Chapter 1

A silhouette stood behind a screen. The man was tall, well built and with stylish, messy hair. Long fingers drove into the darkness, tousling the locks as he stretched. Trish reached out a hand towards the screen. Why couldn't he see him? The shadow sighed, and turned to reveal the shape of his profile face. A long and elegant nose above slightly parted lips, big bangs that shielded his eyes. Trish recognized the face immediately. it was Jade.

But why can't I see you?

Another silhouette appeared. Another man, only slightly shorter and broader. He stepped up to Jade, and Jade embraced him, wrapping his arms around him. They seemed to share a joke, but their laughter made no sound.

Jade started to lean down towards the other silhouette.

No! Trish touched his hand to the canvas screen. All he had to do was to pull it away. His fingers trembled. Did he really want to see?

They kissed.

"No!" Trish woke, startled, to find his hand stretched out on his desk. His pens were scattered everywhere. A girl at another desk across the room raised her eyebrows at him and giggled, and Trish flushed and hurried to arrange himself. Just a dream, he relieved.

"I wonder if I'd ever be able to meet her," Lucien was musing, completely oblivious to Trish, as he flipped through a magazine sporting an attracting pink haired model on the cover. Trish rolled his eyes as he calmed down, and wondered if Lucian had even been aware that Trish had dozed off. When Lucien found the interview that he was looking for, he went silent for a moment as he read it.

Trish watched him for a while, taking in the normalcy of the situation and regulating his heartbeat. He wondered if Lucian knew that his eyeliner was a little smudged. How could he read through all that fringe? Did he have a new ear piercing? He thought about anything but Jade.

"Typical." Lucian sighed heavily and pushed the magazine away, so that it came dangerously close to the edge of his school desk. "It says that I'm not 'her type.' You on the other hand... It figures - everything is always better for you."

Lucien was Trish's best friend, and they sat together in the all the classes that they shared. But Trish had a difficult time stomaching Lucien's obsession with the famous super model, Linn. He groaned and closed his eyes, pressing his forehead to his English workbook, anticipating the headache.

"I'm not attracted to her anyway," he muttered, "so no need to be jealous."

"Mmm," said Lucien, clearly unsatisfied. He pulled the magazine back, eyed Linn's face again on the cover, before opening at a new page. For months, Lucien had teased Trish whenever they had talked about Linn. Rarely showing any interest in the topic – it was a touchy subject for him, although Lucien did not know it – Trish was always being taunted. The worst was when Lucien suggested that he was gay. It was only jokingly at first, but when he had seen how awkward and embarrassed it made his friend, his teasing began to become a little more serious. Trish had a pretty face – big green eyes, long lashes and full lips. With that, and the fact that he wasn't attracted to 'the hottest supermodel of the year', it wouldn't have been overly surprising had his best friend suspected something.

Trish bit his lip as Lucien continued reading. At first he had despised the teasing, finding it thoroughly embarrassing, not to mention immature – but then, quite suddenly, it had stopped. This had caused Trish to worry more. Did Lucien know something? What did he know? He wanted to ask Lucien, but knew that he couldn't without looking suspicious. Not knowing what Lucien was thinking was horrible. He had always thought himself perfect at reading Lucien's thoughts and expressions, but recently had been at a loss.

The truth was, Trish was gay. At least, he thought that he was. He'd been dating Jade, a very popular male model, for just over five months now. He found Jade attractive in a totally different way to woman. He couldn't pin exactly what it was about Jade that he liked, but there was certainly something, and that something was important. After as long as nearly half a year, he couldn't deny it any more. At least, not to himself. The rest of the world, however, didn't even know that they knew each other, let alone that they were 'together'.

"No way!" Lucien exclaimed, still reading the magazine. "Trish, get this – I don't believe it! How am I supposed to be with her now? I thought that she didn't date?"

"She doesn't," Trish replied. Why did they always have to talk about Linn?

"Ha! For once you're wrong about something. She has a boyfriend."

"What!" Trish's head shot up immediately, interested. She couldn't have a boyfriend. She didn't. Trish knew this better than anyone. "Let me see that."

Lucien peered down at Trish through his excessively long, red fringe, and Trish could just make out his raised eyebrows. His lips were pulled up into a smirk, but his eyes were emotionless. Almost cold. Trish frowned.

"I thought that you didn't care about her," said Lucien, and Trish scowled inwardly.

"Well," he said quickly, "maybe I just said that because I knew that you liked her. But I am interested. Can't I read it?"

