"Thank you Carlos. Today, I just want to unwind with my books and some calming music. Maybe I'll also work on BuddyBot a bit. It always gets my brain going and makes me feel like an improved version of myself." Logan mentions casually while sipping his orange juice.
"Wouldn't you rather join me for some intense video games?" Carlos suggests.
"No thanks, buddy. But I could use this chance to teach you how to play chess." Logan replies.
"Why bother with chess? It's just a dull game the Brits play." James interjects.
"Why do you assume only the English play chess?" Logan questions.
"It was in the first Harry Potter movie." James defends.
"Let me get this straight, James. Just because it was in one scene of a movie, you think all Brits play chess? Seriously?" Logan shakes his head.
"Yeah." James nods.
Logan sighs. "Sometimes, I just can't figure you out, James. Chess is a universal game enjoyed by people worldwide."
"James, quit being a fool." Kendall chimes in.
"Ouch, that's harsh." James responds.
Katie chuckles. "Bird brain!"
James lets out a sigh and continues to eat his breakfast.
"Are you ready for our chess lesson, Carlos?" Logan asks.
"Do you really think I'm smart enough to learn how to play chess, Logan?" Carlos responds. "I'm not as intelligent as you are. My brain doesn't function the same way."
"That's alright. Your brain is just wired differently. We all have varying levels of intelligence. I'm simply motivated to learn new things mentally. Your brain is filled with all sorts of wonderful ideas and unique things that you love." Logan explains.
"I suppose that makes sense, but what if I make mistakes? I don't want to disappoint you." Carlos expresses his concern.
"You can never disappoint me. You'll do just fine." Logan reassures him.
"Alright." Carlos says, taking a seat across from Logan at the table. "What's the first step?"
"I'll set up the chessboard." Logan says as he completes the task.
"Then you give me my prawns?" Carlos asks.
"Pawns." Logan corrects him.
"Oh, okay." Carlos responds. "Why do you enjoy chess? What makes it so enjoyable?"
"It's relaxing. It challenges the brain and teaches important skills like patience and concentration." Logan explains. "Skills that you sometimes struggle with."
"But I don't know if I'll be as good as you." Carlos admits. "I don't know how to be like you."
"You don't have to be like me. You don't have to be as good as me. Just do your best." Logan encourages him.
"Alright, my friend. Let's get this game started!" Carlos declares.
"Perfect! Let me give you a rundown of the chess rules. Pay attention!" Logan begins.
"To begin with, pawns can only move one space forward, except on their first move when they have the option to move two spaces. They capture other pieces by moving diagonally. Once a pawn reaches the opposite end of the board, it can transform into any other piece except for a king. Now, let's move on to the other pieces."
"The rook moves in straight lines, either vertically or horizontally," Logan explains.
"The bishop, on the other hand, moves in diagonal lines. Remember, a bishop on a white square can only move on white squares, and the same goes for a bishop on a black square."
"Now, the queen is the most powerful piece. She can move in straight lines or diagonally," Logan continues.
"The knight has a unique movement pattern, resembling the shape of an 'L'. It moves two spaces in one direction and then one space perpendicular to that. Additionally, the knight is the only piece that can jump over other pieces without capturing them."
Logan points to the spaces where the knight can legally move. "These 'Xs' indicate the possible moves for the knight."
"Lastly, the king can move one space in any direction, be it straight or diagonal," Logan concludes with a smile. He turns to Carlos and asks, "Did you get all that?"
Carlos looks confused and asks, "Um...what was the first step again?"
Logan lets out a sigh but remains patient. He proceeds to explain all the rules once more. "Do you understand now?" he asks.
"I...I don't know. My brain feels overwhelmed," Carlos panics, clutching his head.
"Carlos, take a deep breath. Don't worry, you're not being graded. I'll be there to guide you through the game. Everything will be okay," Logan reassures him.
"Why have you chosen me as your chess partner, instead of Kendall or James?" Carlos inquires, his curiosity piqued.
"I simply lack the mental fortitude to instruct them or engage in debates over my teaching methods," Logan explains. "It would likely end in arguments rather than productive learning. Besides, they've shown no interest in learning the game."
"Ah, that makes sense," Carlos concedes, understanding Logan's reasoning.
Thirty minutes later, a gentle knock resonates through the luxurious apartment.
