What is this Feeling
Chapter 1: The New Roommate
Kendall Knight rolled his eyes as he listened to his mom; Jennifer Knight, rattle off her list of things for him not to do while at college.
His best friends; James Diamond and Carlos Garcia, were behind him snickering. They had finally gotten an on campus apartment together.
"Ok Mama Knight thank you so much," James said cutting in.
"Yes we promise to try and be good boys this year," Carlos said walking up to the auburn haired woman and giving her a hug. James quickly joined in.
"Nice try boys, I've known you since you were in diapers," Jennifer said eyeing them suspiciously.
"Mom it's gonna be ok," Kendall assured her. "I will do my best to keep these bozos in line."
"Boys I mean it," Jennifer said.
"Yes mom, we know. We came home in one piece over the summer. It will be fine," Kendall said.
"I'm sorry, I know you boy are all grown up I just worry is all," Jennifer said.
She gave the boys one last round of hugs and kisses to the cheeks. She left and Kendall let out a sigh of relief. He made his way over to the couch and sat down.
"So, it's getting late, think we have a fourth roommate or did we get lucky," James asked as he plopped down next to the blonde.
"We are not lucky James," Carlos said joining them.
"A guy can dream," James replied.
A knock at the door caught their attention. Kendall jumped up at the housing manager walked in with a smile.
"Kelly," Kendall greeted the older lady with a smile.
"Are you here to tell us we don't have a room mate and get this awesome place all to ourselves?" James asked, fingers crossed.
"No, I found you a fourth. He's a sophomore like you guys and he's had a little trouble with his last roommate. So I need you guys to be nice." Kelly warned them.
"Why does everybody do that too us?" Carlos asked.
"Have you met us?" James asked with a smirk.
"His name is Logan and he will be here shortly," Kelly said, "just be nice. He's had a rough week and might be a little cranky. His last room mate tried to burn the place down."
"We will be extra hospitable," Kendall replied.
"I'm surprised you know what that word means." Kelly joked.
"Hey I know things." Kendall shot back.
"I'm only teasing, now I gotta go, I've got a lot of other students to find room for," Kelly replied. She quickly left.
"So I take it you two are gonna share a room and force me to take the new guy," Kendall said as James and Carlos ran to their bags and took off down the hall into one room. "Jerks!"
The door opening again caught Kendall's attention. He turned around as a short brunette boy walked in lugging a duffle bag and a suitcase behind him. With a chatty brunette girl carrying another bag.
"You must be Logan," Kendall said quickly. "I'm Kendall."
"Uh yeah, I'm Logan and this is Camille. My friend. She offered to help me move again," Logan said quickly.
"Again?" Kendall asked.
"This marks move number four, I'm not a bad room mate I've just had bad luck with some roommates," Logan said.
"Oh boy has he," Camille giggled.
"Thank you Camille, I'll meet up with you later," Logan said sending her a small glare.
"Right, I gotta go anyways," Camille said making a hasty exit.
"So we will be sharing a room. James and Carlos have the other room. Their kind of messy, but I'll make sure they clean up after themselves. I'm practically their babysitter," Kendall joked, as he led Logan down the hall.
They entered their shared room and Kendall let Logan pick a bed. The room was small. It had two beds and a window. It wasn't much, but the apartment was plenty big enough for the both of them.
Kendal wasn't sure what to think of Logan yet. He was quiet and didn't say much. He also seemed a little shy. Kendall didn't want to make any judgements yet.
"So just so we are clear I'm not really here to make friends," Logan said slowly.
"What about Camille?" Kendall asked.
"She's different. She won't leave me alone and I don't mind her company, she keeps the others away," Logan replied. "Anyways I'm here on an academic scholarship. I have early classes and study late in the library. You won't even know I'm here."
"Um ok," Kendall said slowly.
Logan dug his laptop bag out from one of his suitcases. "Now if you'll excuse me I've got homework and the library is calling my name."
"Classes haven't even stayed yet." Kendall gaped at him.
"For you maybe I'm already two weeks into my semester. Like I said I'm here on a scholarship and I've been hard at work. I have to go. Don't wait up, I'll probably be in late and I'll be quiet," Logan said as he exited the room.
Kendall stood there a moment. He wasn't sure what had just happened. He left the room and saw James and Carlos had left their room already. They looked as confused as he felt.
