Summary - So he told me he loved me through a game of one-on-one Chinese Whispers. I should be estatic! I mean he's gorgeous! But there's only one problem. He's gay...so tell me, how does this work again?

A/N So yeah, the game is called Chinese Whispers over here, and most Americans call the game Telephone. I did some digging, and found out that we call it Chinese Whispers because of some stereotype thing back in the day. Apparently some people find it offensive, so yeah, I don't mean to be offensive, that's just what we call it. OK, so yeah, read on if you wanna! Thanks! :D 16/10/08 (remember, british format of the date lol)

Chinese Whispers...

"OK, Amber, I have to draw a line here," my best friend Kelly McCain said to me as she flopped down on my bean bag. I closed the book I was so happily reading and sighed.

Here she goes again, I thought.

"I really think it's about time you dated. Now, don't start with your speeches about school coming first, I've already heard them all before and trust me when you hear them on a daily basis you'll want to drown yourself..." Kelly trailed off after seeing the glare I was giving her.

"OK, more to the point," she continued. "Amber, I just want to say. I think you should date. You're 17 years old. You're a senior in high school, and you've only ever gone out with one guy! One! And that guy turned out to be a right loser! I mean who takes their girlfriend, on their first date, to a library? I mean seriously now!" I burst out laughing. After John, the library guy, I made myself promise to steer well away from guys. He completely took away the very little faith I had in the male species. The very little faith.

"Kelly, we aren't in America, I'm not a senior. We're just sixth formers darl," I pointed out to her. That earned me a glare so I mimed locking my mouth shut.

Kelly continued ranting on about him, and how stupid he was to take me to the library. Normally when she drones on about a subject I tune out and daydream, and this time was no different. Hey, don't get me wrong, I loved Kelly, seriously, she's the sister I never had. But when she starts talking, boy does she talk! BUT I'll have you know that I DO listen to her when she has something important to say.

At that particular moment she was going on about why libraries were the worst place to take a girl on the first date, but to be fair I liked books, so it was natural I liked the library...on the other hand, it was a rubbish library. No offence to that library. Yah...

"-Urgh! Libraries!" Kelly cried throwing her hands up in frustration. I always managed to tune into what she was saying just as she was finishing. It was weird, I always knew whether to nod my head, or shake it. It must be my inner subconscicene...absorbing what was being said.

"Well to be fair, it was a nice library. The smell of the books," I sighed teasingly. Kelly gave me a look which caused me to start laughing again.

"Look, I appreciate your concern Kelly but I will not, and I repeat, not date till I'm out of High School. Besides," I said wagging my eyebrows, "University boys are so much more mature."

Now Kelly had to agree with that.

"Amber! Hey!" I looked to my right to find my neighbour, and close friend, Jared Wells, waving at me. I smiled and waved back. I locked my door and sighed. If only he was datable. He was a fresher in University, tall, handsome, smart, nice, funny...and gay. Yep, it crushed me when I found out. He was the perfect cliche too! The guy next door, best guy friend I've had since I was eight. Seriously, is he weren't gay I would've jumped him the first time he walked into my bedroom with a toned body. My that body was fine... It was weird, my parents thought that we were bound to get together when we grew up. They obviously didn't know he was gay. It was weird, I knew he was gay, yet I had the tiniest, smallest, dot-sized (translation: huge!) crush on him. Hence another reason why I rarely dated.

"So, off to Uni then?" I asked him walking down my driveway and towards him. "You never even told me when you were leaving! Some best friend you are!"

"No, not yet. We only just started the summer!" Jared said. "Why? Eager to get rid of me?" I flashed him a smile.

"Oh, of course not," I replied back playfully.

"How's Kelly?" he asked me. I shifted my bag and scrunched up my face. "Bad?"

"Oh no, she's great, but she won't stop nagging about me dating. Seriously it's unbecoming," I replied wisely.

"Why, you don't like dating?" he asked frowning slightly.

