AN: Hello! Sorry for the one week break but due to the holidays I was travelling. I hope you understand. Thank you for the review and for reading. This chapter is a bit raunchy. There's nothing more than kissing but there's a party scence. I really enjoyed writing this chapter. I hope you enjoy it and please review. Thanks!

Salt Lake City proved to be beautiful. Picturesque mountains sat off in the distance and despite the rain, fans had been lined up outside the arena for hours. It was nearly time for the doors to open and I looked out the large window down at the people.

"They sure are dedicated aren't they?" I asked looking over my shoulder. "It's been raining for hours."

"Yeah, they're great." Logan agreed. "It's why we have the best fans ever. Is your new song coming out tonight?"

"That's the plan. I'm a bit nervous."

It had been a few days since our Vegas show where I premiered Colors. Having a new song come out so soon was stressful. But I was really driven to put out as much music as possible. The song I was singing tonight was edgier, grittier and if I was being honest, sluttier. At least that's how I wanted it to be viewed. Ever since Kendall and I got into a fight last week I was determined to wear the term 'slut' as a badge of honor. We had been operating in professional silence when we weren't onstage or doing an interview. I think he had finally come to understand the expression if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all. This was a blessing because I could finally focus on songwriting.

"It's a great song even Gustavo said so, it's going to be stuck in everyone's heads."

"Fingers crossed," I told him. "It's a bit dirty so I'm sure Saint Kendall will have something to say about it."

Logan gave a dry laugh. "I'm sure but he's rude. Just get up there and own it, you're a badass."

I turned from where I was making tea. "You know that's surprisingly helpful."

"I'm full of great advice." He nodded toward my cup. "What are you making?"

"Tea, the Elle Harper method. It's patent pending." I squeezed a few packets of honey and stirred. "It's black tea, a lot of honey and because you're cute I'll show you my secret."

He raised an eyebrow. "Your secret?"

"You add cold water so you can drink it sooner," I said pouring in the water. "See that way you have time before you go on stage."

Logan took a drink. "It's good, I'll take the secret to the grave."

"You can have that cup." I laughed as I made a second one. "My plan of not letting Kendall make me feel bad about myself is underway tonight."

"Oh really?"

"Yep. I'm going to show him that he won't get under my skin."

Logan clinked his cup to mine. "Cheers to that. It's going to be great."

By the time show time rolled around I was a flurry of nerves. I knew my new song was great but I worried about how it would be received. Colors and Night Like This were tame and the first line of this song was attention-getting. I was singing it right before my duet with Kendall so I was interested to see his reaction. The guys and I figured there would be no better way to show that he wouldn't get to me. I had just wrapped up a song when I took a drink of water.

"Salt Lake, I have a new song I want to play for you guys." The audience cheered loudly. "And I'm hoping you all like it."

The lights went down and I took a deep breath. I could see the guys standing at the side of the stage, they all gave me a big thumbs up. Kendall was watching with some interest, I flashed him a smile as the drums started. It had more of a rock sound to it.

"Everyone wants to know if we fucked on the bathroom sink." I ran my hand up my side and into my hair. "How your hands felt in my hair and if we were high on amphetamines."

My voice was sultry and the look on Kendall's face was priceless, I turned to the crowd. I sang about how Jett gripped my hips and they all freaked out, it was obvious it was about him. I swayed my hips as I sang, growing more confident with each line. The song was about Jett and how after the tape came out everyone was dying to know what actually happened. It was also about how Kendall assumed things about me based on it.

"I'm going to write it all down and I'm going to sing it on stage." I pointed to Kendall during the next line. "But I don't have to fucking tell you anything."

This song was empowering, what happened to me was awful but I was owning it. I was taking my life back and showing everyone what they thought didn't matter. I made sure to keep my dancing sexy as I moved around the stage. The fans really seemed to like it which made everything that much better.

"No, no, I don't have to fucking tell you anything."

Once I finished I took in the audience's reaction. They were all screaming and clapping it was rewarding just like the look the guys gave me. They were whooping from the side except for Kendall who laughed sarcastically.

"Thank you, I'm glad you liked it." I grinned at them. "Just like I know you're going to like my friend. Kendall get on out here."

Once he walked out his scowl turned into a smile, he waved at everyone as he joined me. I was quick to drape my arm around him, he was stiff but didn't show his irritation.

"What did you think of my song?" I batted my eyes. "It was the one I was working on that night on the bus."

