I definitely titled the first chapter Epilogue instead of Prologue. Please, don't mind my occasional spazy moments. I will correct myself eventually. Thanks for all the reviews so far!

James had a date. And while this was nothing new, he found himself staring into the bathroom mirror primped, polished and shinning...yet filled with a sense of...dread? He shook himself a bit, watching as his hair still fell perfectly into place, and told himself to just snap out of it!

It had been like this for the last new dates he had been on. There had been nothing wrong with the girl, or the date, or anything really with the entire situation. He just kept kept feeling like there was something...wrong.

He shook his head and chalked it up to just feeling worn out by all the extra rehearsal work they had been doing to prepare for next months concert. And also feeling a little sore on his right arm from where Logan had punched him, hard, for not being a good look-out.

"What were you doing?" Logan hissed at him as Carols and Kendall walked out of the mall, out of ear shot and talking about a re-match for their impromptu air hockey tournament.

"I got bored so I was just browsing. I said I was sorry!" James's friends were blissfully unaware of his romance novel obsession, and he intended to keep it that way.

Logan just hit him again.

James sighed and leaned against the counter. If he was really, truly honest with himself, he hadn't been feeling any girl lately. For some reason, the thought of just hanging out with Carlos, eating pie and watching cartoons appealed to him more than any night with his current pretty girl of the week.

He wasn't sure if was the pie, cartoons, or Carlos...but he was beginning to wonder if the energetic Latin boy was the biggest reason for his change of heart.

Straightening up, he looked himself over in the mirror again. Either way, he had a date tonight, and that wasn't going to change no matter what his confusing feelings for his best friend were.

James walked out of the bathroom and sauntered over to the couch, jumping over the back and landing between Carlos and Kendall playing Mario Kart. Kendall was Luigi and Carlos was Bowser.

"Where's Logan?" James inquired, taking note of the empty seat next to Kendall. He was secretly worried that his friend might be avoiding him after letting him down today.

"He's in our room. On the phone with his parents." Kendall answered with a slight frustration in his voice, twisting his arms as he took a sharp turn. James could sympathize. No one quite knew what went on between Logan and his parents. It seemed every time he spoke to them on the phone, afterward he was often quiet and withdrawn, taking a long while to get back to his old nerdy self.

James could never got the image out of his head of when their own mothers came to visit, and how nervous Logan looked when his mother asked him for a kiss. One would think she had just asked him to kiss a monster.

Mrs Knight came over to them, wiping her hands on a dish towel. "Has he been in there long? I want to start serving dinner." She looked over at the closed door with a worried expression. She also knew how Logan's demeanor changed after speaking with his mother and father.

Kendall paused the game then tossed his controller over to James, who quickly picked up where his friend left off, and stood.

"I'll go and check on him." he said, kissing her quickly on the cheek as he passed by, heading towards their room.

Twenty minutes later, James had just thrown a banana at Carlos for a third time on their last lap on the Star Track when the door finally opened, revealing a worried Kendall with a tired Logan following.

"Katie, dinner." Kendall stated as he passed his sister sitting on a stool at the kitchens island, pulling her earphones out to let the loud Reggaeton music blare as she looked up from her DS at her brother.

"Have you been stalking Carlos's iTunes again?" James joked as he grabbed one of the earbuds and started bobbing his head to Pitbull rapping in Spanish.

"No," Katie lied as she hopped off the stool and grabbed her earbuds back, making her way to the dinner table and grabbing her seat next to her big brother.

"Hey!" Carlos stated as she passed by, and was about to say more when Mrs Knight put the lasagna on the table, stating, "Katie I don't want you listening to that music. There are a lot of inappropriate words and I don't want to be hearing them from you. Or any of you." She concluded, glaring at each boy.

Katie scoffed as Kendall and James held up their hands in mock surrender. Logan remained silent.

"Statistics say that the South American music market will globally be huge in just two years. I need to know who are the heavy hitters now if I want to get into that action. There will be just tons of newbies dying to make it big once they get here. Anyways, it's not like I can understand if they are even bad words or not." She muttered, scooping up some lasagna.

"I bet Carlos does." James earned a glare from the Latino boy. James got a little flutter in his stomach from Carlos regarding so intently him with his brown eyes, but quickly squashed it down.

"You are just trying to cause trouble today aren't you James?" Kendall said, sitting next to Logan and rubbing his back, looking at him nervously when he got no response.

The conversation continued in that joking, easy going flow all during dinner, with only Logan being quiet and picking at his food. James noticed Kendall and his mother sending Logan worried glances, but neither said anything, so James kept his mouth shut.

