Kendall's POV

We drove in silence to the beach, holding hands the entire time. It still felt like a dream, I couldn't believe that Sophie was here. I tried my hardest not to stare at her, but it was too hard. The sun was hitting her just right, I swear it looked like she was glowing, I was so in love with her, I couldn't believe it. I had finally decided I was going to tell her; that's what Logan and I were talking about when she walked through the door. I was so glad I didn't have to tell her over the phone.

I pulled into a parking space and led her to a remote location. I had been coming here a lot to think about her, and now I could share this secluded spot with her. Hardly anyone came to this part of the beach, and I was more than fine with her. I loved the look in her eyes as she took in the natural beauty, the way she laughed when she put her feet in the ocean for the first time, and the way her lips felt again mine. We sat by the water's edge and didn't say anything for a long time. We just sat there together, enjoying each other's company. I was the first to speak. "I'm so glad you're here, Soph. I've missed you so much."

She smiled. "I've missed you too. I was so stoked when Sadie agreed to come along with me, although she's probably pissed for me leaving her at the studio."

"I'm sure she's fine. Carlos text me and told me they were going to take her for lunch and to go sightseeing, and wanted me to tell you 'thanks for the hookup, she's beautiful.' They said we are all just going to meet back at my place for dinner and maybe a movie night."

"That sounds like fun." She looked at her watch. "Although I do have to be at the hotel to check in before five."

I was shocked. Even though I hadn't known she was coming, I had assumed she'd be staying with me. I had more than enough room. "You're staying in a hotel?"

"Well I have to stay somewhere, Kendall. Unless you want me sleeping on the street."

"No, it's just." I was getting frustrated that my words were getting jumbled. I paused and took a deep breath. "How long are you here for?"

"Ten days."

I shook my head. "You are not staying in a hotel for that long, it will cost you a fortune!"

"Then where do you suggest I stay?"

"With me." The look on her face told me she hadn't been expecting me to say that. I grabbed her hands and said, "Look, Soph, if you're only here for a week and a half, I don't want to spend a single minute apart from you. I'm sure Sadie will understand. Plus, I have more than enough room for the both of you to stay. I don't expect you to sleep with me, but I want you to stay at my house." I swallowed hard, and before I was able to stop them, the words were out of my mouth. "I love you so much, Sophie and I want to spend as much time as I can with you before we have to be apart again."

She definitely hadn't been expecting me to say that. I could see the tears form in her eyes. "You… you love me?" All I could do was nod. I was nervous and scared; I had never been in love before. But I was one hundred percent sure I was in love with the beautiful girl in front of me. "Kendall… I've been so scared to tell you. That's the whole reason I came out here, and I was worried you didn't feel the same." She smiled, an amazing smile that told me she was truly happy. "I love you too. I am so in love with you that it hurts me to be apart from you. This last week has been absolute hell and I hate being without you. I'm SO relieved that you love me."

I couldn't believe it. This girl that I hadn't even known two months ago, that had put all of her trust in me, and was the best thing that had ever happened to me, was in love with me. I felt my heart soar and I knew right then that I had never been so happy in my entire life. We walked back to the car, and I didn't want our day to end. She had text Sadie, and she agreed to stay at my house. One thing to make my life a little easier. I couldn't wait to spend time with her best friend and show her how good for her I was. Sophie had told me that Sadie had never liked Charlie, and now was my chance to prove that Sophie was happy.

We met up with the guys and all headed back to my place. James and I made dinner for everyone, and we all got to know each other a little better. I couldn't help but notice Carlos couldn't stop staring at Sadie and she didn't seem to mind. The girls told us about all the trouble they used to get in when they were little, and how they were practically sisters. I looked around, completely understanding what they meant. I had two biological brothers, but sitting in this room, I had three more. We told them about the pranks we all pulled on each other and the crew, and somehow the upcoming tour got brought up. I know she'd never admit it, but I could see the sadness in Sophie's eyes. I didn't want her to think about me being on the road; I didn't want her to be sad. She braved through it, and I figured I'd just talk to her about it later.

James and Logan said goodnight, and Carlos decided to stay behind. He and Sadie were in the living room watching a movie while Sophie and I were sitting at the kitchen table. "Don't think about it."

She looked up. "Don't think about what?"

"Tour. Me being on the road, me being gone. All of my fans that I'll meet. I don't want you to think about any of that."

"I can't help it, Kendall. I thought I was ready for it, but I'm not. All of those gorgeous girls throwing themselves at you, begging you to take a picture, begging for an autograph. Whose to say you won't fall for one of them?"

"I say so. I told you before and I'll tell you a million times more if I have to: They aren't you. I want you, Sophie. It's you I'm in love with. I promise you."

Sophie did her best to smile, still not convinced by what I was telling her. "I guess so."

I kissed her forehead. "Don't think about it. I don't want it to ruin our time together. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Besides, I have a surprise for you."

She arched her eyebrows. "Oh yeah, what kind of surprise?"

"The best kind." I smiled, hoping she was going to like the news I delivered. "Here's the thing. This second album, we all wanted to be hands on. We each had written a few songs separately and collectively."

"Kendall, you told me all this at the cabin."

"I know. But here's what I didn't tell you. Altogether we had about thirty songs we had to chose from. Some of our favorite songs, ones we worked really hard on, didn't make the cut. A few nights ago when we talked, I really wanted to tell you, but I was going to wait until you got the album."

She shook her head. "Sweetheart, I'm still confused."

I went and grabbed the song list. "As a band, we really pushed for some of our songs. The studio also had final say, but we are all very proud of how this album is turning out. Take a look."

Her eyes scanned the paper, and I could still see the confusion on her face. That's when she saw it. I could see the recognition hit her eyes. "Kendall…" When I had played it for her, I hadn't given her a title, just the song itself. She was looking at a rough draft of what the album would look like, with no particular order. She was looking at what had been the first time I had ever poured my heart out to her. It held the memory of our first kiss, when she felt like she could truly trust someone. I had finally given the song a name, and was in love with the girl I wrote it for. There, toward the bottom of the sheet, was the song I wrote for the most beautiful girl in the world. I could feel my heart well as she read aloud. "You're Not Alone." Sophie looked at me with a loving gaze. "It's perfect, Kendall."