Hugs and kisses for the people that reviewed. So here's a hug and kiss for nigel small, ThisHendersonChick14, seddielover1311, rosaxD114, brittney, SiriusHPLuvr, Miss-Invisible-Heartbreak, Hikari no Kasai, WeLoveTheLove, cococolakid, rosebud, I AM AIR and of course, MoonbabyAstroRock3r.
I'm actually shocked how I'm still getting alerts and favourites. Thank you guys so much!
rosaxD114: I'm not actually sure really. I did set one up, but I have no idea how you work it or anything so I've never been on it haha. I'm a noob with new websites and all that. But I mean, if you want it, it's under my profile name CorsomeeCorey. Twitter is coreey_bliss
This chapter is dedicated to a special person in my life. MoonbabyAstroRock3r, this one is for you, because I know you'll love it. ;)
Behind The Lens
Chapter Ten; No Regrets.
The morning sun began to rise, the warm rays beaming down on the boys, still in the same position that they had fell asleep in. Only difference, Logan had his arm wrapped over Carlos' waist, the Latino's grip over Logan's shoulder even tighter, as if he was afraid Logan would run in the middle of the night.
One ray caught Logan's eye, causing his eyelid to stir before he opened it up.
Then, the warm memory flooded him. He remembered waking up here, only about a week ago. He could remember how happy he was, just to be away from his life, his world. It was true, it was as if he had stepped in another universe, and frankly, just like now, he didn't have any reservations in moving or going back.
"Carlos.." Logan whispered, watching Carlos grumble and turn.
No response.
Logan removed his arm, slowly pulling himself off of the bed and Carlos' secure grip. Well, if the guy that is courting him has to see him in the early morning, he had to at least look good. Slowly dragging his feet as to not make no noise, Logan entered the bathroom, switching the light on. The rays bounced off of the tiles, causing the whole room to shine and shimmer. Gently, Logan grabbed a towel from the side, dropping it to the floor as he shuffled out of his clothes, hopping in the shower.
Turning the tape, Logan was welcomed by the warmth of the water. The droplets ran down his pale body, a slight glimmer to them as they crossed the flesh. His fingers ran through his locks, messing them up so that the products would come out. After a few minutes, Logan stepped out, wrapping a towel around his waist as he departed the bedroom.
But rather than seeing Carlos in bed, Logan could smell the faint aroma of pancakes.
"Carlos?" Logan asked, looking at the kitchen.
Standing there in the same clothes from last night, Carlos was slaving over the oven, flipping a frying pan, catching the batter of the pancakes. Carlos turned around, a small smile on his face, enough to cause the butterflies in Logan's stomach to rise and flutter.
"Hey you," Carlos smiled. "I'm just making breakfast, did you want some?"
"Yeah sure," Logan said, running his fingers through his damp locks. "Err Carlos, don't you have work?"
"Day off." Carlos responded.
Logan nodded, moving back into the bathroom to quickly shed the towel and throw on the clothes. When he returned, 2 plates are sat on the table, Carlos at one side of the wooden table, a grin on his face so wide that the Latino looked like a chipmunk.
With his heart still fluttering, Logan took his seat, the smell of the warm batter tingling at his nose.
"Looks great." Logan sweetly smiled, picking up a fork.
"Yeah," Carlos agreed. "Well, this technically is a date."
Logan laughed. "A date? Really?"
"Well, it's not official," Carlos said. "But me making you breakfast is one more thing off of our list to becoming official."
Logan simply smiled, scooping up some of the pancake and eating it. Normally, he would never eat pancakes. Being a model, he needed to take care of his body, watch what he ate and made sure he looked in top form. So, under Johanna's strict eye, Logan kept to eating healthy items as well as working out in his apartment everynight. As he continued to eat his pancake, he noticed that a pair of eyes were on him, and when he looked up, he noticed Carlos hadn't touched his food.
Instead, his eyes were fixed on Logan.
"What?" Logan asked consciously.
"Nothing," Carlos smiled. "You're just really cute, you know. Especially when you eat, with your tiny cutting and chews."
