A/N: I legit spent most of the afternoon trolling my best friend (who shockingly hasn't killed me...we'll see what happens after this is posted...) so if there are any misspellings in this, I'm sorry.

Some people asked about how Carlos and Camille met, and I answered them, but for those of you who were wondering and didn't ask, they basically just met on a messageboard, much like how Camille and Kendall met, but Carlos never hid who he was. They exchanged messages, IMs, Skyped, the whole deal. So there ya go.

Ummmm...I can't think. Nothing new there...Welp, the usual covering my ass nonsense. Tumblr is property of that creepy David Whatshisface. Seriously, he is creepy and I will not reblog him. Bitters and Lucy are property of the BTR show and Nickelodeon. More cute platonic Kenlos and Carlos actually has a moment in this that made me laugh when I saw it in my head. Well, a couple actually. Gotta love the 'Litos.

Oh! And if you didn't know/haven't checked it out, I made a page for all the fanart manips people have created for this over on my Tumblr. Feel free to check 'em out, cause they're pretty damn cool :D

Anyhoo, enjoy. I think that's it. Um.

Live long and prosper!

School. Fucking. Sucks.

It's a fact of life, a lesson Kendall had learned several times over the past twelve years. It was so boring, monotonous, unchanging, whereas he felt like he'd turned into a completely different person over the summer.

And it wasn't that he hadn't been aware of his shift in demeanor and personality, it just seemed all the more obvious when he parked in the same spot as always, in the same lot, watching the same faces walk up to the same school building. Everyone was smiling, laughing, hugging, glad to see friends they'd missed over the summer, excited to share stories of whatever the fuck they did during vacation, happy to be around those they cared about and had fun with. And, yeah, Kendall was never one to giddily tell tales of what happened during summer break or hug friends or bounce around, he hadn't been for a while. But sitting in his car, staring out at the other students, he felt even more like an outcast than usual.

Thank fuck he was graduating in ten months.

'Course that didn't help him at that moment. He was stuck in this jail, counting down the days 'til his parole.

Letting out a harsh sigh, he killed the engine, pulling the keys out the ignition. He so didn't wanna be there, didn't wanna be anywhere really.

Okay, there was a place he wanted to be at, but he was ignoring that desire and the thoughts that came with it. The triple-X dream he had the night before was bad enough.

"You all right?"

His best friend's voice cut into his reverie, reminding him he wasn't alone. Turning his head, he saw Carlos in the passenger seat, worried expression on his face as he looked at the blond.

Kendall didn't feel like getting into it. Despite the confessions of the day before, the shorter male still had no clue exactly how deep the taller was in with the pop star. And he wasn't about to make that known.

So instead, the blond just rolled his eyes. "I'm at school. The fuck do you think?" With that, he unbuckled his seat belt and got out the car, signaling that the conversation was over.

But Carlos was never really one to take hints, continuing to talk as he got out the other side and closed the door. "I meant after everything yesterday."

The taller teen stared at his best friend over the top of the car for a long moment before opening the back door and grabbing his backpack. "Fine."

"You're lying."

"Let it go, 'Litos."

"Since when do I let things go?"

Dude had a point, Kendall had to admit as he shut the door, bag slung over a shoulder. Looking over the roof of the car once more, he met his friend's dark eyes. "I really am fine. I'm done with all that shit, moving on, over it." He locked the car up before walking towards the hood in the direction of the school.

The Latino caught up quickly, his own backpack slung over his left shoulder as he walked on the blond's right. "Really? 'Cause I don't believe you."

"That's your deal." He didn't bother looking down at his friend, kept facing forward as he continued on his way to Alcatraz High.

"Bet you haven't even changed your cell background."

"Have fun being wrong."

Before Kendall even knew what was happening, Carlos moved in front of him, hands in the pockets of the taller male's jeans. His green eyes went wide as he let out a "Whoa!", trying to pull the other male's hands out as he scanned the parking lot, hoping like hell no one was witnessing this. Carlos may have been out and proud, but Kendall wasn't, only his family and closest friends aware of his sexual orientation. The Latino getting handsy in his pants in such a public place would definitely change that.

He finally managed to remove his friend's hands from his pockets, but not before the shorter male had taken hold of his phone. Dark eyes went wide as they shot up from the screen to the taller male, lips parting in shock.

"I didn't lie," Kendall pointed out before Carlos could utter a surprised syllable. And technically, the blond was right. He had changed his iPhone background. From James looking into his eyes as he sang that song, to the close-up of the singer's hand covering his.

Carlos' face was one of complete unamusement as he looked up at his best friend, the 'really, bitch?' going unsaid. He didn't fight Kendall when he took his phone back, but kept the serious expression on his face. "That is getting over him."