We both thought of the way he had me pinned to the counter and how he seemed to get distracted. He cleared his throat and went a bit red.

"I thought it was pretty good. What did you all think?"

The crowd didn't notice our quiet feud or how he rolled his eyes.

"You're all too sweet," I told them honestly. "Well if you know this song sing along!"

We performed Night Like This without any trouble. Kendall made sure to interact with me every so often but kept a good distance between us.

"Kendall Knight everyone!" I gestured to him. "How good does he look tonight?"

He forced a laugh. "Elle c'mon stop."

"It's true," I smirked at him. "Aren't Kendall and his friends so great?"

There was a frenzy of screams and various cries as the fangirls answered my question. Kendall ground his teeth as a blush spread across his face.

"Thank you guys, we'll see you soon."

Kendall ignored me as he walked offstage and I secretly applauded myself, so far this was going well. I finished the rest of my set a while later. I had performed Colors once more and a few older songs. Each night the crowds seemed to get more enthusiastic. Once I came off stage my smile was wide but it fell when Kendall blocked my path.

"Excuse me."

He crossed his arms and stood his ground. He was sneering and looked down at me.

"What the hell was that?"

I pointed over my shoulder. "That's called the opening act, you're the headliner and this is called a tour," I said slowly. "I'm Elle and your name is Kendall."

He wasn't amused at my joke. "No, what the hell was that onstage? 'How great does Kendall look' the way you put an arm around me?"

"Well, we need to make the people think that I don't think you're misogynistic scum. It's called acting."

"It's called flirting." He raised his voice. "I have a girlfriend."

I shrugged. "Yeah well, I feel sorry for her."

Kendall groaned and rubbed his fists into his eyes. "Stop flirting with me and my friends. It's annoying."

I laughed and flipped my hair over my shoulder. "If I were flirting with you, you'd know."

"Knock it off." He told me. "I mean it."

I took my chance to breeze by him. "We'll see about that. Have a good show!"

During Big Time Rush's set I sang two songs with them, Count on You and I Know, You Know. So I never wandered too far from the stage so I would be there to hit my cue. Not that I minded watching them perform, but tonight I changed into a different outfit. It was gold and tight, it was the same outfit I wore in rehearsals a few weeks ago. It made my brown skin look even better and it was revealing. I smiled as the guys talked to each other on stage.

"You know what this next song needs?" Carlos asked. "I think it needs another voice, too bad we don't have another person."

"If only we had a super talented opening act." James chuckled.

That was my cue so I walked out and the audience cheered. "Hi boys. I hear you need another voice."

Logan, James, and Carlos were all aware of my plan to stand my ground with Kendall. They weren't surprised at my outfit choice or my blatant flirting but Kendall's eyebrows shot up when he saw to me. I could see him try to hide his disgust.

"Look who it is. Elle Harper everybody!" Logan introduced. "How great was she during her set?"

I waved as I fixed my inner ear piece. "Not as great as you guys."

Kendall gave me a smile like he had been instructed to. "How about you help us with this next song?"

"You can count on me." I joked, laughing at my pun.

Count on You was a fun song to perform. Jordin Sparks sang it originally with them but I got to cover it. Kendall and I started it off and I made sure to give him lots of grins and touch his arm. I could see him swallow his irritation as he sang his lines and when they were over he quickly moved away. We all sang the chorus and did the dance routine. Carlos, James, and Logan all sang with me and we all danced closely.

"Baby I'm counting on you." I snapped along. "I'm counting on you."

Once we finished the song we quickly launched into I Know, You Know. This time I interacted with the fans and touched their hands. No matter how annoyed I was with my tour mate or what was going on behind the scenes, this tour was about the fans. I only had one verse during this song, and when it came time to sing it I turned around to smile at the guys.

"I've got a big-time crush on you." I gave a wink as I walked back across the stage.

We finished up the song and I took my bow. James gave me a high five and leaned into my ear.

"Stay out here, just go with it."

I gave him a confused look but Logan was talking into his microphone.

"Actually Elle, we were wondering if you'd want to stay out for the next song?" Logan asked, coming over to me. "We could use some help."

The next song was Windows Down, I looked over to Liz who was with Gustavo watching the show. They shared a look and she gave me a thumbs up.

"I don't see why not." I craned my neck to look at Kendall. "You don't mind do you?"

Knowing he couldn't be rude he shrugged. "Let's do it."

