"K-Katie?" James said with a shocked expression. It seemed to be more of a question than a statement.
Katie just smirked and walked over to the boys, who were now standing side by side. The whole room was silent for a few seconds before Kendall broke it by exclaiming, "Katie! It's good to see you baby sis!"
She smiled before pulling him into a hug. "Good to see you too, big brother."
She let go and turned to Carlos, who was smiling at her. "Hi Katie!"
He wrapped his arms around her before she said, "Carlos! I missed you and your dorky helmet!"
She poked the black helmet on top of Carlos' head and he fake-gasped. "It's not dorky, it's cool!"
She rolled her eyes and smiled as she faced Logan. "Logan, I missed you as well!" she said as they hugged.
"Katie, it's so good to see you!" Logan smiled and then Katie turned and stood in front of James.
This was the moment she had anticipated since the band arrived. She could feel the butterflies in her stomach as he embraced her in his strong arms. They stood like that for about 30 seconds before she pulled away and looked up at hm. She forgot how to speak as she stared into his hazel eyes.
Katie then snapped back to reality and said, "Hi James. It's really good to see you."
He smiled slightly and said, "Hey Katie."
Everyone watched as they stared at each other, then Kendall, wanting to kill the awkwardness that surrounded the room, clapped his hands and said, "Okay! Now that we're all reunited, let's eat!"
Carlos happily agreed as he stared down at the mountain of food that Mrs. Knight had prepared.
James rubbed the back of his neck and Katie laughed awkwardly. Everyone sat down, except James and Katie, and she said, "Umm… I hope you're really hungry because mom and I made a lot!"
She pointed to the table and James looked over, raising his eyebrows. "Well, I just spent 5 hours on a plane and let me tell you, airplane food is awful!" Katie laughed at this and James turned back to her. "So, I guess I'll have to take my chances with your food."
Katie fake-gasped and smacked his arm playfully. "Well, I'm starving. Join us if you want." She smiled and strutted towards the table, knowing James was staring after her. She smiled as she grabbed a plate and sat down.
AfterDinner
Logan dropped his fork and leaned back in his chair. "Whoa. I am stuffed."
Carlos burped, causing Mrs. Knight to scold, "Carlos!"
"Sorry Mrs. Knight!" he said back quickly.
Katie rolled her eyes smiling, as her mom stood up. "Well, I think I'll go to bed now." She turned toward the four boys. "And I want to hear all about your tour tomorrow!"
They all nodded and she kissed the top of Kendall and Katie's heads, each saying, "Mom!" as she did. She then walked into her room and closed the door.
"Well, I think I'm gonna hit the hay as well." Carlos said standing up.
Logan nodded, "Me too."
"Okay, goodnight!" Katie called over to them, already getting started on cleaning up the table.
"Night!" they both said as they walked into the bedroom that they shared.
Kendall walked over to his sister and said, "Goodnight, baby sis." He kissed her forehead and looked at her, studying her more grown up face.
Katie noticed and rolled her eyes. "Kendall, relax! So I look older, no big deal!"
"Yes it is."James thought to himself.
Kendall sighed and said, "I know, I know. I'm just overreacting. I am still your big brother!"
Katie smiled and said, "And I'm glad you are! Goodnight." She hugged him once more before he turned and walked to his room.
Katie turned back to the table as Kendall closed his door. James stood at the counter, watching Katie as she cleaned up. She was so old now. She wasn't the little girl that James had known before.
He smiled, remembering back to when they had first moved to Hollywood. He was 16 and she was 11. Now she was 18, and he was 23 years old. So much time had passed.
He was lost in his own thoughts when Katie turned around, a bunch of plates in her hands. As soon as their eyes met, James jumped back to reality and Katie jumped because she was, well, frightened. Apparently she had forgotten that she wasn't the only one in the room.
"Oh gosh!" she exclaimed, almost dropping the plates.
James ran over to her, taking half of them and said, "Sorry! I-I didn't mean to scare you."
