A/N: Hey guys, so I know it's been awhile since I've updated anything and I apologize for the long wait. I've been trying to get the last minute things for college and packing. I leave in two weeks and I am super excited. I am also excited about this one-shot for WWELover100 who I sincerely apologize to for taking so long to write this Logan Mitchell one-shot. I hope you and every one else loves it because I think this is probably my favorite that I have written despite the lack of smut. It is full of fluff and there is a back story/story line to this and not just some 1k word thing that was written in ten minutes. This is the longest one-shot I have written being 6,394 words without title and author's note. I really hope you all enjoy this! 3 I also apologize for any errors and if you find any don't hesitate to message me or review and let me know. We all make mistakes and I'm too tired (it being nearly midnight now) to thoroughly investigate for grammatical errors. Thanks.
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the story line. Big Time Rush belongs to Nick (unfortunately) and Gabriella belongs to WWELover100.
The Ex-Girlfriend
-For WWELover100-
Gabriella Aarons walked along the soft shore of the beach in California, her hands swaying gently at her side. She wore a simple white sundress and her typical friendship bracelets and sandals. Long, wavy blonde hair flowed over her shoulders to her lower back. It was days like this that made Gabriella happy and truly enjoy her job of being a singer. This is what made California so beautiful and Gabriella could find herself ambling along the shore without complaint. Once she spotted a vacant area on the beach from both the natives and many tourists, Gabriella took claim and sat down with her legs brought up to her chest. The ocean shimmered in the sun's rays, sparkling in captivating beauty that was similar to a diamond.
Sighing at the thought, Gabriella's mind wandered to a tall, brunette beauty that bore the same name quite fittingly as well. James Diamond was transformed from small town hockey player to big time eye candy of the band Big Time Rush. Gabrielle met James when they moved to the Palm Woods to record their demo for Arthur Griffin, the CEO of Rocque Records. Throughout those first three months, Gabriella made friends quickly with the Minnesota natives even though she disapproved of Carlos' fascination with the Jennifers, three girls of the same name who can sing, dance, and act. They're rather snobby and Gabriella had distaste for the girls simply because they thought they were the prettiest and most talented girls at the Palm Woods. Not only that, but the Jennifers rejected Carlos a numerous amount of times because they were 'too good' for him.
To say that Gabriella was anxious when it came to which CD Demo was going to be picked between Big Time Rush and Vampirah would be a lie. She was constantly praying for her four friends, hoping that their demo would be picked so that they could stay in LA longer to record a full album. Without being biased, Gabriella honestly thought that James, Kendall Knight, Logan Mitchell, and Carlos Garcia deserved to have their voices heard across the states and the entire world. After hearing the big news that Big Time Rush was staying in LA, following a lot of nonsense involving a kidnapped chimpanzee, James confessed that he really liked Gabriella and asked her to be his girlfriend.
James Diamond was never one for subtlety and that showed when he asked Gabriella out. He arranged rose petals around and in the pool with candles dotting the tables and floating in the pool. A string of lights, similar to those used for Christmas, were hung from tent to tent and a stereo was playing soft music. Gabriella had received a text message from James when she made her way to the pool. Shock and confusion were the prominent emotions, but then she spotted James across the pool wearing floral swim trunks and a black wife beater. Firmly in his grip was a bouquet of white roses that reflected the light beautifully, creating a glow around the buds. Gabriella shyly walked to the other side of the pool and twisted her lips into a small smile at James' own smile that was shining radiantly.
If Gabriella was being honest, the way James asked her out was romantic, yes, but it was too flashy for her particular liking. James had to do things over the top or not at all, but because Gabriella really liked James she said yes to be his girlfriend. It came as a surprise for the other members of the band especially Logan. While he might have never admitted it to anyone else besides himself nor out loud, Logan knew that he had a crush on Gabriella and those feelings may have extended into the love category. Logan was used to James getting his way so when he heard that James liked Gabriella he put his feelings to the side and faked a grin. It was nothing new. He knew for a fact that the events preceding James' detailed recap of how he asked her out was too cliché and overrated. Gabriella would have preferred something different. She would have preferred being asked out during a stroll along the beach, her feet wading in the shallow water and sun setting beyond the horizon.