After dinner James sprang up out of his seat, twirled around, did his Jazz hands and said, "I'm off. Got a date."

Mrs Knight smiled as she gathered the plates. "That's sweet James. With who?"

At a loss for what the girls actual name was since he was distracted by Carlos bending over to put some pots away for Mrs. Knight, James answered, "Cute summer dress with curly hair...girl."

He knew his mother wouldn't be happy with him not knowing the girls name, given his romance novel training, but he couldn't help it. In his never ending quest for true love, all the girls he had dated had begun to blur together. In a flurry of tan skin, long legs and silky hair, he couldn't remember each girl if he tried.

But short, tan, ever eager and corn dog loving stood straight out in his mind.

Both Kendall and Carlos "ahed" in recognition, while Logan left the room. James figured whatever was bothering Logan, that was up to Kendall as the boyfriend to figure out. He on the other hand, had some romancing to do.

"See you guys later. I've got me some kissing to do tonight." He could only laugh at the chorus of 'ew's' that followed him out the door.

James shot up the stairs when the elevator was taking to long to reach the lobby. He had exactly 23 seconds before he broke curfew, and Mama Knight had made it clear the next time he did he was in T-R-O-U-B-L-E. Even though he would bet his latest Cuda hypo-exfoliating cleanser she would be in bed by the time he got there, she always somehow knew he was late. Every time.

He burst through the door just as his watched beeped 12:00 midnight, gasping for air, his lungs burning from his exertions. He turned to shut the door, then kicked off his shoes.

"Barely made it this time," a voice half-whispered from the dark. Startled a bit, he turned to where he heard the voice originate. James's eyes had to adjusted to the light before he realized it was Logan on the couch with a book on his lap and a flashlight in his hand.

Sliding off his jacket he walked towards the couch, he plopped himself down with a sigh. "What are you still doing up?"

Logan shrugged. "Couldn't sleep."

"What about Kendall?"

"What about him?"

It was James turn to shrug, none of his business, but he was curious about... "Why were you in such a bad mood at dinner?"

Logan looked away and mumbled something that James didn't quite hear, then replied, "Why are you such a bad look-out?"

James rolled his eyes at Logan, eventually taking note of the book in his friends hand.

"Astronomy: Galileo and Galaxies. I thought you already read that book?" James asked, opening the book to a random page.

Logan shrugged as he shifted a bit, settling more into the bright orange cushions. "Carlos asked to borrow it. He left it out here before bed. I just didn't feel like TV right now."

James flipped through the various pictures of the stars and galaxies, ignoring the long, complicated text next to each picture. Even though he wasn't a science buff like his friend, he had always loved stars and planets and anything night sky related. When Carlos and he moved into their room together, he had nervously asked he if he could put up glow in the dark stars on the wall, hoping his friend wouldn't think they were lame. Carlo, though, loved the idea and even helped him put them up.

He eventually gave the book back to Logan, who had been quiet since he last spoke.

James then stood, stretching a bit before starting to walk away. "Whatever dude. I'm beat. All that being awesome for cute girls really takes it out of me." He had only taken a few steps when...

"My parents want to come here to visit."

James stopped and turned back to Logan, confused. "So? Is that a bad thing? You're mom seemed pretty happy to see you when she was here last time."

Logan closed his book and stared at the cover. "I wasn't dating Kendall then."

It took almost ten full seconds for James to try to figure out what the problem was, until it him, hard.

"They don't know your gay do they?"

Logan didn't look up even as he shook his head.

James sighed. He was no good at comforting people, at all. No amount of sappy romances could ever make him a more helpful shoulder to cry on. Even though he had read countless stories where the hero or heroine would always have a helpful sidekick who always knew what to do, James always placed himself in the role of Hero, one who didn't need any help.

Fabio would have known what to do.

"Does...Kendall know?" James started, racking his mind to figure out the perfect words to help his friend. He may not be a helpful sidekick, but he was still Logan's friend and he would at least try to help him.

Logan nodded. "He thinks I should tell them. He says they will understand. But...not all parents are like his mom." He began rubbing the back of his neck, a nervous habit he'd had since 4th grade, "They won't understand James."

The severity of his tone and the dark, fearful look in Logan's eyes when he turned to him made James shudder a bit. His smart friend was normally such a negative Nelly, always nervous about everything they did. But now, his words were so...certain.

James sat next to Logan, silent for a bit while he thought best how to comfort his friend. Eventually he nudged him in the side with his elbow and asked, "Do you remember when I first found out you were gay?"

