Only one

New day shadows

The morning after the People's Choice Awards arrived with a mix of relief and exhaustion. The sun filtered through the curtains of the hotel room, casting a warm, golden light across the space. Kendall lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, the weight of the previous night still heavy on his shoulders. The sharp jabs from the presenter echoed in his mind, mingling with the exhilaration of their award win.

Logan stirred beside him, a soft groan escaping as he rubbed his eyes. "Morning," he mumbled, his voice hoarse. He sat up and looked over at Kendall, concern evident in his gaze. "How are you holding up?"

Kendall turned his head, offering a small, tired smile. "I'm okay. Just... trying to wrap my head around everything."

Logan nodded, sensing that Kendall needed space. He climbed out of bed and began to get ready, while Kendall remained motionless, lost in thought.

Down in the hotel's breakfast area, James and Carlos were already awake, the chatter of other guests and the clinking of cutlery providing a background hum. Carlos was helping himself to a mountain of pancakes, while James scanned his phone, his expression a mix of concern and determination.

"Did you see the headlines?" James asked, looking up as Kendall and Logan entered the room. "Some of them are pretty harsh."

Logan sighed, sitting down beside Carlos, who offered him a sympathetic smile. "Yeah, I saw. It's hard to ignore, even when you try."

Kendall joined them, taking a seat and picking at a plate of fruit. He had no appetite but knew he needed to eat something. The constant barrage of media attention was wearing him down, making it difficult to focus on anything positive.

Carlos leaned in, his voice low. "Hey, if you guys need to talk, we're here. No matter what's going on out there, we're a team."

Kendall nodded, appreciating the support. "Thanks, Carlos. I'm just... tired, you know? Last night was a lot."

James put his phone down and focused on Kendall, his tone gentle. "You did great up there, Kendall. And Logan too. I know it was tough, but you both handled it with so much grace."

Logan glanced at Kendall, his own worries evident. "We're just trying to stay positive, but it's hard when it feels like everything's against us."

Carlos offered a reassuring smile. "We'll get through this. It's a rough patch, but we're stronger together. And hey, this tour is going to be amazing. It's what we've worked so hard for."

The conversation helped to ease the tension a bit, and Kendall managed a small, grateful smile. "You're right. We just need to focus on the tour and not let all this get to us."

James nodded, his expression resolute. "Exactly. We've got a lot to look forward to, and we've got each other. Let's not let the negativity overshadow that."

The group fell into a comfortable silence as they finished breakfast, each lost in their thoughts but united in their support for one another. The warmth of the morning sun seemed to offer a glimmer of hope, a reminder that despite the challenges, they still had each other.

After breakfast, the band decided to take a walk around the city to clear their heads before heading to their next rehearsal. The fresh air and change of scenery provided a welcome distraction, and as they strolled through the bustling streets, the weight of the previous night seemed to lift, if only slightly.

Logan and Kendall walked side by side, their hands brushing occasionally. Kendall looked over at Logan, catching his eye. "Thank you for last night. Your speech... it meant a lot."

Logan smiled, giving Kendall's hand a reassuring squeeze. "We're in this together. We always have been, and we always will be."

Kendall nodded, feeling a sense of calm wash over him. "Yeah, together."

James and Carlos walked ahead, their voices mingling with the sounds of the city as they chatted about their plans for the tour. The energy between them was infectious, and even Kendall and Logan, though still processing everything, found themselves drawn into the excitement.

By the time they returned to the hotel for their rehearsal, the mood had shifted. There was still a lingering anxiety, but it was tempered by a renewed sense of purpose. The band was ready to face the challenges ahead, and they were determined not to let the negativity dim their spirits.

As they prepared for their rehearsal, Kendall felt a newfound strength. The support of his bandmates, the small victories, and the love from their fans were all reminders that they could weather the storm. And with their European tour just days away, they had no choice but to move forward, step by step, with resilience and unity.