This One's For You

The remaining week Kate had before school started came and went. She helped Jesse move into his new house a few blocks away, watched the guys on set, and finally bought all of her books. Jesse took Jayna out that Friday, and didn’t stop smiling the rest of the weekend. Kate and the boys had their newly founded movie night, and her head wound was nothing more than a scab. For the first time, Kate didn’t want school to come. But life goes on; she handled her first week of classes with all the grace she possessed.

“That was the longest week of my life. I already have an essay, speech, and a reading list taller than me,” Kate complained to the guys, plopping down on the couch. Kendall sat next to her, Carlos was grabbing snacks, James was trying to work the DVD player, and Logan was instructing him.

“I know. We really missed you around here,” Kendall comforted, giving her a half smile. Between her classes and their filming, they had seen each other once the whole week. They’d even decided to move their event to Friday; the separation was a major buzz kill, and they didn’t want to wait another day.

“I’m glad we instated weekly movies. ‘Cause otherwise, I don’t know if we would’ve seen you at all this week,” Carlos pointed out as he walked into the living room, setting the popcorn and chips in the middle of the coffee table.

“Well, if Logan and James can’t figure out the DVD player, I don’t think we’ll get to see a movie at all this week,” Kate retorted, giggling at the glares she was met with.

“We’re working on it,” James snapped playfully. Kate rolled her eyes, smiling as the main menu finally flashed up. The opening credits started playing, and everyone rushed to get a spot.

“What movie is this, anyway?” Kate whispered to Kendall, watching Carlos carefully. To her luck, he hadn’t heard; he was a stickler about talking during movies. He sat on the opposite couch, gazing intently at the flat screen.

“I dunno,” Kendall whispered back, right as one of the characters let out a blood curdling scream, followed by her head being blown off. Kate mirrored the scream, jumping half a foot. All of the guys stared at her.

“Chill, Kate. Just a movie,” James assured her from his chair. Kate nodded, her breaths still coming out labored.

“You didn’t tell me it was a horror movie,” she screeched at Kendall, who shrugged.
“Didn’t think it mattered,” he whispered, glancing back at her. He caught her terrified expression and his eyes softened immediately.

“I hate scary movies,” she said in a tiny voice, almost inaudible. On the screen, a man jumped out, attacking. Kendall wrapped one arm around her shoulders, and she buried her head in his chest. Even though didn’t watch the rest of the movie, her petite frame would jump at every single scream or noise. Kendall could feel her rapid heartbeat jumping straight out of her chest.

A couple of hours later, the credits finally rolled, and Kate gathered the courage to look up. The guys were watching her, a tad bit concerned. They could see her teeny hands shaking ever so slightly, and her face was a shade paler than it had been at the start. Her knuckles were white from gripping the fabric of Kendall’s shirt.

“So, no more horror movies?” Carlos proposed, and Kate nodded her head violently.

“I can’t believe you just made me watch that,” Kate said in an uneven voice.

“Technically, you didn’t really even watch it. You watched Kendall’s T-shirt,” James pointed out, a rather amused look on his face. Kate shot him daggers, and he laughed.

“I’m not going to be able to sleep for weeks. Thank you for that,” she groaned, covering her face with her hands.

“Well, we didn’t know you had such…issues with scary movies,” Logan said defensively.

“It’s fine. I’m just all jumpy now,” Kate said finally, leaning back against the soft fabric of the tan sofa.

“Well, we’ll bring you home. And walk you to your door. And check for monsters,” Kendall assured her, earning him a playful punch to his arm.

“You’re so…ugh!” Kate said, running her fingers through her waves. The guys laughed, and she couldn’t help but roll her big brown eyes.

“So you don’t want us to drive you home?” Logan teased, and Kate groaned.

“Please, drive me home. Then I’ll make you check all the closets for ax murderers,” she said, finally giving in. She gathered her things, exhausted, but afraid of every shadow. They piled into Kendall’s car, Kate in shotgun, Kendall driving, and the other three crammed in back. Kate couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of them shoulder to shoulder, bickering.

They reached the apartment in twenty minutes. The traffic wasn’t terrible, which was actually slightly surprising for 11:00 on a Friday night. Kate walked with all the guys around her, linking arms with Carlos and Kendall. She knew in her mind that horror movies were figments of a very screwed up imagination, but she was still frightened beyond comprehension.

Her hands were trembling so badly, James had to unlock her door. Logan led the way, flipping on the light switch right next to the door. Kate was last inside; she shut and locked the door immediately. Kendall stayed by her side, her nails digging into his arms as the others inspected the apartment for her.

