Fic - For What It's Worth (9/25)
Title: For What It's Worth
Chapter: 9/25
Rating: M
Ship: James/Kendall, Logan/Camille, side Carlos/Dak, Carlos/Lucy, Jett/Mercedes, and Guitar Dude/Jennifers
Summary: AU. Kendall was a dancer when he was a kid, but when his dad unexpectedly passed away, he had to give it up. He becomes a bit of a stoner, and ends up in a little trouble, and his mother decides that she doesn't want her son living that life. So the Knights pick up and move all the way across the country, to L.A. That's where Kendall meets his cousin, Camille, her boyfriend, Logan, the wacky dresser and actor, Carlos, and, among them all, James. James is a ballet dancer with more ambition than Kendall's ever known. Though the two of them do not get along at first, James finally convinces Kendall to use his natural talent, rather than waste it, and they find each other as kindred spirits, and eventually, lovers. This doesn't come without difficulties. With James' ex-partner, Mercedes; the pompous actor-extraordinaire, Jett, and even Kendall's best friend, Joseph (Guitar Dude) getting in the way. But in may not be a person that come between them. It may be the actual thing that brings them together that splits them apart.
Artwork By:thilia
Beta: jblostfan16
Author's Note: This is my bigtimebang. Woo! I had been playing with this idea for awhile when this finally came around and then Cassie convinced me to do it. And it kinda got away from me. Lol! But anyway, I won't ramble. Strap in. It's a long ride.
Chapter Nine
“Hey! How’d it go?”
Kendall did not expect his friends to be up waiting for him when he got back. He checked the time on his cell phone - it was a little past eleven.
“Uhh….” Kendall blinked. “Fine? What are you guys still doing here?”
Logan didn’t look up from his textbook. “Don’t ask me. I got roped in to staying. I have nothing to do with this. Talk to the giggle twins.”
As if on cue, Carlos and Camille burst into a little fit of giggles. Kendall grimaced at them, embarrassment creeping up his back.
“Did you have fun?” Camille asked.
Kendall shrugged. “I guess.”
Carlos made a face. “What do you mean you guess?”
“It was fine. He just took me to dinner to thank me…”
“For what?” Camille looked confused.
And she should’ve. Because Kendall had conveniently forgotten to tell her the truth of his whereabouts a few nights before. Carlos raised his eyebrows, intrigued and amused.
“Yeah, Kendall, for what exactly?”
Logan’s eyebrow quirked behind his book, but it was the only interest he showed.
“I… nothing really. Really.” Kendall made a huge gesture of yawning and stretching. “Man, I am tired. I think I’ll go to bednowgoodnight-“ Kendall made a run for it, but Camille and Carlos were hot on his heels, grabbing him by the arms with a laugh.
“Just tell us! Was it a date?”
Kendall was completely blindsided by the question. “What? No!” The assumption almost made him angry. “Why the hell would you think that?” He and James may have had a nice dinner, but that didn’t mean they got along.
“Well. It was dinner. Just the two of you. And he was all fancy looking.”
Kendall glared. “No. It wasn’t a date. He was… apologizing. For the crap he gave me. And thanking me for deciding to join the higher dance class on his advice. So there.”
“You’re joining the class?”
“Yeah. If they’ll have me.” Kendall paused. “I’m going to bed now.”
“Noooo! Stay up with us!”
“Um,” Kendall crossed his arms. “If I’m going to nail my audition for Mr. X tomorrow, I need to be well rested.”
Feeling proud of himself, Kendall made his way up the stairs. But he did hear Carlos just before he was out of earshot:
“See, that sounded a lot like James.”
…
Kendall curled to one side, touching his toe, feeling the burn of stretching muscles down his back and arms, then turned to the other side, doing the same. He spread his legs and leaned forward, flattening himself into the floor. Then his torso was up and he was bending each of his arms over his head. Stretching was crucial. He was about to lay all he had out on the floor, as soon as Mr. X and the other staff members arrived at his audition.