The drums and guitar kicked in and I felt my stomach flutter with excitement. I was actually pretty stoked to perform with them, this was a favorite of mine. It was so high energy and the dance routine always looked like fun.

"Woohoo!" I chanted as I jumped up and down. "Woohoo!"

Carlos wrapped his arms around my waist as he sang.

"You're pretty baby." He smirked as he sang and touched my cheek. "But you know that."

I moved my hips in time with his as he sang his next line. I smirked as Kendall realized I was dancing with Carlos, he shook his head but sang his line. He kept his focus on the fans. Logan's verse was next and he spun me out of Carlos's hold and I pressed myself against his body. He pumped his hips as I ground into him. He had an arm around my stomach and rested his chin on my shoulder, hugging me from behind. Clearly, they were helping me show him that I wasn't going to change who I was.

"Everybody knows that I want you if you want me, baby, show me." Logan had a smug half smile on his face. We moved to the music and I had one hand in my hair, his hands were hot on my skin. He thrust against me and ran his hand through my hair. "Let it all go tonight."

The chorus was next so I pressed a quick kiss to his cheek before I joined the other guys. The fans were all shrieking at the sight of their idols acting their age for once. When Kendall and I made eye contact he rolled his eyes.

"All the windows down, when I'm rolling through your town!" I sang as I danced along with the guys. "Woohoo!"

"You drive me crazy, but you know that." James came up me and I took his snapback off his head. I fanned myself with it before putting it on my head. "Feel the breeze girl. Let's take a lap."

While Kendall sang, James and I laughed with each other. Kendall sounded pissed and he kept looking over his shoulder at us. I waved at him and turned away. James made a point to move closer to me and he grinned. Kendall had a fake smile on his face as he watched the four of us dance. Logan repeated his lines about wanting me and how I should show him. So I bent down in front of him and slowly moved back up, dragging my hand up his body. My chest was falling out of my top. He raised an eyebrow and my mouth just brushed against his.

"If you want me, baby show me." I sang back at him. He had an arm around my waist and dipped me.

During the breakdown, I followed their dance routine and moved my arms across my chest. I laughed loudly as we danced, it was actually really fun and not just because of the look on Kendall's face. James picked me up and my legs wrapped around his waist. He acted like he was going to kiss me before setting me on my feet. They were all really sweet to help me like this, it was touching. Literally.

"All the windows down, woohoo! Saying yeah, yeah, woohoo!"

We finished the song and I waved at the crowd and bowed. They all seemed slightly confused about what just happened but seemed into it.

"Elle Harper you guys, give it up!" Carlos shouted. "How great is she?"

"Thanks for having me, you guys."

Kendall had joined his friends at this point and was biting the inside of his cheek. I leaned into Kendall's ear, pretending to hug him.

"That's what flirting looks like." I hissed. "Just so you know."

The guys pulled me into a sweaty hug and I moved my microphone away from my face.

"It's on tonight." I smirked.

"So do you want to tell me what the hump fest on stage was?" Liz asked, trying to hide her grin. "I didn't think you liked any of them?"

Liz and I were in my dressing room while BTR finished up. I cracked open a new bottle of water and waved my hand dismissively.

"I don't. Kendall told me to stop being a flirt and I was showing him what one actually looked like." I explained quickly. "If he's going to call me a slut I'm going to milk the shit out of it until it's not an insult anymore. Like when they called Dak Zevon gay and eventually he came out and everyone dropped it. You know fight fire with fire and all that."

She shook her head and folded her arms. "Gustavo and I aren't against it. I mean it helps the guys look like the 20-somethings they are. And it's getting your name back out there, just be careful Elle."

Liz didn't sound like my manager but like a friend. Ever since Jett she had been more protective of me, I appreciated it.

"I will, we're all just friends. Well, not Kendall but you know."

She laughed. "He is kind of a tool. Listen, I have some stuff to go over with Gustavo but take it easy okay? You're killing it and there's plenty of buzz about it."

"Night Liz."

She was already halfway out the door. "Goodnight."

By the time the guys had finished up I had showered and was on the bus. I hoped they would be up for some fun when they got here. It had been liberating to flirt openly like that.

"Hey, hey." James greeted as he walked into the back lounge. "What are you doing back here?"

I held up two bottles of vodka and tequila. "I was hoping we could continue the party?"

His face brightened. "Guys, it looks like Elle feels like a party."

"Really?" Logan asked. "Onstage wasn't enough for you?"