Dating James was an exceptional experience that brought a few things out of the dark and into the light. While James might seem narcissistic, he was truly a sweetheart and cared more about Gabriella than she had expected. He took the time to hang out with her and make sure that she was comfortable or happy or simply having a good time. Gabriella enjoyed dating James, but she was bored and unimpressed with the fancy restaurants and movie premieres. Rather than eat an expensive dinner, Gabriella would have been happier eating a slice of pizza off the boardwalk or funnel cake for that matter. As the time neared seven months, Gabriella didn't have the heart to continue the relationship and fake happiness anymore. She was always an honest person, but seeing James' eyes light up every time he saw her persuaded her to keep moving forward with the relationship.
James didn't take well to Gabriella ending the relationship and instead ignored her completely and snapped at Kendall, Logan, and Carlos for no reason. Gabriella feared that James was driving on the fast lane to depression. After two weeks passed by Gabriella managed to corner James by pretending to be a modeling agent who wanted to interview him. He protested angrily for ten minutes before he allowed Gabriella to talk to him. She expressed her concern and asked him why he was reacting the way he was to their break up. Apparently James never took well to being dumped and he was extremely hurt because he really liked her. She was apologetic and explained to James that she wasn't into showy and overrated ideas. Gabriella made it a point to tell James that he was still gorgeous and would eventually make the right girl happy, just not her. James accepted it and promised that he would treat her better. Improvement was made that same week when James apologized to his friends and returned to his bachelor ways.
It has been a few months since then, both Gabriella and Big Time Rush excelling in the music department. With their fame constantly rising, Gabriella feared that she would lose her best friends. Kendall, James, Carlos, and Logan were preparing for a summer tour that started in Germany and Great Britain, ending in a long journey across the United States. Gabriella was happy for them and could not have been any prouder of the men she was lucky enough to call her friends. She watched as four boys from Minnesota grew from being immature sixteen-year-olds, to collected and calm men at the age of eighteen. The transformation was surprising to those few friends that they kept in touch with in Minnesota, but to those living at the Palm Woods, the transformation was a miracle. To think that those four boys would put behind their burning desire to create havoc and exchange those feelings with maturity was a feat in itself.
A warm breeze brought Gabriella back to the beach, the sun having started its descent out of the sky to hide behind the majestic water for the next few hours. The shore was slowly becoming more visible as the tourists began dissipating, dinner time rolling around and the need to party growing as the night covered the city with a blanket of darkness with stars embroidered into the velvety fabric. Her deep brown eyes swept the beach from her right to her left and sighed, a smile upon her light pink lips and content glowing in her eyes. The tranquility of the scene was destroyed as her eyes locked onto a figure walking towards her spot.
Lust was the first emotion that Gabriella felt quickly followed by surprise and confusion as to why she was lusting after him. His pale skin stood out against the dusk lighting, his muscles defined by the shadows casted from nearby palm trees. He wore a pair of simple white swimming trunks and a white wife beater, his sandals draped over his fingers as they hung, swinging loosely with his arm. Gabriella smiled as he came within hearing distance, evoking a brilliant smile from him in return. "Hey," she said cordially, "What are you doing here, Logan?"
"I was actually looking for you, Gabi. I had a feeling you were going to be here," Logan responded back with obvious smugness in his voice. The beach was an unspoken obsession that Gabriella had and she knew that Logan was aware of her fascination with it. She giggled, turning her gaze to the white grain of sand in front of her as she curled her toes in its warmth. Without waiting for an invitation, Logan laid his sandals on the sand and sat next to Gabriella, their thighs brushing against each other slightly. Gabriella glanced at Logan from the corner of her eyes to find him staring out across the ocean, his arms resting on his bent legs and sunglasses perched on top of his head. He looked like he was at peace with the world and all the joy he was feeling pulsed through a vibrant aura, capturing Gabriella in its grip. The small smile gracing Logan's thin lips was contagious and Gabriella smiled despite herself.
A part of Gabriella was always attracted to the smart boy, finding his intellect to be impressive rather than annoying. He didn't brag about his brilliance and instead focused on helping his friends when they needed help with a certain subject. It was hard for Gabriella to imagine Logan as this successful band member after he told her his dream of becoming a doctor. He wanted it so badly and spent most of his time studying and analyzing encyclopedias in an attempt to broaden his knowledge. Receiving criticism wasn't out of the ordinary for Logan, but he took the insults with pride and didn't let them faze him. Gabriella admired his ability to do so when she knew that she was never one who took criticism well. She would take the insults personally and her whole demeanor would change within a few short moments.
