and he had seen Jake talking to Evan and Evan even kissed Jake. He knew Jake and Damien were over, but he wasn't sure if he wanted to tell Damien.
"Something wrong?" Damien asked.
"No," Cooper said shaking his head.
"Dude, you've been acting strange ever since lunch," Damien said looking over at Cooper.
"Ok, fine I saw something in the parking lot during lunch," Cooper said slowly.
"What?" Damien asked confused.
"Evan's back and I think he's got his eyes on Jake," Cooper said.
"What?" Damien asked stopped and making Cooper stop. Cooper had known Damien was going to over react. He was still in love with Jake.
"I saw Evan kiss Jake," Cooper said quietly.
"What?" Damien repeated louder. Cooper just shook his head and started walking as people stared at them.
"Don't read too much into it, Evan's an ass and Jake know it," Cooper said lowly as they turned down another hallway.
"Yeah, he also knows drugs are bad," Damien shot at him.
"I know Jake and he broke up with Evan for a reason," Cooper reasoned.
"Like he had a reason for breaking up with me?" Damien asked. Cooper opened his mouth toe reply when Damien put his hand up. "I'm gonna be late for class," he said. He took off at a jog to try and make it to his next class on time. Cooper stood there a moment before he walked into his next classroom which was right in front of him.
-Landslide
Carlos was sitting on the couch staring at his phone which was sitting on the coffee table in front of him. James was sitting next to him talking to him about a modeling job he had gotten hired for. He had told James all about his dream role and how excited he was to get it. He had gone to the final call back and now he was waiting on a decision. He was eager to know if he had gotten the part of not.
"You're not listening," James said bringing Carlos from his thought.
"I am too, you got a job," Carlos said distractedly his eyes n ever leaving his phone.
"Dude, staring at the phone won't make it ring," James said laughing.
"Shut up I know that, but I want this part so bad," Carlos said.
"You'll get it."
James and Carlos looked up and saw Logan and Kendall standing in the doorway. James smiled at the blonde.
"What are you two doing here?" Carlos asked.
"Well we were gonna go out for lunch together and then we thought why not come see what you two were up to," Logan said.
"Yeah, I called the house and Adam said you were over here," Kendall said.
"Still haven't gotten the phone call?" Logan asked looking at his husband. Carlos shook his head.
"Don't worry, they're probably busy calling all the others to tell them they didn't get the job," Kendall said.
"Probably," Carlos laughed.
"So do you guys want to go out for lunch or did you already eat?" Logan asked.
"Nah, we haven't eaten yet, but I can't just leave Adam alone," James said looking at the blonde.
"We'll go get him don't worry, I already told him he could come if he wanted," Kendall said smiling at James.
Carlos opened his mouth to speak when his cell phone rang. He looked down at his phone almost in shock. He almost wasn't sure what to do. James rolled his eyes and grabbed the phone and answered it for him.
"Hello?" James said. Carlos looked at James shocked. He reached for his phone bur James ducked away. "Yeah, he's not available right now can I take a message?" he asked. Carlos made another grab for his phone while James talked to someone on his phone. He nodded his head with a lot of uh-huh's. He then hung up and looked at Carlos.
"Who was that?" Carlos asked glaring at his friend.
"Some girl talking about an estimate on aluminum siding," James said. Carlos let out a breath and then punched James' shoulder. James grabbed his shoulder.
"Don't punch my husband," Kendall said walking over to James. James smiled at the blonde thankfully. "You slap him up side the head," he added grinning. James' smile fell as Kendall slapped him.
"Ok that was totally uncalled for," James said glairing at James. Carlos' cell phone rang again. Carlos snatched it from James and walked from the room as he answered it. He heard the others following him anyways.
"Hello," Carlos said.
"Hello, I'm calling for Carlos Mitchell," a female voice said.
"Yeah this is him," Carlos said quickly.
"My name is Shelia and I'm the casting director…" Shelia started.
"Yeah," Carlos said eagerly. He really just wanted to know if he got the part. Shelia talked about the show and eventually told Carlos what he wanted to head. Carlos kept clam though and after she said good bye he hung up and turned to the other three.