"Shall you answer that, Logan?" Kendall inquires, his voice dripping with sophistication.
Logan, visibly irritated by his own lethargy, retorts, "How absurd. You are right by the door. It's only fitting that you open it."
"Drop the attitude," Kendall advises calmly.
"Please, just open the door already!" Logan's frustration escalates.
With a resigned sigh, Kendall concedes, "Very well," and swings the door open to reveal an empty hallway. Stepping outside, he feels something beneath his feet. Looking down, he discovers an opulent basket filled with an assortment of items. Perplexed, he retrieves it and brings it back inside.
"What have you stumbled upon?" James inquires, approaching Kendall.
"I am uncertain. A mysterious basket left outside the door. No one in sight," Kendall explains, examining the contents.
"Why would someone abandon it there?" Carlos questions.
"How should I know? The enigma perplexes us all," Kendall snaps.
"Goodness, there's no need for such rudeness. My tranquility post-chess match with Logan has been disrupted," Carlos laments sarcastically.
"Apologies, Carlos. I did not intend to offend. Perhaps I, too, need to unwind," Kendall concedes.
"It's forgiven. I am no longer vexed," Carlos reassures.
Katie interjects, "There's a note with the basket. It's in cursive. Could you decipher it for us, Logan?"
Taking the note, Logan responds, "Of course, Katie-Bear." Reading aloud, he reveals, "This basket is filled with your favorite delights, curated especially for you. The sender remains a mystery. Enjoy."
"Indeed, it is perplexing. The purpose behind this gesture eludes us," Kendall muses.
Logan slyly suggests, "Let's bring the basket down to the reception desk. It could be a clever ploy or perhaps a gift from a devoted admirer."
"What if it's a gesture from Jett?" Kendall proposes.
Logan scoffs, "Why would that troublemaker send us anything? He's still locked up in juvie. There's no way he could have mailed it."
"Maybe he had his lawyer send it. But even if Jett did send it himself, there's no way he would have taken the time to put it together so nicely and write the note in fancy cursive. He's too lazy for that. He's the kind of guy who pays others to do his work. There must be a hidden agenda if Jett is behind this gift," Katie speculates.
"I have no desire for the basket, just like the rest of us. Therefore, I shall heed Logan's advice and transport it downstairs to the esteemed front desk. Does anyone care to accompany me?" Kendall inquires, but alas, no one volunteers. "Very well, I shall embark on this journey alone. I had hoped that at least one of you would join me," he remarks with a tinge of disappointment. With determination, Kendall seizes the basket and gracefully exits the premises. He gracefully descends in the elevator, arriving at the opulent lobby where the front desk awaits. Approaching Mr. Bitters, Kendall addresses him with a sense of decorum, "Mr. Bitters, I am aware of your indifference, but this basket was discovered outside of apartment 2J. Neither my companions nor I have any interest in it. We have perused the note, which, I must say, lacks sufficient explanation for its presence. Therefore, I present it to you. Please, accept it." Kendall delicately places the basket upon the desk, awaiting Mr. Bitters' response.
"I'm afraid I cannot accept it. It is no longer mine," Mr. Bitters declares.
Kendall raises an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "What do you mean it is no longer yours? Were you aware that the basket was intended for Apartment 2J?" he inquires.
"Yes," Mr. Bitters confirms.
Kendall ponders for a moment, his mind working diligently. "Were you the one who left it there?" he probes.
"Congratulations, Sherlock. You have indeed deduced correctly," Mr. Bitters retorts.
"Do not address me as such. Why did you leave the basket? What ulterior motive do you harbor for it? What is it that you seek?" Kendall demands, his voice laced with suspicion.
"No ulterior motive, I assure you. I desire nothing. It is merely a gesture of peace," Mr. Bitters explains.
"A gesture of peace? What do you know of peace? I shall not be deceived by such falsehoods. Do not send anything else our way. We have no interest in anything you have to offer," Kendall asserts firmly.
"I meticulously curated that basket," Mr. Bitters declares. "It consumed a significant portion of my personal time."
"Not my concern. You made that choice. No one requested or forced you to do so. It's yours to keep," Kendall retorts as he ascends to Apartment 2J, settles on the couch, and lets out a sigh.
"How did it unfold?" James inquires.