The heat rushed up to it's all too familiar place on Logan's cheeks, tinting them pink. Logan by now, should learn that Carlos had the power to make him blush whenever. God knows how many times his cheeks have changed colour due to something the gorgeous Latino had said.
"Well eat something, cause you can come to a photoshoot with me today." Logan grinned.
"What?" Carlos raised and eyebrow.
"Yeah," Logan said. "My mom will be there, so for starters I need back-up. Secondly, I don't think I wanna be away from you today."
This time, it was Carlos' time to blush. He couldn't help but think he had struck lucky with Logan. Not only was he gorgeous, but the fact that Logan seemed as into him as Carlos was into him, made things just even more perfect. Henry was never like this. Never. The man never had a really romantic bone in his body. Whereas Logan, he seemed to need the love that Carlos was showering him.
After all, whilst Carlos didn't know everything about Logan, he knew that Johanna barely treated her son like a son. That, and he had no idea what happened to Logan's dad, or whether the model had any siblings.
When both boys had finished their food, Carlos collected the plates, quickly throwing them into the sink as he went for a shower, telling Logan to watch TV and relax until he got back. As quickly as Carlos departed the main room, Logan checked his phone.
His inbox and voicemail were full.
The majority were from Johanna, which didn't surprise Logan one bit. The first few texts seemed like she was worried, then, they got worse and worse as the texts went on. Johanna started to threaten Logan with ruining his career, disowning him, cutting off his money.. Everything that Logan honestly didn't care about. Then, a few texts here and there were from Drew and Sabrina, asking if he was okay.
But one text jumped out the most.
From James.
Logan opened it up, the sickening feeling rising in his stomach. He had nothing against James, really. But that kiss sparked a lot of self-doubts in Logan, especially combined with the fact that James said everyone at the company knows, that it's rather obvious. What if Johanna knew?
But then, another feeling grew inside Logan. Did he honestly care? After all, over the last day, he'd been planning his mind of the many ways he could get away, away from the life Johanna had created for him, imprisoned him in. That, and of course, taking the cute Latino with him.
James: 'Logan, I'm sorry man. Honestly. I just.. I just wanted to see if you liked me, cause, well, I like you. A lot. I didn't mean to upset you or anything. Just, call me or text me or whatever..'
Without replying, Logan deleted the message, unable to find enough strength to reply. He didn't hate James. But now, both Carlos and James liking him? At the same time and at this moment? It was all too much. But Logan was sure of one thing. That he liked Carlos back, and as for James, well he couldn't pull together any feelings for James, but that didn't mean that anything wasn't there. He's just never had to think about it before, seeing as he never spoke to Mr Diamond before.
Soon, Carlos reappeared.
"Hey, so, I have a question." Carlos asked, rubbing a towel over his dark hair.
Logan's eyes snapped up, noticing the caramel torso on show, water dripping down it, glistening against the faint sun peering in through the window. Carlos looked mesmerizing, a small set of abs defined by the smoothness of his skin. The towel hung gently on his hips, slightly hanging low enough for Logan to get a glimpse of the V-shape that worked it's way down to Carlos' crotch.
However, a cough brought him back to reality.
"Err, Logan?" Carlos asked, blushing furiously.
"S-Sorry.." Logan stammered. "What'd ya say?"
"I said," Carlos laughed. "I have a question."
"Oh, right, shoot." Logan smiled, scratching the back of his neck.
"Well," Carlos said, walking over to his chest of drawers for some clean clothes. "This photoshoot, is it back in the mall and like, is Andrew taking it?"
"Neither," Logan replied. "The shoot is at the beach and it's for this magazine, you know, Pop Tiger?"
"Seriously?" Carlos questioned, a hint of surprise in his muscular voice.
"Yeah," Logan laughed under his breath. "It's for the front cover."
"Man, that's amazing." Carlos grinned, quickly throwing a top on as he quickly motioned back into the bathroom, jeans and boxers clutched in his hand.
