A word from Scoop: How is everybody? I'm not getting much response from y'all after I post the chapters... makes me wonder if it's still worth going. Anyhow... after 13 fun chapters I think it's time we get to know Jared a little better. Catch you on the flip.

Scoop
AIM: The Skoop
ICQ: 27497085

NOTE: The opinions and views expressed by Jared during the interview are not necessarily those of the author. They are just the words of a fictional character and are not to be taken as a source of advice for any reader.

"Thank you for calling, buh-bye." The receptionist pushed the button to end the call and looked up at the two young men walking out of the elevator towards his desk. He immediately knew who they were.

"Mr. Brandis, Mr. Lovell, you're right on time. If you'd take a seat over there I'll tell Ryan you're here."

Jon and Jared nodded and sat in the seats indicated to them. The office was sparsely decorated and still had that freshly painted smell to it. Whoever painted the walls was a master at it. The glossy paint could easily have been mistaken for actual marble.

"Nice work don't ya think?"

"Yeah," replied Jon. "Maybe we should find out who did it and have them redesign our library."

"Library? You mean the computer room?"

"Yeah, whatever. I still think it would be better as a plain library. We could put the computer in the spare bedroom and have the ceiling opened up with that oversized skylight we saw at Home Depot."

"Hmmm, yeah I like that idea as well. Let's talk to a home decorator later, 'k?"

"Sure."

"You guys looking for a home decorator?"

Jon looked up at the person that just approached them. He was wearing a pair of black oversized jeans with white stitching and a tight fitting Tommy T-shirt. "Thinking about it."

"I can recommend someone."

"Really?"

"Yeah, me. Name's Ryan, I'll be taking care of the article we're doing on Jared."

Jon and Jared stood up and each of them shook Ryan's hand. Jared took a quick once-over of him. He had a great physique that was shown nicely through the T-shirt he was wearing, short, spiked brown hair with highlights that were just a few shades different than the rest of his hair, a great smile with a perfect set of pearlies, and the sharpest green eyes he had ever seen. In a word: gorgeous.

"We're still getting everything setup back in our office area since we just moved in, so I'm going to give you the run down on our way to the photo shoot - that'll be in the Studio out behind the offices - and we'll do the interview in whichever office is finished first. Sound good to you guys?"

"Yeah."

"Sure."

"Great! In that case, follow me."

"Hold that pose guys."

Snap.

"Great. Now, enough of the happy, joking, carrying on couple. I want some of the romantic stuff. Steve, get them into the warm and cuddly outfits we picked out."

"Here ya go guys, I'm sure you know where the changing room is."

Jon and Jared took the outfits from Steve and went back to the changing room.

"They're taking an awful lot of pictures aren't they," asked Jared.

"Yeah well they'll go through them all and decide which ones they want. I'm just surprised they haven't asked for any shots of you in just shorts."

"Jon it's a teen magazine. I think that's a bit much."

"It's the 21st century Jared, kids want to see what you've got."

Jon looked in the mirror at what he was wearing. They had given him a pair of beige cargo pants with a black wool sweater that had gray and copper brown stripes across the chest and sleeves. He had to admit that he liked it. He looked at Jared to see what he had been given to wear.

"Wow, you look hot babe."

Jared blushed. "Thanks. So do you." Jared walked over to stand beside Jon and look in the mirror. He was wearing a pair of cream color khakis with a green, long-sleeved V-neck sweater with a light green stripe across the chest. The green seemed a bit much to Jared, but with the pants, it just kinda went.

"We make a cute couple."

"I agree!"

Jon and Jared turned around quickly to see who had spoken. Ryan was standing in the door way.

"Um, you want something Ryan?"

"Actually Jon, I just came to hurry you guys up. An office is ready to go but it's needed for this afternoon. We're only going to have a short time for the interview so I'm going to have to rush it. I only want one photo of the two of you wearing that, and I know just what it is so let's go."

Ryan turned and walked back to the photo shoot.

"For some reason I don't like him."

"Oh come on Jon, he's not that bad. Seems a bit sure of himself, but that's OK, I guess."