"Well?" Logan asked.
"I got the part," Carlos said smiling. Logan rushed over to him and pulled him into a kiss. Carlos welcome the kiss and smiled when Logan took a step back from him.
"I told you, you would get the part," Logan said.
"Congrats man, now we have to go out for lunch," James said.
Carlos nodded his head. He was happy beyond words right now. He was glad everything had worked out. If this show was a success he'd become a household name again and be known for more than just being in a boy band.
-Landslide-
Kyle looked around the table, no one was really talking. Leora had talked to Caleb and told him of her dads conditions. He had somehow talked his dads into coming for dinner. Kyle wasn't sure how, but they were here. Adam and Cooper had been excused from the table because Adam wasn't feeling well and Cooper had gone to check on him and never came back. No one said anything. Jake wasn't at the table either. He was at the mall, or so he said. Kyle wouldn't doubt if he had lied. Kyle had noticed that his older brother was being seen more and more with Marty Taylor, the school's biggest stoner. So that left Kyle, Leora, James, and Kendall. They were all sitting at the table with Caleb and his dads Dak and Jett Stetson.
James and Dak were trying to make small talk while their husbands glared at one another. It was very unsuccessful. It was tense. Leora and Caleb were sitting across from one another looking down at their plates. They were both embarrassed. Kyle was sure they had figured their dads would put their feelings aside for their sake, but they had no such luck. Almost as soon as the Stetsons arrived Kendall and Jett had covertly started the insults. Kyle had to admit they weren't up front about it at first.
Kendall had started with Jett's career while Jett attacked his looks. Kendall asked Jett about his recent romance movies and if he was a happy with selling out, while Jett had shot back that Kendall never really grew into his eyebrows. The insults continued until Dak stepped in elbowing Jett and glaring at him. Kendall had just smirked and walked away satisfied with himself for getting Jett all riled up with only a few words. Leora and Caleb apologized to one another about their dads.
Then the dinner had started. Kyle had never sat though something so awkward and tense. He wasn't sure what to do. Adam and Cooper had been luck to get away. Kyle was wondering if he could fake something to get out of here. He felt a foot kick his shin and looked over at Leora. She just shook her head. She knew what he was thinking. He leaned over to her.
"It's not my boyfriend," he whispered lowly.
"You can't leave me here all alone," Leora hissed in his ear.
"Think if I fake an stomach ache I'll get away?" he asked.
"No, but I'll give you a real one if you leave," Leora threatened.
"Come on, you might as give up on the concert, no way will dad let you go," Kyle said lowly.
"Just shut up and eat your food," Leora hissed at her brother. Kyle did as he was told not really wanting to upset Leora right now. She really wanted to go to the concert. Kyle knew better than to piss her off.
The rest of dinner was spent with tense and forced conversations. Kyle, Leora, and Caleb talked a bit while James and Dak tired start a conversation too. None of them really lasted. As everyone finished eating, Dak brought up the concert finally. Leora looked to James for help, which Kyle would've thought was odd, but given the circumstances he understood that Kendall needed convincing this time not James.
Kendall started asking questions and Jett had smart assed remarks while Dak answer normally. He assured Kendall he would watch Leora, but Kendall wasn't really paying any attention to Dak. Leora wasn't happy about this.
"What if you get separated from them? Leora's only fifteen," Kendall said voicing his biggest concern.
"Well that's the part where Dak and I head home and hope they can find their own way home," Jett said rolling his eyes.
"Jett," Dak said shocked.
"He's not gonna let her go, he made up his mind before we even got here," Jett said looking at Dak. Jett then stood up and left. He had had enough of Kendall and his questioning. James slapped Kendal upside the head and left the kitchen. Kendall shook his head and followed him.
They heard the four adults heading down the hall and out the door. There was some yelling as the door shut behind them. Leora groaned and hung her head.
"Well, it was worth a shot," Leora said looking over at Caleb.
"I ask him to be nice tonight," Caleb said shaking his head.