That warm feeling returned inside Logan. The sight of Carlos, dripping wet and naked, drove Logan wild. Then, for Carlos to be so surprised and shocked about the Pop Tiger photoshoot, just made the Latino seem absolutely adorable and naive. This of course, made Carlos that much more appealing to the model.
Soon, Carlos returned, completely dressed and ready.
"Should we ask Kendall for a lift?" Carlos asked, grabbing the keys to the apartment as him and Logan moved closer to the door.
"Nah," Logan replied. "We can walk it, together."
"Okay then!" Carlos smiled enthusiastically.
The boys left the apartment, Carlos locking the door behind him as the guys walked down the hallway. Carlos was making jokes, Logan laughing at each and every one, including the ones that made no sense. But really, Logan felt the need to laugh, just because the words were uttered from Carlos' beautiful mouth. Walking down the flight of stairs, they crossed the lobby until a voice beckoned for Carlos.
"Oh Carlos dear!"
Instantly, Carlos could feel the anger rise inside of him as he recognised the voice. Henry. He snapped his head in that direction, Logan following out of curiousity.
"Good morning neighbour, and oh, why hello Mr. Fuck Buddy." Henry smirked.
"Fuck off Henry." Carlos growled, stepping slightly in front of Logan.
"Ooo, someone's a bit fiesty," Henry retorted, his eyes turning black. "Typical Carky, always got the temper that he never puts forward."
"Carlos?" Logan said, noticing the Latino's knuckles turning a ghastly white from the grip.
When Carlos didn't reply, his eyes locked on Henry, Logan done what he thought would help, make contact with him. Back when he kissed Carlos to calm him down, it changed Carlos back to normal like that. Only this time, Logan didn't think it was appropriate to kiss him in front of the sinister man. Instead, Logan's arm ran down Carlos' arm, his fingers cupping over the grip. Instantly, Carlos softened up, releasing the tension built up.
"So more than fuck buddies?" Henry sneered. "Well, I am shocked."
"You're the one that treated us like fuck buddies." Carlos bit back.
Logan looked on confused as a dark smile began to paint itself of Henry's face.
"Now now now," Henry said. "I was commited."
"Sure, that night said differently," Carlos scoffed, taking Logan's hand into his. "Plus, Logan will be better than you ever will."
With that word, Carlos guided Logan and himself away, walking away with a sway in his step over the fact he managed to stand up to Henry, finally. However, the fight was far from over.
"Yeah, I'm sure he's gonna be great, but remember who took your virginity Carlos, I'll always be a part of your life!" Henry called after the couple.
Carlos brought himself and Logan to a halt. Logan could sense the anger in Carlos, especially due to the vibrating that the Latino was now doing. With a smile, Logan pulled his hand free from Carlos, the Latino looking at Carlos in bewilderment. Logan sent him a reassuring smile as he walked back over to Henry.
"Henry, is it?" Logan asked.
Henry just smirked, believing himself to have won.
"Yeah, the guy who took sweet little Carky's virginity." Henry said smugly.
"In that case, go to hell." Logan said, clenching his fist and bringing it back, pushing forward with enough force to make connect with Henry's jawline. Instantly, the taller boy staggered back, almost losing his balance as he cupped his now burning jaw. Then, Logan walked back to Carlos, noticing him with his mouth wide open.
Proudly, Logan took Carlos by the wrist, leading him out of the lobby of the apartment block.
The walk to the beach was rather quiet, Logan and Carlos walking along, side by side, not holding hands. In his mind, Carlos couldn't fathom what just happened. Logan had punched Henry. Logan, the perfect model had given the jerk that tormented Carlos a good right hook to the face. Inside, Carlos couldn't help but feel flattered by the gesture.
"Erm, Logan?" Carlos said, cutting through the silence.
"Yeah?" Logan replied.
"Thanks. For you know, punching Henry." Carlos slightly chuckled under his breath.
"He deserved it," Logan stated. "Plus, taking your virginity and then cheating? Down right horrible."
Carlos looked glumly at the pavement underneath his feet, hoping for it to swallow him whole. Logan, picking up on the sadness, stopped, taking Carlos' hand in his.