"Mr. Bitters was the one behind the basket. He claimed it was a gesture of peace. He mentioned investing a great deal of his personal time in its arrangement, but I informed him that we have no use for it. He should keep it and refrain from sending anything else our way, as he clearly lacks an understanding of peace," Kendall recounts.
"Do you think he will heed your words?" Carlos questions.
"I'm uncertain, but he had better make an attempt," Kendall asserts.
"Why on earth would Mr. Bitters extend an olive branch to us? What's his endgame?" Logan inquires.
"I believe he's attempting to atone for the chaos he brought upon us yesterday. By getting the cops involved," Katie speculates.
"If he believes a simple basket of goodies will smooth things over after involving the police, he's severely mistaken. Forgiving him won't come easy," Logan declares.
The gang is having soft shell tacos for lunch.
"You believe Mr. Bitters can transform into a decent and tolerable individual?" Katie inquires.
"I am uncertain. He is quite comfortable with his mean and grumpy demeanor. Changing will not come easily to him as he is accustomed to his treatment of others," Logan responds. "His personal issues are not our concern."
"You are correct, Logan. I am grateful to have you all as my friends. I do not wish to confront Mr. Bitters alone. He is a nuisance," Katie remarks.
"Hey everyone, look! The rain has stopped outside! Ven a ver el arcoiris!" Carlos exclaims with a wide smile, gazing out the window. "Podemos salir y saltar a los charcos!"
"Excellent suggestion, Carlos," Logan replies, walking over to him and gazing up. "Indeed, that rainbow is magnificent."
They all put on their rain gear and head outside.
"Logan, are you certain you want to walk on the slippery grass with your injured shoulder?" Kendall inquires.
"I will be fine. I am planning to take a stroll around Palm Woods Park with Camille. She will be here in five minutes," Logan states.
"Alright, I apologize if I have been overly protective of you lately. Your shoulder injury has been a significant concern for me. I hope my words did not make you feel uncomfortable or guilty," Kendall expresses.
"Relax, dude. I understand. I am being extra cautious, especially after aggravating my injury further yesterday because of Mr. Bitters. I have taken my pain medication and feel much better," Logan reassures.
"Good," Kendall acknowledges.
Camille approaches them. "Are you ready for our lovely and slightly damp walk in the park?" she asks.
"Yes, I am prepared," Logan responds, walking away with her.
"Hey Katie, check it out! I've discovered a massive puddle just waiting to be splashed in!" Carlos exclaims enthusiastically.
"Count me in!" Katie responds, joining him in gleeful laughter as they splash around.
"Looks like they're going to be absolutely covered in mud by the time they're done," Kendall remarks, observing their playful antics.
"No worries, it's all in good fun. Their joy is contagious," James reflects.
"I couldn't agree more. Let's not let them have all the fun. Come on, let's join in!" Kendall suggests with a chuckle.
"Right behind you, buddy!" James replies, following him with a grin.
After two hours, everyone is fatigued and prepared to return indoors for dinner.
Logan and Camille arrive from their stroll.
"Hello, Logie, how was your walk?" Carlos exclaims, drenched and running towards him.
"Did you have a good time?" Katie inquires, running up, covered in filth and mud.
"Goodness, what happened to you two?" Logan questions, taken aback by their appearance.
"We stumbled upon this enormous puddle and decided to jump in," Carlos explains.
"It appears as though it was deep enough to swim in, judging by your appearances. Regardless, my walk with Camille was incredibly soothing. You two should take a bath immediately, as you might catch a cold in that state," Logan advises.
"You two must have had a wonderful time together in that puddle," Camille remarks.
"We certainly did. Kendall and James joined us. Then they got into an argument and had to sit on the bench to cool off," Katie shares.
"What were they arguing about this time?" Logan sighs, accustomed to their bickering.
"James accused Kendall of ruining his hair with mud, but Kendall denied it, and then they began wrestling. It was quite amusing," Katie chuckles.
"I'm sure it was entertaining for you and Carlos. Let's head inside. It's expected to rain again in approximately ten minutes." Logan urges.
The group proceeds upstairs to Apartment 2J.
"Katie, you can take a bath first, then Carlos, you can go next. Dinner will be ready once you both finish your baths," Kendall instructs.
"Where's Mama Knight?" Carlos inquires.