Katie smiled and said, "It's okay! I just thought that you went to bed when Kendall did."
He grinned and they stood like that for a minute, before she walked past him to the counter. He followed her and set the plates on top of hers in the sink.
He then headed back to the table, continuing to clean when Katie said, "Oh, you don't have to help! I'm sure you're tired from your trip and all-"
"No, it's fine. I don't mind helping." Katie smiled at him. She walked over and continued cleaning as well.
.
.
.
The table was cleared and James walked over to the couch and plopped down. "Ah, I missed this couch." He patted the seat next to him, signaling Katie to come and join him.
She smiled and sat down. "So, James, how have you been? I mean how was traveling the world, doing what you love?"
He smiled and said, "It was really fun. I mean I missed this place, and I definitely missed you." Katie blushed and James mentally slapped himself. "A-and your mom, of course."
Katie raised her eyebrows and said sarcastically, "Oh, of course!"
They both laughed and he said, "Okay, how about I missed everyone?"
She smiled, "Well, we all missed you guys too. Me, Jo, Camille…everyone."
He smirked and said, "Yeah, but I bet you missed me most of all."
"Mm-hm. Oh definitely!" she said, laughing.
"Oh come on! I bet you still have a huge crush on me! Am I right?"
"Of course not! James, I never had a crush on you nor will I ever!" She knew that was a total lie.
James leaned back with his arms draped across the back of the couch. "I beg to differ. I mean, who wouldn't love this!" He pulled up his shirt, showing off his washboard abs. It took everything Katie had not to stare.
She looked away, blushing madly, and said, "Put your shirt down, James."
He just smirked and did what she said. She looked back at him and said, "You know, sometimes you can be really full of yourself!"
She playfully punched his shoulder and he chuckled. "You know you love it, Katie."
She scoffed and he scoffed too, obviously mocking her. She glared at him and said, "Don't make me punch you for real!" She held up her fist, causing James to look slightly scared.
She laughed at his reaction, putting down her hand, and he sighed in relief. "You may be beautiful, but you can seriously hurt someone when you really want to!" he said, obviously not realizing what he just said.
Katie's eyes grew slightly wider and he asked, "What?"
She looked away and murmured a quick, "Nothing." Although James was very good looking on the outside, he could be slow sometimes on the inside.
He just shrugged and said, "So, what's new with you? I mean, besides…" He didn't finish his sentence.
She raised her eyebrows. "Besides the way I look? Do I really look that different?" she asked, playing with him. He looked at her with an 'Are you serious?' expression and she giggled. "I know I look different, James. I'm eighteen! Of course I look different! Did you think that I would still look like a little kid when I'm this age?" she asked, laughing.
"I-I didn't really think about it." She raised her eyebrows again, very amused. "I mean, of course I thought about you! A lot, actually. I mean-"
"James! Stop stuttering!" she laughed.
He looked slightly embarrassed and she put her hand on his arm. He looked down at it and then at her. "Look, it's really late. Just go to bed and we'll talk more in the morning."
He nodded and they both stood up, their faces a little too close to each other. She could feel his warm breath on her lips, and she looked deep into his eyes.
They stood like that for what seemed like hours before she said, "Goodnight, James." She then pecked his cheek and headed towards her room. She opened the door and before she went in, she looked back at him.
He was standing in front of the couch, just staring at her. She smiled at him before walking into her bedroom and closing the door. He brought his hand to his face, touching the part where Katie's lips had just been.
"Goodnight, Katie." He whispered quietly before going into his and Kendall's room for the night.
Here you go! Another chapter! :)
What did you think? I didn't really want to jump right into the romance just yet. But here's a little taste of what's to come in later chapters!
Should I still continue? PLEASE read&review! I'd love to know what you guys think! X)
Also, thank you all for the awesome comments! You all rock! :D
P.S. So far on the first chapter I have a total of 8 comments. Let's aim for 10 this time! :)