Flustered

A black cloud of anger was around Moore during those final minutes of class. Whatever the teacher was saying had no importance right now. What mattered was his sudden, intense bad mood and the tickling sense of danger he was feeling on his chest.

'Danger?' he questioned 'about what?'

Right, about what was Moore so worried? Rumors? He was used to them. Harassment? Not the first time either. Hate? There was a long waiting line regarding that.

So…what was it? He really couldn't put his fingers on it. But complaining wasn't going to be of much help anyway. All he could do, by the moment, was to relax and forget about it. Whatever happened just happened, and he couldn't do anything to change it, no?

He sighed

'See you after school' Moore couldn't take that memory out of his head. An enticing Thomas winked inside his mind and Moore's cheeks immediately flushed. Annoyed, he began banging his head against the desk over and over again.

"Y'ain't lookin' very well, boss" the voice came from his left. Moore peeked a look without raising his head and found the little guy sitting next to him looking at him with a not so very concerned expression. He was slurping a cardboard apple juice. "Should I assume you're stressed?"

Narrowing his eyes, Moore growled

"Oh but really, how come you figure? Was it for the long sigh or the fact that I'm currently playing the school hymn with my head?"

The boy slurped his juice once again, pensive. "Well I didn't think about that" he made a pause "but if that's the case…then I guess your musical senses must be terrible, boss"

Moore growled again.

Tobey. They met during the orientation week back in first semester. Moore was trying to have some time for himself during a break, finding a tree to sit at. Tobey just happened to be sitting on the other side. He was making noise while playing Pacman so Moore had to turn around to shut him up. They naturally ended up chatting and somehow they stuck together for the rest of the orientation. Ever since then, Tobey has been following Moore everywhere he goes, like a loyal puppy, and Moore can't say he dislikes that. As to why he keeps calling him 'boss'…well, that's one question Moore stopped asking a long ago.

Tobey is simple, and he speaks without a filter, which is one of the reasons why Moore likes him. He doesn't give a damn about anything and his only worries are to keep his tie very straight and to not let the teacher see he's playing with his phone during class. He's small, foreigner, inexpressive, and obviously terrible with understanding sarcasm.

Moore was not in the mood, so he just shut his eyes, sighing again. Tobey didn't seem to read the message.

"It's hard to say" He finally finished that hellish juice. "But I think I realized it 'cause I've never seen you so out of it. Tho I was starting to get suspicious 'bout the banging thing…" Tobey now had an apple, big and red, and played with it before taking the first bite. He really does seem to like that damn fruit. "That, and the new post on Facebook 'bout your recent affair too…Those were all hints, but I'm tellin' you, it's kinda confusing…"

This time, Tobey's words did catch Moore's interest, making him rear up almost immediately "Say that again"

"It was confusing?..."

"No. About the affair"

"Oh, it's all over Facebook. There are even some cute photos of you lookin' all shy and mousy and a very explicit zoom of your hand holding another hand." Tobey took out his phone, scrolling the screen. Then he showed it to Moore while giving another bite to his apple. "I knu it wus yur han bcause of thu red scur in yur indx finge', buss"

"Don't speak with your mouth full!" Moore snatched Tobey's phone from his hands, unable to believe what he was seeing. There, just as Tobey said, was a set of photos taken with splendid ability, next to a brazen post that said something about a new romance and an abusive bird of prey, whatever that meant. The anonymous poster somehow managed to take those photos from the perfect angle, making Moore and Thomas look like real lovers. Moore couldn't choose between being angry or impressed.

"I know by good instance that you're not the dater type, so I assumed this would probably be a fake." Tobey cleaned his mouth before adding proudly: "But there's no way in 7 hells I can't recognize your hand, boss."

Moore kept on scrolling. His whole attention was on the 75 reposts Tobey's feed had, and they were increasing. Guess that's what happens when you're the school deity. Then one in particular caught his interest. Someone, who's profile name he couldn't recognize, chose to share one specific photo.

"Don't be so old-fashioned. Just look at this baby's face, this is pure and honest love!! We shouldn't be making fun and instead give our support! #loveislove #notmybussines #ImWithYouDoorieMoorie" was what the post said.

