And forget her he did.
Well, at least that's what it seemed like to Katie. They didn't see each other at all during the next few days leading up to the concert, and it wasn't an accident.
To be honest, they were both a little afraid to face each other. Not just with the fear of potentially breaking up, but also because it would be awkward and not at all what they were used to. What they liked…
So they made it a point to avoid each other like the plague. He would hang out in the guys' room until he was sure she was asleep, then sneak in and sleep on the uncomfortable couch. Then he would wake up super early in the morning for rehearsal and disappear for the whole day.
And she found things to keep her busy. She was in New York, of course she would check out the local shops and boutiques. Granted they made Jo and Camille extremely jealous, Katie promised she would bring stuff back for them. And there were plenty of producers in the Big Apple. She could get some advice from someone other than Gustavo.
Things were going along. Kelly was happy and slightly impressed with how cool Katie was acting, but she didn't question a good thing. Same with Kendall, Logan and Carlos. They didn't want to ask James about his dwindling relationship. However, Kendall was concerned for the wellbeing of his little sister, so he made it a point to one of these days talk to James man to man.
Katie sat on her bed, going through the cards of producers she'd picked up that day. They all seemed so important, she didn't know which one to call first. But what interrupted her was a knock on the door.
"Come in." She called with a sigh, knowing full well that it wouldn't be James.
And she was right. Kelly came in with a small smile on her face, her eyes resting on the pile of cards. "Oh, I see you've been out."
Katie chuckled. "Yep. If I'm going to be working in the business, I need a few more opinions than just Gustavo."
Kelly nodded, sitting down. "Smart thinking." Katie smiled at her for a second before going back to sorting. Kelly watched her and sighed. "Look, I came here to apologize."
"For what?" Katie asked, not even looking up.
"For seeming so…cold about how I handled your problem with James."
"Hey, I'm staying out of his way like you said." Katie reminded, still not looking up at her.
"I know. But I've had some time to think, and I've realized that it might not be the best thing for you and him. It may seem farfetched, but I care about you guys before the band."
That made Katie take her eyes away from the pile and rest on Kelly. "R-really?"
Kelly simply nodded. "Yes. I love the band, but the people who are in it are worth more than some silly concert."
"But it's not silly." Katie sighed. "It's important. Our problems are just…happening at the wrong time."
"Katie, what exactly are your problems?" Kelly asked. "I mean, I don't know the full story."
Katie blew out a breath and stood up, her arms crossed. "I don't know how James feels about me." When she saw Kelly open her mouth, she quickly said, "I know he cares about me. But is it just in a…friendly way? Is he just with me because he feels like he has to be?"
Kelly shook her head. "I don't think so. I mean, I've had to pull that boy back to reality so many times during rehearsal because he was too busy thinking about you!"
Katie smiled, but then frowned. "But how do you know that was me he was thinking about?"
Kelly groaned and stood up, taking Katie's wrists into her hands. "Why can't you just accept that James loves you?"
"Because he hasn't said it!" Katie exclaimed, withdrawing her hands. "How am I supposed to know if he hasn't said anything?"
"Does he have to?" Kelly asked. "You should just know, Katie!"
"But I don't!" Katie shouted, tears clouded in her eyes. "I don't, and it's killing me! I've even flat out asked him and he didn't say anything!"
She sat down on the bed and covered her face with her hands. "I wish he would stop stringing me along like this and just tell me." It was muffled through the hands, but Kelly heard her loud and clear.
"I'll be right back." She stated, before exiting Katie's room and barging into the boys' room.
Kendall, Carlos and Logan were playing video games as James sat back and just watched. But their heads all snapped up when Kelly came in, eyes on fire.
"Kelly? What the-"
"How dare you?" She pointed at James.
"How dare I what?" James asked, thoroughly confused.
"Lie to that girl in there?" She then pointed to the opposite wall, where Katie's room was. "Just tell her how you feel, if you do, or leave her alone! She deserves better than this, James!"
He was speechless. The only time he'd heard Kelly yell was when she was with Gustavo, and even then she wasn't completely serious. But she just looked disappointed and mad right now.
"Okay, Kelly? I think you need to calm down." Kendall suggested, the game on pause behind them.
She sighed and spoke to James rationally. "Just tell her, James."
With that she left, leaving the four boys stunned. Kendall then spoke up, "Guys, can you leave us alone for a second?" He looked at Logan and Carlos, and they nodded before looking at James and walking out.
James was just staring the floor, seeming completely frozen. Kendall looked at him before sitting down. "Okay, it's time we had a talk."
"I know. I shouldn't be treating your sister this way, she deserves someone better than me and I should probably be getting ready for a punch in the face right about now." He sighed.
Kendall chuckled and shook his head. "I just want to know what's going on. I mean, a few days ago you and Katie were so happy. Now…"
"Now it feels as if she hates my guts." James rested his head in his hands.
"Again I ask why?" Kendall urged.
"I don't think I even know!" James said, frustrated. "I don't know what she wants from me, man!"
"She wants to know how you feel, that's what I'm gathering." Kendall said, leaning back in the chair. "So why don't you just tell her?"
"Because…because I know how I feel, I just don't know how she'll take it." James shrugged.
"Come on dude, she'll either hug you or punch you. It's not that bad." Kendall chuckled.
"I don't want to lose her." James confessed. "But I've never told a girl that I've loved her before. I mean, not seriously anyway."
It was silent for a few seconds, before his head sprang back up. "And I don't think it's fair that everyone thinks I've been…abusing her or something! Since when did I become such a bad guy?"
"We don't think you're a bad guy. And we certainly don't think you've been abusing her." Kendall reassured him. "We just don't think you've been handling it in the best way."
James nodded in slight relief before leaning against the back of his own chair, sighing. He was so frustrated and confused with everything, he wished it would all just stop. He wished he could see Katie, his girlfriend, again without it being awkward and tense. He would give anything to have that again.
But Kendall's voice snapped him back. "I guess it all narrows down to just one question."
"What's that?" James asked.
Kendall looked at him seriously before asking, "Do you love her, James?"
Cliffhanger! I guess you'll all just have to wait for the next update! Haha
And don't worry, things will start looking up soon. I'm getting tired of writing all this…sadness, so I'm sure you're all getting tired of reading it! Just like ONE more chapter of depression, that's it! :)
Read&review! The more feedback I get, the faster the update I promise! :D