Thanks to:
BigTimeFan50- Well, you've got more of it! A lot of people have wanted that and I've been kinda approaching it with caution. It has a big expectation and I don't want to let anyone down. That's one main part I've wanted to highlight mainly through the second story. She's still vulnerable and she doesn't want to set herself up to be torn down again like last time. Thanks for the review : )
msdancerchick15- Thank you! Aww, I'm glad I brightened your day. It was a bit of a risk but I'm glad the episode feature paid off. Thanks for the review : )
TheNamesMrsSchmidt- How long will it last though? Everyone has to come to terms with how much the other has changed in their eyes. Everyone wants them together again and I'm not sure...we'll have to wait and see how Kendall acts. Well, I thought that people needed to see that James and Echo are definitely siblings now and that there was no more romantic interest. He's real protective over her. Aha! I love it when people insult Jo, it's hilarious. Here's the update and thanks for the review : )
sailfast32- Aha, I don't mind. Aww, thank you very much. It's going to take a really long, long, long time for Echo to come to terms with Gustavo. Thanks for the review : )
Oblivious to the obvious- Thank you. Aww, well hopefully I haven't disappointed you with this chapter. Thanks for the review : )
Kiki on The Momo Tree- Well confrontations are just around the corner. Well, some of the questions I'm purposely leaving hanging in the air and others I'm just not going to answer them until the end of the story all together. Aren't I evil? Aha, I really don't mind. You mean on your profile? You know this works very well and I can't thank you enough. I'm setting up a Facebook page for my profile on FanFiction which basically gets me telling you what's going on, sneak peeks on the chapters, pictures and lyrics, it also gives me a chance to see what you guys liked and stuff. I just hope more than 10 people like the page so it's worth me doing stuff and with your permission, I'd like to use the fan art when it's up for the picture instead of a picture of me, not that I'm arrogant! More Carlos cuteness is coming up in a few chapters. Bahah! Kandaliagh and Loganna seem so original, I love original and unique names! I'll stock it up in my document for lyrics and see if it fits a chapter coming up! I'm glad you liked the Big Time Superheroes feature in the chapter, it was a risk with where I was taking it and I'm glad it paid off. Awww, grades? I hope I pass! Aha, book, really? I'm not talented enough to be an author, trust me. It's getting easier by the day though I already chipped one from typing too fast, I'm hopeless! Thanks for everything and thanks for the review : )
Gigi- You're very welcome! Well, I hope you've found your mind now. Thanks for the review : )
angelalexandra- Why thank you. I'm glad you found it worth the wait, I hope this chapter is too. Well, a lot of feelings are going to be mixed up and you're going to have so many major 'wtf' moments and possibly ones that will make you hate me, but we'll see how it goes. Thanks for the review : )
Ileana- Thank you. There's still a lotta talking that has to go on between them still. Resolving their issues is coming soon, trust me. Seems like Echo has no music manager she can trust, they all want to use her until she's useless in their eyes. Kelly didn't have any part in the bet, Gustavo did it behind her back. Well, some of the stuff you ask I'm leaving hanging for a few chapters, others won't be answered till the end of the story so I'm having one of those climaxes that I hope will work in my favour. Thanks for the review : )
EvilMonkeyBabyD- I love Kelly Clarkson's new album. Lyrically, I honestly think it's her best yet. He's obviously half bird, aha! Well the private talk will be happening sooner than you think; it's been quite anticipated so I'm approaching it with caution. I don't want to ruin the expectations or let it underperform. Thanks for the review : )
Deedee- Aha, I hope not, my story would kinda be ruined then! Thanks for the review : )
Anonymous Skrtle- Kendall is pushing a lot and sometimes, pushing only makes people distance themselves... Honesty is brutality. It's the truth. Aha, yeah well they are not melodramatic teens anymore. Gustavo shouldn't be forgiving Echo, Echo should be forgiving Gustavo for how he used her. Thanks for the praise and thanks for the review : )
Schmidten- Aha, someone's a little feisty! Thank you, I'm glad you could feel the awkwardness radiating from your laptop as you read! Thanks for the review : )
Carla- How long will friendship last? You know how Kendall is, he keeps on pushing to get what he wants; he tests boundaries that shouldn't be tested. He's going to get the consequences soon. Gustavo honestly shouldn't be forgiven, not yet...not in a long time. I think Kelly Clarkson's new album is amazing. Thank you for picking up on the song choice of the chapter! Thanks for the review : )
TheCooliest- I don't mind! Aww, thank you. Are they just being ignorant being friends, though? Well, it seems that all music producers want to use Echo, is she going to bother to continue or is she just going to stop writing lyrics? Aww, well thank you for constantly suggesting my story! I really appreciate that. Honestly, thank you. Thanks for the review : )
