A/N: for those who didn't get a notification I published a chapter before this one...

The group sat at the pool until the boys all stood up.

"What time is it?" Kendall asked.

"It's girl time," they answered, making Nini chuckle from her pool chair knowing none of the girls at the Palm Woods would go for them...which she was glad for, especially for Kendall.

The kiss between Kendall and Nini had yet to be brought up due to they both trying to ignore that they felt a connection between one another.

The Jennifers walked by the boys to which Brunnette Jennifer told them, "Talk to us when you get in the top ten."

"But not before," Curly Haired Jennifer added before they kept walking.

Camille stomped up to Kendall in a cheerleading outfit, slapping him. "How could you? With my mom in the hospital, and my huge fight with my best friend, and my zit?"

"Degrassi audition?" the group all asked.

Camille smiled. "Wish me luck."

"Good luck, Cam," Nini told her.

"Thanks," she replied before slapping Kendall again who muttered a small 'ow' as she walked away.

The two twins walked by the pool. "Simms twins approaching," Nini spoke, not looking up from her magazine.

Carlos was about to approach them until James stopped him, "Too risky. They get pretty upset if you get their names wrong."

Carlos approached anyway with his helmet on. "Hello, ladies," he greeted.

"What's my name?" Sandy asked him.

"Uh..." Carlos paused. "Mandy?"

Both twins pushed Carlos into the pool before walking away.

"Sandy," Kendall, James, Carlos, Logan and Nini answered as the boys all sat back down.

"Why can't there be a nice, sweet, nice girl at the Palm Woods?" Kendall questioned causing Nini to narrow her eyes at that but didn't look up from her magazine.

"Somebody not crazy or stuck-up. That's still really hot," James added.

"From...North Carolina," Logan added.

"Well, it's not North Carolina," Mr. Bitters spoke, entering the pool area to show someone around. "But I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay here. Let me show you your apartment."

A blond girl walked behind him with a cute kind smile and rolling a suitcase.

The boys gaped at her to which Nini slowly looked up from her magazine at her friends to see their expressions, her main focus on Kendall's.

Immediately, her good mood turned sour in only a few seconds.

The girl waved at the boys as she walked by. "Hi."

Thr boys numbly watched her walk away, even Carlos who got out of the pool.

Suddenly, James yelled, "She's mine!"

At that, the boys all wrestled, repeating 'she's mine'.

Nini stood up, trying to keep her normal facade as she got in between the group, pushing them all apart. "Enough!" They all stopped. "Do this later because we go to work right now at the studio."

She then smacked the back of Kendall's head harshly making him flinch. "Nini, what was that for?" he asked, rubbing his head.

"You started it," she replied.

"No, James-"

Nini poked him harshly in the chest. "You. Started. It."

James, Carlos, and Logan all raised their hands in surrender and mumbled in an agreement that he did start the fight while Kendall stood there confused as Nini turned on her heels and walked away with the boys following her shortly.

***

30 minutes later, the group was at Rocque Records with Gustavo and Kelly in front of them.

"Today we are gonna sing a love song. It's a slow song, about love," Gustavo spoke as Kelly handed them all out the lyrics Nini and Gustavo worked on.

"The record company wants one of your demo songs to be a ballad," Kelly stated.

"Okay, does anybody else notice the huge guy in the corner?" Kendall asked.

There was a very tall man in a black suit standing in the corner.

"That is Freight Train, my new executive in charge of making people do what I say," Gustavo answered as Freight Train punched the wall next to him to set an example.

"I like him already," Nini stated as Freight Train brushed his arm off.

"Now, this is a song about when you see a girl for the first time, and you know she's the one," Gustavo spoke. "Do you guys know what I'm talking about?"

Nearly simultaneously, Kendall and Nini both looked at each other at the moment, a small smile almost breaking out on her face until-

"She's mine!" James yelled out again to which all boys wrestled one another.

Nini frowned, crossing her arms as she muttered, "Chicos estúpidos. Estúpido Kendall. No sé por qué estoy enfadada pero eres estúpida."