"Eh, I suppose. Let's get this done."

When they went back, they both gasped at the backdrop that was set up. It was a sunset as seen from a cliff overlooking a meadow. The bright reds, yellows, and oranges of the sunset contrasting against the cooling green of the meadow far below.

"You like it?"

"Oh yeah," they answered together.

"Great! Go stand in front of it and let's do this thing."

They moved in front of the back drop and looked at Ryan for instructions.

"Which of you is taller?"

"Jared, by about three inches."

"OK just making sure you weren't slouching. Jared stand behind Jon, just to his right. Jon, I want you to turn ever so slightly towards Jared... stop! That's it. Now Jared, wrap your arms around Jon. Jon, drop your arms to your side... that's it. OK, now try to place your hands on Jared's without moving your shoulders any... that's it, bend at the elbow only. Now Jared, place your chin on his shoulder. Yeah... that looks good!OK, we're ready to shoot. Just hold that pose for a second and give me a warm smile, nothing to big or toothy."

Ryan focused the camera and got the right angle.

"Great smile Jared. You look really hot!"

As Ryan snapped the picture Jon was trying his best to keep the smile on his face. That was an obvious flirtatious comment. A damned come on! For Jared's sake he didn't say anything. Jon knew Jared wasn't going to fall for anything like that, and he was not going to ruin this by getting pissed.

"Alright guys! Jon, you go with Steve for a quick Q&A. Jared... you're with me."

Under his breath Jon growled. Ryan was just too much.

"Nice office."

"It belongs to one of the management... not sure which."

"Big surprise."

"Yeah tell me about it. The big wigs always get what they want, almost as much as celebrities."

"You're not a big fan of celebrities are you?"

"Not the really big ones. As long as the person is still only a small celebrity, they're OK."

"What's wrong with the big celebs?"

"They're spoiled, too rich, and have huge egos. Just gets to me."

"Oh."

"What about you? How do you feel about the whole celebrity thing?" Ryan turned on the tape recorder, signaling the beginning of the interview.

"I think as long as they don't let it all go to their heads, they're fine with me. I just don't like egotistical people."

"Cool. I'm going to back up a bit to the beginning. How about your full name?"

"Jared Daine Lovell."

"Birth date?"

"April 1st, 1976."

"What did you do for your birthday?"

"Jon and I went to a Kid Rock concert."

"Cool. I wanted tickets to that but couldn't find the time to get them. Hometown?"

"A little place in Newfoundland."

"No name for that little place?"

"I'd rather not."

"OK, no problem. A few favorites now. Kids like those things for some reason."

"Heheheh, OK."

"Favorite food."

"Hmmm, Chicken Tetrazinni."

"Nice. Band and song?"

"Depends on the type of music you're talking about?"

"Metal?"

"Metallica, Until it Sleeps."

"Rap?"

"Yuck."

"Alternative?"

"Now that's a tough one. I'd have to say... Dumb, Nirvana."

"Pop?"

"Now that's easy. Backstreet Boys have to be my favorite and Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely is definitely my favorite song."

"Dance?"

"Ha! The Eiffel 65 remix of 'Bad Touch' by the Bloodhound gang is my favorite song. As for my favorite band? I'd have to say it's the singer Amber. She has an amazing voice."

"Country?"

"Garth! The River."

"Any other notables?"

"David Gray. Amazing song writer, great voice."

"OK. You said 'Show Me the Meaning...' was definitely your favorite song. Mind explaining why?"

"That song has a special meaning for me, a lesson if you will."

"Mind sharing?"

"Well, the song makes me realize just how special and important what I have with Jon really is. You can see in the video that some of the guys have lost family members and yet as Kevin sings "Life goes on, as it never ends." And I think... no. If I lost Jon, life wouldn't go on. I couldn't go on. I'm very thankful for Jon, and I wouldn't want to try and go on without him."

"Looking back at your time together, what's your favorite memory of Jon?"