Not only was Logan a genius, he was genuinely a kind-hearted guy with an incessant charm that hooked girls within an instant, Gabrielle being one of those girls who swooned the first time they saw his crooked smile. His chocolate brown eyes were captivating and easy to get lost in mesmerized by the gentility harbored there. Logan held himself with confidence despite his uncanny ability to be nervous when talking to girls that he has feelings for. Thinking back on that specific trait made Gabriella sigh, though this time out of sadness at the reality that Logan would never like her as anything more than a friend. She was his best friend's ex-girlfriend.
"Are you okay, Gabi? You've been pretty deep in thought," Logan said, worry laced through his soft tone. Gabriella turned her attention from the ocean to look at Logan. True concern shone in his eyes and his body was slightly angled towards her.
"Uh, yeah," she gulped, "just thinking." Gabriella folded her arms over her chest and shivered slightly as the night air cooled down. Her head snapped to face Logan when she felt his hand slide over her shoulders and rest on the opposite one, his side pressed comfortably against hers. "Logan?" He gazed down at Gabriella with a soft smirk before turning his attention back to the setting sun. Gabriella decided not to say anything else and just enjoy the moment between her and Logan. She didn't know how long this comfortable silence would last and she wanted to make the best of it. Unknowingly Gabriella curled into Logan's side, her head resting on his chest. The two teens sat there soundlessly wrapped in each other's embrace. An hour had passed, the sun long gone as it welcomed its slumber with open arms and replaced by the moon, shining brightly in its full glory when the relaxing moment was interrupted by Logan's cell phone, the sound shrilling and uninviting to the current situation.
"Hello?" Gabriella watched Logan as he talked on the phone. "Yeah, she is with me. Now? Yeah, yeah. That's fine," Logan murmured a quick good-bye and ended the call on his iPhone. Logan looked down at the dirty blonde sitting beside him and gave a brief smile. "That was James," Gabriella flinched slightly at the name and Logan noticed, a frown appearing on his lips. "Gabi, why are you still upset over you guys breaking up? James has moved on and if I remember correctly, you were the one who broke up with him." She looked up at Logan, eyes watery and a thousand thoughts running through her mind. James still controlled her. As much as she was afraid to admit it, he did. He controlled her thoughts and actions, even her emotions. It frightened her that James Diamond could still hold so much power over her despite having been separated from the relationship and moving on.
"It's not that I'm upset, I just—" Gabriella broke off, her voice wavering at the end. How was she supposed to explain this to Logan? He was the one that Gabriella was in love with, the one she trusted more than anyone else and yet here she was acting like a little child afraid of rejection. She didn't know how to describe the way James still plagued her mind and that the disease was slowly spreading to the rest of her body.
"Gabi," Logan started sentimentally, hooking his finger under her chin and making her face him. Her eyes were teary and her bottom lip trembled. Whatever was making Gabriella upset made Logan angry. He hated seeing Gabriella cry and worrying about whether he would be able to cheer her up. "You can tell me anything. I'm not going to judge you," Gabriella looked away from Logan ashamed. How could Logan not judge her? She was allowing her ex-boyfriend to control her life. She was powerless against him. Taking a deep sigh, Gabriella decided to tell Logan outright everything. She owed it to him and he deserved to know the truth. She owed it to herself.
"I feel like James is controlling my life. I know that I broke up with him, but I loved him. He did make me happy and even though I wasn't a fan of the expensive, flashy dates, I was falling in love with him. I thought that maybe over the following months he would compromise to taking me out on dates at the boardwalk or the beach. Perhaps I wanted him to prove that he cared about me instead of showering me with gifts that I found unimpressive," Gabriella whispered. Logan remained silent, listening intently to her words. It made Logan cringe on the inside when she told him that James was controlling her. Maybe part of her still loved James and wouldn't let him go. "Even now I think like that. I'm afraid to take chances because I fear that James will disapprove or condone me for making the wrong decision. I'm slowly falling apart at the seams and I don't know what to do to fix it. I'm scared Logan," she finished, her lower lip pulled in between her teeth and tears silently creating a path down her cheeks.