"Freight Train!" Gustavo called to which the man picked up James and Carlos with both hands and dropped them away from Kendall and Logan.

"That was kind of fun," Carlos stated.

"What is that smell?" Gustavo asked.

"It's Barracuda man spray," James said, whipping the bottle out. "We're in love with a girl at the Palm Woods, and this is my edge." He sprayed himself with it before saying, "Better wear your 'cuda."

"You need an edge?" Kendall questioned.

"You always get the girl," Carlos added.

"Yeah, give us a chance for once," Logan stated.

"She will be mine," James told them.

They wrestled again, arguing.

Nini huffed before turning to the man. "Freight Train, if you please," she said, motioning to the boys.

"Dogs. Booth. Now," Gustavo said to which Freight Train pushed them all into the sound booth area. "He is really good," Gustavo stated before noticing Nini practically stomp into the booth area after them. "Kelly, what's wrong with her?"

"I don't know," she answered.

"Well, find out and fix her," Gustavo told her before going into the sound booth area with Kelly following.

Nini stood in the doorway with crossed arms and an angered expression as she watched the boys enter the sound booth.

"Nini," Kelly spoke. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Nini answered quickly. "No, I'm better than fine. I'm fabulous."

"Doesn't look like it," Kelly replied.

Nini huffed. "Okay, maybe. Not completely okay. There's this girl at the Palm Woods who is level headed and not stuck up like the girls I live around and the boys all like her."

"So you're scared the guys won't care about you anymore?" Kelly asked.

"I don't care if James, Carlos or Logan dates her but Kendall?" She groaned. "No quiero que salga con ella. Nunca."

"Okay, I didn't get that last part," Kelly stated.

"Sorry," Nini told her. "I just don't get why Kendall has to go out with her. I don't like her."

"Have you met her?" Kelly questioned.

"I don't have to," Nini answered childishly. "I saw her and I smell evil. She looked in Kendall's direction..."

"Oh," Kelly chuckled, now understanding as Gustavo got the boys started on the new song.

"Oh what?" Nini questioned.

"Nini, it's very obvious what's wrong." Nini waited for her to answer. "You have a crush on Kendall."

Nini gaped dramtically. "I do not. Have or will ever have a crush."

Kelly placed a hand on her hip, giving Nini a look. "So if you took a lie detector test right now, it would say you're telling the truth?"

Nini's face fell. "Do you have one here?"

"Maybe, maybe not."

"I don't like him like that," Nini stated.

"Didn't you guys kiss?" Kelly asked.

"Yes...and I liked it..." she mumbled.

"Sorry what?" she asked tauntingly.

"I liked it," Nini answered clearer. "And..." she began to smile. "When he holds my hand and...my heart beats really, really fast and my cheeks burns really bad every time he looks at me..." she trailed off, gaping. "Oh gosh, I do have a crush."

"Told you," Kelly told her smugly.

"I'll be back, I'm going to bang my head in a wall and hope it goes away," Nini replied about to walk out if it wasn't for Kelly pulling her to stay.

"Any kind of guy you want,
That's the kind I'll be..." The boys sang until James sneezed before continuing.
"Turn myself upside down..." James sneezed again.
"Yes, I will..."

Gustavo killed the music before saying into the microphone, "This is a song about love, not sneezing!"

"But the pollen count is really high today," Kelly told him, still holding onto Nini.

"Then get him to a doctor and fix him, while I fix the song, because it's horrible."

Nini scoffed. "Rude."

He turned to- "Freight Train, take the dogs home."

Kelly grabbed onto James who said, "No, I don't want to go to the doctor. I'm in love-" He sneezed.

Freight Train entered the booth to which Kendall greeted, "Oh, hi, Freight Train." He jumped into Freight Train's arms. "Sorry, James, but we have to go back to the Palm Woods now."

James grabbed onto the microphone. "You are not allowed to talk to her until I'm back. I mean it!"

"Fun," Nini muttered.