"Carlos, he doesn't deserve you. And what he said about the person taking your virginity always being part of you.. Yeah, I think he's right there, but you know what, that doesn't mean it has to be something you reminisce about, just a simple mistake. In fact, do you wanna something?" Logan said, using a single finger to create a circle on Carlos' palm.
"What?" Carlos asked sheepishly.
"I've never had a relationship, at all. Before being a model, I was a geek, plus, way too young. Then, everyone that wanted me wasn't who I wanted. So, I'm still a virgin.." Logan said, his voice lowering at the end of the sentence.
"Really?" Carlos questioned, rather surprised.
Logan nodded, a small smile cracking on his face. "But it's something that can change, you know? I mean, anything can happen in the future."
With that word, they carried on walking heading towards the beach for Logan's photoshoot. Inside his mind, Logan knew exactly what was gonna happen. After letting it all out to Carlos as well as telling both Drew and Sabrina yesterday, he knew exactly what he wanted and how he was going to change it. It was now just a matter of putting the plan into action.
The couple made chit-chat as they carried on their journey to the beach, Carlos and Logan sharing their lives with each other. Carlos confided in Logan how he has trouble remembering his mom, how she died with his younger sibling. How the minute that happened, both him and Roberto were put up for adoption, bouncing from family to family in a variety of states. How he never fitted in at school, so pushed himself into photography to express him. How he never met the man that got his mom pregnant, never knew his dad either. How his adopted parents didn't take it greatly when he came out, so he left home.
Logan even shared his life. How also, he never knew his father. How he wished he had siblings, just so he didn't have to face everything alone. How Johanna forced him into modelling, despite his protests. How everyone in the company, is just waiting to stab the imaginary knife into your back. How it's hard to make friends when everyone is so good at acting. How he wishes he could come out, but the terror that keeps him quiet.
After all the sharing, both boys felt the closeness. Without even properly realising, they had just opened their whole closet of secrets to one other, confiding in each other. Now, they felt closer, more of a couple rather than courting.
Soon, the beach came into view, a variety of equipment and people walking around in sight. A deep sigh escaped Logan's lips, depressing sinking in as he realised Johanna might be here, how angry she would be, specifically after ignoring her for almost a full day and going AWOL.
Their shoes stepped on the sand, noticing it had been patted down for the shoot. Logan gave Carlos a small smile as he quickly left him, moving over to the man and people from Pop Tiger.
"Logan!" a woman squeaked, rushing forward. "Sweetie, it's been too long!"
"Deborah, it's nice to see you again." Logan smiled politely.
"So," Deborah started. "The idea is you're on a beach with your friend, just acting natural and having fun. Bobby, come here!"
With that word, a good-looking boy appeared, around the same age as Logan. He looked good, and no doubt was a model with a chiseled face and long, blonde locks brushing on his shoulders.
"Logan, meet your friend, Bobby." Deborah shrilled.
"Hey man." Bobby said, extending his hand.
"Hi." Logan replied, forcing himself to look at least a bit happy.
"Come on boys, let's begin!" Deborah interjected, grabbing the two boys by the wrist and pulling them in front of the many cameras.
Slowly, Logan and Bobby began posing, making their different actions seem realistic, even going so far as to laugh as if they had known each other for years. Problem was, Logan didn't feel comfortable and so the guy behind the camera kept sighing and huffing, annoyed by Logan's lack of acting skills. But things were spinning in Logan's head. Not only was he thinking of his plan still, but he noticed Carlos in the distance, grinning like a Chesire cat, causing Logan's heart to flutter.
"Logan! You need to be more realistic!" The man shouted from behind the camera.
Then, Deborah dipped herself into the set, grabbing Logan and pulling him to the side.
"Logan, are you having trouble to do it because Johanna isn't here? Do you want me to call her?"
"No no, it's fine, honestly. It's just.. I have no connection with Bobby, so y'know, it's kinda hard to pretend to like him. I'm sure he's a swell guy an' all, but he's a complete stranger." Logan said.
Slowly, he watched for Deborah's reaction. It was as if a hundred gears were spinning in her head, coming up with a solution.
