Kendall glances over, a playful smile on his face. "I bet James and Carlos are lounging by the pool right now," she suggests. "They're probably having such a blast that they haven't even thought to update Camille. Just take a deep breath. Let's go join them."

"Alright, you're right. I just need to chill out. I'll throw on my swim gear and grab BuddyBot for a game of chess," Logan replies.

They quickly change into their tank tops and swim trunks, eager for some fun in the sun. As Kendall swings the door open, she's caught off guard when Camille bursts into the apartment, wrapping her arms around Logan in a tight embrace.

"Can't breathe! Too tight! Let go!" Logan gasps, feeling the pressure on his chest.

Camille releases him immediately. "Oh gosh, I'm so sorry! I just got really worried about you. You overheated during dance rehearsal at that courtyard by Rocque Records, right?" she explains, her concern evident.

Logan's eyes widen in surprise. "H-How did you find out about that?" he stammers.

"My friend Cathy is interning at Rocque Records to become a music engineer. She heard Gustavo talking about it and told me. Wait, you seemed shocked I knew. Were you planning to keep it from me?" Camille questions, her brow furrowing.

"Yeah, I didn't want to stress you out, especially after your reaction just now. You tend to get really anxious about my well-being," Logan admits.

"Sorry for trying to be a caring girlfriend," Camille retorts, a hint of offense in her tone.

"I appreciate your support, but you really don't need to worry so much about me," Logan reassures her.

"I'll try to ease up on the worrying about you, Logan," Camille muses. "And my apologies for nearly taking you out, Kendall."

"No worries, Cami. You're strong and swift, but Katie is the only one crazy enough to knock me down. That ten-year-old powerhouse certainly packs a punch. Just don't let her know I said that, or I'll never hear the end of it," Kendall chuckles.

Camille laughs. "Your secret is safe with me."

Together, they make their way down to the pool.

On Thursday afternoon, Andy and Steven arrive at Apartment 2J, their faces clouded with unease.

"What's up, little dudes?" Logan inquires, sensing their discomfort.

With a heavy sigh, Andy replies, "We have to meet some kids tonight. They're coming over because our mom has a co-worker with kids our age, and she wants us to be friends with them. But honestly, we're really nervous about it."

"Do you know anything about these kids?" Logan probes.

"Just a bit from what my mom mentioned. They're twins—Aiden, the boy, and Alana, the girl. They're in middle school like us. They enjoy fun stuff like watching Spongebob and munching on candy," Andy explains.

"What about their hobbies?" Kendall chimes in.

"I just told you," Andy retorts.

"Uh, little dude, candy and Spongebob aren't exactly hobbies," Kendall points out.

"That's all we know about Aiden and Alana. What if they don't like us? What if they think we're weird? What if they don't want to be friends? I just want everything to go smoothly," Andy frets.

"Stay positive, and it will," Logan encourages.

"Okay, I'll give it a shot. Steven will too," Andy responds. "I just hope they're not against animals."

"Does your mom know if they have any allergies?" Logan asks.

"I'm not sure," Andy shrugs, uncertainty lingering in the air.

"Do you think Hannah will ruin everything?" Carlos inquires.

"I'm worried too, but my dad gave her a serious hour-long lecture to behave. He made it clear that any slip-up, no matter how small, will result in consequences. My mom also emphasized the importance of being kind and respectful," Andy explains.

"Hannah is not reliable," Steven signs with a sigh.

"We all know that," Andy signs back.

"Good luck tonight," Carlos offers.

"Thank you," Andy replies.

In the tranquil hours of the evening,

Andy and Steven find themselves ensconced in the living room, immersed in their own creative realm as they meticulously sketch out a utopia of their own design on a poster board, intending to bring it to life with blocks. Suddenly, Hannah strides into the room.

"Andy, fetch me a glass of water immediately," she commands with an air of entitlement.

"Why should I? You entered here without a hitch. You're perfectly capable of getting it yourself," Andy replies, his gaze fixed on his artwork, dismissing her demand.

"I issued a command! You will comply!" Hannah retorts, her voice rising.

With a weary sigh, Andy sets down his colored pencil and turns to face her, irritation etched on his features. "I am not your servant! I owe you nothing! Get the water yourself!" he exclaims, his patience wearing thin under her oppressive attitude.