Lucien narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips, before tossing the magazine across the space between their desks. It fell open at a different page, with the header 'Are you Linn's perfect match?' Below, it described a young, light haired man in his late teens, with a quiet personality and light sense of humor. There were a few photos of 'potential boyfriends', but none of them appealed to Trish. They all had fake smiles. And none of them had red hair.

But he didn't care about that – the media were always publishing these kind of things. He flicked through the pages until he found what he was really worried about – an article titled 'Has Linn finally given up her chastity?' And below the article was exactly what he had feared – a photo of Linn and Jade. It wasn't a really embarrassing photo – just a sweet kiss on the lips. But the fact that the media had shot the only kiss ever, out of studio, between Jade and Linn outraged Trish.

But it wasn't jealousy of Linn, or of Jade, that made him so angry. Trish Leaves had a secret. A secret that was known by very few people – even Lucien had been kept in the dark. It was a secret that he intended to take to his grave. Not only was it painfully embarrassing, but if it ever got out it would ruin both his and his manager's careers.

That secret also belonged to Linn.

And it was because of this secret that the photos of the kiss gave him painful butterflies. He wasn't sure, entirely, who he was angry with. Jade, himself, the photographer, the publishers? It didn't matter who's fault it was. What mattered was that a devastating truth was on the path to being revealed.

Trish groaned and let his head sink back to his desk in despair. This was terrible. Terrible. Jade was going to get an earful when he got back from vacation. If he ever got back. He'd already been three days longer than he had said he would be. Trish scowled into the cold wood of the desk. I bet Jade knew the kiss was caught on camera, he thought bitterly.

"Woah, no need to get depressed. It's not like they'll be together forever."

Trish barked a laugh. How ironic – for Lucien to be lecturing me about depression. In truth, he'd nearly forgotten that Lucien was there, and he knew that he shouldn't have allowed himself his momentary panic. Straightening up, he put on 'Linn's smile.'

"You're right," he said. "We'll get our chance one day." And as the school bell rang he continued his cheerful charade. He was good at acting – he had to be to be in order to do his job – and Lucien bought it, as he always did. But, inwardly Trish was cursing himself. That was twice this month that he had done something foolish! First, he had allowed Jade to kiss Linn off set, and now he'd let Lucien believe that he actually liked Linn. The first should have been more troublesome, but the second annoyed him more. Now he would have to put up with Lucien's raving over Linn and pretend to enjoy it. He'd have to be more careful next time.

Lucien stretched as they made their way out of the classroom. "I'm so glad that class is over," he said. "Why did Mrs Scott have to be absent? The reliever was terrible. I hate school."

"She was, wasn't she?" Trish agreed, loosening his school tie. He too was glad that school was over for the day. He was looking forward to getting home. He'd call Jade to see if he was back yet. He smiled at the thought.

"You still up for town?" Lucien asked as they reached the school gate, and Trish suddenly felt his heart sink. He'd forgotten that he'd promised to go to the arcade with Lucien this afternoon. The call would have to wait. And hey, Jade probably isn't even home yet, Trish reasoned. And even if he is, this will be the last afternoon I'll get to spend with Lucien for a while, having to juggle work and Jade too. Might as well make the most of it.

"Of course," he replied, and Lucien beamed.

"Great! We'll catch a bus," said Lucien.

"Sure," said Trish.

"Where're you going?" asked a sudden voice from behind them, making Lucien jump and Trish's blood run cold. He knew that voice. Lucien was the first to turn around.

"None of your -" Lucien stopped mid sentence. "No way! I know you!" Trish still hadn't turned around. He closed his eyes and counted to ten. Idiot, he thought.

"Trish, Trish!" Lucien tugged at Trish's shirt. "It's Jade. The model! The actor! The one we talked about about in class!" I know, Trish thought as he turned around. But what is he thinking?

"Wow!" exclaimed Trish in fake awe as he looked at his boyfriend. "Are you sure it's him? I mean, what would a world famous actor want at an ordinary high school." He hoped that Jade would take the hint. However, at the same time, he couldn't help but look Jade over. It had only been ten days, but it had felt like a lifetime. Jade had a little bit of a tan – only enough for someone like Trish to notice. Apart from that, he was exactly the same as Trish remembered him. He was even wearing the black, button up shirt that Trish had given him as part of his birthday present.

Jade grinned his usual, teasing grin. "Now, don't be like that, Trish! It's not been so long. Surely you haven't forgotten me?"