"So you met Logan?" Kendall asked.
"We might have a problem," James said.
"Dude just blew right past us and didn't say a word," Carlos said.
"I guess he's had a hard week, Kelly said go easy on him remember. He uh is a little odd, but it could be worse. He told me he's here in a scholarship and studies a lot. It won't be a problem ok," Kendall said looking at James.
"Fine, we will see how this goes," James said putting his hands up.
"Nothing is gonna ruin this year guys. We are gonna have fun and we are gonna play hockey and party and get passable grades," Carlos said.
"I have to get better than passing Los if I wanna keep my scholarship," Kendall replied.
"James and I will get passable grades and you will be Superman and do it all," Carlos replied cheekily.
"Thank you for recognizing my super-awesomeness," Kendall replied puffing our his chest.
"Anyways," James said changing the subject. "How's that thing going with that chick you met online?" He asked.
"What thing?" Carlos looking to Kendall confused.
"He's met someone," James said.
"No we haven't met actually. Also I don't know if they are a he or a she. We haven't really walked about. Lastly, It's nothing special." Kendall shook his head.
"Dish now," Carlos demanded patting the couch next to him.
Kendall rolled his eyes, but sat down next to the Latino.
"It's someone I met on the school site, it's nothing," Kendall shrugged.
"Nothing? He's been texting them all summer," James said.
"Not all summer," Kendall replied.
"Most of the summer." James smirked at the blonde.
"We just talk, it's not like that," Kendall said shaking his head. "It's like a pen pal. We give each other advice and just complain about our friends. I like the anonymity."
"That your second big word today," James said.
"They're really not, you just need to expand your vocabulary," Kendall replied.
"Let's order some pizza and play video games," Carlos said.
"Now you're speaking my language," Kendall said pointing at Carlos with a grin. The three jumped up and dashed to get their PlayStation set up and ordered pizza.
Several rounds of zombie slaying and a couple pizzas later the three were getting loud and rowdy. They almost didn't notice Logan enter the apartment.
"Oh hey Logan," Kendall said with a smile. He jumped up abandoning the game.
"I didn't expect you guy to still be up, it's almost midnight," Logan said slowly. He looked like a deer caught in the headlights.
"We were just playing video games," Kendall said whipping his phone out. He hadn't realized the time had gotten to late.
"Wanna join us, we have pizza," James said.
"No thanks, I don't play video games, and I'm lactose intolerant," Logan said quickly shaking his head.
"This is James, by the way," Kendall said making introductions. "And that's Carlos."
"Its nice to meet you, but I have an early class tomorrow and I should get some sleep," Logan said quickly.
"That's ok," Kendall said. He could tell Logan was itching to get out of this situation. "We will try and keep the noise down."
Logan made a hasty exit. The other three shared a look. Kendall shot James a glare, already knowing what the pretty boy was thinking.
"Don't, he's new. He's shy, and we are all a bit much at first. He will adjust and so will we," Kendall said.
"Fine, fine," James put his hands up.
Kendall's phone buzzed. He snatched it from his pocket and smiled as he saw a text from his mystery person.
LPM_Bulldog: Long day. Couldn't stop thinking about you. How was your move in day?
"Who's that?" James asked inching closer to Kendall. Kendall moved away from the pretty boy with a glare.
"Personal space," Kendall said.
"Come on share the juicy details," James said.
Kendall ignored his friend as he relocated to the kitchen. Carlos got James to play another campaign with him, while Kendall was busy.
Kendall opened his messenger app. He opened the message and tapped out a quick reply.
ShiningKnight: Good. I got the apartment with my friends. We have a new roommate, he seems nice.
LPM_Bulldog: I'm so tired. I got moved again. My roommate last room mate tried to microwave foil. It did not end well. I barely escaped with my life.
Kendall laughed and shook his head.
ShiningKnight: Sounds horrifying.
LPM_Bulldog: It was. Thank good for Mille and her ability to save the day. Nothing was lost in the fire other than the ability to use that dorm room.
ShiningKnight: Well that's good.
LPM_Bulldog: It's late. I'm gonna go to sleep. I just wanted to check in and see if you survived moving in with your friends.
ShiningKnight: It's not the moving in I'm worried about. It's the living together. They are slobs. Sweet dreams.
