This One's For You

Kendall paced back and forth, checking his watch for the fourth time in a half-minute. When he finally heard the bell ring, he stopped and sighed in relief.

“Hey,” Kate said, smiling. She looked prettier than he remembered, wearing a pair of navy shorts and a black and white, slouchy, T-shirt. Her eyes sparkled, and he shook his head in an attempt to silence his thoughts.

“Back at you, stranger.” She walked the feet between them, and they stood awkwardly.

“So, where are you taking me?” Kate asked. She was generally not a fan of the unknown.

“Around town. Show you all the hotspots, hangouts, stuff like that,” Kendall explained, and Kate nodded, still not satisfied with his vague answer.

“Shall we?” Kendall asked, holding his arm out for her. She raised her eyebrows, and she started to open her mouth, but Kendall cut her off. “It’s a completely chivalrous, generous, friendly thing. Nothing romantic.” Kate finally took his arm, and they embarked out of the café.

“Okay. One of these days, I promise I’ll stop misinterpreting your motives,” she said, a bit of a laugh in her light tone. Kendall looked down, noticing for the first time how short she was, at least a good nine inches below his 5’11.

“Good to hear. How long, exactly, will that be?” he teased, and she wrinkled her nose.

“Oh, who knows. Maybe by the time we’re old enough for discounted breakfast.” He laughed, noticing more and more about her with every passing second.

“Right here is possibly the best organic restaurant in town,” Kendall pointed out after a couple minutes of silence. Kate cocked her head, raising her eyebrows in the process.

“Organic, huh?”

“Yeah. I’m kinda big into that.”

“What else don’t I know about you?” Kendall’s free hand went to his chin, and his facial expression was a classing ‘thinking’ one. Kate couldn’t help but laugh.

“Well, I have two brothers. My parents are so incredible and supportive of all of us. My birthday is November 2nd. I’m twenty. Those three guys from yesterday are my best friends. Oh, did I mention I’m on TV?” Kate’s jaw dropped and she stopped in her tracks.

“Like, actual television?” The words were slow and drawn out, and Kendall rubbed the back of his neck, nodding.

“Yeah. It’s on Nickelodeon. Carlos, Logan, James, the three from yesterday, and I make up the main characters. We sing and dance too, I guess, but I’m not really the best at the dancing.”

“You sing too? Oh Lord, what have I gotten into?” Kate asked, looking at the clouds. Kendall frowned, nudging into her.

“What’s wrong with that?”

“Well, my new best friend is famous. I hear famous people are awfully egotistical,” her voice took on a teasing tone, and Kendall’s frown finally evaporated.

“Hey, someone’s awfully judgmental,” he retorted, smirking at her.

“Well, I have to watch my back. Don’t want someone thinking they can walk all over me because they’re on TV.” Her tone was light, but he knew she was serious.

“Well, the people I hang out with would never do that, especially to someone as sarcastic as you are with comebacks.”

“Fair enough. I also have a pretty great right hook,” she joked, jabbing her free fist in demonstration, seeing as one arm was still entwined with his.

“I’m gonna take your word on that one,” he teased, and she laughed. “So, what don’t I know about you?” She deliberated for a bit, then smiled up at him.

“Well, my birthday’s October 9th, I’m nineteen. I go to school at California State University, Long Beach. My major is secondary education… I wanna be an English teacher. I have an older brother, named Jesse,” her voice faltered a bit, but she continued on. “My boyfriend’s name is Xavier. We’ve lived next door to each other since we were children. We graduated together too, and have been best friends for forever.

“He’s still in New England. He’s full scholarship at Bryant University; he plays basketball. But after college, he’s moving to New York, and starting at his uncle’s company. I’m so proud of him,” she said softly.

As she talked, Kendall couldn’t help but notice how when talking about Xavier, it was always ‘his’ or ‘he’; she never included herself in his plans. He tried not to read into it though. He didn’t want a relationship after the way things had just ended with Hanna. Chills went up his spine just thinking about it, and turned her attention back to Kate.

“Well, if you have time, I’d like to actually introduce you to the guys. They’re dying to be friends with you, too,” he said, and Kate looked at him strangely.

“Really? Well, yeah. I could use all the friends I can get.”

“This way,” he murmured, leading her towards the busier section of the crowded town. He wrapped his hand easily around her wrist, and ran, weaving in and out of crowds. He tried his best to ignore the sensation of their touching skin.

“Whoa,” she breathed out when they finally stopped. They were in front of a huge apartment building.

“Yeah,” Kendall said, leading her through the revolving doors. “This is home.”
Kate’s eyes wandered around the intricate details of the building as he dragged her through the lobby. By the time they’d reached the elevator, Kate was sure she’d never been in a place this expensive. It made her building look like a dump.

“What floor are you on, anyway?” she asked, finally returning her eyes to meet his.

“Well, I’m on the 18th. Carlos, Logan, James, and I are roommates.” Kate’s jaw dropped, and she leaned against the elevator wall.

“There are four bedrooms in your suite?”

“Well, yeah,” Kendall admitted, scuffing his shoe on the red carpet.

“How do you guys afford this?”

“Well, there’s the TV show, the album, the tours…” he trailed, and Kate just watched, awestruck.

“Oh my gosh. I’m living in a one bedroom closet, and you have four.” The elevator beeped, cutting off any answer Kendall had come up with. He motioned with his head, and they started walking.

“Ready for three new best friends?” Kendall asked, turning the brass handle. Kate took a deep breath and nodded, not sure what to expect.