I Scored Myself A Mate

Mark still remembered how he had woken up brutally his best friend the day before everything began. He had shaken him up violently, he had taken away his cover and screamed in his ear. It was all for a good cause though, so they wouldn't get late. 

He couldn't understand why his friend was making such a ruckus on a Friday morning. Yes, they were supposed to go shopping today with the others but they had a few hours before they had to leave but Alex was shaking him up like an earthquake was happening and he was demanding that he woke up this instant while yesterday the whole day he had been distant and wasn't talking much to anyone. He had even lied to Luke that he was feeling unwell but now he was thriving as it seemed. 

"What is it? What?" Tell me. I'm awake" mark screamed as he pushed off the covers from his body and looked at his best friend. "What time is it?" 

"Seven."

"What?! We have hours until breakfast why are you doing this to me?" Mark whined and laid back down. Alex walked to where he was and sat on the bed with him. Taking his hands in his and pushing him up.

"There is something I need to tell you and we can't talk about it in front of the others. It's a secret, I discovered something."

At the work secret Mark didn't need convincing anymore. He had stood up and was looking at his friend very carefully waiting for him to explain what he was talking about. Alex seemed skeptic. Like something had been torturing his mind and as he opened his lips and the story of what happened just two days ago unveiled Mark too was feeling very perplexed.

"So this is why you didn't want to be with Luke yesterday. Because you found out what he did"

"Yeah, I mean at first I was so angry. I didn't feel like myself, I really wanted to… make him pay but then, yesterday, I was just so sad. I didn't know what to do so I lied. I'm sorry I didn't tell you immediately"

"No, no it's okay. I understand. I don't want to tell you that I told you so but…"

"You're going to do it anyways."

"Yes. I told you so. I never really liked this guy. He is more toxic than acid."

"Chill. I still don't know why he did it. First I need to figure out if what that girl said it's true. Today I want you to help me escape and go to my parents."

"Of course I will but do you have a plan?" Mark asked him. He was sure that Luke wouldn't be simply okay if Alex told him that he will be missing for hours and then come back without any explanation. 

The rest of the time they had before breakfast the two boys were trying to perfect Alex's plan so there would be less possibility of it failing epically. It was difficult to execute at that both of them agreed but the steps were few and if they managed to do it there wouldn't be a problem.

Both of them had agreed that during breakfast they would steal for a bit Luke's phone. While they had it they would find on the map the address Alex was given and they would ask to attend the closest mall there. They would have to find an excuse about that but they still had time to think about it. Then when they arrived Alex at the first chance he would disappear in the crowd so he could escape. 

"It could work" Mark said even though he wasn't that confident about their plan.

"We can try and see" he said and both of them got ready to meet the other two downstairs. 

Today they didn't need a guide since they had been trying to adapt to this place without any help so they found the showers on their own and got ready, heading for the great hall to have breakfast. 

It looked the same as always, many people many noises. Clean and neat with that very strict decoration. Today thought at the back of the room away from the tables Alex spotted a few huge cardboard boxes and his forehead wrinkled thinking why they could be there.

"It's decorations for the party next week." He heard Luke's familiar voice answer him and his boyfriend sat down next to him. 

Alex really wanted to hug him and kiss him, yesterday they hadn't talked that much and he really felt like he needed to recharge his supplies if he could express himself like that but deep inside him he couldn't forget that still he had lied and now was labeled as a possible traitor on his mind. He felt really devastated about that, it was almost like he couldn't see him clearly and that was depressing. He was supposed to be his partner but felt more and more distant. He hoped deep inside him that Alissa was lying. 

"Oh I see" he replied almost like he wasn't interested in his words at all.

"Are you still sick? Maybe we shouldn't go out today." Luke said concerned and placed his hand above his on the table. It was soft and covered his completely but Alex had a huge urge to just pull it away. 

"No, no I am fine. Where is Mikael?" He asked wanting to change the subject.

"He woke up late so he is still showering. Are you really okay? You seem a bit weird" he asked him again.

"Yes of course" he replied again and forced himself to kiss on the cheek. He smiled at him and turned at Mark begging him with his eyes to say something and remove the suspicious atmosphere.

"You know what? You still haven't taken a picture together. Come on Luke give me your phone I will take a picture of you" Mark said smiling and Luke looked at him confused.

"Yes! That would be great. Come on Luke" Alex said and looked at him like a puppy with his pretty green eyes. 

"Okay I guess" He said and took out his phone passing it to Mark "We can take a picture and then we need to head to the car."

"Yeah, yeah."

Alex moved closer to Luke and the boy brought his arm around his shoulders bringing him closer. He couldn't believe that their first picture would be like that, an excuse for stealing and while Alex was doubting himself and all of his decisions. 

He still smiled. And his eyes shined when he saw it because Luke was incredibly photogenic. His beautiful eyes and manly face could be on the cover of a magazine so easily if he wanted to.

"You could be a model." He mumbled and Luke laughed.

"You think?"

"Yeah I am sure" he said still not taking his eyes away from the picture, mostly because he didn't want the phone to be taken away. "Luke could you do me a favor?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"Could you go to the kitchen and get some more of these sandwiches they served for the road please?" He asked.

"Are you still hungry?"

"Maybe, just a tiny bit."

"Okay then" he said with a smile. "I will be right back." He said and got up sprinting to the kitchen.

"Come on. Do it. Now, now. Hurry up" Mark whispered as he had his eyes glued to the place Luke had disappeared off to, to make sure they would notice when he came back.

Alex's hands were shaking and he felt completely guilty for what they were doing at this moment. He browsed through the internet, carefully typing the address so he wouldn't make any mistakes. 

"Come on!" 

"I'm trying shut up!" he said and tried to memorize the area in a hurry. Thankfully there was a mall very close and he had a shop that it was very rare to find everywhere else. Alex decided he would say he wanted to go there so they would eliminate every other option. 

"Clear up the history!"

"I will, I am not stupid!" he said and made sure to press delete all and close all tabs once his research was over. He placed the pone on the table away from him and took a few deep breaths, managing to calm down just the moment Luke appeared, opening the kitchen door while holding a bag stuffed with sandwiched to the brim. 

He was smiling and he raised the bag in the air to show it to Alex. He looked so cute and kind trying to take care of him and his heart was breaking at that sight. He felt like he was the betrayer even if that wasn't the case. 

They all headed to the car where they found Mikael waiting for them. It was the same model as the ones they had used to bring them here and Alex was a bit displeased at that. He had the habit of connecting memories to things and when he entered the car sitting next to Mark on the back he felt uncomfortable but he didn't mention it. He didn't want to extenuate his odd behavior that day. 

"Is it possible to get to a Missies store?" Alex asked when they started the engine and left the compound.

"That's pretty rare. I don't think they have it in this small town" Luke said while thinking. Alex for a second felt his heart sink. What would he do now? Mark looked at him concerned. 

"There is one. You know, at that mall far away." Mikael said and Luke exclaimed like he remembered something.

"Oh, yeah, let's go there then" he said and changed his route. 

Alex let out a huge exhale relieved and thank every god and all the deities that existed. Also he told himself that he would always be a good friend to Mikael and appreciate him, no matter what.

The easy parts of the plan were complete. All he had to do now was literally get lost. 

As if he wasn't already.

....

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