Logan Mitchell was speechless. He was trying to understand how James could be so prominent in Gabriella's life despite being broken up for several months now. He looked at it from multiple facets and came to only one conclusion that made any sense. Gabriella was stuck on her first love. James had been a gentleman throughout the entire relationship and he showered her with amazing presents. He made her feel like a queen. When it ended, Gabriella felt as though she wouldn't be able to find another guy like that and she created the notion that James was a God. Gabriella worried that after everything her and James had been through she would never find a guy that stood anywhere near the standards James had set. She was looking for a guy to prove that she was wrong, but she was too afraid to try.
He brushed the back of his fingers across her cheek, wiping away the tears that flowed steadily down her tan skin. Logan placed the hand that was on her shoulder on her neck and brought her head to his chest. His other hand rubbed her back comfortingly as she broke into sobs. Logan knew that James would be pissed as hell that it was taking longer than necessary to get to the studio, but to Logan making sure that Gabriella was better took top priority in his mind. This musical journey was second best when it came to the petite blonde pressed against his side. Logan understood and accepted that he was the happiest when in the presence of the girl and had her approval. Logan sounded like a love-sick puppy, but he didn't care.
"Gabi, listen to me," Logan began as he tried to not tear. "Don't let James control you. There is no reason to be afraid of trying to find that romance I know you're dying to find. I can see it in your eyes. You want to be treated like a princess, but not pampered. You prefer the simpler things in life rather than flashy scenes. You enjoy calmness and quiet not obnoxiously loud places where you can't hear yourself think. I know you feel like no guy will ever be able to understand all that, but there is one. You just need to let go of this fear you're desperately holding onto and take a risk. I'll be here to catch you if you fall," the smart boy finished, his eyes hazy with his admittance.
Logan felt like a ton of bricks were lifted off his shoulders at his confession. He didn't know if Gabriella would ever feel the same as him, but he took the risk. That was what was important to him. The raw emotion was taking over his body and he was acting purely on instinct around her. Gabriella deserved a guy who would love her for her. Logan knew the most about her through his own means while James never took the time to get to know the real Gabriella. Only Logan knew about her obsession with the beach and how every time she watched the sun set beneath the still water below she would smile brightly, welcoming the night with eagerness that matched a child's at Christmas. She loved the velvety sky as the darkness slowly covered the city like a blanket being pulled up to the chin due to the frigid air in the dead of winter.
Gabriella despised the Jennifers with a passion because of their egotistical behavior and blatant disregard to Carlos' feelings towards them. She protected Carlos like a little brother, looking up to him for his carefree attitude and genuine spontaneity. Together Gabriella and Carlos would wreak havoc in the Palm Woods lobby and cause Mr. Bitters to become distraught over destroyed or damaged property. While she may seem out-going and worry free, Logan knew for a fact that Gabriella was the most reserved out of the group. She preferred to hang in the back and stay out of the spotlight much like he had back in Minnesota, but LA changed that for him and now he wouldn't know what to do if Big Time Rush was suddenly taken from his grasp.
Kendall and Gabriella became best friends and she always seemed to find the confidence she typically lacked in his presence. Kendall was a natural-born leader with a take-charge attitude and harbored a fierce need to protect his friends. She envied Kendall for being able to walk into a crowded room not caring what other people thought about him and carrying on with what he was doing as if he was the only person there. He was a shoulder to lean on when the stress was becoming too much for her to handle. Gabriella relied on Kendall like we rely on air.
The words that Logan had spoken took a while to fully sink into Gabriella's mind. Had Logan just confessed that he loved her? Gabriella thought back to when they first met and she couldn't help but smile. Logan was sitting on a lounge chair with Carlos next to him, Kendall on the opposite side of Carlos, and James was pacing back and forth in front of the other three. James had made a comment that Logan had agreed with which made Kendall angry. Logan stuttered over his words, cowering to Kendall like a wounded dog. Gabriella had watched from the opposing side of the pool with a delicate frown on her lips. It was a shame that he was easily manipulated into the situations his friends always seemed to find themselves in.