In a fit of aggression, Hannah seizes his arm, twisting it behind his back with a force that elicits a cry of pain from him. Steven instinctively intervenes, pushing her away. Tyson begins to growl menacingly at Hannah, while Princess barks in alarm, and Angel hisses, adding to the chaos. The commotion draws the attention of their parents, who rush into the room, bewildered by the scene unfolding before them.

"What on earth is happening here?!" their father demands, concern etched on his face.

"Hannah has been tormenting me. She waltzed in here too lazy to fetch her own water and kept insisting I do it for her. When I refused, she lost control and twisted my arm painfully. That's when Steven stepped in to defend me, and then the animals erupted into a frenzy," Andy explains, his voice a mix of frustration and hurt.

"Father, I simply requested one straightforward task! Why was it so difficult for him to fulfill it for me?!" Hannah laments.

"Because you are a spoiled, self-centered, egotistical child who believes you hold authority over me and Steven!" Andy retorts, his irritation palpable. "Here's a reality check: you are not as extraordinary or significant as you perceive yourself to be! You little brat!"

"Hannah, it's evident that you disregarded the lesson I imparted earlier. Your mother's guests have yet to arrive, and you're already stirring up discord for your brothers! That's it; before bedtime, I will remove the door from your room. You will regain the privilege of privacy only when you learn to treat your brothers with the dignity, respect, and kindness they deserve! I am profoundly disappointed in you at this moment!" Their father proclaims with fervor. "Now, go upstairs and compose a five-page handwritten apology to Andy! No laptops! Do it immediately and do not return downstairs until it is entirely complete!"

Hannah storms up the stairs, slamming her door with such force that the entire house trembles.

Steven and Andy exchange glances, wincing at the sound, as slamming doors is strictly forbidden in their home. Their mother ascends the stairs to confront Hannah, her stern voice echoing throughout the residence.

Steven hands Andy an ice pack for his sore arm.

"Thanks, man. Hannah is incredibly strong. She really thought that twisting my arm behind my back would make me listen to her," Andy groans. "I just don't get her. Why does she have to be so harsh?"

An hour later, the doorbell chimes.

The mother of Hannah, Steven, and Andy heads to answer it. "Hello, Richard and Martha! Come on in. I see you've brought your lovely children, Aiden and Alana. Hi there! I have some kids around your age," she greets warmly.

"Thanks for having us, ma'am. Our mom mentioned you have three kids, but I only see two," Aiden remarks, glancing at Andy and Steven, who are still lingering.

"Our sister is upstairs on punishment," Andy explains. "Want to hang out with us?"

"Absolutely," Aiden replies.

"Sounds good," Alana adds.

They make their way into the living room.

"What are you working on in here?" Aiden inquires.

"Steven and I are sketching out the blueprints for our dream utopia. Once we finish, we'll use the blocks in that big box by the couch to build it. You can join us for that part if you'd like," Andy offers. "Unless building with blocks isn't your thing."

Alana smiles and says, "We're totally fine with it. Our parents encouraged us to join in on whatever you and Steven are up to." She then asks, "Does Steven have any awards, like trophies or medals?"

"That's a strange question. No, he doesn't. Why are you curious about that?" Andy replies, looking puzzled.

"Our mom mentioned that he's really artistic," Aiden chimes in.

"He is, but I think you might have misinterpreted what she said," Andy clarifies.

"Really? What do you mean by that?" Aiden inquires.

"Hey, Steven! I'm Alana, and this is my brother Aiden. It's great to meet you!" Alana introduces herself.

Steven doesn't acknowledge her at all, focusing intently on selecting the next colored pencil.

"Is he deaf? He didn't even respond. It's like he completely ignored you," Aiden observes.

"He's not deaf," Andy assures them.

"I just don't get why he wouldn't even glance at me while I was talking," Alana expresses her confusion.

"Give it another shot," Aiden encourages.

"Steven, hi!" Alana raises her voice. "I'm going to borrow your colored pencil so you'll look at me!" She snatches it away.

Steven quickly retrieves it, his irritation evident.

"Look what you've done, Alana. You've made him upset," Aiden points out.

Andy returns from the kitchen with snacks and sees Steven struggling with Aiden and Alana. He approaches Steven and suggests, "Need a break? Go relax in your tent; I'll join you soon."

Steven nods and leaves with Tyson.

Aiden asks Andy, "What was that? He was rude, and you sent him to a tent? That's not okay."

Andy replies, "Listen, guys. Steven is different, but he has good manners."

Alana interjects, "If his manners are so good, why didn't he look at me when I spoke?"

