As the sun began to set, Camille decided it was time to head home to avoid breaking her curfew. The next morning, Logan awoke feeling like he had been hit by a truck, his head pounding and arm throbbing with pain.
"Good morning, sleeping beauty," Kendall teased. "You look like you've had better days. You okay?"
"I'm not sure. How long was I out for?" Logan replied, stifling a yawn as he rubbed his eyes from the comfort of his pillow.
"Since we got back yesterday," Kendall explained, recounting the events of the previous evening. "You collapsed from dizziness and intense head pain, but Carlos swooped in like a hero and brought you back here. You insisted on sleeping it off, Camille dropped by to check on you, but she eventually had to leave to make curfew."
"Wow, I must've been out for ages. What time is it now?" Logan asked.
"It's 7:30 in the morning," Kendall answered.
"Wait, why are you awake at this hour? It's not like you to be up early during the school week. Normally you don't surface until 8:30 or even pushing it to 9:00, flirting with the start of school. What prompted this early rise?" Logan questioned.
"I had a restless night. I was tired but couldn't stop worrying about you," Kendall admitted.
"This is exactly what I've been getting at. When my friends lose sleep over me, it bothers me. I don't want to throw off your sleep schedule. You need your rest. You're still young and growing. You need those solid eight hours," Logan lectured.
"Logan, relax. I'm up early because I know you would be if you were feeling better. I'm trying to be more time-conscious like you. School isn't my top priority like it is for you, but I still strive for good grades. You're my inspiration, always pushing me to be better. I may not be as brilliant as you, but having a friend like you makes all the difference," Kendall reassured.
"You always have such a unique perspective on the way you see me, Kendall. It means a lot to me," Logan expressed gratefully.
"That's what friends are for," Kendall replied casually.
Suddenly, the sound of raised voices drifted from the living room, disturbing the tranquility of their bedroom.
"What on earth is happening out there?" Logan inquired, eyebrows furrowed.
"I really hope it's just the TV," Kendall mused, his expression tense.
In bursts Carlos, looking breathless and frantic. "Guys, you have to come to the kitchen. James and Katie are in a heated argument," he reported urgently.
With a sigh, Kendall stood up from the bed, clearly exasperated. "Seems like it's another day, another dispute with those two."
Logan attempted to join them but struggled with the pain plaguing his body.
"Don't strain yourself, Logan. I'll handle it," Kendall assured him.
Logan hesitated, feeling torn. "I hate to sit this one out. I've always been the peacemaker in their arguments. Just let me take my pain medication and I'll be good to go," he insisted.
Kendall nodded in understanding. "You're right. Let's go."
They exit the room to find James and Katie hurling insults at each other in the kitchen.
"See? I told you they wouldn't stop," Carlos remarks.
"Okay, what's going on this time, you two?" Kendall asks, exasperated.
"James ate the last Poptart! That was meant for me!" Katie complains.
"The Poptarts are meant for everyone! You know that!" James retorts.
"True, but you know that the last two in the box are always mine! I claimed them!" Katie argues.
"Claimed? What do you know about claiming? Those Poptarts are for the whole family! You devour them like they're candy!" James counters.
"You eat them like it's a roast beef sandwich topped with whipped cream and sprinkles!" Katie fires back.
"That's gross!" James grimaces.
"Then work on your table manners, you caveman! Show some decorum!" Katie insists.
"I'm really taking etiquette advice from someone who gobbles up gummy bears like they're the only food on Earth!" James retorts.
"Leave my gummy bear obsession out of this! This is about you taking my Poptarts!" Katie argues.
"I'm not a thief, you little troublemaker!" James defends himself.
"Enough! Both of you, be quiet now!" Kendall interrupts, annoyed.
James and Katie shoot each other angry looks but fall silent as Kendall instructed.
"I will mediate this dispute, but I must alleviate my suffering with pain relief as the agony in my head is unbearable," Logan explains, swallowing a tablet and chasing it with orange juice as he settles on the sofa. "I comprehend the perspectives of both parties. James, you are correct; the Pop-Tarts are meant for everyone present."
"Thank you for supporting me," James acknowledges.
"Please desist. I am impartial, and my discourse is not concluded," Logan breathes out. "Katie, you are also correct. You rightfully claimed the last two Pop-Tarts, and James was aware of this. The resolution is straightforward. Each of you shall receive your own package of Pop-Tarts to prevent future conflicts over the last ones. Kendall avoids a headache, Carlos is relieved from further disputes, and Ms. Knight refrains from reprimanding you both. And I can unwind, hopeful that I have resolved this matter."
"I'm absolutely enchanted by that idea, Logan," Katie gushes.
"Fantastic news, thank you for sharing," Logan responds.
"My apologies if James' antics caused you any distress," Katie offers.
"What in the world!" James exclaims, clearly offended.
Carlos chuckles softly while Kendall rolls his eyes and covers his face in exasperation.
"Katie should apologize for likening me to a caveman! Just because she's the youngest here doesn't excuse her behavior. I'm not the one acting immaturely, she is!" James insists.
"Don't you dare speak ill of our little princess!" Carlos defends Katie passionately. "She's an absolute sweetheart, a true angel."
"You're only seeing her through rose-colored glasses, Carlos. You must know she's not always an angel. By ignoring her misbehavior, you're just encouraging her to act out even more," James pointed out.
"I'm not encouraging her! I'm just shielding her from your cruelty towards her!" Carlos defended.
"Did you not hear her insulting me, calling me a caveman? Doesn't that bother you in the slightest?" James questioned.
"No, because you reciprocated by labeling her a bratty troublemaker! She deserves an apology for that!" Carlos argued.
"So I have to apologize, but she gets off scot-free? That doesn't seem fair at all," James countered.