I shook my head. "A little party never killed anyone."

Carlos fiddled with the speakers and turned up some music.

"Kendall was pouting the rest of the set after you left."

"No way and I missed it?" I complained, filling my cup.

James had sat next to me. "Yeah. During our quick change, he was like 'so you're just molesting each other now?'"

This made me cringe, even from a distance he could rub me the wrong way.

"And then he asked if we were going to have a foursome?"

I snorted into my cup. "I don't even know how that's physically possible. But good, that's what he gets for being an asshole to me."

Logan took a hit from the bong they had stashed in a cabinet. Partying with them felt safe, I didn't feel so out of control like I had with Jett. There were footsteps outside the door.

"Speak of the devil," I muttered.

The door slid open and Kendall looked confused. "What's going on?"

"Just a little party. You should join us, or are you still a wet blanket?" James asked handing him a cup. "We're celebrating."

Kendall sniffed the cup and took a drink. "What are we celebrating?"

"Our newfound friendship with Elle."

Kendall actually laughed at this, revealing a set of dimples. "Oh really?"

"Yep, we're all super close if you can't tell." I stretched on the couch. "Live a little."

"Hard pass. That act you pulled made you look desperate."

It was my turn to laugh. "You're just upset I wasn't all over you."

Carlos pulled me onto his lap. "She's right you know."

"Whatever." He grumbled, sliding the door halfway shut. "Just don't give my friends an STD."

Once the door was shut I took a hit. My head soon felt like it was full of cotton. The bus rolled out of the parking lot and we dimmed the lights.

"It wasn't desperate you know?" Logan told me as he refilled his cup. "It was kind of hot."

This caught me off guard and I almost spit into my cup. "Oh really?"

"Yeah I-I mean it wasn't bad." A red flush crept up his neck.

I sat up. "Spin the bottle or strip truth or dare?"

"Both?" Carlos handed me a water bottle. "Every time spin the bottle you kiss and then you pick truth or dare. And when you kiss someone you have to strip."

We all seemed to agree and sat on the floor. James went first and the bottle landed on Logan. Immediately Carlos and I started laughing.

"Truth or dare?" I asked.

He sighed. "Uh, the truth I guess."

I didn't want to start off too strongly. "Would you rather be a solo artist or the in the band?"

"The band. I love these losers and I'm confident about my masculinity." He answered quickly. James pressed his lips to Logan's and when he pulled back he took off his sweatshirt. "Bring it on, I'm the most competitive."

Logan was blinking rapidly as he spun the bottle. When it landed on me I felt nervous for some reason, I knew these guys so well that it was a little weird.

"Truth or dare?" He smirked.

"Dare," I said boldly.

He thought for a moment and Carlos whispered in his ear. "Put this on snapchat."

"Oh, I've done way worse." I taunted pulling out my phone and handed it to Carlos. "Do it."

Logan pulled me into him and kissed me. I put my free hand in his hair and kissed him back, biting his lip. Behind us, the guys were whooping, when we broke the kiss I looked at the camera.

"It's game night on the bus. Stay tuned." I posted it on my story and pulled off my socks. "James may be competitive but I hate losing more than he does."

The music continued pounding and we were all a little drunk. The bottle landed on Logan when I spun it so we kissed again. This time he wasn't shy about running his hands up my sides.

"Truth or dare?" I asked him.

"Dare."

"Uh, the next time you kiss put it on snapchat," I said lamely, I couldn't really think of anything.

Logan took off his shoes and spun the bottle. It landed on Carlos and I took his phone, ready to film it. Neither of them had the same confidence James had about kissing another boy.

"Oh come on. You know you want to fool around." James taunted. "There's been sexual tension since high school."

Carlos laughed nervously and kissed Logan. It was actually kind of cute the way Carlos blushed afterward. I uploaded the video on Logan's story with the caption 'Finally!' and then gave his phone back. Carlos took his turn and kissed James who in returned dared him to go ask Kendall if there were any condoms on the bus.

"Don't be weird about it. We're not using them let's just hear his reaction."

Carlos pulled his tee shirt over his head and walked out to the front. We all snickered and James shushed us.

"Dude? Take off your headphones." Carlos said loudly. "Quick question."

I could hear Kendall, he sounded confused. "Where's your shirt?"

"Not important do we have any condoms?"

I covered my mouth to keep from laughing the sound Kendall made. It was kind of a choking sound mixed with disgust.