After becoming friends with them and their career began to skyrocket, Logan transformed into a more confident person. He didn't allow his friends to push him around anymore even though there were times when he was submissive to their insane ideas. Through it all though, Gabriella could honestly say that Logan Mitchell was utterly loyal to those who were important to him. He was always there when one of the boys needed his opinion or consolation. Thinking back on all the admirable stuff Logan has done made Gabriella realize that she shouldn't let James control her emotions or actions. She was an independent young woman who decides what was best for her. Gabriella took a deep breath and pulled back from Logan slightly, their lips merely centimeters apart.
"Logan, thank you. It means a lot and you're right. I shouldn't let James control my life. It's my life and I'm the one who decides who I want to date," she said as her gaze dropped to his lips as she subconsciously ran her tongue over her bottom lip. "I'm not afraid to follow my heart anymore and I have you to thank. You're the only one who truly knows me and what I like. I didn't even tell you about my secret obsession with the beach, but you still know. I can always count on you, Logan. I'm in love with you," Gabriella whispered, her lips brushing against Logan's in the softest touch.
The instant Logan felt Gabriella's lips brush past his sent his mind reeling. His hormones kicked into overdrive and he wanted nothing more than to be able to take her away to some place secluded and romantic to make love to her. All his old feelings that had been pushed to the recesses of his mind flew forwards instantaneously and crashed into him head first like a brick wall. Logan leaned against Gabriella and captured her lower lip between his teeth, his right hand resting on her hip. A small gasp escaped from Gabriella as Logan took advantage of it and slid his tongue inside her mouth, mapping out the new territory.
The clichéd idea of fireworks exploding had happened, electricity sparking through their bodies and leaving the two teens breathless. Logan pulled back leaning his forehead against Gabriella's, a smile on both their lips. Looking into her brown eyes Logan sheepishly chuckled, "I'm in love with you, too." Gabriella smiled and kissed Logan again, her hand going to the nape of his neck. The moment was ruined by Logan's cell phone going off again. He untangled himself from Gabriella and yanked his phone out of his pocket, "What?"
"Dude, what are you so pissed about? I told you that Gustavo wanted us in the studio and you said you'd be here by now," James' voice carried through the receiver and it was obvious that he was annoyed.
"Nothing, I'm on my way," Logan replied and without giving James the chance to respond he ended the call and slipped his iPhone back in his pocket. He turned to Gabriella, "let's go. Gustavo wants us at the studio." She nodded and accepted Logan's hand as he helped her off the sand. He laced his fingers in hers and they walked back to Logan's car in silence. It wasn't one of those awkward silences where someone decides to say something completely off the wall to break the ice, but instead it was comfortable and speaking would have just ruined the moment. It took fifteen minutes to reach the studio and when they approached the recording studio, Gustavo's voice was bellowing from behind the black door. Logan and Gabriella exchanged glances before dropping their hands and walking inside.
"DOG, IT'S ABOUT TIME!" Logan winced and took half a step back. Gustavo rounded on Logan with his finger pointing at the small brunette, his face red with anger.
"S-sorry Gustavo, it took a while to find Gabi," The producer turned his attention to the blonde as Logan said her name. Gustavo took a deep breath and lowered his hand. Behind him Kelly was sighing with relief that he had stopped yelling while the rest of the guys stood inside the booth, headphones around their necks.
"Good, you're both here. Now get into the booth with the rest of the dogs!" Without wanting to upset Gustavo anymore, Logan grabbed Gabriella's wrist and dragged her into the booth. Gabriella stood in the middle with James and Carlos on one side and Logan and Kendall on the other. At first she was uncomfortable standing between her boyfriend and her ex-boyfriend, but her tension was smoothed by Logan's soft touch on her hand to let her know it was going to be fine. Gabriella smiled slightly in his direction before turning her attention to the lyrics in front of her. "Griffin wants us to do a duet with Miss Aarons and suggested a cover of a previously recorded duet. Out of the options I was given, this is what I think will be the best. NOW, LET'S GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME!"
Gabriella stepped back as Gustavo screamed once again while the boys merely flinched. They were used to Gustavo yelling all the time and knew that he only did it to push the guys to perform their best. Logan chuckled under his breath causing Gabriella to dig the heel of her foot on Logan's toes. "Ow, Gabi, what was that for?" Gabriella smirked and turned her attention back Gustavo who had begun the track.