redants- Well, the talking is coming up soon. I hope when it does come up it reaches your expectations. Thanks for the review : )
whatIfeel- But will their friendship last? Well, you know how dramatic this story is. Seems like all the music producers want their piece of Echo. Yeah and in the future chapters things are going to be said and different things are actually going to happen, like those 'wtf' moments. It's going to be brutal and I'm going to be hated; I can see it. I love unanswered questions, don't you love unanswered questions? Well seems like your question towards Cherry Bomb won't be answered by me, but by my story in a few chapters. It's going to take Echo a long time to clear all the emotions in her head to talk to Gustavo, let alone accept an apology; and you know how proud that man is...would he apologize if he had the chance? Yeah, this is the first time I've used a chapter and put my own twist on it, I must say I prefer putting my twist on it because it gives me the freedom of what I want to do. It was a risk and it was a risk worth taking, I'm getting good feedback for it. I don't mind that you write a lot it's just I feel bad when I don't respond! Well...talking about the David Cade thing, now check on my profile and you'll see what I meant. I saw it and started drooling. Though that image doesn't happen in my story; the picture is just for you. Thanks for the review : )
Laura- Do they really love each other? They've both changed a lot. Well, I'm trying to keep everyone hanging for as long as possible. Some stuff won't be answered till near the end of the story, other questions in just a few chapters. Patience, my friend! Well thank you both again and thank you for reviewing! Here's the next chapter, enjoy : )
anonymous reviewer- Isn't that the best kind of tension? Thanks for the review : )
anonymous reviewer- Awh, thank you very much! I really don't deserve the praise. Thanks for the review : )
TheClaire24- Ugh, I hate exams. Let's have a cyber celebration for no more exams for you! That's the first time someone has said that they liked the way Kendall's changed, so thank you in a way. Yeah, they actually talked but not for long before things got 'messy.' Can they actually have a civil conversation? Well, I hope you like this chapter. It's been playing on my mind a lot and I question whether I've done what was in my mind justice? I'm glad you like Remind Me, its a little country for my than I usually listen to but the lyrics were pretty bang on for the chapter. Echo is a loyal person, which is ironic seeing as no one/hardly anyone can be loyal to her. Wait and see for what happens to Cherry Bomb. Thanks for the review : )
socoolio- Thank you! How long will their friendship last? Are they better off as friends? Well the confrontations will be coming up soon and I hope I've done them justice. Everyone has been anticipating them and I'd hate to fall under expectation. Watching my thoughts and how I visualise the chapters would be goddamn amazing. It would be like a home movie. Thanks for the review : )
brightSTAR- Well, here's another chapter for you so you don't have to check your e-mails today. You better keep on studying, you heard me. Close off this page right now and do your studying, then come back on later and read and review...but can you resist? Just think of all the things between Echo and Kendall that could happen in this chapter that you could miss by crossing off this window...baha, sorry I just love to be evil. Aha! Stuff just got serious! That line cracked me up. Your sister must think I've brainwashed you. You wait for the James and Echo sibling fluff. He's real protective over her in secret, it'll be apparent in the next few chapters. Well it's true, Carlos is still Carlos in this story. He hasn't changed mentally one little bit. I'll give it a listen but I'm a little preoccupied right now so remind me to respond to the song in your review. Well, tell your sister that I better be invited to the wedding! Aha, thanks for the review : )
O.o-just me-o.O- Aha, I get what you mean and thank you. All this praise, it makes me so happy to know I've done a good job, thank you again. But is their friendship true? Or is Kendall been forced to hurt her or does he want to hurt her again? I hope I surprise you in this chapter then, I've been approaching it with caution. I wanted this chapter out of all so far to be perfect. I miss writing the smut, but don't worry soon there's going to be a burst of it ; ) I promise you it'll be worth the wait. Thanks for the review : )
inlovewithcarlitos- Aww, thank you so much! I loved the episode; I thought it was cleverly thought out. Thanks for the review : )
I'm gonna hold you for the last time
I'm gonna cry but afraid not to let it show
This is the hardest way to say goodbye
'Cause as you walk away I'm feeling so alone
I don't understand
You had to leave and I'm not part of your plan
We both agreed but now I regret
There are so many things I should have said
The Veronicas- Worlds Apart
"I forgave Kendall." I said to Tracey.