“Well, just like I thought. No lunatics, monsters, or ax murderers,” Carlos announced as he and the others immerged into the main room Kate nodded slowly, her eyes still flickering around.

“Hey,” Kendall whispered, leaning down so the others didn’t hear. She jumped, looking up at him with wide eyes. “Are you gonna be okay?” Concerned etched its way on his face, and Kate stood, petrified.

“Maybe,” she stuttered out, and Kendall looked at the other guys.

“Okay guys. New plan. We’re staying here tonight,” Kendall announced, and Kate looked up at him, shocked.

“You sure?” She whispered, and he and the others nodded.

“It’ll be just like grade-school,” James squealed in his best pre-teen girl voice, making everyone laugh. Kate found courage to let go of Kendall, who shook his arm to get the feeling back in it.

“You guys can sleep in here,” she said, motioning to the living area. Kendall raised his eyebrows at her curiously.

“And you’re gonna sleep in your bedroom. All alone?” he inquired, and Kate froze, realizing the flaw in her plan.

“Well, I guess I can sleep out here too. Rock paper scissors for the couch. I’ll take the chair, it’s too small for you guys,” she reasoned, walking to the hallway closet, pulling out extra pillows and blankets. She tossed those to the guys, who started setting up.

It only took them five minutes to get organized. Kate curled up in the worn out armchair, wrapped in her blanket. Carlos had won the couch, and was gloating endlessly; Kendall lay on the ground next to the chair, Logan between the doorway and bookshelf, and James in between the dining and living areas. After a week of late filming, the guys were out within minutes. Kate, on the other hand, barely slept, and when she did, it was restless.

By the time light shone into the tiny space, Kate decided she couldn’t sleep anymore and treaded lightly between the bodies to her room to change, then to the kitchen. She started the coffee maker first, then started scrambling eggs. By the time the boys awoke, the scent of bacon was wafting through the apartment. They walked over to the dining area, where Kate had set the table.

Her table had only four chairs, but she had dragged a crate over to make the fifth spot. The plate of eggs sat in the middle with the tray of bacon. There were an assortment of mugs on the table, all different colors and sizes. She smiled at them from the kitchen.

“Ah, so you guys do live,” she teased, walking out with the coffeepot. She poured some of the dark, steaming liquid into each mug, being careful not to spill.

“Yeah. You’re awfully chipper for it being this early,” Carlos mumbled, and Kate’s chime like laughter filled the air. Her curls were pulled into a messy bun, and her blue tank top fluttered around as she moved.

“It’s almost 10:30,” she stated, walking to the kitchen to set down the coffeepot. When she returned, all guys were sitting. She handed them the silverware, and they dug in. She watched them shovel food into their faces like starved dogs, and couldn’t help but giggle to herself. Their hair was sticking in odd directions, and their clothes were wrinkled from sleeping in. Yet, everything looked perfect to her.

“Thank you for breakfast Kate,” Kendall said after he finished. The others nodded and mumbled agreement, and Kate’s smile lit up her face.

“You’re welcome. It was the least I could do, really. I’m glad you liked it; Jesse says my cooking sucks.” The guys started clearing the table before she could object, leaving her and her coffee. She heard the sink running, and the guys’ light banter. They acted so much like real brothers towards each other and to her most of the time.

A sharp rap on the door interrupted her thoughts. She knew Jesse had to work Saturday mornings, and today was no exception. Aside from him and the boys, she knew no one here. So who was knocking on her door? She set her mug on the ancient table and walked slowly, opening the door cautiously.

“Oh!” she screamed, holding her hand over her heart. Her reaction was met with a crooked smile, and she stepped back, allowing the young, blond man to enter. The boys had heard her scream, and came running, various kitchen utensils in hand.

“Kate, you okay?” Kendall asked, a metal spatula in hand.

“We heard you scream,” Carlos added, wielding a frying pan. Logan and James nodded, holding a muffin tin and vegetable peeler, respectively. Kate didn’t know whether to laugh or bang her forehead against something. Did they think they were defending her from a giant recipe?

“I’m fine,” she assured them, then turned, her eyes meeting with icy blue ones. The new visitor’s jaw was clenched, as were his fists.

“What the hell is this?” He half screamed at Kate, who rolled her eyes.

“Kate, who is he?” James asked, motioning towards the guy with the peeler.

“Kendall, James, Carlos, Logan,” she said, turning to them. “This is Xavier.”