"Never knew I could feel like this, like I've never seen the sky before. Want to vanish inside your kiss. Every day I love you more and more," James began singing the song, his voice carrying through the sound booth as smooth as a hot knife cutting through butter. It easily melted a girl's heart when he sang, having a wonderful talent and being able to reach different ranges.
"Listen to my heart, can you hear it sings, telling me to give you everything. Seasons may change winter to spring but I love you until the end of time," Gabriella nearly cried at the emotion Logan was evoking through those few words. She couldn't help to feel as though they were directed at her. A small, crooked smile on his thin lips confirmed Gabriella's suspicions and she unknowingly smiled slightly herself.
"Come what may, come what may. I will love you until my dying day," Kendall, Carlos, and James joined Logan for the main lines of the song, their voices blending together beautifully. Gabriella found herself proud of the young men those four have turned into. Back in the beginning it took Gustavo several times to get the guys to focus and channel their energies into the lyrics to portray emotion and have decent vocals. Now the guys did all that without really trying, singing having become second nature to all of them.
"Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place. Suddenly it moves with such a perfect grace," the words easily flowed from Gabriella's lips as she thought back to earlier in the day. Everything did feel perfect now, her relationship with Logan heightening her happiness to measures beyond extreme. Logan joined in with Gabriella, "Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste." Gabriella finished the small second by herself, "It all revolves around you."
"And there's no mountain too high no river too wide. Sing out this song and I'll be there by your side. Storm clouds may gather and stars may collide," all five sang. The added female voice brought a higher level of emotion to the words and Gustavo was smiling behind his hands that covered his lips. Kelly was grinning like an idiot at the group while Griffin remained impassive.
"But I love you until the end of time," Carlos sang softly.
"I love you, until the end," echoed Gabriella and was joined by Carlos, "Until the end of time."
"Come what may, come what may. I will love you until my dying day. Oh come what may, come what may. I will love you," Once again Kendall, James, and Logan sang with Gabriella and Carlos, the emotion remaining strong.
"I will love you," Gabriella smiled in Logan's direction, tears silently falling down her cheeks. To the others it might have seemed weird that she was crying because as far as they knew, Gabriella was still single and still upset about James. That was to everyone besides Logan. He allowed a large smirk to cover his lips as his eyes bore into Gabriella's. "Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place," she began and was joined by Logan to finish the song off, "Come what may, come what may. I will love you until my dying day." Their smiles remained in tack as Griffin cleared his throat and turned his attention to Gustavo. Kendall, James, Carlos, Logan, and Gabriella stared at the figures on the opposite side of the glass, trying to interpret their facial expressions to see if the song was done well.
Gabriella thought back to the kiss on the beach with Logan, her cheeks flushing a light pink at the memory. It was odd that the song Griffin suddenly wanted them to sing coincided perfectly with their situation. Suspicious, Gabriella let the thought run through her mind that Logan had set this whole thing up. She wouldn't have put it past him seeing as Logan knows the things that make Gabriella's heart beat faster and her cheeks blush. It seemed like something Logan would do to impress her, just like showing up at the beach when the sun was beginning to set. Seeing Griffin leave the room, Gabriella converted her attention to Gustavo who still remained expressionless. He pressed the button and his voice carried over the speakers.
"Dogs, Miss Aarons," Gustavo paused, the suspense building. James was wringing his hands behind his back while Carlos tapped his thigh. Kendall kept shifting his weight from his right leg to his left and back again. Logan stood calmly, his eyes holding his worry as Gabriella stood there with her bottom lip pulled between her teeth, chewing on it forcefully. "That was beautiful. Griffin was extremely impressed and this will be our duet cover on your next albums. Great job," he finished while letting go of the button. They all cheered and gave each other hugs as Gustavo and Kelly looked on.
"Well that was awesome. Let's celebrate," Kendall suggested. The boys and Gabriella agreed and together the five teens left the recording studio. No one really had any idea where to go so they just wandered around aimlessly, walking through the streets of LA. The water shimmering in the street lamps caught Gabriella's eyes and she gripped Logan's hand, pulling him towards the end of the boardwalk. About a mile up the beach the lights from the boardwalk were visible and the food stands emitted delicious smells and promises of junk food. Without waiting to see if Kendall, James, or Carlos were following Gabriella brought Logan to the edge of the shore and slid her sandals off, Logan following her lead. They ran through the shallow water, laughing and joking around. Suddenly Gabriella was lifted off the ground and tossed into the water. She sputtered as she surfaced, her face contorted into anger. Kendall was laughing as he held himself up on his knees.