James was leaning against the wall. Kendal could see him in the mirror, his hazel eyes trained on Kendall’s curving form.
“Don’t overdo it on the stretching. Be spry, but don’t wear yourself out.”
“I know what I’m doing.”
“I know. Just offering advice.”
“Here, stretch my leg back.” Kendall lie flat on his back, and James sighed, walking elegantly over and leaning near Kendall.
Kendall lifted his leg, and James pushed it toward Kendall’s chest. Even after all the stupid date talk, Kendall wasn’t uncomfortable with James helping him. The stretches came with being a dancer. He knew that. James knew that. There wasn’t anything weird about it. They stretched the other leg without a word.
“I think you’re flexible enough,” James said, hopping up onto his feet and offering Kendall a hand up. “You’ll do fine.”
Kendall took it. “You’re just happy I’m doing what you say.”
“Well, I’m right, so. Yes.” James looked smug. It made Kendall want to smack him.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Kendall rolled his eyes, crossing the room to dig in his bag for his music. “So you’re convincing. So what?”
“I’m extremely convincing.” James looked in the mirror and fussed with his hair. “Mercedes says it’s because I’m so handsome.”
“That’s because Mercedes wants to sleep with you.” Kendall didn’t know for sure. Hell, he hardly knew Mercedes. He just knew that she always walked around like the room smelled, and treated James like a god. He wasn’t sure he liked her much.
James laughed. “I seriously doubt that.”
Kendall raised an eyebrow. James sounded so sure. Kendall was surprised James was so amused by it.
“Are you saying that so I’ll admit that you’re handsome? Because I won’t.”
“No,” James shook his head, still looking beyond amused. “You know, you’re a lot more tolerable than I expected you to be. I thought you were just a lazy asshole.”
“Nope. Just an asshole.” Kendall pulled his hoodie over his head and threw it over in the corner with his bag.
Mr. X and his crew arrived. It looked like the principal of the school and the head of the dance department decided to help with the decision making process. James greeted them all warmly, all grace and good-student, then stepped over to Kendall on his way out.
He whispered. “Knock their socks off. I’ll see you in class.”
Kendall felt nervousness chill in his blood as James headed out the door. Suddenly he wasn’t so sure.
“Good day, Mr. Knight. You may proceed with your audition whenever you like.”
Kendall wondered if months from then would count as whenever you like. But he swallowed and made his way over to the stereo. He started his CD, then made his way over to his spot on the floor.
There were a few moments of silence. Kendall closed his eyes and breathed.
The music started.
He danced. He threw everything he had into the routine, all the way through his ballet number, until he was sweating and panting, and his cheeks were stained red. And he did the same through the next two numbers he prepared.
He caught sight of James once or twice, peeking in through the door, his face lit up like a summer sky. It made Kendall feel pretty proud of himself. Because if James knew one thing - he knew dance. So for him to be so thrilled to see Kendall in the middle of it - well, Kendall had to be doing a good job.
He snuck a peek at the judges when it was all over, and they looked just as pleased as James did.
Good. Very, very good.
Mr. X let out a long sigh. “Well, Mr. Knight. I am very impressed. Exquisite work. A bit sloppy in some places, but nothing my classes will not be able to assist you with. I believe we all agree that you move up to the higher courses, effective immediately.”
Kendall let out a long breath he had no idea he’d been holding. “Thank you. Thank you, sir.”
He left the room first, allowing the three higher officials to talk about how everything went, his bag and hoodie slung over his shoulder. James was right outside.
“Well?”
“I’ll see you in class,” Kendall smiled.
James lit up like fireworks. Kendall had never seen him so happy. “That’s awesome!”
Kendall nodded, filled with pride. “I guess I should thank you… for pushing me to do it.”
James shook his head. “I’m sorry for being a dick about it.”
“It’s fine. I’m sure it’s the only way you know how to do things.”
“Shut up!”
James smiled again. Kendall came to a realization.
