Here's the first official chapter! I hope you all enjoy the beginnings of the action in the story, things will get really interesting from here on out. RxR, tell your friends about the book! Once again, if you haven't read 88 Keys, you really should to understand some of the action in this story. Sending love your way!

-Bengee

CHAPTER ONE

Logan tiptoed down the dimly lit hallway in his pajama pants and t-shirt. Carlos loved to keep the air-conditioner on full blast. Even though it was the middle of June, Logan had to admit, it felt freezing. He looked down at his phone and clicked the screen, a bright 2:38 glowed in white over a picture of the four of them—a picture they had taken when they first arrived at their apartment complex: The Palm Woods. It was a relatively nice place. Kendall and Carlos's parents pay for their place, while the boys paid for food and services on their own savings considering none of them had a job yet. After all, it had only been two weeks—they were still learning the city.

San Francisco was a lot bigger than Logan had thought. The size of the city made Logan feel somewhat alone, though he realized how ludicrous this idea was. Here he was with his boyfriend and his best friends in their own apartment thousands of miles away from home. He felt relived, knowing most of his problems were behind them.

Except for the nightmares. They continued to follow him. Which explains what Logan was doing right now. He knocked on Kendall's door quietly.

"H-hey, Kendall…are you awake?" he whispered close to the wooden door. After pausing for what felt like an eternity, the door opened up, revealing Kendall in his boxers. Despite the situation, Logan had to admit to himself, his boyfriend was sexy.

"Another nightmare?" he asked, clenching his eyes shut before opening them again. Logan nodded. Kendall grabbed his arm and pulled him into his room. "Come on, let's go to sleep babe."

Logan stepped on the clothes which covered the floor while he climbed into the bed. Kendall wasn't the cleanest tenant. The taller boy climbed into bed next to him and wrapped his arm around him, pulling Logan onto his chest. Logan laid his arms across Kendall's shirtless body, feeling his warm skin against his arms. Immediate relaxation fell over Logan.

"You know, you could just move into my room," Kendall said, kissing his boyfriend's forehead as he wrapped them in his big comforter and sheets.

"Kendall, you know I don't want to. Moving into the same apartment is fine, but the same room? That's a little too fast for me," Logan admitted. Even though it was almost pitch black in the room, Kendall knew his lover was blushing.

"Baby, look at me," Kendall said, catching his boyfriend's eyes. "This is the third time in two weeks you've come to sleep with me. We haven't even had sex yet, Logan. I'm pretty sure I can't rape you with oral sex or making out," he joked, causing Logan to laugh. "Plus, I'm half-naked right now and you know I won't be able to resist boning you in the morning when I wake up."

Logan giggled and covered his mouth. It was funny, but so true. The two had been dating for over six months and had been through what felt like everything together, but they hadn't crossed that bridge yet. They'd fool around, have a little oral, but Logan was always nervous about going further, even though he knew Kendall wouldn't hurt him. Besides, Kendall was fully experienced in that field.

"Can we just sleep, please?" Logan asked, burying his face into his boyfriend's shoulder. "Goodnight, Kendall."

"Night love."

The next morning, Carlos and James were in the kitchen having an interesting discussion.

"CARRRRLOOOSSSSSSSS," James groaned, making a signature puppy-dog face at his friend. "Please, just one? I won't ask for anything else!"

"But James, I don't like doing it," he replied, pouting.

"For me?" James smiled.

After a long moan and a sigh, the Latino succumbed to his friend. "Fine. We can go shopping."

"YES!" James hollered, grabbing his friend and pulling him into his lap into a hug. Carlos had grown used to this closeness between them the past few months. Kendall and Logan had been all lovey-dovey, why couldn't he get closer to James?

He had to admit, however, something was growing inside of him towards James. Lately, he had found himself stealing longer glances at the boy, thinking more about his smile, his perfect tan, his chiseled features. But so what? That didn't make him gay. Besides, James wasn't interested in him—that was obvious. But little did Carlos know that James was thinking the same thoughts.

Carlos looked at James, biting his lip. He felt himself moving closer to him as he examined James's lips. They were perfectly sitting on his face, no cracks or dryness whatsoever. James leaned up suddenly and, in a swift moment, kissed the Latino. The kiss wasn't slow, it was quick and not at all romantic, but they both enjoyed it. They sat there, Carlos on James's lap, for a few minutes just looking at each other. Carlos stood.

"That was…good," Carlos said, blushing and looking away from the other.

"Let's not talk about it again, okay?" James said, turning his chair around and rolling down the hallway, leaving Carlos just standing there. "Let's just go to the mall another time," he said as he rolled away flatly, without any emotion. Carlos felt confused and angry, but above all he felt rejected.

James rolled into his room and closed the door. He pushed himself up out of his chair and sat down in the bed, a routine he was used to doing by now. He sat there and looked down at his lap, thinking to himself. Why did I do that? I…I can't do this again. Not with Logan and not with Carlos. Besides, he isn't gay! But…he did say the kiss was good, he thought. I'm not dealing with this shit. I'm going out. James threw himself into his chair and rolled out of their apartment. The world was thrown off balance, and nothing could set it back in place like hard liquor and time.

Kendall sat on the couch in sweat pants and an undershirt watching the Blackhawks dominate in hockey. Carlos was next to him, too busy reading items on his phone to pay any attention to the game. This, Kendall noted, was surprising. It had been two days since his incident with James, and the three boys hadn't seen their tan friend much since then. He had done everything possible to avoid them. Carlos didn't mind much. The less he saw of James, the better.

"What's up with you, dude?" Kendall asked, muting the television and punching his friend playfully. "Something bugging you?"

"Oh, no, everythings good," he responded, not making eye contact.

"We've been best friends for over nine years bro, I know when you're upset. Talk to Daddy Kendall," he said, winking and making an obnoxious face so humorous Carlos couldn't resist a chuckle from escaping his lips.

"I just…when did you realize you were gay?"

The question stunned Kendall. He wasn't sure. Somewhere between being raped freshmen year and meeting Logan senior year, he found out the inevitable: he liked dick. But why was Carlos asking? Was Carlos considering being gay? "Um, I'm not entirely too sure. It's just…with Logan, things felt right."

"Aw, y'all are so cute, too," Carlos said. "And annoying as hell sometimes."

"Shut up, it's just..I dunno. Don't tell Logan I said this, but things just make sense with him, you know? I was able to forgive him getting with James because I realized how much I loved him. So, it really isn't that I'm gay, just that I'm in love. Why are you asking?"

"Oh, no reason. Just curious." Just like that, their conversation had ended, leaving more questions unanswered than not.

Things in this household were just beginning to shake up.

I hate the first few chapters in a book, the action is always dragging. But I like this chapter and I'm hoping things go well from here.