Kendall smiles at his phone. He waited a second, and got no reply. He knew the conversation was done. He pocketed his phone and returned to the living room. James and Carlos were already half way through with a game.
"So," James said.
"He just wanted to know if I survived moving in with you bozos," Kendall said.
"He?" James asked.
"In my head he's a guy," Kendall admitted.
He had thought about it before. He had picture this person as both male and female. He wasn't sure which, but he tended to lean toward male most of the time.
"You ever gonna meet him?" Carlos asked.
"Maybe, when the time is right." Kendall shrugged. He wasn't too worried about it right now. There were more important things to worry about. He had his friends right here in front of him. Things couldn't be any better.
A scream was heard from the other room.
"Carlos I think someone found Mr. Squeakers," James said.
Carlos dashed down the hall as Logan exited his bedroom. He looked frightened.
"Did you hurt him?" Carlos asked.
"Him? That rodent?" Logan asked disgusted.
"His name is Mr. Squeakers." Carlos dashes into the room. He emerged several seconds later with a tiny mouse in his hands.
"That thing is yours?" Logan asked.
"Yes, he's my emotional support animal," Carlos replied.
"Keep is out of my room," Logan said.
"I second that," Kendall added.
"Sorry, someone, who shall remain nameless, left his cage open." Carlos glared at James.
"I'm going to bed." Logan shook his head as he walked away.
Once the door slipped shut Kendall rounded on the two. He was not happy. This wasn't how they made friends. This was how they named enemies with their new roommate.
"Not cool," Kendall warned them.
"It was an accident," James replied.
"Sure it was," Kendall said. "Look we need him to like us if we want this year to be good. I don't want to have a roommate that hates us."
"He already does. Did you see the way he looked down at us for playing video games," James said.
"Not everyone plays video games James," Kendall said.
"Yeah, you heard Kelly he's had a bad week. Let's give him some time to adjust," Carlos agreed.
"It really was an accident. I was feeding him earlier because I'm a good friend and I forgot to close the cage door." James shrugged.
—What is This Feeing—
Logan made his way across the quad. It was early and there wasn't anyone out here. It was nice and quiet. Just the way he liked it.
He heard hurried footsteps behind him. He kept walking. He knew who it was and what they wanted.
"Logan Mitchell will you slow your ass down," Camille called out.
"Come on pick it up Roberts, I've got to get to the library," Logan said not slowing down at all.
"Stop!" Camille said. She ran up to him grabbing his arm to stop him for a moment. "You practically live in that Library. Take a moment to relax."
"I don't have a moment. I have work to do. I have to keep my grades up. I can't lose this scholarship," Logan said.
"You're like a genius. You can spare a few minutes to get breakfast with me," Camille said.
"Camille," Logan sighed.
"Looogaaaan," Camille whined.
"Stop, you don't understand-" Logan started.
"I do too, I'm here on a scholarship too," Camille said, "we can still have a little fun."
"Sorry," Logan sighed as he allowed her to lead him away. "I've just been stressed about my scholarship and having to move four times already."
"Hopefully this one sticks then," Camille said linking arms with Logan as they walked along.
"I hope so, but their not like me. I-I don't...I can't figure them out," Logan said shaking his head.
"You mean if they-?" Camille asked.
"Yes, I'm sure if they knew the real me, they would hate me even more," Logan said.
"They don't hate you," Camille said.
"They put a rat in my bed," Logan said.
"A rat?" Camille asked.
"Well a pet mouse they let out of the cage on purpose I'm sure," Logan said.
"Aren't you being a little paranoid?" Camille asked.
"No they are all friends. I'm the outsider looking in," Logan explained.
Camille led him away from campus. They continued to talk about their crazy roommates and classes.
They ended up at a small restaurant a few minutes away from campus. Camille commandeered a booth for them. Their waitress came and took their order.
"So," Camille said once she left.
"What now Mille?" Logan asked.
"Are we gonna talk about what happened?" Camille asked.
"Nope, I am already planning my next show and it's gonna be killer," Logan said.
"Oh yass, tell me what I need to do," Camille cheered.
"Just be you and get me my supplies," Logan chuckled.
"I've got a vision," Camille said.
"Can't wait," Logan replied with a smile.