Played By Strings Of Fate

8th String - It's Hard Being In Love With Your Best Friend

He rolled his eyes, "My voice is not soft." he told me as he pulled the door that led to the main shop open.

"Course not." I chuckled, "By the way, you’re supposed to be gay." I smiled at him sheepishly while gesturing to Clark who was busy texting.

He expressed a disgruntled look, "I hate being gay." he muttered under his breath.

I laughed at him before walking over to Clark.

"Yo mate." I greeted, clapping his shoulder.

When he finally looked up from his mobile, I smiled lightly at him. His mouth slid open as he uttered strings of incoherent words.

"Wow...” he blinked, taking in my outfit, "You look...wow." he eyes met mine for the first time tonight and butterflies erupted in my stomach.

I hate having something else besides food in my stomach. It’s not human.

"Thanks..." I murmured, looking away while fighting back the blush that was threatening to appear. I found Kiel on the side, a smug look on his face. I pled him with my eyes to say something.

"Oh hello Kiel! So good to see you. You're still as stunning as before. By the way, great job on Jade." Kiel said sarcastically after a minute of torture and I found myself smiling in both relief and amusement.

I’m so happy that Kiel is nothing like Jesse. Who was thankfully absent.

Clark finally turned away from me to smile at Kiel, "Kiel." he nodded, "How are you?"

Kiel came over to where we were to hug Clark, "Just fab."

"Thanks for fixing Jade." Clark said gratefully.

I raised an eyebrow at him, "Nice choice of words." I commented sarcastically.

"No problem." Kiel answered him, the both of them ignoring me, "I had a great time chatting with her." he gave me a side glance and I saw him winking at me.

I smiled involuntarily. How come a person as socially-awkward as me become friends with someone as easygoing as Kiel so fast? Ever since Clark came back, a lot of things I never thought would happen keep happening. Fate really was a funny thing.

"Oh my, look at the time." I chuckled nervously when Kiel began blabbering about my bloody figure. I’m already embarrassed enough that Clark practically checked me out earlier and I didn't need Kiel going into my physical details.

Kiel gave me a perplexed look before a look of mischief crossed his face, "Want to be alone with Clark so bad?"

My eyes widened at what he said. I turned to Clark's direction right away and I was relieved when I found him staring at his phone and typing away.

Kiel, you gigantic turd.

I pinched the suspect in the side so hard that he started whimpering.

"What was that Michael Jackson?" I spoke through gritted teeth.

"Nothing! Nothing!" he answered immediately. I released him and he rubbed his side repeatedly, "Ouch. You’re such an amazon."

I glared at him, "I'm not an amazon!" I defended, "Why do people keep calling me that? It's offending!"

"It's only the truth Jade." Clark interjected with a chuckle. He pocketed his mobile and headed outside, "Come on, we'll be late."

"I wasn't talking to you." I stuck my tongue out at his retreating form.

He smirked at me and said no more. He was out the door in a matter of seconds and I glared at his long gone shadow. Bloody narcissist thinks he's so perfect! The nerve.

"Good luck Jade." Kiel said teasingly and I slapped the back of his head. He swore, "Would you stop hitting me?"

"You should be careful with that big mouth of yours Kiel." I warned, "If you slip out even the tiniest indication of my feelings for Clark, I will send your sorry gay-pretending arse all the way back to Chicago." I said as menacingly as I could.

He shrugged, "Go ahead."

I puffed my cheeks out. Kiel doesn't bicker with me like Clark and Jesse.

What the actual butters? Why am I comparing Kiel to two of the world's most stupid creatures? He doesn't deserve to be put into a situation like this.

Then again, I’ve only known him for two hours.

I gave Kiel one last look before following Clark to his car. The thing about Clark is that he rides in style. His car makes me envious sometimes. It was so cool.

"Buckle up." he instructed when I entered.

I rolled my eyes, "You don't have to remind me every time, you know." I said, focusing my attention on fulfilling the said task.

Once I secured it, my eyes involuntarily shot up and met Clark's brown orbs.

My heart skipped a beat like it usually did. Clark was staring at me, not a smirk or a teasing smile on his face.

A few seconds passed before someone cleared their throat.

I jolted in surprise and whipped my head around. Kiel was leaning on the car's window. Beside me, to be precise. A knowing smile directed at me.

I flushed bright pink and stared at the door's handle.

"'We'll be late’, huh?" Kiel said, mimicking Clark's words a minute ago, "You do look like you're rushing." he added sarcastically.

"Go design dresses or something." Clark said, waving a dismissive hand to Kiel. What a stupid comeback.

Kiel smiled innocently as Clark started the engine, "Drive safe kids!" he called out to us.

I smiled. Kiel was an amazing gay-guy. I could tell that this won't be our last meeting. I'll go bug him on a regular basis. After all, I could use some girl friends. Even if he isn't really gay, he's as close as I can get. He’s really nice too.

~~

When people I don't know came up to me the second I was out of Clark's sight, I knew that it was only the beginning of the unwanted attention I was getting. Speculations would be made tomorrow and rumours will spread.

Turns out I was wrong about the focus being solely on Clark. The only reason I excused myself to the ladies' room is because Tammy and Ben, the interviewers, kept pushing me into telling them something gossip-worthy. The only thing I told them was that I used to babysit Clark and that I'm really 42 years old depending on plastic surgery. That got them to shut up.

Their expressions were priceless. Annoying and stupid. They actually believed me! Jesse was going to have a field day with this. He told me he didn't like the paparazzi so he would grab any chance given to humiliate them.

I couldn't wait for whatever tabloid they were going to publish this in. Hey, if I'm lucky, they might even get fired for bringing shame to their firm's name.

I just hope they don't do research on me.

Adele's Someone Like You blasted through the speakers of the fancy restaurant and I hummed along, ignoring the throng of teenage girls following me.

I was so happy when I saw that the restroom didn't have any stalls. Only one person is allowed at a time.

Privacy at last.

This night couldn't get any more absurd. The interviewers were probably murdering Clark with their bomb of questions. If I was a good best friend, I would sit with him through it all but everyone knows I'm not good. Not in any way.