"That wasn't nice, Kendall," Gabriella said while pouting. She looked to her left to see Logan smiling obviously trying not to laugh. James caught the movement and decided to call her out on it.
"Are you and Logan dating?" The group quieted, Kendall looking at the two teens standing in the water. James looked almost hurt while Carlos just looked confused. Tension rolled in and was as thick as the Earth's crust. For nearly ten minutes no one said anything or moved. Seeing that neither Gabriella nor Logan was going to answer he prodded again, "are you two dating?"
"Yeah, we are," Logan said as he waded over to Gabriella and entwined their fingers together. "Is that a problem?" Gabriella flinched at the tone Logan used. He didn't use it very often and he only used it when he was extremely irritated. Gabriella was irritated that James was having an attitude about them dating, but she wasn't that upset. It was natural for James to be curious.
"No," James whispered. Gabriella saw the hurt in his eyes, but she didn't relent. James had controlled her for the past year when they were dating and the few months that followed. She knew that if she was going to date someone that James would oppose it especially if it was one of his best friends, but Gabriella wasn't going to give in to James. She deserved to have someone who loved her for her and actually knew her and took into consideration the things that she liked. Logan made her feel things that she never felt before even when she was dating James. Everything felt as though it was falling into place. For once Gabriella could honestly have said that she was happy with how her life turned out. She had a great career and an even better boyfriend.
"Good," Logan reiterated. He turned to Gabriella and placed a soft, loving kiss on her lips before pulling back and giving her his famous crooked smirk. Gabriella smiled gently and wrapped her free arm around his torso. Kendall had wolf-whistled as Carlos laughed at the small display of affection and the obvious rejection of James. Both Logan and Gabriella blushed and turned their faces away from their friends.
"Oh don't be that way," Carlos said as he bounded towards the two teens, "you two are adorable together. I was wondering when you were going to get together." Logan fist pounded Carlos as Kendall walked over and gave Logan a high-five.
"Thanks guys. That means a lot." Logan smiled at them and looked over at James who was still moping. "James," the taller brunette looked up as Logan spoke. "We're not doing this to hurt you. I love Gabi and I have since we met her. I'm sorry if it hurts you to see me dating your ex-girlfriend, but I'll never be sorry for dating her." Gabriella blushed once again as Logan talked. The passion he felt towards her was laced through every single word and it brought chills to her spine.
"I understand. I just didn't expect it is all. You guys are great together and as long as you're both happy, then I am happy too." Gabriella smiled and ran at James, throwing her arms around his neck.
"Thank you, James. It means the world that you accept this. I don't want to hurt you, but I want you to know that I do love you, just not the way you want me to," she whispered into his ear. James couldn't help the reaction to the gentleness and sighed against her hair.
"I'll always love you, now go be happy," James said and pulled back with a wink. Gabriella smiled and ran to Logan's side before tackling him into the sand and water. He let out an indignant screech that resembled a fan-girly scream and pushed against Gabriella, who had sat on his thighs preventing him from getting up. Kendall and Carlos returned to James' side and smiled sympathetically. They knew that James was in love with Gabriella, the first girl to actually capture his heart for more than a week. They also knew that James was completely heart-broken when the relationship ended.
"Are you going to be alright, man?" James looked at Kendall, who had spoken, and then at his smaller Latino friend. He nodded and smiled brightly at his two best friends.
"Yeah, it will take some time to get used to it, but I can see how happy they make each other." Kendall smirked at James' maturity, something the boy rarely had. The three of them turned to their best friend and his new girlfriend with goofy smiles on their faces. Gabriella had finally let Logan up and now the two were standing chest to chest with their arms wrapped around each other. Logan smiled down at Gabriella and pressed his lips against hers adoringly. She responded immediately, her tongue running along his lower lip. To their friends, Logan and Gabriella looked like an older couple that had lived through years of marriage. The passion was almost a visible flame flickering between their bodies, casting light on the two teens and enveloping them with warmth. Logan and Gabriella were two teens in love and instantly Kendall, Carlos, and even James could see that the love they shared would last a lifetime.