Harlow met up with Christon at their selected time and place for lunch and an interview. Christon looked different from the last time Harlow had seen her.
"Love the new look, Chris," Harlow said, giving her best friend a hug and pointing out her friend's greenish blue pixie haircut and big hoop earrings.
"Awe thanks," Christon said with a giggle. "By the way, how did the gig go yesterday? Did my surprise person show up?"
Harlow sighed with a slight chuckle. "Oh yeah, he showed up alright. Crashed at my place too."
"No," Christon said, her mouth hanging open. "He didn't? Did… anything happen?"
"No," Harlow said, shaking her head. "Was something supposed to happen?"
Christon shrugged. "Not unless you wanted it to. You and James not only have history, but you two have chemistry together too. I think you should pursue him."
Harlow felt a bit annoyed at this statement. "Chris, I have no interest in James in any way but friendship. There's nothing to pursue."
Christon rolled her eyes and leaned forward. "I'm not so sure about that, Harley. Back in the day you two were inseparable. You, James and Kendall. If I wouldn't know any better, I'd say you had a thing for both of them."
Harlow's mouth dropped open. Why was her best friend suddenly attacking her in this way? She had never thought of James in a romantic way. She did have a slight crush on Kendall back then, but she was sure those feelings subsided by now.
"Why are we even talking about me? I'm here to interview you," Harlow said, changing the subject.
Christon shrugged and sat back in her seat. "Alright, but whatever questions you have I'm sure you already know the answers to them."
"If that's so, I still need it vocalized for the record," Harlow said, taking out her recorder.
Christon growled. "Quit that lame job with that jerk, Derek, and come work with me, Harley. I miss you and I need you."
Harlow set down her recorder and stared at the table. How many times were people going to bring this up to her? Yes, Derek was a jerk. Not only to everyone else but also to her and he would always belittle her and call her names. But he paid good money. Harlow leaned forward with her hand under her chin and tapped her finger on her cheek.
"I know my producer creeps you out," Christon said, laying a hand on Harlow's. "And I'm trying really hard to find a new one because your comfort is more important to me than anything. But I really want you to join me on my journey. It's been so long since you've been to one of my shows and I really want you there. I miss hanging out with you. Please, Harley."
Harlow looked into her friend's pleading eyes and felt a sudden tug on her heart. The sincerity in that plea, in Christon's, was almost convincing.
"What's in it for me?" Harlow asked after seconds of silence.
"Good pay, better than what you're getting now. Paid living and travel," Christon said, smiling. "Free food and other things perhaps."
"Alright… I'll quit my job and start working with you," Harlow finally gave in.
Christon's face lit up with a huge smile and practically jumped across the table at her in a bear hug.
"Thank you! I will make sure you will be comfortable and have fun," Christon said, stepping back. "You should probably start getting packed."
"Guess I'll text James and let him know what's happened," Harlow said, pulling out her phone.
Christon gave her a wink but said nothing. Harlow ignored her friend's expression and sent James a text. He replied with a lot of smiling emojis and told her to meet him in the middle of the park with Christon.
"James wants us to meet up with him. Are you still free for a while?" Harlow asked.
"Yep, let's go," Christon said.
They made their way to the middle of the park to meet up with James. On the walk, Harlow and Christon relived the old days when they were younger and when Harlow first met Big Time Rush.
"I'm telling you, Harley, I'm pretty sure you had a thing for both Kendall and James," Christon giggled. "The way you would always hang around James and steal secret looks at Kendall. Don't think I never noticed your side glances in Kendall's direction when no one was looking."
Harlow rolled her eyes. "Why would I have a thing for two guys at once? And James of all people? He gets under my skin."
Christon giggled and nudged her friend. "Oh if only he could literally get under your skin."
"Geez, Chris," Harlow awkwardly chuckled. "Stop being dirty minded. I never thought of James or Kendall in a sexual way."
"Could've fooled me," Christon laughed. "The way you got so red around James and you would always be so fidgety as well. I bet you still do get that way around James, don't you?"
Harlow shrugged. "Heck if I know. All I know is James seems to keep getting on my nerves. Every last one of them."
"That's because he likes you, Harley," Christon said, shaking her head. "You're in denial."
Before Harlow could retort, a group of familiar faces caught her eye from a distance. A big smile crossed her face as she picked up her pace and went from walking to a slight trot towards the group.
"Guys!" she cried out in happiness. "It's been so long!"
She practically tackled Logan Henderson and hugged all of them, even James unknowingly.
"Harley, how's it going?" Kendall Schmidt asked, pulling away to look at her excited face. "James called us in and told us to meet up here for a surprise. I'm glad to know you're the surprise."
Harlow smiled brightly as Christon finally caught up. She huffed and rested her hand on Harlow's shoulder, trying to catch her breath.
"Man, you're a fast runner when you want to be, Harley," Christon panted. "Well if it isn't Big Time Rush. What brought you all here?"
Carlos grinned and gave her a hug. "James is what brought us here. Call it a family reunion."
"Let's all go get some ice cream," James said abruptly.
They all made their way to an ice cream stand with laughs and reminiscing. Harlow couldn't help but notice Kendall staring at her. She gave him a smile and he quickly looked away with a grin.
"How've you been, Kendall?" Harlow asked, getting closer to him.
"I've been pretty good. Just living life day by day," he said, handing her an ice cream. "How about you?"
"Well, Christon has talked me into quitting my job and working with her," Harlow smiled.
Kendall gasped. "That's great! James was mentioning something about that earlier. I'm happy for you!"
Harlow smiled with a slight blush. Compared to James, Kendall never pushed her into doing something she didn't want to do. Thinking about it, she did seem to not speak much with Kendall like she did with James. But their banter always ended up with them arguing. Her and James had two different personalities and Kendall matched her personality a bit more.
"So, how's your boyfriend?" Kendall asked casually.
"We broke up a while back. It was toxic for me," Harlow said, looking at the ground. "How did you know I had a boyfriend?"
"I didn't," Kendall said, leaning closer to her. "I was just doing some digging."
He winked at her and licked his ice cream. James watched from behind and arched an eyebrow.
"So, Harley, when are you leaving with Christon?" James asked, squeezing in between her and Kendall.
"Probably after her concert," Harlow said, regaining her balance after he nearly knocked her over.
James nodded and looked over at Kendall who was eyeballing him. James shrugged at his friend and acted like nothing happened. He knew Kendall was trying to flirt with Harlow, and he didn't like it. In his mind, Kendall would always get the girl.
Harlow noticed Christon being flirty with Logan. She also noticed James and Kendall glaring at each other so she nudged Kendall.
"So, got a special someone in your life, Kendall?" Harlow asked, trying to break the awkward silence between the three of them.
"No, I've tried dating but they only seemed to like me for my looks," Kendall said with a slight chuckle. "Now I'm just waiting for the right girl."
"Don't go after Harlow, Kendall," James blurted out. "I call dibs."
"No one can call dibs on anyone here. I'm a human being, not an object," Harlow threw at him, annoyed.