"Are you actually having a foursome? I didn't think she was that loose."

James rolled his eyes. "Los! Get back here, Logan's waiting!"

Logan and I both dissolved into giggles. We both got a case of the laughs when we were high, he pulled me close to him and whispered in my ear.

"I wish we could see his face."

"That drawer." He told him. "I'm not actually surprised, better than Elle right?"

Carlos came back a moment later with a handful of condoms. He shut the door and tossed them at us.

"Apparently, we have sexual tension." He reported to Logan. "We should talk about that at some point."

"Later." He told him waving his hand.

Carlos spun the bottle and it landed on me. I groaned and covered my face.

"I know I'm the only girl, but I didn't think this through," I told him.

"Oh whatever, Logan's been having all the fun."

Carlos and I kissed and I ran my hands over his tanned abs. This was uploaded too, it felt nice to post something I wanted to share for once.

"I lost track of whose turn it was. Truth or dare, Elle?"

"Dare I guess?" But then I quickly added on, "Nothing involving Kendall."

"Boring." James rolled his eyes. "Shotgun with me."

I shook my head. "You just want to kiss me."

"Maybe." He grinned mischievously.

Shot-gunning was when you took a hit from a bong and kissed someone and blew the smoke into their mouth.

"Wait, wait." I handed Carlos my phone. "Snap it for me."

James took a large hit and pressed his mouth to mine, he blew the smoke and tilted his head. Out of kissing the three of them, James felt the most natural, he had always been flirty. I kissed him back and he chuckled.

"I think you have to take something off."

I stood up and pushed my sweats down. "This is totally unfair."

James shook his head and took off his shirt. "Better?"

I cocked my head. "A little. Truth or dare?"

"Truth."

I ran my hand over my face. I was drunk and a little stoned, my thoughts were fuzzy.

"If you had to fool around with one of the guys who would you pick?"

"I'd prefer you." I smacked his arm. James looked at both Carlos and Logan and shrugged. "Either of them, but Kendall's like a brother so that's weird. But if I have to choose it would be Carlos. You're too awkward Loge."

"Fair enough." Logan agreed.

We all continued to play and take stupid pictures and videos. I posted a video of the bottle spinning and of the guys kissing. By this point in the night, we had all kissed each other and they had all been filmed. As the night went on I ended up just in a bra and put a pair shorts on. They guys were all down to their underwear and Carlos had socks on. The game ended up falling apart we just continued to drink and dance. James and I were dancing, Logan was trying to get a filter on snapchat to work and Carlos was smoking.

"Think they're gonna hook up?" I hiccupped.

"Maybe, I doubt it though." James kissed my neck. "You're great."

I shook my head finished off my water. "You're all hot I don't see why you all haven't made out."

"I'm pretty open but I like girls first." He told me. "What about you? You like any of my friends?"

"I like you all equally, 'cept Kendall fuck him." I was slurring a bit. "But you're all cool."

James kissed me again and then said he was going to get more water.

"Guys let's take a selfie." I stumbled over to the couch.

Carlos kissed one cheek and Logan kissed the other. I smiled and put it on my story and then pulled on someone's shirt. After that, I posted a picture saying "just kidding haha!" so no one took it too seriously. Eventually, Carlos helped me get comfortable so I could sleep. But not before giving me what he called a 'real' kiss because he felt left out. I laughed and shoved him.

"Go kiss Logan."

He shrugged. "Maybe I will."

Once things had quieted down I fell asleep, my head rested on Logan's shoulder. Tonight had been fun, it felt good to be intimate with guys again. For once I hadn't been completely vulnerable. This was progress and I was proud.

The first thing I noticed the next morning was how dry my mouth was. The second thing I noticed was the way I was tangled up in both Logan and Carlos. At first, I panicked slightly, I hadn't slept with them had I? But then flashes of our game came back to me. I moved out of their grip and walked out into the kitchen area. I opened a bottle of water and chugged it, letting it wake me up.

"So I see you fucked my friends."

I jumped and saw Kendall sitting at his computer, he looked at me with distaste. I looked down and realized I was just in James' shirt and underwear.

"For your information, no I didn't," I told him. "We just had fun."

"Exactly, are you jealous Kendall?" Logan asked walking out and putting his arm around me.

"That you made out with her? No, I'm not but I'm glad none of you slept with her."

"Why because you want to?" I shot back. "I am a giant slut after all."