"Like I said," the taller male started, shoving his phone in his left pocket before adjusting his backpack strap over his right shoulder. "I'm working on it."

"Don't know why you are. Dude clearly wants you."

"Yeah, we're not having this discussion again," Kendall stated before continuing on his way to the school building.

Carlos kept up, like before, sticking by Kendall's right this time. "I'm being serious."

"So am I. The guy walked out on me, just left without a word. If that wasn't a huge fuckin' sign he's not into me, then I dunno what is."

"Maybe you're just misinterpreting what happened," the shorted male suggested, the bounce back in his step, the hope fully evident in his voice. "Maybe he had to go do something real quick or was tryna buy more time for you guys. He might've been coming back, but you'll never know 'cause ya left."

As badly as the taller male wanted that to be true, as much as his heart wanted it to be real, he knew deep down that it wasn't the case. So instead, he just snorted in disbelief, before replying. "No way. Not with how he acted when he left."

A sad smile formed on the dark-haired male's face, sympathy pulling at the corner of his lips. "Well, I'm still holding out hope for you guys."

"Don't know why," the blond stated as he opened one of the glass doors and opened the school building, his best friend right behind him. "Not like there's a chance of anything else happening. He didn't ask for my number, my e-mail, nothing. Clearly he wasn't interested in anything beyond a one-time thing."

"But you left be-"

"He left," Kendall interrupted, clarifying the situation.

"But what if-"

"No 'what if's," he cut in again, not caring about being rude. As usual. "Just let it go, 'Litos."

"Let what go?"

The sudden appearance of a female voice had both Kendall and Carlos stopping, the two of them looking to the taller male's left. There stood Lucy Stone, new red streaks in her dark hair, almond shaped eyes rimmed in black, ever present leather jacket covering her torso. Her arms were folded over her chest, eyebrows raised in expectation, hip cocked. Pretty obvious she wasn't moving until she got an answer.

Too fucking bad for her.

Kendall cocked an eyebrow as he looked down at his petite friend. "If I'm telling him to let it go, what the fuck makes you think I'm gonna tell you?"

Her brown eyes slightly narrowed in contention. "So you're keeping it from me?"

"Yep."

She rolled her eyes before adjusting the strap of her messenger bag as it started down her shoulder, keeping her hand on it. "Speaking of keeping away," she started, seeming to be changing the subject. "Where the hell have you been all summer?"

Shit. His moody depressive behavior over the summer had caused him to ignore pretty much everyone—except Carlos, who was literally impossible to not pay attention to. He probably should've known there'd be questions about his disappearing act over the past couple months, but, once again, he'd been so wrapped up in his James Diamond Mopefest that he hadn't noticed or thought about anything or anyone else.

Selfish dick, much?

Although that wasn't exactly anything new.

But still.

Kendall kept his face flat as he easily thought up a lie, his expert poker face going to work. "Was busy with work." He saw Carlos roll his eyes in his peripheral vision but ignored it. Wasn't like he was about to tell Lucy the truth. He'd only known her a couple years and most likely, she wouldn't understand. If anything, she'd give him shit for being hung up on some guy like a pussy. Worse if she knew who that guy was.

So yeah, he was keeping his mouth fucking shut on that one.

The look on her face was pure skepticism, not seeming to fully buy his bullshit. And as she parted her painted lips and got ready to speak, another male voice beat her to it.

"Ah, Mr. Knight."

Kendall turned his head to see Principal Bitters standing there, authoritative smirk on his entitled face. This dick didn't seem to have changed over the summer either, except for a few more inches of girth around his midsection. He even still had the same straight outta the '80s glasses on his fat face.

"First day hasn't even started yet and you've already violated one of the rules," the curly haired chubster stated. "I guess this year will be just like the past three."

Kendall cocked an eyebrow at the elder male. "What are you talking about?"

"No hats during school hours."

"School hours haven't started yet."

The smirk disappeared from the principal's face as he glared at the problem student. "Remove it, or I'll do it for you and add it to my personal collection."

The blond scrunched up his face. "It's not really your style."

Bitters pointed a finger up at him, standing a couple inches shorter. "Knight, I'm wa-"

"Relax," Kendall cut in, pulling his beanie off his head. "At your age and weight, you really need to watch the stress or you'll give yourself a coronary."

The principal straightened his dark blue blazer, still glaring, before pointing at the younger male once again. "This is your first warning. One more and-"

"Yeah, yeah, I know." He rolled his eyes, fully aware of what happened next. It occurred often enough over the past few years. Without another word, he walked off, heading in the direction of his home room class, vaguely aware that his two friends were following.