“You really didn’t like me before, did you? I mean, if you smile this much around people that you get along with, you must have really hated me.”
“I don’t like people who take advantage of their gifts.” James’ face fell a little, and he was suddenly distant. “Things can be taken from you in a second. Never take advantage of the things you have.”
A flash of his dad’s face played before Kendall’s eyes, and he was suddenly filled with guilt.
“You’re right. I shouldn’t have.” He crossed his arms, frowning. After a long moment, he tried to lighten the conversation. “Um… Mr. X says I’m a little sloppy. Maybe you can help me on that?”
“I’d be happy to. Did he mention anything specific?”
“No, but I’m sure you of all people will notice.”
…
“What is he doing here?”
Mercedes scowled. It really made her face ugly, which was a shame, because she was such a pretty girl.
“He’s in the class,” James said nonchalantly, shoving his things into the cubby holes on the far wall.
Kendall gave her his friendliest smile. Mercedes expression didn’t change. She looked at him like he was a bug that needed squashing.
“But he was in the beginner class yesterday.”
“And now he’s in this one. What’s the problem?” James started stretching as he spoke. “He’s a lot better than the beginner class. He auditioned and now he’s in this one.”
“Um… okay.” She gave Kendall the stink eye all through class, especially whenever he got any praise.
After class, she waited until she and Kendall were the only ones in the room.
“I don’t know what your game is, but you need to stay away from James.”
She was quick to the point. Kendall didn’t really know what she was getting at though.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“I don’t have any game.” Kendall raised an eyebrow at her. “What does James have to do with anything?”
Mercedes scoffed. “Like you don’t know.”
“I don’t know.” Kendall stood there, making a face at her, completely baffled to her problem with him.
“Listen. James is my ticket to the big time, and you are not going to get in my way. He’s the best student here, and that’s why he is my partner. So don’t even think about swindling him into your little ragtag bunch of misfits. Got it?”
Ragtag bunch of misfits?
Who the fuck did she think he was? Scooby Doo?
“Um… okay?”
Mercedes was gone in a flash of blonde hair.
…
Kendall wasn’t too worried about a pretty little rich girl.
“You need to slow down,” James said. “You’re getting too excited around measure twenty-six and you’re taking the counts too fast. That’s what’s making you look sloppy.”
“Okay, how’s this?”
“That’s better.”
Carlos made a dramatic groan from over in the corner, huddled with Camille. “Guys. I’m hungry. Can we go now?”
Kendall huffed. “Carlos, you had a cupcake five minutes ago.”
“Yeah. It pissed my stomach off. I need like. Burritos. Now.”
Kendall laughed. A chicken burrito did sound pretty good. “Okay, okay. You coming, James?”
James looked like a deer in the headlights. “You… want me to come?”
“Sure, why not? Get changed.”
“Oh. Um. Cool.”
Kendall changed into his sweats and sneakers, pulling the hood up on his head to cover the mop of sweaty hair he’d acquired during practice. He’d had to drop out of the acting class to open up time for his dance projects, but Camille and Carlos always waited around for him and kept him company when he needed it. He didn’t always. James was a solid rock, helping him through his flaws and showing him new ways to do things. Even with all of Kendall’s experience watching and loving dance, James always surprised him with his flexibility and power. He was pulling new things out of Kendall with ease, and there was something not just terrifying about it - but completely electrifying as well.
They all made their way down to a little hole-in-the-wall Mexican grocery store that actually sold authentic food over the counter. Carlos often showed up on campus with a white paper bag filled with delicious burritos and tacos and tamales, and his fellow students crowded around and enjoyed the treats he offered. Considering James was friends with them, Kendall couldn’t help but think he looked like a fish out of water.
Carlos was talking a mile a minute - which he always did - about the things Kendall was missing in acting class.
“We’re finally starting Meisner training. It’s so hard core. I took a workshop on it back a year ago. I cried all the way home and I had nothing to cry over. It just gets in your skull, man. It’s all about being completely vulnerable with yourself.”