Kendall shook his head. "No I don't and those are your words, not mine."

"You know just because I enjoy having fun and messing around doesn't mean I'm a slut." I raised my voice at him. "You can call me every name you want but it won't affect me. I had fun and enjoyed myself."

This didn't seem to have much impact because he held up his hand to cut me off. "You've said your piece and made your case now get out of my face."

"God, I hate you." I spat at him.

"Good at least I know you won't be all over me."

I couldn't say anything else because Kelly and Liz came onto the bus. Liz was white as a sheet as she pointed at me. I had only seen that look twice in all the years I had known her. First was when the Jett tape came out and then when I had woken up after overdosing because of said tape. Obviously, it was something serious.

"What's wrong?"

"Big-time make out party. Big time orgy. Big time foursome." Kelly read off her phone. "Those are just some of the articles that have been written about your party last night."

James and Carlos had joined us and they both looked worried.

"Kelly relax, it was all a joke, we even posted a picture saying we were just kidding," James told her. "We had a party so what? Aren't we supposed to be mature?"

"Yes, but in very calculated ways, what if this was a repeat of the Jett incident?" Liz asked me. "Then what?"

I crossed my arms. "But it wasn't I posted videos and pictures. I didn't get hurt or anything."

They both sighed and Kelly spoke up. "Gustavo says next time you want to fool around don't post it anywhere. But luckily we can spin this."

When they left Carlos and Logan shared a laugh. They were watching my story, it was smoky and the only light was from the Christmas lights that were plugged in. There was a video of me making out with Logan, shotgunning with James and Carlos pulling me onto his lap as we kissed. There was also the video of Logan and Carlos kissing.

"I can't believe we actually did that last night."

"I enjoyed myself," James told them. "How about you Elle?"

Kendall was glaring at us all so I smirked and pressed myself into James' side. It had been great to reclaim my body after what happened to it. That was the farthest I had gone with anyone since that night and I wasn't ashamed.

"We'll have to do it again sometime."

Today was a studio day for all of us. But Gustavo wanted to crush any rumors that may have been spreading so he invited a local radio station to interview us. The five of us plus Kelly and Liz had set up in the studio bus where we were working. When I had gone to put makeup on I was shocked to see the number of hickeys on my neck. I had covered them the best I could and the makeup team did the rest. We were all hungover so we sat silently waiting for the interview to begin. Our management may have been worried about the reactions but the fans seemed to love it. Between last night and the performance, we had onstage the fans were freaking out.

"First there's how they acted during windows down AND they all fooled around? I don't know who to ship."

"I always knew Carlos and Logan had something going on. #Carganisreal."

"Did you see how they all kissed her? Shit, can she date all of them? #Ellos #Ellgan #Jelle."

These were all amusing to see people had saved the pictures and videos. They were already deciding who I should date. Right now they seemed to go with Logan, based how wide his eyes were onstage last night. It was all in good fun though.

"So what everyone really wants to know is how last night went down." The interviewer asked. "The video of your performance of Windows Down is going viral."

James laughed. "It was all just for fun. Touring can be dull sometimes so you have to have a good time."

I agreed with him, giving the answer Liz coached me on. "We're all still single and all that happened was what everyone saw."

"Really? I mean these are some handsome guys."

"Yeah but we're just friends." I insisted.

We all turned a bit red and Logan shook his head.

"We were just fooling around." He chuckled nervously. "No pun intended."

She laughed at this. "What about you Kendall? You didn't want in on this?"

He wrinkled his nose. "Nope."

I teasingly ruffled his hair like they had told me to. "I'm sure Kendork regrets it."

"Getting herpes? Yeah, no thanks, who knows where your mouth has been."

My jaw dropped in shock and the interviewer waited to see if it was a joke.

"Dude seriously?" James asked him.

"Yeah, man don't be a dick."

Kelly and Liz nearly threw themselves across the room. Liz ordered the interview be paused and Kelly shook her head. I felt a bit sick at how openly spiteful he was, I had just been doing my job.

"You'll be editing that all out." Liz wasn't asking, she was telling. "And you won't mention anything you just saw or heard."

She nodded. "O-Okay."

"And Kendall you'll answer that question again, in a more professional manner that doesn't violate your contract," Kelly ordered him. "I mean it."

The interviewer composed herself. "You didn't want in on that Kendall?"

This time Kendall smiled. "No, I have a girlfriend."