I had gone home straight away after the confrontation, unsure of what else to do. Griffin was at work and Asha had spent the day with Tracey before she got dropped off at Debra's. When I got home, Tracey was there, sitting in the living room with a hot drink, flicking through a magazine as she watched the TV. She offered me a drink and I sat with her, before I couldn't keep everything bottled in anymore. I told her what happened today, everything, from beginning to end, how evil Hawk is, to how I got caught up in everything.
"…and then Kendall hit the guy and saved you?" Tracey asked confused at how the whole situation of me having to be saved suddenly appeared.
"Yeah," I whispered, "he was so…gentle and caring, it's like I finally for a second, saw the real him."
"So you forgave him?"
"He said sorry so many times, but the thing that I liked about it was he meant it, each time."
"And what about Logan and Carlos?"
"I could never hate either one of them; they just got caught up in the mess."
"And James?"
"He hugged me and I knew everything was going to be okay."
"He cares about you a lot, you know. He's hated Kendall ever since…" Tracey trailed off. "He just wants you to be happy."
"I know." I nodded.
"What about Kelly?"
"She knew nothing of it; I don't see why I should be angry at her."
"And Gustavo…?" Tracey seemed unsure.
"It was hard to look at him, he looked somewhat sorry, but I just couldn't say anything, I didn't know what to do so I just ran away. I didn't want to face him; not today." I sighed.
"Sweetie, sometimes people have to run away to work out the things the have to in their head, clear your mind. You've been through a lot. Talk to him, only when you are ready though."
"Thank you." This is what having a mother should be like, open to discussions whenever I need to talk. Giving me proper advice that is going to actually help me.
"You know you don't need to thank me." She said and I nodded. "I'm here for you, but I need to go now; I've still got a lot of work to do tonight." She announced, getting up.
"Goodbye."
"Goodbye, Echo." And then I was left alone, in the house at 6pm.
I sighed out audibly. I knew Asha was probably going to stay with Katie for the night and Griffin would probably be at work for the whole night. I was going to have to talk to him about what Hawk had done and how to get my rights of my songs back.
I knew there was no hope for Cherry Boom, even if I could help them; they would always be musically Hawk's property.
And in some ways, I was glad that they were screwed. I did hate every single one of them.
I finally decided I would do myself some dinner, popping some microwavable meal into the microwave and setting the timer before making myself another cup of coffee and checking my phone.
I had a text from Jett.
The things I had seen yesterday suddenly came up and I tensed as I saw his name. That was something else I had to face, too.
Babe, you're needed at the set tomorrow. Want me to pick you up? I need to pick up Jo, too. You alright? Haven't seen you today, how about we go out for dinner tomorrow night; sound good to you? –J xx
I was too tired to face more problems, even though I was angry I didn't want to make another argument before the day ended. I could face him tomorrow.
I wouldn't let myself get worked up over it, there had to be a reasonable explanation for it –right?
I hoped so, not only for Jett's sake but for my sake too. It seemed like I was being used by anybody and everybody these days.
I was broken out of my thoughts by the microwave going off, signaling my food was done.
After I had eaten it and watched more TV with ignoring Jett on the side, it was pushing 7pm and I was pretty much ready just to go to bed. I was exhausted.
Though before I could even make way to go to my bed someone knocked on the door and I knew who it was before I answered it.
I knew he would come here, tell me he was sorry, tell me everything that had happened.
I knew it.
As I opened the door, my eyes flew open in surprise.
"Kendall?" I was not expecting that. I thought it would have been Jett. He stood at the door, his hair slightly messy like he had been running his hands through it.
"…Hi," he said slightly awkwardly.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"I…wanted to talk to you, in private." He said looking into my eyes.
Why did he do that to me?
Every time he looked into my eyes, my insides melted to mush and I could barely make a coherent thought.
"Come in." I said, opening the door wider as an invitation to him.
He followed me inside and closed the door behind him; he was like a puppy as he followed me into the kitchen.
