Undying Love

Recap:

Kendall thought long and hard about what he was going to do. Could he really forgive James, after all that he'd done? He missed James too; who wouldn't miss James? But he purposely came on this outing to get his mind off of James, and this was well, fucked up luck for him.

"I'm sorry, James, but I'm not really the one that you need to be apologizing to…and I really don't want anything to do with you right now."

Chapter 11 – Letting Go

~ THE NEXT DAY ~

Kendall and Carlos were currently returning to the Palm Woods from running some errands. Kendall and Jo enjoyed a day together yesterday, despite the words exchanged between Kendall and James at the ice cream parlor.

Carlos felt a buzzing in his pants pocket, and he reached into it and pulled it out. He realized that it was his mother, and he quickly accepted the call, not wanting to feel the wrath of his mother if he didn't answer his cell phone.

"Hola, mama," Carlos said into the phone.

"Hola, mijo," replied his mother in her thick Dominican accent. The mere sound of his mother's voice could put a smile on Carlos' face any day of the week, he loved his mother especially much. "How have you been?"

"I'm doing good, mama. The band is doing great and everything. We should be releasing a new EP very soon I believe."

His mother made an excited sound. "I cannot WAIT to purchase it, mijo! Well, anyway, I just wanted to tell you that because your father and I miss you soooo much, we're paying you and the boys a visit this weekend!"

Carlos dropped the phone to the floor in shock.

He had never revealed to his parents of his sexual orientation…

…and they were coming to visit him.

"What's wrong, Carlos?" Kendall asked, noticing the look in Carlos' eyes.

Gustavo had not been hesitant to constantly remind the boys that for their next EP, they would be writing a song each. Logan fiddled with his pencil in his lap as he watched reruns of That 70's Show. He'd tossed at least twenty crumpled up failed lyrics on the floor attempting to write his respective song. He knew he wanted to write a song about something else other than love and romance, given that the band's last album consisted mostly of that. Then it came to him – friendship. He could write about the guys, and everything they all meant to each other.

Or what they used to mean to each other.

Before the Carlos and Logan drama started.

Logan always had the uncanny trait of finding a way for every situation, no matter how much he was innocent, to be his fault, and that was exactly what his mind had done. He blamed himself for the band becoming so loose…

He heard a BANG in Kendall and James' room and decided to take a break and go see what was going on, so he walked in the bedroom only to see James packing away his items into suitcases and travel bags.

"Wait, James, where are you going?" Logan asked. Despite what James did, Logan still felt for James as a friend. He didn't know if he could forgive him, but he couldn't deny their history. He only wished that Carlos wasn't as thick-headed when it came to the situation.

"I rented out my own apartment," James shrugged. "I know I'm not wanted here and I can't keep taking up space at Camille's, so I got my own place."

"James, you don't have to leave," Logan said. But he knew that James was thinking along the right route. While he and Kendall might be able to put aside James' previous actions and live with him, there was no way James and Carlos could be in the same apartment and not get into either an argument or fight again. Logan hated to think that, because at one point, James and Carlos' friendship was impeccable. Logan felt like he was the cause of all of this, if he'd never felt for Carlos, none of this would have happened.

"Logan, you know as well as I do that this is what I have to do," James looked him dead in the eye. "Thanks for at least talking to me without even an ounce of hatred in your voice."

"It's no problem," Logan said. "You…you take care, James…"

"I will," James replied. "And now that I'm gone…I'm sure you and Carlos will be much happier."

"I'm going to miss you, James," Logan said. "I'm sorry, too."

"Sorry for what? You're not at fault in this, I am," said James.

"I think I know why you did what you did…and that's why I'm sorry. We should have been more considerate."

"It means a lot to me that you understand, Logan," James replied, "But still, you don't have to apologize. I'm sorry I did what I did, because not only did I hurt my three best friends, but I also drove a wedge in the band."

James took a deep breath and extended his hand to Logan. "Well, I should be off, Logan."

Logan looked at James' hand and started to tear up. "James, cut the formalities. You're like my brother. Give me a hug, man."

James smiled genuinely and hugged Logan in a brotherly hug. Logan started to let tears drop and he whispered, "I forgive you, James, I do."

James held back tears when he heard Logan's words of forgiveness and the two stayed in the position for a while before James politely broke it and grabbed his bags, walking towards the bedroom door.

It was coincidential that Kendall and Carlos happened to walk in at the same time as he was making his leave.

"Oh…hey, James…" Kendall said, though it came out very stuffy and awkward.

James acknowledged that Kendall at least greeted him, because Carlos didn't even recognize his presence until he noticed James just standing there. "You…" Carlos gritted.

"James…your bags…where are you…?" Kendall said slowly, paying attention to the load of luggage James had.

"I'm leaving the apartment," James shrugged. "I got my own place…so I'm not just soaking up you all's space."

"Good," spat Carlos uncaringly. "Because that's exactly what you were doing. I've been hoping you'd just fuck off for a while now."

Carlos' words were so cold that even Kendall had to step back from the mere bitterness. James was used to Carlos' cold attitude towards him, but he still felt a pang of hurt whenever Carlos did it.

Logan burst out of the bedroom. "Carlos, stop being suck a fucking dick to him!"

James turned around, shocked Logan was protecting him. Kendall did the same, he didn't expect this out of Logan. Carlos just turned his bitter disposition towards his boyfriend.

"Why are you protecting him, Logan?" Carlos said emotionlessly.

"Because I'm not thick-headed like you are," Logan replied. "I actually know and forgive James for what he did. You refuse to even consider it and thus you're the one that's a douche right now, not him."

"The both of you can shove it for all I care," replied Carlos angrily.

"STOP IT! STOP IT, BOTH OF YOU!"

Everyone looked at James, who was now standing by the door, shaking as he held his luggage and his face red with anger.

"I'm not going to be the cause of you two having a rift in your relationship again. You two are the most beautiful couple I've ever seen."

Carlos started to say something, but James cut him off.

"And futher more, I'd like all three of you to listen to me on this, and listen good. I want you all to know that I'm extremely sorry for what I did. It was cruel and heartless and no excuse can be made by me that is capable of winning your forgiveness. I hope you find it in your hearts to forgive me one day, but I completely understand if you decide never to. You guys are my best friends, and nothing will ever change that. I love you guys so much…I guess I'll be seeing you guys around, then…" James left his heartfelt apology with his friends, grabbed his stuff, and moved out, closing the door behind him as he let the tears fall from his face.

End of chapter 11.

Please review!