"Y-Yeah I could never do that to Jo," I said sweetly even though I could have died right there. "But these guys aren't too bad."

The rest of the interview was awkward and Carlos kept glancing at me to make sure I was okay. I kept my lips in a tight smile as I answered questions about the tour. I talked about my new songs and hinted they were about an ex-boyfriend who everyone knew. Once it wrapped up and it was just the band in the room I let myself get angry.

"What the hell?" I demanded. "That was so uncalled for."

"You didn't have to touch me. And frankly, I meant what I said."

My hand went across his cheek. "You're such an asshole."

He rubbed his face. "Right back at you."

Thankfully, we were parked so I stormed out of the studio and onto the main bus. I let a few tears slip from my eyes but I quickly wiped them away. We had never gotten along but he had never embarrassed me like that. What if they interview had been live? I didn't have any STDs, in fact, Jett had been one of the few guys I had ever slept with. There was this big misconception about me and I hated that he could get away with being so rude. I let myself cry a bit longer but knew I needed to get to work. My cigarettes were on the table and I grabbed them. After that interview, I deserved one. But I didn't like to smoke before recording so I stashed them for later.

I went to open the door of the studio bus but paused when I heard arguing.

"You're such a dick to her man." It was Carlos who was shouting. "I get you don't like her but that wasn't cool."

Kendall spoke next. "She's a bitch."

"No, you're the bitch. She's been nothing but nice to you." Logan told him. "She was doing what Liz and Gustavo wanted her to do."

"Whatever." He grumbled.

There was a dry laugh. "Dude I know you think she's hot. Can you not handle that? Is there so much sexual tension that you're being an ass?"

"She's not hot." He defended himself.

"Oh come on Kendall. You have eyes." James sounded indignant. "Is that why you're such a dick to her?"

There was a pause and then he spoke.

"Fine she's really hot." He admitted and my face and ears turned red. "But she's so fucking extra about everything. And she's a bad influence, we don't get along and Jo can't stand her."

"Then just leave her alone. Stop calling her names, don't embarrass her and stop being so gross." Carlos told him. "Treat her with some respect for god's sake. And apologize to her."

He didn't answer right away. "Keep her away from me and I'll say sorry."

They stopped talking loud enough for me to hear. I didn't want to walk in and let them know I had been listening so I stood on the other side of the bus. My phone buzzed in my pocket and I wondered if Kendall was so rude he would text me an apology.

That video was hot and so was that song. I definitely remember a bathroom sink. ;)

Of course, today of all days Jett would try to get in touch with me. I rolled my eyes and decided I needed to smoke, recording be damned. I took a drag and responded to him.

I don't have time for this now Jett. Actually not ever, leave me alone.

He responded fairly quickly and I was surprised by his reply.

Fine. But, uh, I liked Colors, a lot actually. So did Jude and my mom. So thanks, I guess.

This was unexpected and I didn't know how to respond. I didn't think he'd listen to it, but someone probably sent it to him. Even though he was an asshole and complete scum his brother and mom hadn't done anything wrong.

Glad you liked it then.

He didn't respond which I was grateful for. I leaned my head against the bus and continued to puff on my cigarette. When I saw someone out of the corner of my eye I frowned. Kendall was standing there and he must have thought of his talk with the guys. A slight flush stained his cheeks, but he also could have been red with anger. For both our sakes I hoped it was the latter.

"What?" I demanded.

He didn't say anything but held up his cigarette. I rolled my eyes, now he was going to give me the silent treatment and not apologize. I flicked the butt of mine onto the asphalt. As I went to walk away he sighed.

"Elle."

I turned. "Yes?"

"Sorry." He muttered it wasn't genuine. "That was rude of me."

I rolled my eyes. "Don't worry I don't think you can catch herpes from standing where I did."

He shook his head but I didn't let him speak. I turned the corner and went to climb onto the bus. I had tried to be professional and ignore his insults. I had tried to own the title of slut and not let him get to me. Clearly, nothing worked so I was done trying. From here on out it would be silence when we weren't working. You could never argue with someone so stupid so I wouldn't. I had better things to do and letting Kendall get to me wouldn't be one of them.

I was done trying.

AN: So Elle and the guys all partied together. And Kendall was a real asshole to Elle and admitted she was hot to his friends. How do you think this will affect their dynamic? I hope you liked this chapter, the next one is my favorite one I've written so far. Please leave some feedback and tune in next week! Thank you!