It's Complicated: Secrets Once Told

Chapter One:

Miley Doesn't Want To Hear My Secret

Oliver's POV

"Miley?" I asked, tapping on her bedroom door.

"Come in," she called. I opened the door to find her sitting on her bed. She was braiding her hair while reading some sort of girly teen magazine. "Hey, Oliver. What's up?"

This was the hard part. "I just wanted to tell you something…"

"What is it?" She asked, looking up at me through her brown hair.

"Well," I took a deep breath to steady myself.

Just then, a shrill sound pierced the air. "Hold that thought!" Miley jumped up off her bed, ran to her dresser, and grabbed her cell phone. She stared, transfixed at her cell phone screen for a minute, and squealed. "Look, Oliver, I don't want to be rude or anything…but I have to go get ready to go somewhere. Can you tell me later?"

I nodded. Of course I could just forget those hours of carefully planning and working up my nerves just to walk up to her front door. Of course I could tell her later. "Right…later. OK, um, I'll leave now," I stammered.

She nodded too, and I ran out of the room, closing the door. I'd prepped so much that I still felt like I had to tell someone; it felt like there was a rush of emotions in my chest and if I didn't tell someone – anyone – I'd burst. And since I was too shy to shout it to the heavens, I knew there was only one person I could tell.

I ran all the way to Lilly's house.

-HM-

Lilly opened the door on my first knock. "Hey," she said, "what's wrong? You're all red in the face."

"Oh, I just ran all the way here from Miley's," I replied, breathing hard.

She looked me up and down. "OK, what is it? Spill. Now."

"How'd you know I had something to say?" I asked, completely confused.

"C'mon, Oliver, I've been best friends with you and Miley long enough to know when one of you has something on your mind. You know you can tell me."

I shook my head, still confused, but that's what I get when I – a boy who is clueless about the world of girls – have two best friends who are girls. "OK, now Lilly, I know you're going to be upset about this, but I like Miley." It's a whole lot easier telling Lilly than telling Miley herself.

"Oh my God, Oliver – this is bad. How long have you liked her?" Lilly demanded.

"For awhile now," I admitted, not shocked at all that she's mad. "I'm really sorry, Lilly."

She glared at me. "You should be! I bet you haven't even told her! And do you know what today is?"

I shrugged. "Sure, its Saturday."

"No, you doughnut! Well, yes, it is Saturday, but today is the day that Jake's coming back!"

"WHAT?" I exclaimed. "Its been two months already?" Where had those peaceful Jake-free months gone? It seemed like just yesterday he'd waltzed out of our lives on his way to go promote his new movie in Europe.

Lilly nodded. "How could you not know? This is bad, Oliver…you have to tell Miley how you feel…"

"Sorry I don't count down the days until he comes back, Lilly. But, wait a second, Lilly – you want to help me?"

"What kind of question is that? Of course I want to help you!"

OK, now I was completely confused – again. "But, I thought you liked me…?"

"EW!" Lilly screamed, "Why the heck would I like you?"

"Well, I kind of heard it from…"

There were daggers in Lilly's eyes as she lowered her voice to a deadly whisper. "Heard it from who, Oken?"

I am so glad I am not the person who told me, I think to myself, before saying one word, sentencing that person to death from Lilly. "Jackson."

Review and tell me how it was! Be brutal, but constructively so, and not just for the sake of being cruel and to break all of my hopes and dreams. :)

Thanks for reading, and I'll update soon, but I'd like FEEDBACK. (stresses FEEDBACK)

And check out the trailer for this story if you haven't already done so. The link is in my profile.