"What about him?" Deborah said, pointing her finger towards the Latino a bit away.
"Carlos?" Logan replied, gobsmacked.
"Yes," Deborah smiled. "You two are friends, he's rather good-looking and would surfice, do you think he'd mind?"
"W-W-Well, err, y-you see.." Logan stammered.
But before he could finish the sentence, Deborah was off like a shot, a spring in her seat. She approached Carlos, spoke for less than a second before she was dragging him down to the set and Logan.
"Right, there we go," Deborah said, putting Carlos next to Logan to examine the compatability. "Perfect. Right, Bobby, go away, you aren't good enough."
Deborah walked away, pushing Bobby from the scene.
"What's going on?" Carlos asked worryingly.
"You're my partner for the shoot." Logan grinned, unsure of the whole situation.
Soon enough, Carlos and Logan were propped in front of the cameras. Both boys stood around, rather awkwardly, Carlos looking to put his eyes anywhere but the array of people in front of him, their eyes glued on the pair. Slowly, they began to pose, doing something simple. Funny enough, Logan found it a lot easier, already feeling comfortable around Carlos.
Then, before they knew it, both Carlos and Logan were laughing away, enjoying themselves. They played with a beach ball, held surfboards, had a pair of water guns.. It was all bliss. It was all peaceful and serene. Then, something sparked inside Logan. At that moment in time, he was truly happy. All because he was with Carlos. So, a brilliant idea went off in his head. He now knew exactly how to get himself away from the limelight and Johanna, as well as being able to free himself of the burden of his sexuality.
Not only that, but Carlos had spilled his entire life story to Logan, pushing themselves emotionally together on a whole new level.
If he did what he was planning to do, he and Carlos could be together, in the open.
So the plan happened. Without a moments hesitation incase he would regret it, Logan rushed over to Carlos, slamming his lips against the Latino's in front of the whole production company. A few gasps and murmurs could be heard, but to be fair, Logan didn't care. He pushed himself more and more into the kiss, drowning out the noise to be in the heaven of Carlos' presence.
Click Click Click.
Soon, the photoshoot finished, the man behind the lens having been satisfied with the chemistry the two shared. The over-whelming chemistry. Logan pulled away from the Latino, noticing the smile on his face.
"You know you did that in front of everyone, right?" Carlos whispered.
"Yep," Logan grinned. "Well, I wanted everyone to know what an amazing boyfriend I have."
"Thought we weren't official?" Carlos teased, wrapping his arms around Logan's waist.
"Not anymore," Logan said, wrapping his arms around Carlos' neck. "You and me, boyfriends. Simple."
Carlos grinned, stealing one more kiss before he pulled away, over the moon.
"Hey Logan, so what do you wanna do today?" Carlos asked as they walked away from the beach, hand in hand.
"I don't mind, as long as I'm with you, I'm happy." Logan grinned, squeezing Carlos' hand.
Within seconds, the pictures of the photoshoot were sent to the main office for Pop Tiger, a new scandal having happened. Quickly, people worked into getting the story together, throwing their picture onto the front cover with a brilliant caption underneath.
The next day, Pop Tiger magazines were scattered around the state, standing on newspaper racks, inside shops, in the hands of everyone person in the whole of California, all staring and reading about the picture on the front, the picture of Logan, teen sensation, his lips locked on another boy's.
"Would you like the change sir?" the attendant asked.
"No thank you." the man replied.
He brought the magazine closer, noticing the boys on the front cover. He let out a dark, raspy chuckle as he rolled the magazine up, sliding it up his large coat sleeve.
It was time.
Bam. This guy, buying the magazine, he is antagonist #3, worst of the worst. So, this is exciting stuff really. No? Well, it will be, so put your guns and pitchforks down.
Wow. I did not see Logan and Carlos doing what they did. Well, what Logan did. I don't know how I ended up that way, but I think it's an interesting way to bring in the bad guy. but deary me, Johanna is gonna FREAK out when she sees the magazine. Not to mention Carlos' homophobic adopted parents. Fun begins, people.