"Hmmm. It would have to be our 6 month anniversary. I was expecting something big. You know, dinner and all that. Instead, I arrive at his house in my suit and, he's sitting around in his T-shirt and jeans."

"He forgot?"

"Oh no! We sat on his sofa for a few hours watching his old home movies and looking at baby pictures with his mother. When she left, he went upstairs and came back with his suit on. He turned on some nice romantic music, lit a fire and we laid there on a sleeping bag, in suits, just talking about our lives and what it was like for us growing up. It was the most personal thing he could have given me."

"Wow, that was sweet."

"Yeah."

"Um, you want to take a break?"

"No, I'm good. Why?"

"Well here's where things get personal."

"Oh."

"Wanna take that break now?"

"No... no I think I can go on for a while."

"You're a strong person."

"I try to be. I need to be."

"Why?"

"I'm a 24 year old gay white male that is out and living in Los Angeles. Sure this place is a little more gay friendly than a lot of places but... it isn't a walk in the park. I've gotten a lot of hard looks and I've been called off a few times. And other than the movie, I'm outta work. Finding a job hasn't been easy either. I've got lots of résumés out there and I haven't gotten so much as an interview. I can't say that has anything to do with me being gay, but I can't help think that it does. I keep thinking it's why I lost my job in the first place."

"How so?"

"There were never any problems between me and my boss before I came out. We talked and joked all the time. After Leno though, he barely even spoke to me other than to bark an order. Then I made a little mistake that cost the company $100 and I was fired. Other employees have cost the company as much as $4000 and they still work there. Seems to me, I was fired because I was gay."

Ryan handed Jared a box of Kleenex, but Jared waved them off and chuckled and how sweet and thoughtful Ryan was being.

"I guess you wouldn't recommend coming out to anyone then?"

"I wouldn't say that. It has made things easier for me as well. I mean, I don't have to pretend anymore. It is a lot easier when people know the real you, especially if they accept it. I admit my family didn't take that well to it - and no I won't get into them - but I didn't bother to see how they reacted to gay people before hand either, which is something I think a person should do.
"I definitely feel better not having to lie about who I am. The ability to be me is really nice. Hmmm, I guess... there are up sides and down sides to being out. I think it's necessary for each person to balance them out for themselves and see which appeals to them. It can be easier being out, or it could be even more difficult."

"You've mentioned how it can be easier, what about how it's harder?"

"Small towns don't usually take kindly to it. Nor do ex girlfriends, so take it easy on them, heheh. You're going to see people who will give you a rough time, that's a given. But at the same time, there are always people who give you a rough time no matter what your sexuality, so it is a kind of balance I guess. I dunno. I think people's reaction to you can be the worst. And the law doesn't help, but it's changing for the better at a good speed."

"OK then. The next question is the most personal."

"I'm ready."

"How old were you when you figured it out?"

"Ha hahah! That depends on what 'it' is."

"You know what I mean, heheh. How old were you when you figured out you were gay?"

"I know, I was just teasing. Actually it kinda came in stages. At first I just realized that I was not like the other guys. I didn't like to sit around and talk about this girl and that girl. I didn't really think anything of that. That was around age 11. Over the next, oh I say, two years, I started noticing myself noticing guys. By the time I was 13 I realized that I liked guys and not girls. I knew I was gay at that point."

"That's pretty young."

"Well yeah. But just because I knew, doesn't mean I accepted it. I pushed the idea to the back of my mind and just figured I'd change, or someone would fix me. But, by the time I reached grade eleven... I hadn't socialized at all growing up, I hadn't had a girlfriend, and the only sexual experience I had was with a guy, and that wasn't all that much. I just went with the fact that I was gay. Finally, come graduation time at grade twelve I accepted it. That's when I finally accepted me, as the person that I am."

Ryan looked at Jared for a few seconds, just taking him in. "I'm really starting to admire you Jared. You're very wise for someone your age, and a very strong person as well."

"Thanks Ryan. That means a lot to me."

The interview continued for another few minutes but the questions were standard and boring. It breezed past rather quickly.

"OK, that was the last one."

"That wasn't so bad. Is there anything else I need to do?"