***

At the Palm Woods pool side, Kendall, Carlos and Logan were hiding behind a brush wearing tree hats while Nini just sat there with her arms rested on her arms boredly watching the girl at a pool chair.

"Logan, what's the intel?" Kendall asked.

"Well, according to your mom's Cosmopilan magazine," Logan began. "75% of the female population is attracted to the bad boy type."

Carlos left and appeared out of nowhere dressed as bad boy. "I call the bad boy type."

"But it won't matter, because 100% of the female population is attracted to men with British accents," Logan added.

"But none of us are British," Kendall stated.

"Speak for yourself, governor," Logan replied, mocking a British accent.

"What are you gonna go with, Kendall?" Carlos asked.

"60% like the steamy firemen, 40% like the brooding loner, and 0.7% like the jolly pastry chef," Logan listed off.

"I'm gonna be myself," Kendall answered to which Nini nearly smiled at that approach but her jealousy held her back.

Carlos and Logan laughed before they both said, "That never works."

"It worked on me," Nini mumbled to herself.

"What?" Kendall questioned.

"What?" she quickly replied, keeping a nonchalant expression.

***

The boys hid in the lobby while Nini walked over to them, not bothering to try and hide.

"Okay. We'll draw palm leaves to see who gets to ask her out first," Logan spoke in an English accent. "Short one wins."

"Quit it with the phony accent," Nini told him. "You aren't even talking to her."

Logan smiled. "Practice makes perfect, darling," he told her, still speaking in his accent.

Kendall drew a palm leave out, his was really long to which Nini internally cheered.

She believed it was the universe's of way of saying Kendall won't get the girl.

"My turn," Carlos said, grabbing one.

"The other one," Logan told him, pulling back.

"Logan, give it."

"No."

"I've never had a girlfriend," Carlos replied before pulling on it one last time. It was short. "Oh, yes." He stood up, putting his shades on. "Stand back, boys, And watch the bad boy get the pretty girl."

Carlos walked over to the lobby with a careless manner, sitting beside girl.

The girl looked at him. "Hi, I'm Jo," she introduced herself. "Cool jacket. Oh, are you going out for the bad boy role in 'Magic Middle School'? I mean, it's a really strong role, but I hate bad boys in real life. I mean, why so angry all the time?"

Carlos looked like he was panicking to which Logan still spoke in the accent, "Poor old chap. He's in a bit of a sticky wicket."

"Logan, I love you but shut up," Nini replied before looking to Kendall who stood a few inches close to her. "And you." She pushed him. "Personal space, dude."

"Why are you being so mean for?" Kendall asked her.

"What are you talking about? I'm being myself," Nini stated.

"I'm sorry. I didn't get your name," the girl, Jo, told Carlos.

"Um..." Carlos began before removing his sunglasses and spoke in a British accent. "Reginald Salisbury from England."

"Wha-" Logan began about to yell if it wasn't for Kendall covering his mouth.

"How exciting," Jo stated. "Oh, my family visits there every year. What part of England are you from?"

"Uh," Carlos began before standing. "Cheerio. Put another shrimp on the Barbie. Danke schon."

He rushed back to where the group was hiding to which Logan said in a normal voice, "You stole my bit."

"She smells so nice, and I panicked," Carlos replied.

"She will be mine!" Logan said before standing up, fixing his shirt collar before beginning to approach with a smile until Camille rushed up to him, slapping him. "Camille, not now. Please, not now."

"Of course I'll take you back," Camille stated to Logan, kissing his face everyhere. "I'm gonna tell Rachel we're back together, and that I will destroy anybody, who tries so come between us."

She pressed a long kiss to Logan's lips before walking away where the group was.

"One Tree Hill?" Kendall asked her.

"Yeah, let's go with that," Camille replied.

"If that's true, tell Chad Michael Murray that Nini wants to marry him," Nini stated as Camille walked away before turning to the boys. "Gotta shoot your shot sometimes."

Logan hurriedly ran back to where the group was. "I get a do-over."

"No, you don't," Kendall told him.

"Was Camille a good kisser?" Carlos asked.

"I was...pleasantly surprised," Logan answered.