"Drink?" I asked him as I picked up and sipped my freshly made coffee.
He shook his head. "No, thanks," to say that the atmosphere was awkward was an understatement. I shrugged at his rejection to a drink and walked into the living room, sitting down on the couch, Kendall sat next to me but not close.
"So…" I said into the silence.
"We need to talk."
"I'm listening."
I could see it was hard for Kendall to pick a place to start. "How was your last year?"
"Rough." I said promptly and simply. "Yours?"
"Shit." He sighed, we weren't getting anywhere.
"How're you and Jett?"
"Okay, you and Jo?"
"Fine."
"How's Griffin?"
"Good, how's Debra?"
"She's okay."
"How's Asha?"
"Alright, Katie?"
"She's good."
"How's-"
"Kendall, stop this." I said finally, the way we were talking to each other was painful.
"What?"
"Stop talking to me like this."
"Like what?"
"Like we're strangers, acquaintances; you came here to talk so start talking and top giving me bullshit."
"I'm sorry."
"What for this time?" I sighed.
"Everything. Leaving you, hurting to you, lying to you, ignoring you, arguing with you, treating you like shit…impregnating you…"
"That's a lot of things." I said my voice barely above a whisper volume.
"I've done a lot of things. I didn't realize it would all result in this."
"You thought I would be okay with it?" I raised my eyebrow at him.
"No of course not. I just didn't think that I would…"
"Would what?"
"It doesn't matter." Kendall said quickly.
"I know why you're here."
"Why?"
"The pregnancy, Jett, James, take your pick."
There was a moment of silence as he looked into my eyes and we stared at each other, our eyes a void to the last year of both of our torment. "How did you get pregnant?"
I knew he would start with that one. "I forgot to take the pill a few times."
"Ah." Kendall said as silence engulfed us again.
The subject was still tender to talk about. "I didn't get to see him, you know." Kendall looked up at my face as it crumpled in misery. "My own child and I didn't get to see him, know him, get acquainted with him, all I got was the chance to acknowledge I had him…that I killed him-"My voice broke at the end of the sentence as tears blurred my vision. "I feel like I was holding an alien. What sort of a mother was I? I didn't let my baby fully develop, I didn't get to see what eye colour he had, what hair colour he had, hear his cry, hear his laugh, see his face, see him smile…" By the time I had finished talking about him I was breathing shakily and tears were leaking out of my eyes.
I felt warmth wrapping around my body, arms of tenderness around my shaking body as I sniffled on the shoulder of compassion.
Kendall rubbed my back as my head lay on the nook of his neck, his smell and his essence reminding me about the whole situation.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to make you pregnant… all the guys wanted to see you, but I was scared, scared that if I saw you in that state; on a hospital bed that I would just hold you and never let you go, that I would cry in front of everyone, that I would ignore the whole bet and stay with you. Most of all, I was scared that if I saw you, I was scared that it was my entire fault."
I shook my head against his neck. "No, it wasn't your fault, it still isn't. Things just happened. I just want to feel good, to feel better again but every time I get closer to feeling happy something bad happens." I sniffled.
"I had a son." His voice broke and I was jolted into surprise. I raise my head and looked at Kendall.
He was crying. Kendall Knight, the bastard who didn't feel a thing was crying in front of me.
"I missed the chance to have a son, watch him grow up, his first smile, his first laugh, his first teeth, his first word, his first steps, his first day of school, his first A+, his first girlfriend, his first dance, his first job… I missed the chance to have all of that with you." We began to cry together, the irony of last year we wouldn't even talk or look at each other and now, we were crying together.
I wrapped my arms around my neck and let his head lay on my chest in an innocent way as I stroked his hair while we both cried.
"I promised I wouldn't be like my dad, I wouldn't leave just when I needed him the most. And I left you and our son, just when you both needed me the most."
I shushed him. "You're dad didn't leave, he didn't want to! He died Kendall."
"If he cared he would've stayed! He died and left me all alone!" I had never seen Kendall like this, in such a vulnerable state: it scared me seeing him like this.
"He didn't want to Kendall! Life is a bitch, when people leave, it's sad but as one door closes another door opens."
"I was so depressed after my dad died, no one made me happy."
"Who was the first person who made you happy since your dad died?"
"…You." He whispered.
"Me?" I whispered out hesitantly.