"So anyway," Lucy began after a long moment of silence shared between the three of them.

Kendall withheld a groan, hoping like hell she wasn't about to restart their previous conversation, not in the mood for any insistences of him being a liar or demands that he tell the truth.

"Guitar Dude's throwing a party this weekend." Yeah, definitely not their previous convo. "His usual 'Yay We Survived the First Week of Hell' kegger. If you can get away from work, it'd be cool to see you there. And I guess you can come, too, Carlos."

Kendall turned down another hall with them as he considered the invite. Going to a party and getting wasted was definitely something he did before the whole James bullshit, so attending would help him on his mission of getting back to being the Old Kendall. Not to mention getting drunk would allow him to forget about it all. And, yeah, he knew it would only be a temporary fix and not a permanent one, but he'd gladly take the blissful ignorance and accompanying hangover, no matter how short a time it would be.

"Yeah," he replied. "I'll be there."

"Awesome." She smiled up at him, seeming to be okay with him not hanging out during the summer, as long as he was gonna be around during the school year. "This is my home room. I'll see you guys later, okay?"

"Sure. See ya."

Carlos let out a weak 'bye' as she gave a smile and a wave, heading into a classroom on the left, the two men continuing to walk forward.

"I don't like them," the Latino muttered, pout on his face as he looked forward.

"Nothing new there," the blond responded, telling the truth. Carlos hadn't really been a fan of Lucy and Guitar Dude pretty much from the moment he met them, blaming them for changing Kendall into a metal head who got drunk and high, skipped school, quit hockey, and had a shit attitude. The taller male had told the shorter that it wasn't true, that he dropped the sport on his own, acquired a new taste in music by himself, changed his personality because of other reasons, and chance were, he'd probably find a way to get wasted alone, too. Lucy and Guitar Dude just made it easier.

Still, Carlos didn't like them, whether it was due to him not believing what Kendall said or a simple clash in personalities, the blond didn't know. Didn't really care either. He was gonna keep hanging out with them anyway because he liked them, because he had fun with them, because he enjoyed their company. If Carlos didn't like 'em, it was too bad, but he had the choice to not tag along when the blond went to spend time with them.

But, being the loyal friend he was, the Latino kept hanging out with them, obviously never looking happy or like he was having fun. But he never once complained, never voiced his displeasure at being there. Fuck knew Kendall wouldn't keep quiet about that if the situation was reversed.

"I don't think you should hang out with them," the shorter male stated his opinion, voice timid, like he knew the taller guy didn't wanna hear any of that shit, but he needed to say it anyway. "I just don't think it's a good idea."

"'Litos, I already have a mom who won't keep out my shit. I don't need another."

Carlos nodded. "I know. I'm just looking out for ya."

"Yeah, I know. And you don't have to go on Friday if you don't wanna."

"I'll go," the dark haired teen informed, turning his head to look up at his taller friend. "If for no other reason than to make sure your drunk ass gets home in one piece and help you sneak in."

An amused smirk spread across Kendall's face, dimples forming, as he slung an around around his shorter friend's shoulders. "You're a good pal, 'Litos."

That got him a wide grin in return, that sparkle back in his eyes. "Yeah, well, I figure James wouldn't appreciate you getting in a wreck and dying before he got the chance to officially ask you to be his boyfriend," he stated as he turned and headed into the class on the right, Kendall stopping and letting his arm drop.

The blond stood in the hall, staring after his dark haired friend, watching him enter the room. "I take that back," he started a brief moment later, finally getting his legs to work and following his short pal in. "You're a dick."

Carlos just giggled, further proving his point.

Kendall knew going on Tumblr would be a huge fucking mistake. After all, there was a reason why he'd avoided it the day before. But with a James Diamond show having taken place in Indianapolis the previous night, he figured it would be safe, that his dash would be free of "OMG KENDALL WAS AT THE ST. PAUL SHOW!1!1!" posts.

He was wrong.

First fucking thing to show up when he clicked onto the website after school was a photo of himself in the crowd, James' palm on his chest, dazed look on the blond's face. His eyes were half-lidded, lips parted, and he wondered if he'd appeared the same way in the dressing room.

The caption under the pic read 'James and Kendall, St. Paul' and the date, someone else adding 'LOOK HOW HE IS TOUCHING KENDALL OMFG I CAN'T!', followed by a 'Forever reblog, EVERY time it's on my dash.'

From Camille.

Bitch.

The tags were worse, statements of 'I ship them so hard', 'you guys don't even know how bad!', 'my OTP is FLAWLESS!', all lining the bottom of the post. None of those were okay.