"Okay, boys. Now it's my turn," Kendall began, standing up before stopping as he realized Jo wasn't there. He groaned, "Hockey pucks!"

Nini looked up at the ceiling.

Thank you, Universe.

***

Later, Kendall, Carlos and Logan were by the pool side where Jo was sitting in a cabana.

"So we were thinking, you definitely need a girl strategy," Logan told Kendall.

"So try this," Carlos said, shoving fake teeth in Kendall's mouth who just pulled them out and handed them to Carlos.

"Yeah. Thanks, but I think I'm gonna stick with the 'be myself' strategy..." Kendall stated before his eyes trailed to Nini who was sitting with Guitar Dude, sitting close to him and rocking out to his songs. "Nini!" he called.

Nini stood up, kissing Guitar Dude on the cheek before stomping over to Kendall. "What?" she asked.

"Will you keep an eye on these guys? Make sure they don't ruin my chance," Kendall told her when the truth was...he didn't want Nini flirting with anyone.

"Fine," she agreed, plopping into a chair.

Kendall stood up and approached Jo.

"Stupid Universe," Nini cursed, looking up at the sky.

"I told you we should have used the glue," Logan told Carlos.

Kendall stood in front of Jo and greeted, "Hi."

"Hi," Jo greeted back.

"I just wanted to welcome you to the Palm Woods." Freight Train grabbed Kendall by the back of the shirt, lifting him up in the air. "I'm Kendall, and, uh...This looks weird, right? Uh, we can continue this conversation when my friend Freight Train puts me down." Freight Train just placed him on his shoulder and walked away to which Kendall waved. "We'll do this again sometime."

Nini looked up. "I'm so sorry I doubted you, Universe."

"Yes!" Carlos and Logan cheered before clapping until Freight Train grabbed them both, dragging Carlos and throwing Logan on his other shoulder.

Freight Train left without saying anything to her so that meant that Gustavo didn't need her.

She lied back on the pool chair, crossing her hands behind her head and sighing happily.

Now, she has time to herself and doesn't have to worry about Jo and Kendall right now.

***

An hour later, Nini came back to the pool after leaving to which Camille waved her down. "Hey, Nini."

Nini smiled. "Cam, hey," she greeted back. "What's up?"

"Nothing, just finished an audition. I think I got this one," she stated.

"Yay you," Nini told her.

"So there's someone I want you to meet," Camille told her before grabbing Nini's hand, pulling her over to a pool chair. "Nini, this is Jo."

Nini's face nearly fell as Jo stood up. "Oh, hi. Nice to meet you, Nini," she said with a kind smile. "Camille has told me all about you and how much of an incredible song writer you are."

Nini faked a smile. "Really?" she questioned. "Did she now?" She grabbed Camille's hand. "Cam, can I talk to you alone?"

"Yeah, sure-" Camille began before she was jerked forward by Nini. "Whoa. You're really strong."

Once they got a few feet away from Jo, Nini spoke, "Are you kidding me?"

"What?" Camille questioned.

"Telling the enemy about me," Nini stated. "Seriously?"

"The enemy?" Camille laughed. "You just met her."

"Well, I know who she is and-"

"Excuse me," Jo spoke, approaching them. "I don't mean to impose but I feel like this conversation is about me. Did I do something wrong?"

Nini knew in that moment that even if Jo did date Kendall, she could never hate her because of how kind she was.

"No, it's not you. It's me," Nini told her. "It's...something."

"Well, we could talk about it and maybe I can help you fix whatever I did wrong."

The three girls sat at a table nearby as Nin began, "Like I said before, this wasn't necessarily your fault. It's about a guy-"

"Guy? What guy? It better not be Logan," Camille told her.

"It's not," Nini replied with a small laugh. "I love Logan but only as a brother." She looked at her fingers. "This guy...likes you, Jo. He's been trying to ask you out but...His name's Kendall."

Camille's jaw dropped. "Wait. You like Kendall?"

"Who's Kendall again?" Jo asked.

