Chapter 18

"Kendall? Are you sure this is a good idea?" Carlos whispered, leaning over so Kendall could talk to him. Carlos couldn't help but feel as though they were betraying Logan like this… but maybe he deserved it. Carlos tried not to think about Logan anymore, because he wasn't Logan anymore. There was something wrong with him, and that was what was making Carlos hurt. The thing that was now Logan.

"Dude, it's just for a short time… until Logan cools off a bit." Kendall answered, sure and confident about his answer. Logan was being unreasonable, and even though Kendall knew it wasn't his smart friend's fault, he couldn't help but think that this would make everything easier. Kendall knew he was just being selfish. He was supposed to be the leader. But right now, all he wanted was to be out of Logan's life for a while, until things got better. He was hiding from the challenges, the obstacles, because he was getting tired of climbing them all time.

"And our careers are gonna be ruined if Griffin doesn't get a new song soon." James added desperately. James loved singing, and dancing, and acting. He loved performing arts, and he had finally got a chance to do it as a job. Even though Gustavo was cruel and horrible, James was determined to get Big Time Rush to the top, even if it meant getting a new member. James knew that Logan would (hopefully) get better soon, and then they'll just switch him back. James missed Logan more than ever, but he didn't want to see the Rabies Logan ever again.

"I still don't think it's gonna work, Kendall. What if Logan gets mad?" Carlos asked hesitantly.

Kendall sighed. "It's gonna work, Carlos." He said through gritted teeth. Why was Carlos questioning everything he was doing? He was the leader, and his plans worked 99% of the time. "Stop. Questioning. Everything. I. Do." He said, trying to sound calm. For some reason, he was feeling really angry all of a sudden.

Carlos could feel the unfriendly vibe coming from Kendall, and he looked down and nodded. Why was Kendall turning so mean? Was it because of Logan?

"Okay…" Carlos trailed off and swallowed a huge bump in his throat. He heard James punch Kendall, as if to tell him to stop being so mean. Kendall turned and glared back at James, completely ignoring him.

"So, when's the new guy gonna come?" James tried to change the subject.

Kendall's face softened a little bit. "I don't know, maybe in a few minutes." He responded. As if on cue, Gustavo, Kelly, and a teenage dude came trampling into the studio.

"This is your new band mate." Gustavo announced indifferently, pushing forward a teenage boy. He had brown hair and blue eyes. The boy smiled and waved, pulling out a comb to brush his hair. All three of the boys could see that he wasn't ugly, even if he were bald. That made James jealous. But still, James likes the new guy right away for some strange reason.

"Hey. The name's Shane. 18 years old." He introduces himself, smiling the whole time. He seemed laid back, calm, and cool about everything. Kendall likes the new guy because of his attitude, too. He was good for a leader, just like him.

"I only use the comb when I'm in a new place. You know, gotta have a good first impression, right?" He explains when he sees everyone staring at him. James looked down in disappointment... He'd never meet someone as pretty and unique as himself. But he still liked Shane.

"Nice to meet ya. Kendall, 17 years old." Kendall and Shane shake hands.

"James. 17." James introduced. "I'm 'The Face'." He says in a deep voice. Shane chuckles and smiles.

"I like you... But just to tell you, you won't be the face for long." He replies, raising his eyebrows.

"Oh, you just got burned, James!" Carlos cried. James punched his shoulder, shutting him up but not wiping off the smirk on the Latino's face.

Shane smiles. "What's you're name, little guy?" He asked, smirking.

"Carlos." Carlos replied, not wanting to say anymore. He couldn't forget the fact that Logan and him used to still be 16. Now it was only him, and he didn't want to be the baby of their group without Logan being there. He loved Logan, and he missed him, no matter how cruel Logan was being these days. But Carlos knew he should try to move on, and get to like this Shane guy.

"Enough blabbering. James and Kendall, in the studio. Now." Gustavo left with the two boys. Kelly glanced at Shane and Carlos.

"Carlos, can you show Shane around for awhile? I've got errands to do." She said in a sweet voice. Carlos nodded. Kelly smiled at the youngest band member and then at Shane.

"Thanks, ma'am." Shane smiled back, and Kelly raised her eyebrows. Ma'am? This boy was too polite. He'd already pleased Kelly even more than Gustavo was pleasing her after all these years. Strange.

Kelly closed the door gently behind her. Carlos looked up at Shane, who was a good foot taller than he was.

"So..." Carlos started, not knowing what to say. Shane looked away, and was checking out the pictures located next to Gustavo's office. The postersofpastbands.

Suddenly, Carlos found himself on the ground, his arm feeling like it broke in half. "Ow!" he cried loudly, not even knowing what just happened.

Shane looked at him with an expression of confusion and guilt. "Are you okay? Oh gosh, I should've caught you or something..." He said sincerely, pulling Carlos up.

Carlos smiled and rubber his arm painfully. "Thanks." He said. "What happened?"

Shane shrugged. "You tripped over your shoelaces or something. Sorry I didn't react faster." Shane responded. Carlos nodded, not wanting to tie his shoes again. He continued with his tour.

He told Shane all about their studio, and Gustavo and Kelly's office. Shane was a really nice guy, and Carlos started thinking that maybe Shane was better then he'd thought he'd be.

"Where you living?" Carlos asked curiously.

"That Woods Palm place." Shane answered.

Carlos grinned. "Palm Woods." He corrected.

Shane seemed to swallow down some emoting of his, and grinned back.

"Whoops... Well, I'm 2K if ya wanna know." Shane added.

Carlos grinned. "That's right next to ours!" He shrieked excitedly. Shane grinned and smirked.

"Perfect." He said, rubbing his hands together, shivering.

"It's cold in here. I'll be beading out to meet your other buds, k?" Carlos nodded and waved goodbye.

Carlos felt the pain in his left arm return where he'd fallen and probably strained it or dislocated it or something. Tears filled his eyes when he tried to pick up a pencil with his left arm.

He looked down and willed his tears away. But when his eyes cleared, Carlos noticed something.

His shoes had no shoelaces on them.

A/N- OMG…. SO SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE! I'VE BEEN SO BUSY WITH SCHOOL AND ALL THAT STUFF! I AM SO SORRY! AAAAH! Don't kill me… cuz I know where you live… ;)

And I really hoped you liked this insanely good chapter, and what's going on with Shane and the little Rusher?

Review? I hope none of ya have given up on this story yet…

Peace, Love, and Giraffes,

Anonymous Skrtle