Neither was how fucking good James looked there.

Or how Kendall was reblogging, copying and pasting those into the text area, and adding his own 'same' comment.

Fucking. Masochistic. Bastard.

Smearing a hand over his face, his exited his internet browser, closing his laptop before getting up. Dinner would be ready soon—if it wasn't already—and he sure as fuck would rather stuff his face than deal with any shit on Tumblr.

He reached the kitchen right as his mom was pulling a baking pan out of the oven—one full of lasagna, judging by the smell—flipping the door up with her foot then fully closing it with her hip.

"Oh, hey, sweetie," she greeted him with a smile as she put the pan on top of the stove. Taking off the oven mitts, she grabbed a spatula and started cutting the food into squares. "I was just about to call you."

"Good timing then," he responded, setting about pouring himself a drink.

She simply smiled more as she dished out the food, carrying her and Katie's plates through to the dining room, leaving Kendall to bring his own. Garlic bread was already on the table and they all delved into their salads, silence taking over.

At least for a moment. 'Cause his mom had this annoying fucking habit of wanting them to actually converse during dinner, of taking an interest in their days and wanting to actually discuss it. Wasn't it bad enough they were forced to eat together?

"So. How was your first day of school?" Apparently not.

Kendall rolled his eyes, wondering why she bothered.

Katie went along with it, rambling about how her English teacher is a moron, how she was stuck with that creepy Sally girl in four of her seven classes, how bad she wanted to just go home and play Castle Smashers.

"Can I stay home for my birthday?" she asked, voice perky, face bright with hope. "It can be an extra present."

"Nice try, but no," their mom answered, before turning to the lone Knight male. "What about you? How was your day?"

Kendall snorted, cutting into his lasagna with his fork. "Same crap, different year," he replied, shoveling the food into his mouth.

"I hope that's just an expression and that this year really will be different," she stated as she reached for her glass. "Would be nice to not have to visit Principal Bitters once a month. I'm getting to know the receptionist a little too well and I can't afford to miss anymore work."

He just shrugged. Wasn't his problem.

"Kendall?" His name was a half-question, half-warning as she put her glass down, eyebrow raised at him. "Please tell me this year will be different and you won't be getting into any more trouble."

"Well, if this morning was anything to go by..." he trailed off, staring at his plate.

"Kendall!"

"What?" He snapped his head up to her. "Not my fault the Dress Code Nazi has issues with beanies."

A harsh sigh left his mom as she put her elbows on the table and her forehead in her hands, face turned towards her plate.

"It's seriously not even a big deal. I've done way worse," he pointed out before taking another bite.

"That's not the point," she replied before lifting her head, sweeping her red hair back from her face. "I was hoping that with it being your senior year, you'd cut the crap and behave, no more getting in trouble, no more visits to the principal's office, no more phone calls at work saying you got in a fight or didn't even show up. You'd get good grades, graduate, get into a good college, and quit giving me gray hair."

"I don't see any gray hair," Katie chimed in. Fucking suck up.

"Oh, sweetie," their mother smiled, placing a hand on her daughter's head briefly, rubbing her cheek before dropping it and turning back to her son. "I mean it though. You hadn't caused any problems or drama this entire summer and I was hoping it meant you'd turned over a new leaf and were going back to being the old, sweet Kendall you had been before you started high school."

He stared down at his plate as he repeatedly stabbed at the remnants of his lasagna, letting his mom's words wash over him. He knew he hadn't gone back to how he used to be—because it was never gonna fucking happen—knew his so called behavior was caused more by the fact that he was too depressed to go party, much less come home wasted at three am.

That shit was gonna change come Friday though.

"Well, I know how pissed you get when a promise is broken," he started, dropping his fork onto his plate and looking at his mom. "So I guarantee nothing about this year." Smirk on his face, he stood, gathering his dishes.

"Ohh, no," she objected. "Sit back down. We're not done talking."

"Can't. Homework," he lied easily, not hesitating to walk through to the kitchen. Dumping whatever he hadn't eaten into the trash, he quickly rinsed his plate and put it and his glass in the dishwasher before disappearing into his bedroom.

Shutting the door behind himself, Kendall went straight to his desk, slumping down onto his chair and opening his laptop. His masochistic tendencies were coming back and he soon found himself back on Tumblr.

'Cause the day hadn't been fun enough.

Camille had reblogged the photo he'd reblogged from her, adding a comment of her own.

'I don't care what anyone says or thinks, Kames is ENDGAME!'

He wasn't sure what was worse: the fact that they actually had a ship name, or the fact that he loved the sound of it.