Logan let out a breathy laugh, burying his face in his hands with a groan. "God. How could I forget. You had that black eye for days."

Freshman Year of High-School...

James shrugged off his hockey jersey, wrinkling his nose in disgust at the smell of his sweat emanating from the multi-colored JV Wild Cats shirt.

Ever since Kendall became captain of their JV hockey team, he had been working them to the bone with drills and exercises after school ended. He had wanted them to practice on weekends as well, but the team had sent in their secret weapon, Logan, to change his mind. The entire team knew that Kendall had a weak spot for their egg-headed friend, and if anyone could talk Kendall down, it would be him.

It took almost an entire afternoon, but Logan had finally wore down their captain to leave Saturdays and Sundays open in exchange for a five day 2 hour practice during the week. Logan just told James later that he told Kendall he would have to quit hockey if he didn't have the weekend to catch up on his AP homework, and Kendall immediately agree to those terms.

Speaking of his smart friend, James turned to Logan and Carlos sitting on the bench of the locker room, Intro to Physics book open on his lap, Carlos's homework in one hand, and study sheet in the other. Carlos had a make up test tomorrow, one that if he didn't pass would keep him off the team, for the entire season. As their most effective goalie, that just couldn't happen.

"How's it looking?" Kendall asked as he walked towards the two, Logan looking up at him.

"He should be fine as long as he actually studies some more tonight and doesn't watch the Spongebob marathon instead." Logan finished his sentence by turning and glaring at Carlos, who bit his lip in nervousness.

"I promise." Carlos sighed, grabbing the papers and shoving them in his book, then standing and walking to his locker.

"You better. I'm going to stop by tonight just to make sure you are. And I won't even tell you when. If you're watching Spongebob, I'll have your dad lock you in a cell to make sure you study." Kendall instructed, following his friend as he continued his threats.

James smirked at the sight of his friends, then turned to Logan and noticed Logan doing something weird.

...He was checking Kendall out.

It was a brief moment, when Logan's eyes trailed up and down Kendall as he was shirtless and still wearing his bottoms to his hockey uniform, then it was gone, replaced with the mask that James by now knew that Logan had.

Logan didn't know that James had caught him, and James intended to make use of that later.

The next day, after school, James caught up with his friend who was waiting on the school steps, AP History of Europe book in his hands.

"Hey man, whats up?" James asked, turning his body to lean against the railing that was currently occupied by Logan.

"Nothing much. Just waiting for Carlos to find out how he did." Logan answered, closing his book to regard his friend.

"Cool. Hey...can I ask you a question without you getting mad?"

Logan flashed him a smile and said, "Of course. We're friends. Whats up?"

James took a deep breath and let it out in a rush. "Are you gay?"

Panic. Sheer panic flashed through Logan's eyes for a brief moment before it was replaced with incredulity by Logan. "What? What are you talking about? No...where would you ever get that idea?" Logan was gripping his text book hard and had turned to face away from James, his body tense with fear.

"I saw you...checking out Kendall yesterday in the locker room." James said, a bit worried now. Logan was breathing funny and wasn't looking at James any more.

"No. You're wrong. I wasn't...I...I got to go." Logan said and took off walking fast down the steps and away from the school.

Stunned at his friends sudden departure, James stood for a moment in shock, then took off after him.

Logan was heading towards a path through a small forest area that cut through to Logan's street. Logan must not have expected James to chase him, because he slowed down when he got to the path, and never saw his friend tackle him from behind.

"James!" Logan groaned, rolling to his side and pushing his friend off him. But James didn't let up, and instead pinned his shorter friend down, straddling his waist with his knees.

"Tell me the truth!" James exclaimed, trying to grab his friends flailing arms.

"I did! I'm not gay! I don't know where you got that crazy idea-" Logan yelled, twisting to get out from under his friend.

"You were checking out Kendall. Admit it. You like him! You-" James words were cut off by a lucky shot Logan got across James's face. James let out a groan and fell to the side, holding his eye.

Worried, Logan reached for his friend. "Oh my gosh I'm so sorry!" Logan began, trying to pull James's hand away from his face to inspect the damage, only to find himself moments later in a strong headlock by the pretty boy.

"Admit it!" James exclaimed, his bruise already turning blue.

"Arg. James!" Logan yelled, and twisted back and forth inside his arms. "Fine! I am. All right?" Logan yelled.

James let go which sent Logan flying to the ground. Breathing hard, James offered his friend a hand up. "Do your parents-" James began but Logan pushed him hard against his chest, sending James back a couple of steps, and said, "No. No one knows. And no one is going to know. Now drop it."

