It's been awhile but I've had this idea in my head for quite awhile and finally found the time to write it. Hopefully you like it, let me know if you have any questions, suggestions, etc. Thanks!
"Okay that's a wrap, sounded great guys!" Kelly said smiling at the four teenagers in the recording booth.
"Thank God, I'm so tired," James groaned. Recording for ten hours straight had left them all exhausted.
"True, but just think our second album is finished!" Carlos grinned.
"I just want to go home and sleep for a year," Logan said.
"Well you guys have a week off so Gustavo can put the finishing touches on the tracks," Kelly said.
"A week?" Carlos asked.
She nodded, "Then it's back for rehearsals and preparing for interviews and all the other fun stuff that goes along with promoting an album."
"But we have the whole week off?" Kendall clarified.
"The whole week," she smiled.
"Yes! Let's go home, eat, and hit the pool," James suggested.
"We're picking up dinner, I'm not cooking tonight," Logan stated. Mrs. Knight and Katie had driven up to San Francisco to meet up with James' mom and spend a little "girl" time shopping and catching some shows.
"We'll stop and grab a pizza or something," Kendall smiled as they headed for the breakroom to grab their things.
They were waiting for the elevator when one of Griffin's assistants came up to them. "Mr. Griffin would like to see Kendall to go over a few things concerning the upcoming album promotions."
Kendall looked at his friends and then back at her. "Why me? I don't know anything about business."
"I don't ask questions, I just do as he says. Take his private elevator and be in his office in ten minutes," she said as she walked off.
"How long is it going to take?" he called after her.
"It takes as long as he wants."
"Great, there goes my night," Kendall groaned.
"Sorry buddy, we'll save you some dinner," Logan promised as the elevator doors opened.
"Sure you will," Kendall said dubiously.
"I'll make sure there's dinner waiting when you get home. Maybe we can bribe the "good luck patrol" to disappear for awhile tomorrow, " James said, giving Kendall a wink.
They had started dating after Kendall found out Jo was dating one of her co-stars and he broke off the long-distance relationship. James had been there for him day and night and they soon found they couldn't stand being apart. James had told his friends when they were 15 that he was bi, and they'd never thought twice about it. Kendall was never attracted to guys until the night he woke up and found James still holding him. He'd fallen asleep crying on his friend's shoulder and James held him that way all night. He'd watched James as he slept and realized that no one had ever loved him that much and James won his heart. Carlos and Logan knew, as well as their friend Camille, but they'd managed to keep it a secret from the rest of the world. They knew it could hurt the band's chances if they were to come out as a couple, so they decided to wait and were always very careful, never showing affection beyond friendship in public. They both dated to keep up appearances, but it was usually a one time thing and always platonic.
It had been difficult when Griffin had wanted them to do the reality show, James and Logan had quickly switched rooms until they were able to rid themselves of the nuisances and for a couple of weeks after, just to be sure they'd found all the cameras. After they had made certain the apartment was clear, James and Logan switched back to their original rooms.
"Okay, thanks James," Kendall smiled as his friends got into the elevator.
"Call if you need a ride," Logan said as the doors closed.
Kendall turned and headed down the hallway to Griffin's private elevator wondering why he had to meet with the CEO. Out of all of them Logan would be the obvious choice for any business discussions and Kendall groaned again, thinking of spending the evening with the eccentric businessman. The elevator doors opened and he stepped inside hoping that this would go quickly.
The elevator stopped and the doors opened into Griffin's private office.
"Kendall, come in and take a seat," Griffin said, pointing to a chair next to the black leather sofa. He was seated at his oversized desk and speaking with three others. Two men were seated and woman was holding a pointer and indicating some equations on the screen on the wall. They were all dressed in business suits and Kendall immediately felt underdressed wearing the jeans and plaid shirt he'd worn to work that day. He nodded and took the chair that Griffin had indicated.
"So...I'm not quite sure why I'm here. I really don't know anything about business," Kendall said.
"You're here because I want a unique perspective and because I said so," Griffin said. "Go on Amy, I can catch Kendall up later."
Kendall rolled his eyes and tried to pay attention but sitting through a long, boring presentation of stock market estimations was not really something he found easy to stay focused on. He found his mind wandering and hoped it would be over soon or he might literally die from boredom. About an hour later he stifled a yawn and Griffin's assistant, Abdul, appeared and handed him a cold bottle of Dr. Pepper. Kendall smiled gratefully and the man nodded and went back to stand behind Griffin. Kendall opened the bottle and took a drink, still trying to pay attention to what the others were talking about.
"So, what are your thoughts?" Griffin asked suddenly, looking at the teen. The other three watched him expectantly and Kendall felt like he did in class when the teacher called on him and he didn't know the answer.
"Uh...well, I really don't know very much about this but I'm sure whatever you do will work out fine."
"What about the the estimated rise in stock after the second quarter's possible division, of course taking into account the oversea's sales?" Amy asked.
"I have no idea," Kendall said.
"Well, if you take this number and divide it in half and add it to the estimated sales in China and the United Kingdom, then we arrive at the estimation that the next quarter's sales should be about 24% higher," she told him as she poined to the screen.
Kendall looked at the screen but had difficulty focusing on the pie chart that was currently showing. "I'm sorry, I think I'm just really tired right now. It's been a long day and I'm getting a headache."
"Well...THAT was disappointing. We'll pick this up where we left off tomorrow," Griffin said. The other three people nodded, gathered their things and quickly left.
"Sorry," Kendall said as he stood. He suddenly felt dizzy and grabbed ahold of the chair, "Wow, I think I might have overdone it today."
Griffin took his arm, "Rest on the sofa and then I'll have my driver take you home as soon as you feel better."
Kendall nodded and let the older man lead him to the sofa where he sat down and leaned his head back against the soft, cool leather.
The dizziness had passed and he was now feeling weak and slightly nauseated. He heard soft music playing and found himself drifting off when he felt fingers running through his hair. "Don't worry, you'll be feeling better in no time."
Kendall went to answer but found all he could manage was, "Hmm?"
"You're just overtired, we'll get you home in a little while," Griffin smiled.
"'Sorry," Kendall managed to mumble.
"This isn't something you need to apologize for," Griffin said softly.
Kendall closed his eyes against the soft lights and a moment later was sleeping peacefully.