"Well, Since we have a little time and I didn't get the chance to take all the pictures I wanted, would you mind posing for a few more?"

"Sure thing." Jared got up and starting heading out of the office.

"Jared? Where are you going?"

"Back to the studio. Don't you want more pictures?"

"Oh, my fault. I meant that I wanted to take the pictures here."

"Oh, sorry."

"Ain't no big deal. Just remove your shirt while I get the camera ready."

Jared started to pull his shirt up over his head then stopped. "Um, what was that?"

"Oops. Guess I forgot to tell you that too. Where is my head today? We want some shirtless shots of you for the centerfold."

"Isn't this a teen magazine?"

"Jared, get with it. This is the 21st century. Kids want to see what you have."

Jared jumped at the deja vu. "Yeah, so I've been told."

"Alright so you know what I'm talking about then. Go ahead and take off your shirt. The camera is ready to go."

Jared shrugged. What the hell. Might as well do it and get it over with. Can't hurt I guess. He pulled his shirt off over his head revealing his tanned, firm body. Ryan started taking pictures as Jared did some simple poses.

"Jared, you have an amazing body! Firm pecs, nice abs, and a perfect tan. How long have you been working on it?"

"Quite a while. I'm really proud of my body."

"And so you should be. I love it."

"Um, thanks." Jared blushed at Ryan's comments.

After taking about two dozen shots, Ryan reloaded the camera and took a few more. He suddenly stopped and looked at Jared.

"Jared, would you be willing to give us one more shot... with a little something extra?"

Jared, although somewhat timid, was interested. "Such as?"

"How about dropping your pants and giving us a boxer shot?"

Jared looked at Ryan and saw a twinkle in his eye. "I dunno Ryan. I'm not to keen on that idea."

"Jared, you have an amazing body! Show it all while you can man. It's not like I'm asking you to go nude. Unless you've got a monster between your legs, no one is going to see anything."

"True I guess."

"You want to know something?"

"Uh, what?"

"I'll be honest. I know I have a great body, but it's not as good as yours. You are hot. And a boxer shot would really help us sell the first issue."

He was honest, that's for sure. I guess helping them get the magazine off the ground won't hurt. "One shot, that's it."

"Yes! Thank you Jared, thank you so much."

Jared smiled and undid his pants. He let them slip down past his knees and placed his hands on his hips for the photo.

"Actually Jared, could you, um, shift yourself a little so that the camera will pick up your - "

"This wasn't part of the deal!"

"Yeah, you're right. I'm sorry. I was just being a bit horny I guess. I'm so sorry."

Jared blushed a bit. He was surprised at Ryan's honesty and a little flattered as well. He kinda liked being able to turn someone on like he was with Ryan. Jared started thinking that Ryan was a really sincere, honest guy as well as being a cutie.

"OK, that's it. You can get dressed again."

Jared pulled his pants up and put his shirt back on as Ryan put away his camera and gear.

"Um, Jared? I was wondering something."

"What's that?"

"Would you like to go to dinner with me?"

Jared stared at Ryan for a few seconds, stunned. Don't jump the gun Jared, maybe it's a company thing. "What?"

"Would... you like to go out to dinner with me? You know, a date."

Jared looked at Ryan. He was looking at the desk, pretending to examine its surface. OK, so it isn't a company thing. A date... whoa. This guy is very bold on top of everything else.

"Before you say no, I just want you to know that I think you're really cute and very intelligent. You're a strong person and I find that very attractive. All I'm asking for is a date. If it doesn't work, then so be it." He paused and took a deep breath. "So what do you say? Will you go on a date with me?"

Ryan was now looking at Jared directly in the eyes. Jared blinked once and swallowed, a million things running through his head at once. "I'd love to."

I am Scoop, hear me type. Go read 15... it's cool!

"Momma don't cry,
Momma don't cry,
Please, momma don't cry,
you've done nothing wrong."

"He is everything you want
He is everything you need
He is everything inside of you that you wish you could be
He says all the right things at exactly the right time
but he means nothing to you and you don't know why?"