"Come on Le, you knew it was a long shot. Like Mr. Stetson said dad made up his mind before they arrived," Kyle said looking at his sister. Leora just glared at him. Kyle put his hands up and shook his head. He stood up and started to clear the table. "Might as well get the table cleared," Kyle said. Leora nodded her head and they both started to clear the table. Caleb jumped up and started helping.
"You don't have to help, your our guest," Leora said.
"It's the least I can do after the way my dad been acting," Caleb said. Leora nodded her head and the three of them cleared the table and put everything away.
"Maybe, next weekend we could do something else then," Caleb sighed.
"Aren't you going to the concert?" Leora asked.
"Nah, my cousin's in the band, I can just get tickets for another show, I promised you we'd do something together," Kyle said.
"Your cousins in the band?" Leora asked.
"Yeah, it's how we scored the tickets in the first place," Caleb said shrugging.
The front door opened and closed. Kendall returned to the kitchen. Leora looked over at him. She wasn't sure what had happened outside.
"Well can I go or not?" Leora asked.
"You can go," Kendall said. Leora smiled and hugged Kendall while thanking him repeatedly. "Just be careful and stay close to Dak," Kendall said. Leora nodded her head quickly.
"I promise, I'll be careful," Leora promised. She let go of Kendall and turned to Caleb and smiled.
The door opened once more and James and Dak walked into the room. Dak told Caleb they were leaving and told Leora they'd pick her up around four thirty on Friday so they could make the concert. Leora nodded her head smiling. Caleb said good bye and he and Dak left.
"Thank you," Leora said again.
"Just promise me you try your hardest to not get separated from them, it's a long drive," Kendall said looking at Leora.
"I know, I know and I will I promise," Leora said excitedly. She started jumping up and down before she froze. "I gotta call Lilly," she said. She then ran from the room at top speed.
-Landslide-
Kendall and James were getting ready for bed. Kendall was sitting on the edge of the bed. James moved and sat next to the blonde.
"What made you change your mind?" James asked.
"I never changed my mind, I trust Dak, I just wanted to see how bad Leora wanted this and making fun of Jett in the process was a plus," Kendall said grinning.
"Still scheming after all these years," James asked shaking his head. Kendall laughed and nodded his head.
"Come on, she's fifteen, I've gotta let go sooner or later, she can't be my baby girl forever," Kendall said looking down at his hands.
"She'll always be your baby girl Kendall, no matter how old she gets," James said placing a hand over Kendall's hand.
"I know, but she's becoming a young woman James," Kendall said.
"Yeah, but she always be your little Ladybug," James said. Kendall smiled and nodded his head. He leaned in and pecked James on the lips.
"You know just what to say to make me feel better," Kendall said smiling. James smiled and nodded his head.
"Now that we've talked about Leora," James said slowly.
"I'm worried about him too," Kendall said knowing where James was going with this.
"What should we do?" James asked.
"I don't know, I tried to talk to him already and he just pushed me away. He thought I was gonna accuse him of an eating disorder and I think he's gonna resist more," Kendall said.
"Do you think he has an eating disorder?" James asked.
"He might, but I think it's something else," Kendall sighed.
"You don't…" James trailed off.
"I don't know, I want it to be the eating disorder, but something is telling me it might be drugs," Kendall said lowly.
"We'll have to keep an eye on him," James said. Kendall nodded his head.
"Where did we go wrong?" Kendall asked softly.
"We didn't go wrong, we've done everything we could with what we had. We've taught them the best we could, but their gonna make mistakes Kendall. We can't shelter them for forever," James said.
"I know," Kendall said.
"Come on, let's go to sleep and we'll deal with him in the morning," James said. Kendall nodded his head. They both climbed under the blankets and James turned the lamp off.
So there you go. I bet you all forgot about Evan. I thought Leora needed a bit of attention. I gave her some in this chapter and I really lacked on the Cargan. I am sorry for that, I will get them in here a bit more in a bit. I want to focus on the Knights right now mainly Jake really. He's gonna be in the next chapter a lot. Anyways, review and let me know what you think.
Always
OUTOFMYMIND