"She's out getting dinner. We're having sloppy joes," Kendall replies.
"Delicious! We love sloppy joes!" Katie and Carlos exclaim together.
"I know, which is why you both need to be clean before she gets home. Hurry up, she wants to get back before it starts raining again, and I don't think she'll make it in time. It's already drizzling," Kendall urges. "James and I will take showers once you two are finished, so please don't take forever. Logan, if you need the bathroom after, feel free to use it if you feel sweaty."
"I'll do that. Thanks, dude. I don't feel icky right now, but I'm sure a quick wash with a wet towel will be fine," Logan responds.
After everyone is clean and feeling refreshed, they gather on the couch to relax and watch SpongeBob.
Ms. Knight enters the apartment, wet and with hands full of groceries.
"I'll help you with that, Ms. Knight," Logan offers, getting up to assist her in putting the groceries on the counter.
"Thank you, sweetheart. That's very sweet of you," Ms. Knight expresses her gratitude.
After the preparation and consumption of the delectable sloppy joes, a sense of tranquility envelops the room as everyone settles down to witness the tempestuous storm raging outside.
"My, oh my, what an exhausting day it has been," Logan exclaims, his voice filled with weariness.
"Boys, I must discuss something with you. Earlier, when I entered the lobby, Mr. Bitters informed me that you had rejected his gesture of peace," Ms. Knight reveals, her tone tinged with concern.
"That is correct, mother. I returned his offering to him this very morning," Kendall affirms.
"He claimed that you approached him, berating him for leaving that basket at our doorstep. Furthermore, he alleged that you threatened to have him dismissed if he ever repeated such an act," Ms. Knight relays, her voice betraying a hint of disbelief.
Kendall, taken aback by these accusations, pauses his game and sets aside his laptop. "He actually said that I did what?" Kendall questions, his disbelief evident. "I assure you, mother, I was not impolite towards him in any way. Please, do not tell me that you believe his words."
"I know for a fact that you did not engage in such behavior, for I have raised you to be a person of respect and integrity. I understand you far better than he ever could, after all, I am your mother," Ms. Knight reassures, her voice filled with unwavering confidence.
"That conniving, villainous, arrogant, self-centered, egotistical dictator of a sorry excuse for a human being is truly testing my patience with his deceitful lies! Our conversation was civil and brief, devoid of any shouting, insults, or threats of termination. Did he genuinely believe that you would take his side? You are not even friends with him!" Kendall exclaims, his frustration palpable.
"Sweetheart, please calm yourself. I gave him a piece of my mind for deceiving me and labeling you as a disobedient child," Ms. Knight declares, her voice laced with determination.
"Thank you, mother. I can always rely on you to rectify any misconceptions. Now, if you'll excuse me, I shall resume my game," Kendall expresses gratefully, as he immerses himself back into the virtual world.
After the passage of three hours, a mighty thunderstorm unleashed its fury upon the Palm Woods building, causing a complete power outage. The darkness enveloped the entire premises, shrouding it in an eerie atmosphere. Suddenly, a cry of anguish pierced through the blackness, sending shivers down the spines of those present.
Perplexed by the unexpected sound, James cautiously surveyed the room, his eyes desperately attempting to acclimate to the absence of light. "What on earth was that?" he inquired, his voice filled with curiosity.
Kendall, ever the observant one, responded, "It sounded like someone uttered a painful exclamation. Carlos, are you here with us?"
A voice emerged from the darkness, relieving any concerns. "Yes, I am present," Carlos confirmed, his tone laced with relief.
Relieved by Carlos' response, Kendall continued his search. "Excellent. Logan, are you in this room as well?" he called out, his voice resonating with urgency.
Logan, slightly irritated by the commotion, responded sharply, "Yes, Kendall! I am sitting right beside you! You nearly ruptured my eardrums with your loud outburst! Honestly, the three of you should exercise some common sense and activate the flashlights on your mobile phones. It would alleviate the struggle of navigating through this darkness!"
Apologizing for his oversight, Kendall acknowledged Logan's valid point. "My apologies, my friend. If the four of us are accounted for and did not cry out in pain, then it is highly likely that the source of the sound was either my mother or Katie."
The darkness persisted, leaving the group to ponder the mysterious cry that had disrupted their tranquility.