Hey guys. So, I know I said that this chapter would be longer than the previous one, but it ended up being pretty short as well, and the reason for that is that it's kind of just a filler chapter. However, I have something planned for the story, that will hopefully make it more exciting. I feel like not much has happened in the past few chapters, but once that happens, things should get... a bit more interesting and angsty.

Also, I just wanted to thank you guys for all of your reviews on this story. They make me really happy, and I'm glad you're all liking the story so far. I hope you enjoy this chapter, despite how short it is. :)

"You look like you've seen a ghost. What happened? And what do you mean it's not good?" Logan asked as he took a step towards Carlos and placed a hand on his shoulder. When the smaller boy didn't respond and simply looked down, Logan's worry grew. "Carlos, what happened?"

"He's gone." The two words were said so quietly that James, who was standing behind Logan, wasn't able to hear him clearly.

"What?" James asked as he stared at him in confusion.

"H-he's gone. He's gone. That was my dad. He doesn't know where he's gone to or what's going on, but he's gone."

"Who's gone?" the taller brunet asked, not quite understanding what Carlos meant.

"Kendall's dad," Logan whispered as he turned to look at James with fear in his eyes.

"What do you mean he's gone?" James asked, grabbing onto Carlos' shoulders and steadying him, since he looked like he was about to lose his balance. "Carlos, we need details, you're not making much sense."

"I don't have any details. My dad went to his apartment, and he was gone. He doesn't know where he has gone to, but he said he'll figure it out. He also said not to tell Kendall, because—"

"We can't lie to Kendall," Logan said, cutting him off before he could go any farther.

"It's not really lying. We're just not telling him."

"It's still lying."

"Logan, he will freak out, that's why my dad doesn't want us to tell him. You saw how badly he reacted when he found out his dad was back. If he finds out he's gone, who knows how he will react."

"So what are we supposed to do? Just lie to our best friend and act like nothing has happened? He's going to find out eventually."

James sighed and placed a hand on Logan's shoulder, and then led him to the bright orange couch in the living room, where they all took a seat. "Look, we'll tell him, just not now. It would probably be better to tell him when Carlos' dad is here and when we have more details. There's no need to scare him right now, when we don't even know what's going on."

"I just... I don't know." Logan frowned as he let his head fall into his hands and grasped at his short, dark brown tufts of hair in anger. "I'm so upset, by all of this. This is all so messed up. Kendall doesn't deserve this."

"No, he doesn't," James agreed. "You don't know how much I would like to go up to that bastard, and punch his face right in after everything he's done."

"You know, he's scared we'll see him differently," Logan whispered as he looked up at Carlos and then at James.

"Why would he think that?" Carlos asked, not understanding why Kendall would think such a thing.

"Because he's Kendall," James mumbled. "That's just how he is."

"You don't think it might have something to do with his dad, do you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well... He often hides how he's feeling and doesn't like showing any kind of negative emotion around us, or around anyone, really. It just makes me wonder if there is something his father could've said or done to make him act that way."

"He probably did," Logan said. "He caused him so much pain, I wouldn't be surprised if the reason behind that had to do with the way his dad treated him."

"I wish we'd found out sooner," James whispered quietly. "I just wish... I wish he hadn't gone through what he went through. I can't believe we didn't find out sooner. I feel so—"

"Guilty."

All three of them looked up as Kendall trudged into the room, stopping in front of them as they all remained silent.

"You feel guilty."

"Kendall, I—"

The blond shook his head, not letting James finish. "Please don't lie to me and tell me it's not true. You apologized to me last night, when you had no reason to apologize. I'll understand if you feel guilty. If I was in your shoes, and one of you was in mine, I would feel guilty, too. But by saying that, I don't mean it was your fault or that you should feel guilty, because none of you should."

"Neither should you," James said softly, holding out his hand and grabbing onto Kendall's wrist to pull him towards the couch. Logan and Carlos scooted to the right, leaving Kendall enough space to sit down. "So why do you?"

Kendall shrugged his shoulders, sighing heavily as he leaned his back against the cushions and pulled his knees up to his chest. "Force of habit, I guess. When you are constantly told that something is your fault, you start to believe it."

"No one's saying it's your fault, though," Carlos pointed out.

"No," Kendall sighed before placing his head on top of James' shoulder and letting his eyes close shut, "no one does anymore, but he would... all the time."

"He's a liar," James said as he wrapped an arm around Kendall's shoulders and pulled him closer. "Everything he said to you was nothing but lies. He doesn't know you, Kendall. He may be your father, and he may have been living in the same house as you for a big part of your life, but he does not know you – not the way we do. He doesn't know how great you are."

"I'm... I'm not great."

"Yes, you are, and anyone who has taken the time to get to know you would agree."

"I'm just... scared." As the words slipped from his lips, Kendall looked up at James, his eyes full of tears that he had been bottling up for hours.

"What are you scared of?" Carlos asked as he reached past Logan to lay a hand on the blond's shoulder.

"It's stupid."

"It's not stupid if you're scared. If something is bothering you, it's not stupid. You know you can tell us anything. We won't judge you for it."

Kendall stayed quiet for a minute as he stared straight ahead. He refused to look any of them in the eye, in fear that he would break down if he were to do so. "What if... What if I become like him when I'm older? I don't want to be like him..."

"You are not your father, Kendall. You're not him, and you will never be like him," Logan softly spoke as he kneeled down in front of his younger friend and grabbed onto Kendall's hands, which were resting on his lap. "He is a cruel and heartless person, who has no compassion for others. You do. You care about everyone, even those who you're not close to. You are nothing like him."

"I just don't wanna be a bad person," Kendall mumbled, his eyes shifting to stare into Logan's. "I don't want to hurt someone the way he hurt me. I don't think I would ever forgive myself if I did that."

"Well, you don't have to worry about that, because that's not happening."

"I hope so."

"I know so. Right guys?"

James and Carlos nodded where they sat, agreeing with what Logan had said.

"Of course not. Just because the two of you are blood related, does not mean anything. You're better than him, Kendall," Carlos said as he scooted closer to him and hugged him tightly. "You are so much better than him."

I don't know how I feel about this chapter, but I hope it was okay. Thank you for reading. :)

~ BigTimeRush-BTR :)