Two can play the same

"So, the key is to be discreet." Moore put his palms together. "For the sake of this mission's viability, we can´t afford being found out."

"You got it, bossie. Discreet is my second name."

"Great. Now, the thing is simple. We just have to divert Adrianne's attention from the blue-eyed buffoon next to her, which is Thomas. We shall come up with some urgent matter that must be attended or something. Nothing too complex, Adrianne is not really the trouble." Moore peeped at Thomas, who was now biting a slice of cucumber in a seductive way. "The real challenge lies with him. He's not a pro, but quite good enough to trick someone as pure and innocent as my honey bunny." Tobey blinked in confusion but he chose not to interrupt. "So chances are high he might decipher our plan and screw it up. One of us distracts Adrianne, while the other distracts Thomas, got it?"

"Okay, I get it now. Worry not, boss. I know just what to do!"

"Good, 'cause I was worried you wouldn't want to deal with Thom—"

"Miss. Adrianne." before Moore could finish, Tobey was already standing on the table's bench.

'What are you doing, idiot!' Moore felt his face turning pale.

"If you forgive ma' rudeness, I must really call for yo' help at this very moment." Tobey continued.

"Sure." Adrianne answered without hesitating.

'Wait, is it working?' Moore sneaked a look.

"What is it, Tobs? I'll be happy to help."

"Well, it's 'bout an urgent matter that must be attended."

Moore face-palmed himself. Adrianne insisted:

"Alright, you can tell me."

"I'm afraid I can't." Tobey claimed. "This, uhm… this is somethin' I need you to see for yourself."

"Alright, then show me."

"I'm afraid I can't, either."

Moore face-palmed himself with his other hand.

"It's…" Tobey stuttered "I-it's not somethin' I can just take out to show you. You see, because of public disturbance..."

Adrianne threw him a perplexed look.

"So you must come with me. To somewhere…far, very far. A-and private, if possible, where we have no…" he quickly glanced at Thomas before going on. "…distractions."

Moore buried his face in his hands.

"P-pardon?" Adrianne's eyes were wide open.

"I know is a lot of me to ask, because there is nothin' I would want less than to bother you. But I assure you, what your'bout to witness is goin' to let you…bewildered. Uhum, yes, definitely bewildered. It is probably like nothin' you've ever seen before. At least nothin' of this magnitude."

Moore's soul was already leaving his body. At this rate, it wouldn't be a surprise if he passed out.

"T-then, please, lead the way." Adrianne was…blushing? Believe it or not, the lovely brunette girl was looking happy to go. She got up from her seat faster than possible, and almost in the blink of an eye Tobey and her had left the place.

How the heck could this actually work was far away from Moore's understanding. At that time, he already had one thousand million ideas of how to beat Tobey's lil' Aussie ass. He had done exactly the opposite of what Moore had asked him to and he somehow had managed to get away with it. Moore was going to give him a piece of his mind when they meet again.

For now, there were some other grave matters to deal with. Like the fact that he has been left alone with the guy he least wanted to be alone with, in a place where he really should not be. Despite the cafeteria ambiance as noisy as usual, there was a strong silent tension between Thomas and him that was rather uncomfortable. Neither of them had said a word since Tobey stole Adrianne and it didn't seem like that was going to change anytime soon.

They just sat there, eating.

Breathing.

Ignoring.

Every time Moore turned to see Thomas, Thomas looked away. And every time Thomas turned to see Moore, Moore looked away.

Minutes were passing but time somehow felt frozen. Why can't the recess just finish, so Moore can run away from there? He had thought about leaving as well, but he knew it'd be rude of him and that it wouldn't help improve his situation since he was still being observed. The view of Moore and the new kid eating together was not the kind of thing gossipers would let pass so easily. He could hear the click of some cameras and had already imagined what all those whispers were saying about him. Thomas, though, didn't seem to be bothered at all.

The bright light of a random shoot broke his thoughts.

"Would you please at least have the decency to turn the flash off!?" He spat to someone in the multitude.

"Sorry!" The culpable respond.

"Thank you!" He went back to his table.

Feeling restless already, he was about to stand up and go away with a good excuse in mind for back up, but that was when Thomas finally broke the silence.

"Are you sure you wanna' go?"

"You talkin' to me?"

"No, airhead, I'm talking to this banana peel over here. Of course I'm talking to you."

Moore growled; half angry Thomas had talked to him that way, half thinking he could have come up with something better.

"Why wouldn't I wanna' go?"

"They are watching." Thomas shrugged.

"And why do you care?"

"I don't. But you sure do." He bit a cookie.

Dammit. He was right. Was Moore that easy to read?

"Oh, don't worry." Thomas continued "I'm probably the only one that knows. Well, apart from that boy who was sitting here a while ago, of course."

Moore settled back to his seat, not without giving Thomas an unfriendly look. Thomas only chuckled.

"You don't have to be that surly with me. It's not like I'm gonna' tell anyone or anything." He said without even looking at him. "Your perfect boy facade is quite compelling as it is. I'd be a shame if someone ruins it." He looked at Moore with a hint of mirth. "Don't you think?"

Moore stayed still, quiet. He studied Thomas' face, which was now concentrated on the napkin he was playing with. There wasn't even a trace of concern, and Moore didn't know whether he should really be worried or not. He knew Thomas was trying to get into his head and play a little, but he wasn't as stupid as Thomas thinks he is.

"You're right." Moore softened his face and smiled. Two can play the same. "I should probably start listening to you. After all, you seem pretty experienced at it."

It could have been just a hunch, but Moore was certain he saw Thomas clenching his jaw.

Got ya'.

"Oh, how come?" Thomas' smile was so bright Moore felt almost disgusted. "You are the closest I've ever been to fakeness."

Under the desk, Moore clutched his fists.

"But it's okay, I'm always open for first times." Thomas added in a cynical tone.

"Yeah, I figured that much." Moore leaned over the table. "You look like the swinger type."

Thomas was ready to throw himself over Moore, but luckily, the bell rang at that very moment. The cafeteria soon began to empty, though some people chose to stay and see what was happening with them. Thomas took it as an advantage.

He stood up and leaned over Moore, not too close so people could still hear.

"It was a pleasant time I shared with you here, hon." He said and Moore threw him a death glare. "Makes it hard to wait for tonight." He then gave him a loud kiss on the cheek and walked away, without even looking back.