"Meh. It's not that, I just haven't seem to find the right guy. Hey, I know, why don't you find me a guy?" I asked playfully, nudging him and winking. Something passed over his face. "I bet you know a ton of guys who are willing to date a desperate, book loving, coffee drinking, guitar playing, shower singing kinda' girl."

"Oh, and don't forget, mud eating!"

"That was one time!" I cried covering my face. I can't believe he still remembered that! No wonder he was gay! He didn't want to have to face the horrors of women. "And besides, we were eight, and you ate the mud too!"

"Ah, good times," he sighed. I laughed and punched him on the shoulder.

"Good times indeed. Man I'm going to miss you when you move out! Who's going to be the shoulder I cry on when the heroine in the story dies? Or when I step on an ant accidentally? Or...or...when I forget my keys and bunk with you the night? Huh? Huh?" I asked him dramatically crying.

"Oh tough it up, you'll live. Besides you have Kelly."

"Yes, but Kelly's my girl best friend. There's a difference, she calls me up for those things too, and have a good cry together. You on the other hand, don't, and you roll your eyes at my antics, and come up with some sarcastic, yet funny, remark to set me laughing. Then I'd do something stupid, and you'd comment on that and first I'd glare at you but then I'd laugh again. See? There's a difference!"

"Wow..." he said quietly. "You have me wrapped around your little finger!" he finished off gasping mockingly. I gave him the 'duh!' look. My phone buzzed. I flipped it open. 'Hurry up! We have to set up for the party! Kel. x'

"Oh, shoot I have to go. We're setting up for the party," I told Jared, putting my phone back in my jean pocket. "You're not bailing out last minute are you?"

"Are you kidding me? And miss out on Kelly's famous get-togethers? Hell no! I mean I live to hear Kelly go on about the cute guys that turned up." He winked at me.

See? Gay!

"I'll take that as a 'No I'm no bailing out' then," I said dryly.

"Yeah."

"OK, adios! See you later gater!"

"Ciao bella!"

After I met Kelly at her house, we were busy transforming her house into a party worthy place. I had to say, we did a pretty good job of transforming the place. The basement (I envied her! She had a basement, not many houses here did!) was transformed into a little dance floor. It was looking pretty hawt!

By seven the people had started arriving, and in less then twenty minutes, the place was packed. Kelly had given me a skirt, top, and boots to wear, while she wore a cute halter neck dress. The only downside was that it had started raining. Obviously, I mean, could we not go one day without it raining? Nope, we couldn't. The people stopped coming, but the house was already full of people.

"I see the party is a hit," a voice whispered into my ear. The hot breath hit my neck and gave me goosebumps. I didn't have to turn my head to know that it was Jared.

"It always is!" I replied. I noticed Jared's friends next to him.

"Amb, you remember Eden and Scott don't you?" he asked me.

"How could I not remember? Voted cutest couple right?" I asked them. The girl, Eden, blushed. I took that as a yes.

"Of course," the guy, Scott answered. "How could we not? I mean, sure, we were lacking a bit of cute from Eden's side, but I sure made up for it. Don't ya' think?"

"Don't answer that," Eden said to me before glaring at her boyfriend. She hit him across the head. "I swear, you'll be the death of me."

"Our wedding vows are 'till death do us part'..." Scott winked at her. "See you round guys." He said before slipping off. Eden was left with her mouth gaping.

"We're not getting married, yet..." she reassured me before running off after him. "Scott Stone! You better get back here!" I could hear her say. Jared and I laughed. I sipped my Coke and watched them go. I eyed Jared's cup. He wasn't a drinker but...

"Don't worry, it's a Pepsi," Jared said noticing my look. I laughed slightly. "You know I don't drink."

"Yes, but how the hell do I know what you're going to be up to in University eh?" I asked him narrowing my eyes. That was when I got a good look at what he was wearing. Jared had on a pair of blue jeans, ripped at the knees slightly, and a simple blue top that contrasted his eyes nicely. He was able to pull off the simplest of outfits.

"Hmm, then you'll have to just keep checking up on me."