Logan bent down to pick up his back pack as James continued, "Dude its OK. Its not a big deal-"

But Logan stood up and got into James's face, and James could see the fear in his eyes again. "Just drop it. Please. If you bring it up again to anyone, even me, I will quit the team so fast and blame it on you, you'll be getting swirlies until you graduate." James gulped and ran a hand through his hair. Both boys knew without Logan the team would be doomed, and so would James's perfect hair record. No frizz since 2004. James nodded, and watched as his friend stormed away.

He could understand why he wanted to hide, but to hide from his best friends? James just shook his head and headed home, knowing he would need to come up with some excuse for the shiner on his eye.

At least the girls would think its hot.

"You were the only person who ever knew...until everything with Kendall started." Logan finished, looking up at his friend.

James nodded. He knew that every time Logan went to him for girl 'advice' or help getting a 'girlfriend', it was always secretly translated into 'help me seem less gay.' Logan was petrified of anyone finding out he was gay. He always explained that he worried how it would affect the band, his friends, his family. Even though James told him countless times that no one would care, Logan insisted on keeping it quiet until he was ready. James could never understand why, but then he never understood Logan that well.

Considering James has known his friends since they started hockey back when they were 8, he could say he was rather an expert in knowing how his friends tick.

Except Logan. Logan had always been...selective in what he let the world see.

Now James, he knew that Logan was sneaky. Not so much in the sense of his other friends, how they often used tricks and pranks that were outlandish and obvious to get out of trouble. Logan's sense of trickery was often a part of his personality James would forget about, then would randomly see that 'other' side of Logan when he least expected it.

Like, when they were new Freshman in high school and Matthew Parsons threatened to beat up Logan if he didn't do his Biology homework on the study of molecular cells. Matthew had seen and heard about Logan the 'science wiz' who was studying Junior level Physics by the time January had rolled around.

Logan flat out refused, and Matthew gave him a time and place, behind the gym after detention got out at 3:15, where Logan had better be for his lesson in giving Seniors respect.

By the time 1:30 rolled around, Matthew was found in the locker room bathroom on the second floor puking his guts out. He had to be taken home, and the fight was rescheduled. Two days later Matthew stalked into their high school, gunning straight for the smart boy, reminding them of their 'date'.

Matthew had barely made it past second period before he had broken out into a horrible rash. Rumors had it that he had to be taken to the hospital. James wasn't sure, but wouldn't have been surprised either.

Almost two weeks later Matthew came back to school, red and blotchy with murder his main expression. Logan was hardly surprised when he found himself up against a locker, Matthew growling that he wasn't going to get out of their deal this time.

James had been with Logan when this happened, previously hounding him for English Lit notes, the one class James excelled over Logan in, and was shocked to see that that Logan had barely blinked at Matt's words. He even regarded Matthew almost in a bored sort of way.

Matthew was taken out of school during lunch by two truant officers. Apparently an anonymous tip revealed marijuana hidden in his locker. It was barely enough to make an offense, but Matthew was forced to take Drug rehabilitation classes and was kicked off the soccer team.

He never bothered Logan after that.

Now, years later, James regarded his friend in the low light of his flashlight. He could see the wheels turning in that ridiculously smart brain of his, trying to figure out how to get out of this particular problem. James never knew how Logan pulled off all those tricks on Matthew, but he just knew that he did.

Granted, Logan didn't need to defend himself often. Kendall had always been protective of the boy, on the ice and in the school halls. James, Carlos, hell even Kendall's mother had known that the tall green eyed boy saw Logan differently than they did.

And, honestly, none of them were all that surprised when one morning, 4 months ago, Kendall had dragged Logan, who was desperately trying to run the other way, to his confused mother making breakfast and hurriedly exclaimed, "Logan and I are dating!" Even after Mama Knight had given them both hugs and blatantly told them she was OK with it, Logan still felt awkward around everyone sometimes when their relationship is brought up.

James wished he could help his friend, honestly. But he had no clue what to do. He wished his mother was here. She always had the best ideas, considering no one ever disagreed with them he wouldn't really know if any were better...

Of course!

"I have an idea!" James exclaimed, jumping up excitedly and grabbing Logan's shoulders to follow.

"Board the next plane to Peru to raise alpacas?" Logan answered, hope in his eyes.

"No."

The smart boy groaned and fell back to his seat.

"Its an even better idea." The glint of mischief in James's eyes made Logan wish he had never opened his mouth at all.

Thanks for reading! xoxo BA