One Mistake & No Survivors

Disclaimer: I do not own anything or anyone from Big Time Rush. The girls belong to their creators. I only own the plot.

Chapter Seven

Exile on Main Street

Kendall's POV

Today is the one year anniversary of when Elena left me. It's New Year's Eve and I'm in the elevator heading up to Camille's apartment for her New Year's Eve party.

It's amazing that despite our pain, we each were able to find girlfriends who could keep us afloat in our sorrows. Jo and I were the first to get together. It was four months after we returned to Los Angeles. I was tired of my depression and realized Elena was never going to come back. I found Jo sobbing, as she and her boyfriend, some guitarist in an upcoming band, had broken up with her. I comforted her, and then she was kissing me. We rekindled our relationship and have been going strong since.

Carlos and Stephanie were the next to make it official. It was several weeks after Jo and I got back together and Carlos came back in the happiest state since he and Erika had 'broken up', for lack of better term. He told me how he and Stephanie were hanging out, and how Stephanie had just asked him out. When I asked him about Erika, Carlos simply told me that he needed to move on.

Logan and Camille were the next to couple up. It was sixth months after everything in New York. It actually came as a surprise to all of us that those two weren't the first two to make it official. It was always pretty obvious that Camille was hopelessly in love with Logan. Logan was helping Camille practice for an audition and it just happened.

It was only two months ago that James finally found a girl. Her name is Rachel McDonald, and she looks like nothing like Amanda. She has reddish-brown hair and is about James's height. She's a model and had moved into the Palm Woods when we were in New York. Rachel had been all over James for the past year, and he finally agreed to go on a date with her. He broke down, and asked Rachel out much to her joy.

None of us are the same. Carlos isn't as outgoing as he used too be. Logan is less sarcastic and has more of a defensive barrier up. James is less conceited and keeps to himself. I try to stay strong, but find myself locking myself in my room sometimes just to remember Elena.

I shake my thoughts off and knock on Camille's door. The Palm Wood's drama queen herself answers it and hugs me as I enter. I give Camille a bag of chips she asked me to bring and set off in search of Jo.

Everybody from the Palm Woods is here, even Bitters. I see Jo in a corner talking to Logan and I make my way through the crowds of people. I wrap my arm around Jo and give her a kiss on the cheek.

"You're girlfriend is throwing one awesome party!" I say to Logan over the pumping music.

"That's Camille for you." Logan replies, taking a sip of his soda. "Always has to make sure things are a hundred percent perfect."

"Aw, are you bragging about me?" Camille gushes, joining our group. Logan kisses her on the cheek and slips his hand in hers.

"Aren't I always?" Logan teases. Camille pulls him away from Jo and I, and the two disappear in the crowd of partygoers.

"Everything okay?" Jo asks. I look down at her and nod my head. "You just seem distant tonight. We can go somewhere else if you want."

"No, I'm fine." I lie. "Let's go dance."

I guide Jo out to where everybody is dancing. A slow song comes on and Jo rests her head on my shoulder, and I nearly shove her off me as a wave of memories crash over me. Elena did the exact same thing the night she left me, which was tonight.

None of the girls know about Elena, Amanda, Erika, and Kameryn. James, Carlos, Logan, and I decide to keep that a secret, along with the fact that there is actually such a thing as spies. When people ask us what we did in New York, we just saw that we sung, danced, and went sightseeing. Nothing big, even though the truth is that the biggest thing in my life happened in New York.

Carlos's POV

Stephanie and I leave the party and decide to head to the pool. December in Los Angeles is so different compared to Minnesota or New York. There is no snow or a chill to the air; just lots of lights.

Stephanie's phone rings and she looks at the caller I.D. "I'm really sorry, but I have to take this." She says before answering. She walks back into the lobby, leaving me alone by the pool.

I shove my hands in my pockets and rock back and forth on my heels, whistling a tune to myself. Minutes tick by and Stephanie still isn't back. I decide to go looking for her and stop whistling.

"That one is my favorite." A voice says from the shadows. I spin and search for the voice.

"Hello?" I call out.

"The Saints Goes Marching In?" The voice asks.

"Yeah. Now who are you?" I ask.

I hear footsteps come from my right. I turn to see who it is and my jaw drops to the floor. Erika comes walking out, her hands in the pockets of her tan pants. She has on a loose fitting black sweatshirt that matching her hair, which is pulled up into a high ponytail.

"Surprise." Erika says, looking at the floor. "I know, you're probably mad, but I have reasons, so just let me explain."

"Mad?" I gasp out. "Erika, I'm not mad. I'm furious. You left me in the middle of that party, needing answers. It's taken me months to finally heal and move on!"

"You didn't let me explain." Erika says.

"No. You don't even get a chance. You had your chance a year ago when you left me when I needed you the most."

"Carlos, you act like you're the only one who was hurt!" Erika exclaims. "You don't even know how hard it was for me to do what I had to do!"

"Had to do!" I yell. I take a deep breathe before speaking again in a much softer tone. "I understand if you had to leave Erika. You're a spy and you have your reasons. But you could have at least told me."

"Carlos!" Stephanie's voice says from the lobby. "Camille wants us back at the party!"

"Who's that?" Erika asks. A whole pool is separating us and I can see the same hurt I felt a year ago in Erika's brown eyes.

"My girlfriend Stephanie." I reply. I walk back towards the lobby. "Like I said, I moved on."

I walk inside and slip my hand in Stephanie's. We ride the elevator up and rejoin the party minutes before the New Year begins.

"5…4…3…2…1!" Cheers erupt all around us and I kiss Stephanie on the cheek. Camille comes up from behind Stephanie and the two begin to cheer. I look out the window and see Erika watching us from below. She runs off towards Main Street and I lunge towards the window, wanting her to turn around and see she needs to come back.

But it's too late. I've lost her again.