"Because he's autistic. You misunderstood your mom—it's autistic, not artistic. Do you understand what autism means?" Andy explains.

"Yeah, a little bit. It has something to do with the brain, right?" Aiden asks, curiosity evident in his voice.

"Yes, it's a neurological disorder that tends to affect more boys than girls," Andy explains, his tone serious yet compassionate. "Unfortunately, Steven falls into that category. His brain is simply wired differently from ours, which means he has specific preferences and routines. For instance, he might avoid direct eye contact because he's shy and still getting comfortable with you. Alana, I noticed you tried to get his attention by waving a colored pencil in front of him, but that wasn't the best approach. Speaking louder when he didn't respond isn't helpful either; he can hear just fine. Even if he were deaf, raising your voice wouldn't make a difference and could come off as disrespectful. Steven is genuinely a sweet and caring individual who enjoys laughter and play. He has favorite books and TV shows that light him up, and once you engage him on those topics, he can talk your ear off! So, if you both truly want to befriend him, I urge you to practice patience and understanding."

"We truly apologize, Andy. We never intended to emotionally hurt you or Steven," Alana expresses sincerely.

"Absolutely, we need to educate ourselves more about autism and how to interact with Steven in a way that makes him comfortable," Aiden adds.

"Thank you for your apology. You don't need to treat Steven any differently just because he has special needs. He simply wants to be treated like any other kid. He doesn't appreciate people tiptoeing around him due to his autism. He wants to be seen beyond just his diagnosis, not stereotyped or diminished," Andy replies.

"We get it, Andy. We appreciate you sharing that with us," Aiden acknowledges.

"What are those snacks you have? They look delicious," Alana inquires.

"Organic gummy bears. They're made with real fruit flavors, no artificial stuff," Andy explains. "Steven and I are huge fans. Let's all enjoy them together."

They make their way to Steven's tent, but Tyson growls at Aiden and Alana.

"Is he going to attack us?" Aiden asks, a hint of worry in his voice.

"We adore animals. Does he think we don't?" Alana chimes in, mirroring his concern.

"He won't hurt you. He's just upset because you made Steven feel bad. He's looking out for him. Relax, Tyson. They're good now. They won't be unkind to Steven anymore," Andy reassures.

Tyson's demeanor shifts, and he begins to happily wag his tail, panting with joy.

Andy, Alana, and Aiden step into the tent.

"We're truly sorry for upsetting you, Steven. Can you find it in your heart to forgive us?" Aiden pleads, his eyes filled with sincerity.

Steven glances between Aiden and Andy, his expression contemplative. "Is he being honest?" he signs, seeking clarity. "Absolutely, both he and Alana genuinely regret it," Andy responds with a reassuring nod. A flicker of a smile breaks across Steven's face, a sign of hope.

"Did you just converse using sign language? That's amazing!" Alana exclaims, her enthusiasm palpable.

"You don't find it odd that we did?" Andy inquires, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

"Why would I?" Aiden replies, puzzled. "At our school, Steven and I get labeled as outcasts for knowing sign language. People have called Steven all sorts of names—Strange Dog Boy, the silent kid, or worse, the R-word," Andy confesses, his voice heavy with sadness. "It's lonely; we rarely get invited to parties or sleepovers, and during gym class, it's a struggle just to be included. It usually ends in arguments over who has to take us."

"That's just heartbreaking," Alana responds, her empathy evident as she absorbs their pain.

"School friends? Who needs them?" Andy exclaimed, his enthusiasm bubbling over. "We've got something way cooler—Big Time Rush! We're practically best friends with them. The Palm Woods is just around the corner, and we visit them all the time. Just earlier, we were there sharing our excitement and nervousness about meeting you!"

Aiden chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "Oh come on, Andy. You really expect me to believe that you and Steven are tight with Big Time Rush? Sounds like a tall tale to impress me and Alana!"

Andy frowned, frustration creeping into his voice. "This isn't a made-up story! I'm being completely honest. Steven and I actually know the BTR guys. It's not fair that you think I'm lying!"

Alana chimed in, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Right, Andy. You and Steven are on a first-name basis with BTR. Sure!"

"Seriously, it's the truth!" Andy shot back, his patience thinning. "Get out of the tent, both of you! You're ruining the chill vibe we had going on! I mean it—leave now!"

With reluctant grumbles, Aiden and Alana exchanged glances but complied, stepping out into the cool air, leaving Andy fuming in the tent.