"Tall, blond, eyebrows. Carried away by a very tall guy," Nini described.

"Oh, him."

"Yeah, him...And I like him. Not as in love with him but I have a major crush on him..."

This went on for a while, both girls letting Nini speak.

"It started last week..."

"I've known Kendall since Kindergarten. He even came up with my nickname. Back then, he couldn't say his A's so he called me Nini. And it just...sorta stuck. It was okay, I never really loved the name Nina anyway..."

"Last week, he played a bad boy and we kissed for the first time and I like it..."

"And now every time he's close, I can feel myself getting more attracted to him even if I want to be mad at him," Nini finally finished.

"Nini, if you like him, you need to tell him how you feel," Jo told her to which Camille mumbled a small 'yeah' in agreement.

"I could never," Nini told her. "He's my best friend and if he doesn't feel the same way-"

"But you'll never know," Camille added. "You should take the risk or you'll live in doubt or jealous forever."

"But if it helps, if he tries to ask me out again, I'll reject him because I'm so not looking for a boyfriend right now," Jo told Nini, resting her hand on Nini's.

Nini genuinely smiled at Jo. "How could I ever think you were the enemy?" she questioned. "I'm sorry."

"Apology accepted," Jo replied.

Nini could actually see herself being friends with Jo.

"Hello," someone spoke.

All the girls turned to see James making them all shriek.

It was James but his lips were swollen and his face was broken out in hives.

"Not the reaction I usually get," James spoke. "But I'm James. I'm in a band."

"Hi, I'm Jo. It's so nice to meet you," Jo told him.

"Hey, I was thinking maybe we could see a movie later on," James said before sneezing.

"Don't you think you should see a doctor first?" Jo asked.

"Oh, because of my sneezing, right?"

"No, James." Nini spoke as she leaned back in her seat. "Whoa, look at your hands."

"Nini, I'm fine," he tried to tell her. "I'm perfectly ok-" He looked at his hands that were the size of baseball mitts to which he screamed. "What happened to my hands?"

"Are you wearing Barracuda man spray?" Jo asked.

"Yeah." He took out the bottle. "Better wear your 'cuda."

"You do know that stuff was recalled for causing severe allergic reactions, right?" Camille asked, handing him her make-up mirror to which he looked into and screamed.

"James, you need to go to a doctor right now," Nini told him.

At that, James turned right around and stalked into the lobby.

"That was...." Jo began.

"Crazy," Camille answered.

"Sad," Nini answered.

"Hopefully, that's enough craziness for me because I have an audition I need to get to," she told Camille and Nini.

"Good luck," both girls told her.

***

Later, Jo invited Nini and Camille up to her apartment to bond.

"Okay, so do you think maybe you can sing me a song?" Jo asked Nini.

"Oh, good luck with that one," Camille told her. "I've never even heard her sing."

"I can sing," Nini stated. "If you want me to. I have a song in mind."

"Oh, so you'll sing for Jo but not me?" Camille questioned.

Nini chuckled. "Yeah because I like her more than you." Camille had an offended look. "I'm kidding. I'll sing because I'm not out in public or on a stage." She stood up from Jo's table. "Do you have a piano?"

Jo pointed to it in the living room. "Yeah, Dad plays sometimes."

"Cool," Nini stated before walking over and sitting on the piano bench as Camille and Jo stood around the piano. "Here goes nothing."

https://youtu.be/LnaNqBRSJGA

As the song ended, both girls clapped for Nini.

"That was amazing," Camille told her.

"And you have a beautiful voice," Jo added.

"Thank you," Nini replied.

"Why can't you sing out like that in public?"

"Massive stage fright," Nini answered. "Always been my fear since 3rd grade."

"Here I am, there you are," someone sang from outside. "Why does it seem so far?"

Nini recognized the voice as Logan. "Oh my Gosh."

Jo walked out to the balcony to see Logan singing below,
"Next to you is where I should be..."

As Nini stood beside Jo on the balcony, with a loud yell, Carlos ran over and knocked Logan to the side as he motioned for Guitar Dude to keep playing, "Something I want so bad,
Know what's inside your head,
Maybe I can see what you see."