"You were carefree, witty, funny, different. Yet you were so loving, you healed me and I broke you."
"I'm not broken…not anymore."
"Jett healed you." Kendall seemed to realize we both had other halves and retracted his head away from my body.
"Yes." I told him with a nod.
"I really didn't want to hurt you." Kendall suddenly looked at me, his hand raise and caressed my tear stained face. "You were the only reason it was hard to do what Gustavo wanted me to do. I could handle the disappointment from Camille, the anger from Katie, the disgust from my mother, the fury from Griffin but it broke me, seeing you break in two at prom as in the rain you started crying and all I wanted to do was to comfort you."
"Kendall that was back then,"
Kendall wiped another tear that came out of my face as his other hand cupped my cheek. "The only reason why it was hard was because I had fallen in love with you."
My aqua eyes stared up at him in shock. "You made me feel so alive and I loved you so much, Echo. But I had to make you hate me, I had to leave. I didn't want to see you because I was scared that I would quit singing, quit everything just to stay with you and then when you'd wake up, you'd hate me and you wouldn't want to see me."
More tears stormed down my face, my eyes glistening as we both stared at each other. "Kendall-"
"I know I blew it. I blew everything, I know we probably won't be like we were and I'm okay with being friends. I love Jo and I know you love Jett, but Echo, no one can replace you."
"Kendall-"
"And I know that we can't be together again, my mom wouldn't let it, Camille would let it, Carlos and Logan wouldn't let it, James certainly wouldn't let it, Griffin goddamn wouldn't let it, Asha nor Katie would let it, everyone expects me to hurt you again."
"Kendall I still love you." I told him, another tear falling down my cheek a he stared shocked at me. "But you're right, no one would let it, let's face it; none of us would let it because we don't want to hurt each other anymore."
"So what happens now?"
"We'll always be friends." I said when part of me was screaming the opposite yet my mind and the other part of me ruled over.
"But a part of me will always want more." He admitted and before I could say anything else, our lips suddenly found each other.
It was magic.
Emotions ran high as our lips softly moved against each other. Kendall pulled me to him as my arms wrapped tightly around his neck and he hugged my body impossibly close to him. It was like a hunger had taken over him, he was slowly driving me crazy. As my body reacted by humming and beginning to warm my hands sifted through his hair. It was divine but destructive at the same time. Our old inflictions seemed to ignite as his tongue wormed its way into my mouth and gently rubbed against mine. I knew I should have pushed him away like I did at the set, but this was different…we were worlds apart and we both knew this kiss didn't mean what it should. His hands glided up my body to my face, he smothered my hair and stroked my face. And then my heart clenched in pain as I realize what this was. A tear slipped alone out of my right eye, the solo tear left a glistening trail over my smooth skin before it was wiped away by Kendall's callous hand. This wasn't just a kiss.
It was a goodbye kiss. We were living different lives. There was no more him and I. This was the honest way to say goodbye.
As we parted, the inevitable shone through. "Goodbye Echo." Kendall looked at me but I couldn't look at him. I looked down to the floor as I heard him get up from the couch and I knew his echoing footsteps would haunt me for a long time and then there it was, the shutting of the door. Signaling the end of us.
And yet, I would never realize that if I looked up, I would have seen a lone trail of wetness down the side of Kendall's cheek for it was not only his dead son that he didn't want to let go…
But now I've let you go
I'm holding back the tears
I'm here alone
Forgetting all the years
And now there's nothing I can do to bring you back to me
So we live our different lives
It's so hard and there's no more you and I
but we're worlds apart
What I'd give for one more day
Just to say the things I need to say
The Veronicas- Worlds Apart
Damn, that was hard to write. It was such a change of atmosphere.
...wait, Kendall's still human? He still has feelings? Damn right he does, he's just good at hiding it.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: I now have a Facebook page of my writing for FanFiction. It basically keeps me in touch with you guys; let's me give you sneak peeks, pictures, songs, lyrics, general comments and all of that. It also gives me a chance to see what you really liked and lets you know what I'm doing in the week writing wise. So, go on Facebook and type in 'Finders Keepers FanFiction' also, there is a link to it on my profile!
I feel like a right loner at the moment because I have no likes...it's quite isolating. So, check it up and give it a like? I promise I won't spam you all!
Review? Who knows what can happen next chapter! ; )