Here's chapter 18 (: Oh and the last part, with the moms, that's an actual head canon I have. The Big Time Moms are totally onto their sons. I am convinced that happened and no one, not even Scott Fellows himself, can convince me otherwise.

o*o*o*o*o
Wherever you go,
go with all your heart.
-Confucius
o*o*o*o*

16 Years Old

Logan sighs and throws down the book he'd been attempting to read. Unfortunately, right now not even his favorite medical book can't distract him from what's going through his mind. A few hours ago Kendall had informed Gustavo Rocque (the scariest man on the planet if you ask Logan) that he would take him up on his offer to be a star in L.A.

But only if Gustavo took his three best friends too.

Logan groans and throws an arm over his face. James and Carlos, especially James, had jumped at the chance to accompany the blonde to L.A. Logan had been less enthusiastic about the prospect. Not only because L.A. and pop stardom weren't very high up on his list of things to do and places to go, but also because Kendall going to L.A. without Logan might finally put enough distance between the two boys that the brunette wouldn't have to worry about accidentally slipping up.

At fourteen he'd hardly understood why people at school and in town had hated the idea of Logan and Kendall being as close as they were. He'd simply recognized that it wasn't okay and stepped back, trying his best to ignore the sad, questioning glances the blonde had sent his way.

At sixteen he doesn't understand it any better. He understands his feelings much better though. And he understands that a boy who likes his best friend the way he is supposed to like all the pretty girls who giggle and pout cutely, is just going to cause them both problems. Kendall going to L.A. and Logan not going to L.A. seems like the perfect way to make sure the genius never causes the blonde any more trouble.

He's officially made up his mind about this and plans on informing his mother of his decision as soon as she gets home. She's currently at Kendall's house with the other three mothers, as they try and figure exactly how the whole thing should play out.

He pulls his legs up to his chest, hugging himself as he repeats his mantra. "I'm not going to L.A. I'm not going to L.A. I'm not going to L.A."

The problem with his decision to not go to L.A. is that it almost feels like it's causing him physical pain. Every nerve in his body and his heart are screaming at him as he tries to remind himself why he can't go to L.A. There seems to be a resistance to the very idea of him not going that's pulling in his chest so painfully that it makes him want to cry. It's all in his head, he knows, but that doesn't make it hurt any less.

Psychosomatic symptoms can be just as dehabilitating as real ones.

His phone rings suddenly, snapping him out of his thoughts. He smiles as he recognizes Kendall's ring tone and then frowns when realizes what he's going to have to do. He picks up his phone, accepting the call and pressing it to his ear.

"Hello?"

"Hey Logie!" Logan can hear the mile wide smile in his best friend's voice. "All the moms are in agreement! We're going to L.A.!"

The genius sighs. "Yeah, about that…Kendall listen. I'm not-"

"Yes you are." The blonde's tone is firm.

"What?" Logan blinks in shock. "No, I'm not-"

"You have to Logie. You're not leaving me. I won't let you." The shorter boy vaguely recalls the words from about a year ago, when he'd been wrapped in the blonde's arms, leeching heat from him like it would save his life, which-in retrospect-it probably had.

"But Kendall-"

"Tell me," Logan wonders briefly if he'll be able to get a full sentence out at least once during the conversation. "Tell me that it wouldn't hurt if you stayed. Honestly tell me you don't feel like you have to go with me and you can stay. And don't even think about lying to me Hortense Mitchell," the brunette gulps because Kendall only uses his real first name when he's deadly serious, "because you know I can always tell when you're lying."

Logan sighs, accepting defeat. "I can't."

"You're coming to L.A. with me, Logan."

"Yeah." He doesn't want to, but he can't help the smile that spreads over his face at his next words. "I am. How did you know I was going to say no?"

Kendall chuckles. "Because you're my best friend. I know you. Better than anyone."

"How did you know it was killing me to say no?"

There's silence for a few beats and when the blonde speaks next his voice is nearly a whisper.

"Because it was killing me that you might say not say yes."

-0-

Jennifer Knight looks at the three ladies who are probably her closest friends. Joanna Mitchell, Sylvia Garcia, and Brook Diamond all sit with her in her living room discussing the future of their children. Because L.A. is completely different from Minnesota and all four moms know that. And all four moms want their children to take this opportunity, but they also want them to still be the same four boys they'd raised to be good, kind hearted people.

"Well it's clear that Jennifer is the only one who can go with them. None of us can quit our jobs on such short notice." Sylvia says. "Plus, if anyone can keep all four of them in line, it's her."

The other women nod in agreement. As much as they would like to go with their boys, Jennifer's job as a waitress is the only one that would let her leave on such short notice, with little to no warning.

"This is the best option." Joanna agrees. "We'll miss our boys but this is a once in a lifetime chance and I'm proud of Kendall for making sure they do it together."

Jennifer turns to the slightly shorter woman. "I have to admit," she smiles at the one woman who is probably her best friend, "I'm surprised you're letting Logan go. You might be the one person more protective of them then my son is."

"Maybe." All four woman chuckle because they've all witnessed Kendall's almost ridiculous protective streak when it comes to his friends, especially the smaller bookworm. "But he'll be in four sets of good hands," she says referring both to Jennifer, Kendall, and Logan's other two best friends, who she knows would never let anything happen to her son. "Besides, I can't explain it, but something in my gut is telling me that this where Logan needs to be and what he needs to be doing."

Brooke raises an eyebrow at that. "In L.A.? Being a pop star? I thought you liked that he wanted to be a doctor."

Joanna shakes her head. "I do. I meant with Kendall. Being his best friend."

Jennifer chuckles. "That's true. I don't even know what Kendall would do without Logan." She says, knowing that her son at the bottom of the steps, listening intently to every word of their conversation.

"Exactly." Joanna agrees and the four women share a knowing smile, because their children might be blind, but they most certainly are not. "And far be it from me to be the reason we have to find out."