But what amazed Moore even more was the photo. It was a simple close-up about them completely distracted. Moore was looking at something out of sight while Thomas was secretly looking at him, dearness all over his face. And he even was smiling. It was a soft and faint little line yet it was noticeable. Anyone with at least two functional neurons would notice.

Moore couldn't help his sudden blush.

No. NO. Hell, no. It was a trick, he was sure! Don't believe that cynical idiot!!

He began to bang his head against the desk once again.

"Yeah" Tobey nodded while closing his eyes, comprehensive "I thought this wouldn't suit your mood since you don't like rumors 'bout yourself, boss. That's why I figured you'd be upset. Tho it seems like you didn't know 'bout the post up'till now…"

"How could I?" Moore stopped tormenting the poor desk and raised his head towards Tobey, a piece of paper stuck on his forehead "I just came back from being there."

"News spread fast in TC High, boss."

Tobey was right. Very right. And no matter how much Moore tries to keep all serene and composed, deep down the truth was there: He hates to ruin his perfect public image.

Rumors? Yeah, he was used to them, but it doesn't mean he likes them. Harassment? Another weekly task to deal with, and it wasn't very pleasant (who the heck would be happy to be harassed, if not a masochistic weirdo?). Hate? He hates hate. He's obsessed with being on everybody's good side!

Moore was just…devoted to perfection. And so every time a stupid rumor like this spread, he had to deal with a lot of noisy trouble until his image was fixed back to impeccable.

Moore sighed for the umpteenth time.

"So then, that means it really was you there." Oh, Tobey, he truly has no mercy over Moore's suffering, does he?

"Of course it was me, dum dum. Why else would they use someone else's hand in a post that's about me?"

"Defame?"

"Good point…" Moore grabbed his chin. There was actually a bunch of common mortals that have tried to ruin him in every stupid way they can, unsuccessfully of course. So it was only natural they could try again with such a filthy method like a fake photo.

But no, to Moore's shame, Tobey was correct. That was his hand, the red scar along his index finger right where it should be. Moore acknowledged it well, how could he not? It was Tobey the one who caused it by accident a semester ago, during chemistry class. Moore knew Tobey secretly enjoyed reminding him about that.

"Is that why you haven't stopped rubbing your hand against your pants?" Tobey remarked. Ever since Moore came back to class, he never stopped rubbing his right hand, unconsciously, against his clothes, as if trying to disinfect it. He was that traumatized.

"Ah! Yeah, I'm sorry I just--"

"Why are you apologizing?"

Moore glared at Tobey, confused too. He looked at his hand, which was already red from all that rubbing, and remembered Thomas' touch. His warmth, his…gentleness… his…WAIT.

The heck was he thinking again!?

He shook his hand frantically as if trying to wipe sticky goo out of it. If his face could have bearded blushing even more, it definitely would have.

He had. To stop. That. INSANE IDIOCY.

Tobey observed him quietly. He couldn't seem to say which was redder: his apple, or Moore's face.

"Is it really that bad, bos--"

"OF COURSE IT IS DAMN IT, IT'S TERRIBLE!" Moore found himself surprised by his own yelling. Then immediately regret it, realizing Tobey was startled too. "I'm… I'm sorry folk. I just…AH, DAMN." he buried his face in his hands, gasping in exasperation. "It's just so...bothersome…"

Moore made a rather dramatic pause.

"…and it all just happened to take place in Adrianne's class…" he then quieted down, looking finally defeated, almost ready to cry.

Adrianne.

Everybody's favorite fairytale-like princess. Beautiful. Extra lovely. Super friendly. And Moore's number one unrequited love (the only one, actually).

To think she had witnessed such a shameful scene. To think he had made such a ridiculous thing in front of her…

The school bell rang; it was time for the next class. Up until then, Moore didn't realize the first 10-minute break had already begun and even ended. And he wasted it all struggling.

It was now time to stop. He had a daily schedule to deal with faultlessly, and sniveling like a weepy pussy was not in it.

Before Tobey could say anything, he combed his hair and settled back into his chair in a correct position. He was ready to hit the day with his everything, and there was absolutely nothing that could stop him from doing it. Not even a smug, obnoxious, good looking impertinent boy.

Thomas Murphey would need more, a lot more to tear this warrior down.

And Moore was ready for it.