Kendall then ran and pushed Carlos over, looking up at the balcony.
"I got to keep on believing,
Everything takes time,
I'll make up any reason to make you mine."

Logan shoved him. "If you're staying or leaving, I'll follow your lead..."

Carlos shoved him. "So why keep pretending?"

They all kept shoving each other as Guitar Dude sped up and they sang together, "Open your eyes.
I can be what you need,
Pick any kind of guy you want, girl
That's the guy I'll be
I'll turn myself upside down."

"Yes, I will," Logan sang.

"No, I will!" Carlos yelled as they all kept pushing each other and yelling.

"Hey, guys!" Jo called to them, making them stop. "Guys. Great song. But you should probably know that I have a boyfriend back home."

"What?" They all questioned while Nini looked at her in shock.

"But we can still be friends, right?" Jo asked.

"Yeah," they all answered to which Jo went back inside while Nini still stood on the balcony.

"Well, that stunk," Kendall stated.

"No, that was amazing!" Gustavo spoke, entering the pool area with Mrs. Knight, Katie and Freight Train. "I know what this song is. It's not a slow love song; It's a fast love song. Katie. Do not finish that report until I finish this song. Freight Train, to the studio." He tried to jump in Freight Train's arms but the man made no attempt go catch him as Gustavo fell down. "A little help."

Nini giggled as the boys all rushed to help Gustavo while Camille and Jo stood back outside on the balcony with Nini.

"Uh, you told me you didn't have a boyfriend," Camille told Jo.

"That's true, you did say that," Nini added.

"Uh, I don't," Jo answered. "But I can't deal with that every day."

"I grew up with them, I'm used to it," Nini told Jo with a small giggle.

"You really are strong then," Jo told Nini, wrapping an arm around the girl's shoulders.

"Oh, boys are stupid," Camille said. "Remember, Logan's mine."

"And Kendall's mine," Nini added. "Hopefully."

"Got it," Jo told them.

Nini could really see herself being really good friends with these girls.

***

The next day, Nini stood in the studio with Gustavo, Kelly, Griffin, Katie and Freight Train as the boys performed the song: Any Kind of Guy.

https://youtu.be/8Z4cXHE5LTA

Once the song finished, Griffin stood up and turned to Gustavo. "I tell you I want a slow love song, and instead, you ignore me and give me...A hit." Everyone cheered but Griffin added, "But I still want a slow love song, and put the word 'baby' in it. Yeah, that's good." Nini took notes as Griffin approached Freight Train. "And what's your name?"

"Freight Train," he answered.

"Of course it is."

Once he was gone, Nini gave the boys a thumbs up to let them know they did good to which they all cheered.

Gustavo looked to Katie. "Well?"

Katie pulled up her report on her notebook. "'So, like all great artists, Gustavo finds his music in life, and that's why I admire Gustavo Rocque'," she read off.

"Amazing," Gustavo told her. "You forgot to write, I'm amazing."

***

Later, the group along with Katie entered back into the Palm Woods.

"So," Kendall began to Nini. "Why were you so mad at me earlier?"

Katie just shook her head. How could her brother be so oblivous to the fact that Nini likes him?

"I..." Nini began. "Was just in a bad mood because Gustavo said he didn't like my song," she lied.

"Oh," was all Kendall said to her before turning to the guys. "And we are not going to fight over girls anymore, right?" Kendall asked the boys.

"Right," they all agreed.

"We're gonna be civilized and only go after girls we meet alone, and not together, agreed?" Kendall asked, glancing at Nini who smiled at him.

"Agreed," the boys answered.

A girl approached. "Hey. I just arrived at the Palm Woods," she said. "Can you tell me where the gym is?"

The boys all gaped at her causing Nini to sigh and say, "It's past the pool and to the right."

"Great. Thanks."

As the girl left, Nini said, "I give up." Before pulling Katie to the side as-

"She's mine!" Carlos yelled before the boys all wrestled once again.

***