"Just as a good mother should!" I nodded knowingly. Jared opened his mouth to say something, but Kelly appeared out of nowhere and demanded that I danced. She dragged Jared too. Kelly paired Jared off with a girl from our school, and I was stuck with a guy I didn't know.

What fun! I thought.

I glared at the girl. Yeah, sure he was gay, but he was mine! Jared looked at me helplessly as the said girl started wrapping her arms around him and talking animately. I grinned at him, but that soon vanished when the guy I was stuck with grabbed my hand. I looked at Jared and pouted, but noticed a dark look on his face.

I frowned but my attention was diverted to the guy who had now grabbed both my hands. His hair looked so greasy, like he had poured a tub of gel on his hair. I scrunched my nose.

"So, babe, how's your night?" the guy asked me pulling me tightly to him. I gagged and put a little space between us.

"It was fine up until now," I said to him.

"Aw, hun, what brought your mood down. Tell me and I'll sort it out for you," the guy said, he removed his hands and cracked his knuckles. He flexed what little muscle he had. I laughed. "What?"

"Nothing, I'm going to go and get a drink, bye." With that I was off. I didn't want to embarrass the poor guy in front of everyone. I weaved in and out of the crowd till I finally made it to the kitchen. It was cooler in there and I found some crisps to munch on. I sat down on the stool and rested my elbows on the table. I wasn't so wild on parties. An occasional get-together was fine, but this was a bit to much for my liking.

"Freed yourself of him eh?" For the second time that night I felt the hot breath of Jared on my neck as he whispered into my ear. It left me tingling with goosebumps.

"Freed yourself of her eh?" I mimicked him. Jared sat down next to me.

"Yes I have."

"Yes I have," I mimicked again. Jared gave me a look, and we both laughed. We sat there talking for a while before Kelly appeared out of nowhere again.

"Oh would you too please stop talking and do more dancing?" she asked whining. "You two dance. Come on up!" Kelly didn't know of my small crush on Jared. There was no point ever telling her about it, I mean, Jared was gay, and it would never happen. Unless I got a sex change...but still, it was never going to happen.

I opened my mouth to protest, but Jared cut it. "OK. You heard the lady, up!" I looked at him and blinked. Somehow my body stood up. It was weird, Jared and I had never really dance together. Well, we had, but that was when we were younger. Young as in not hormonal.

A slow song just 'happened' to come on. Yeah right, I thought. I hated it when that happened. I mean you read it in books and see it in movies. The slow song just had to come on at the right moment for the two main characters. Psh.

I placed my hands around Jared's neck and he placed his around my waist. I could feel the heat radiating off him. My palms were so sweaty. I didn't know where to look, so I let my eyes roam around the room and meet Jared's eyes a couple of times. Not once did he take his eyes off mine. God it was so uncomfortable for me.

"So..." I started.

"Did I tell you how breathtaking you look tonight?" he asked me breathlessly. The way he said it made me shiver.

"Well you don't look so bad yourself," I said smiling, trying to play it off cool, but inside my heart was racing.

"I wanted to tell you something before I left for Uni," he said quietly. I couldn't take my eyes off of him. I could feel his breath on my face. It was amazing. The warm feeling I got. Our faces were just inches apart. "Well, it's more like something I wanted to give you."

"What's that?" I asked him softly.

"This."

And he kissed me.

Retake WHAT?

He kissed me! On the lips! Oh it was...magical. When our lips connected it was liked we were one. My eyes flickered and I sighed at the heavenly feeling. As we pulled apart I opened my mouth to tell him how long I had hoped for that, but then I remembered why I could only hope. HE WAS GAY!

"You...you're...you're gay!" I hissed.

"WHAT?!" Jared cried.

"You're gay! You like guys. How can you kiss me if you like guys?" I asked him frantically. My head was spinning. I did the only thing that came to mind. I bolted. I ran past Kelly, but grabbed her arm. I pulled her upstairs, she had made me clear it was off limits, so there was no one about.

"OW! What's wrong with you?" Kelly asked me pulling out of my grip. I was hysterical. "Calm down. Tell me what happened."

"I...he..." I stuttered. I took a deep breath and started from the beginning. I told her from how the crush developed, and how I found out he was gay, to the kiss.