Trish's heartbeat skipped as he stared at Jade. No! he thought angrily. We talked about this! We agreed that we weren't to know each other when it came to my school friends. What does he think he's doing?

"I'm flattered that you think you know me - but I don't think that we've ever met in person," said Trish coolly, and Jade frowned slightly.

"His mother bought shares from my Uncle last year," Jade lied to Lucien. "Do you mind if I steal him for a few hours? My uncle has a business proposal, and I'd like to ask him the best way to get in contact with his parents."

Lucien frowned. "You never told me that you knew him," he complained to Trish, not bothering to keep the bitterness from his voice.

"I must have forgotten," said Trish, glaring at Jade. "He probably didn't tell me he was a celebrity when we met, so it didn't feel like something worth remembering."

"Whatever. I suppose I'll go to town by myself then..." Lucien sulked, and Trish got the impression that he was trying to get a pity-invite.

"Sorry, Lu. Next time?" Trish tried to apologize with his eyes. He knew how much Lucien valued his friendship, and he hated hurting him like this.

"Sure," said Lucien flatly. He was already walking away, in the direction of the bus stop, before he stopped and looked back. He regarded Jade for a minute.

"Is it true?" he asked.

Jade looked confused. "Is what true?"

"That you're going out with Linn?"

Jade's forehead furrowed and he shot a curious glance at Trish, before noticing the magazine in Lucien's hand. He laughed. "You shouldn't believe everything that you read," he said, and as Lucien opened his mouth to protest, he added, "or see, for that matter. Editing photos is pretty easy these days, right?"

"I suppose so," said Lucien, but he didn't sound convinced. "I'll call you later then, Trish."

Trish nodded. "Catch you later," he said and watched as Trish walked away and round the corner, before turning on Jade.

"What was that?" he hissed through clenched teeth. "You're not to come to my school, ever! You knew that. Now, what am I supposed to tell Lu? He'll think I've been lying to him."

"You have been lying to him," Jade pointed out. "You should tell him the truth. It'll hurt him less if you tell him now. Anyway, I haven't seen you in a week -"

"- ten days," Trish growled.

Jade nodded. "Ten days. I haven't seen you in that long. I don't want us to start by fighting." Trish sighed deeply before nodding slowly, and Jade pulled him into a quick, seemingly brotherly hug.

"Now lets get out of here," he breathed in Trish's ear, "before someone recognizes me." And he quickly pulled Trish away from the school gates to the back car park. At least he was clever enough to park inconspicuously, Trish thought as he was guided towards a red Porsche which was shielded by a huge pie truck. As soon as they were inside, Jade started up the engine, and the radio blasted, loudly, into action.

"Sorry!" said Jade as he hurried to turn it down. "I was listening to music on the way here, to calm my nerves."

"What were you nervous about?" asked Trish as he dumped his bag at his feet.

"Seeing you," said Jade with a smile. "People can change a lot in ten days. I was a little worried that I'd see you coming out of class holding hands with another guy. Your friend is a cutie, by the way."

Trish scoffed. "So that's why you came."

Jade's smile grew to a grin and he nodded. "To check out the competition," he said, and Trish rolled his eyes.

"You're an idiot."

"Mmmhm. Idiot enough to love you, huh?" Jade teased, leaning over the seat to kiss Trish gently on the cheek. Trish's heart stopped and he felt himself blush. Jade cupped his face in his hands, and trailed his fingers down his jaw, toying with the buttons of his shirt. Any and all physical contact with Jade sent pleasant shivers through Trish's body, and Jade knew this better than anyone.

"Stop!" he gasped. "Someone might see." Jade pulled away with a chuckle, and ruffled Trish's hair. No one would see where they were parked, and the windows were tinted anyway, Trish knew, but the idea of Jade going any further while they were still on school grounds made him uncomfortable.

"'Til we're home, then," Jade concluded cheerfully as he reversed out and onto the street.

Author's Note:

Hi there, thanks for picking up A Few White Lies! The characters in this story belong to Lancha of Deviantart, and the story is based loosely off of her graphic Nocel, Expensive Smile. You don't need to read Expensive Smile in order to enjoy A Few White Lies, nor do you need to read A Few White Lies in order to enjoy Expensive Smile. (But I do recommend that you read Expensive Smile if you're over 18. It's very cute!)

Please review! Getting a review in my inbox really makes my day. Like, you have no idea.

Thanks!