“I doubt I’d be any good at it,” Kendall laughed. “I’m not much of an actor.”
“He’s right, you know,” Camille butted in. “Kendall can’t lie to save his life. I have to lie for him all the time.”
“Hey, I lied plenty of times to stay out of trouble back in NYC.”
Camille’s phone rang as they were coming up on the store. “Oh, that’s Logan. Go on in, guys. I’ll catch up.”
“Okay.”
The three of them went in. Carlos ordered what sounded like way too much food in complete Spanish and they trolled around the store while it cooked.
“Camille’s still outside,” Carlos sighed. “She’s so attached to Logan. I don’t get it. They’re nothing alike.”
Kendall raised an eyebrow at Carlos, running his finger over glass bottle of soda that he’d never heard of. “Why does it matter?”
“It doesn’t.”
“Then why are you complaining?”
“Because he had a crush on Camille before she started dating Logan,” James tacked on, the first thing he’d said the whole trip.
“What?”
“I’m over her,” Carlos spat. “She’s one of my best friends. I just don’t want someone holding her back, y’know?”
“Logan’s gonna be a doctor. He won’t be holding anyone back.” Kendall eyed Carlos, “And I didn’t know you liked Camille like that.”
“You thought I liked dudes, didn’t you? I like guys too.” Carlos smiled. “I’m open to whoever I fall for. I’m not going to categorize myself for anyone.” He grabbed a couple of bottles of the soda and made his way to the counter to purchase them.
Kendall looked at James.
“I told you he falls easily. He liked me too. For about five minutes.” James laughed. “Then he realized I was kind of a jerk so.”
“Does he stay friends with all his crushes? That can’t be fun.”
“Kid recovers quickly from heartbreak. Then again, I don’t think he’s ever felt anything more than puppy love for anyone.” James sighed. “He’s just looking for that one person that gets him. I think we’re all guilty of that.”
Camille popped in through the door, all smiles. “How long til food’s on?”
“Just a minute or two,” Carlos said from the counter. “Do you guys want anything else?”
“No, I think we’re good,” James said.
Kendall watched Camille saunter to the counter and hug Carlos from the side, the two of them playfully arguing over who got the check.
“Do you think he liked me too?”
James shrugged a shoulder. “Maybe.”
Kendall grimaced. “He shouldn’t.”
James smiled, patting Kendall on the back. “Hey, you’re likable - to a degree.”
“Shut up.” Kendall couldn’t fight the grin that spread over his face. He shoved James into the shelf.
James laughed. “Seriously though, don’t worry about it so much. Carlos is tough. He’ll be fine.”
They ate in the parking lot, leaning against vehicles that didn’t belong to them and the concrete wall of the building.
“So I was thinking,” Carlos said through a mouthful of food. “We’ve got a three day weekend next month. Why don’t we all go to my parents’ beach house in Malibu? It’d be fun!”
“Sounds awesome.” Kendall smiled. “I haven’t been to the west coast before.”
“You’re gonna go too, right, James?”
James nearly choked on his food. “What? Oh, um. Maybe. It depends on what I have going on. I might have an audition or something.”
Kendall took a large bite of his burrito and eyed James. James looked beyond uncomfortable with being invited. It was almost like he’d never hung out with people before.
It was weird. Kendall had kind of just fit right in. James stuck out everywhere he went. When he was in class, he outshined the rest of the dancers, standing out like a glimmering star in a black night sky. When he was among the rest of the social set, he was so awkward that it was hard not to look at him. He just looked massively uncomfortable.
“What, are you scared?” Kendall challenged.
“No,” James argued, immediately taking the bait. “Why the hell would I be scared?”
“Well, you’re making excuses. You should go. You know. Unless you’re scared.”
“Shut up.”
“I’m just saying.”
James rolled his eyes, then snapped his head over to Carlos. “Fine. I will go.” Back to Kendall: “There, happy?”
Kendall smiled. “Yes.”