"How did you find out he was gay?" Kelly asked me frowning.

"I...well," I started. "He never really told me. But he kept asking for my brother, and was nervous whenever Dom was around. Oh, and he never dated! Not once during High school! AND there were tons of girls after him."

You wanna know what Kelly did when I told her that.

She started laughing.Yes that's right, laughing! I glared at her and tapped my foot impatiently as she continued laughing.

"So you're telling me that's the only reason why you think he's gay?" I nodded at this question. "Oh God you're stupid."

"Huh?"

"Hunny, he doesn't like you're brother, he likes you! Don't give me that look. Damn, even I knew he liked you. I mean, you can tell by the way he looks at you, it's like you're the only one he sees. The only reason he acted weird around you're brother is because he accidentally told your brother that he liked you. Dom's overprotective of you, so obviously he felt nervous. He asked me how best to tell you, so I had this party and told him to surprise you!"

I blinked at her a couple of times and let this process.

"So why the hell didn't you tell me!?" I shrieked at her. One I was overjoyed with the fact that he liked me, but I wanted to crawl under a rock for thinking he was gay.

"Oh darl, I didn't know you thought he was gay. Gay...honestly, idiot!" she said slapping me over the head.

"Damn, I made a fool out of myself. I mean all this time! He...oh gosh!" I moaned sitting down on her bed with my head in my hands. Kelly rubbed my back.

"All is not lost. I'm going to damage control. I'll be right back."

"Hurry! And bring me the ice cream remedy," I muttered. As Kelly said I could've sworn she said, 'that's not the remedy I'm bringing'. I wasn't sure though.

About ten minutes later I could hear footsteps. I didn't bother getting up from the floor where I was sitting. I heard a knock. "Come on in Kels. You better have brought that ice cream. Chocolate too." I didn't look up when the person came in.

"Sorry, ran out of chocolate." It was a male voice. I looked up and blushed. I stood and wiped my hands on my jeans. "You ran out of there pretty quickly."

"Yeah, about that..."

"Let's play a game of Chinese Whispers," he said brightly closing the door. I frowned. "Come on we haven't played that in a while."

"OK, but there's just two of us," I noted.

"Who cares?" he said stepping towards me. He leaned down and whispered into my ear, "I love you." He stood back straight. I blinked at him. Love? Love? Did I love him? Did he love me? I mean, he was my best friend, he knew my goods, bads, my faults, my weaknesses...he knew me! Which is why I said back to him.

"I love you, but I'm going to add my own little piece. I love you too." That was all he needed to hear because he kissed me again.

"So," he said his hands wrapped around my waist, with my own hands around his neck. "What's this about me being gay?"

I groaned and buried my head in his chest. "You don't want to know."

OK, so I'm hoping you know how to play Chinese Whispers. BTW I don't know why they call it that. But this is basically how you play, you might have figure it out in the story, you sit in a circle, there has to be at least five or more people, otherwise it wouldn't really work. Someone whispers something into the ear of the person next to them, left or right it doesn't matter. Then that person passes it along, and when it comes to the last person (the person before the person who started it) they hear what it is and says it out loud, and you have to see how close you were to the actual word/phrase. Oh, and you can only tell a person once, so they have to say what they hear. lol I've heard some pretty weird things being made out of simple words! lol But that's basically it.

I bet I bored you! -sob-

OK, so was there any bits at the beginning of the story where Amber thought Jared was gay, that you found offensive? I mean I tried to keep out as many stereotypical bits about gays in there, but I'm not sure about it all. So yah, do tell me in case you did. You know, find it offensive at times. I'm probably just being extra, but it never hurts to make sure. :D

Disclaimer - I don't know anything you recognise, e.g. Coke (the drink)

Hopelessly Cliche

xoxo

P.S. Did anyone notice Eden and Scott in there from Babysitting Dramas? lol Thought it'd be fun to put them in. Thanks for reading!! :D

Check out Gaspard Ulliel, I think he'd make a cute Jared. Just my opinion though.