Yet again, Chris is found dashing through the school hallways. He is heading towards the PE changing rooms, in a desperate search for a clean top. But sure enough, as if they have some sort of personal homing-in device on each other, Tom manages to bump into him.
"Morning, mate," Tom greets his friend. "Didn't see you in the staff room first thin-"
He stops mid-sentence, as Chris peels his shirt off his chest to highlight the large - and quite moist - fresh egg stain.
"Those bloody year 10s got me," Chris states, through gritted teeth. "I'm just heading down to see if there is a spare kit top lying about. I'm not wearing this all day - it stinks!"
Of course, Tom can't help but laugh at his inexperienced, Waterloo Road colleague. But still, he leads Chris inside his classroom.
"I've got an extra shirt you can borrow in the store cupboard," Tom offers, as he ushers him through the door.
"You never know when this lot are gonna start a riot," Tom continues to point out, as he follows his friend to the back of the classroom. "Always keep a spare shirt about, Chris!"
"Yeah, I will do now!" Chris laughs.
Quickly but carefully, Chris begins to unbutton his egg-sodden shirt, as Tom keeps watch at the cupboard door. Cautiously, Chris lifts it over his head, twisting his head at different angles to avoid getting egg in his hair.
"Thanks for this," Chris reiterates, as he grabs the spare shirt from the shelf.
Tom turns to smile in Chris's direction, but instead lets out a wolf whistle, when he sees Chris' shirtless back.
"Yeah, yeah," Chris chuckles, "very funny!"
Chris turns around a little to laugh with his friend, as he begins to place the new shirt over his head. Tom can't help but look Chris up and down - he is taken aback a little.
"She, er," Tom clears his throat awkwardly. "She's a feisty one then, this 'Kate' of yours?"
Tom grins, but Chris just looks confused. Tom nods at Mr Mead's body. Chris looks down - and realises just how many of his hickeys are still visible. Some bright purple, obviously still quite fresh, whilst others are more light green and faded. Between them, they cover the majority of Chris's chest and abdomen.
"Oh, sorry mate," Chris laughs, smirking a little. "She does get carried away a bit, yeah."
Chris finishes buttoning the shirt, and starts to tuck it into his trousers.
"Well," Tom teases, "I never knew you could be so irresistible!"
Chris laughs again, as he tugs at the shirt, straightening it up. Finally, he steps out of the cupboard, and pushes into Tom a little as he passes him.
"You jealous?" Chris smirks.
"Nah," Tom replies. "Never really been my thing, biting."
"Actually," Chris turns on his heels to face his colleague, "it's more of a nibble."
"Too much information!" Tom cringes, as he walks past Chris.
Now at his desk, Tom begins setting up his computer and books ready for the first lesson of the day. Chris slowly strolls along next to him.
"Still," Tom continues, "at least she has the sense to keep them hidden away."
"Oh yeah!" Chris grins, gleefully. "They're in some pretty private areas!"
"There's more?" Tom exclaims. "Now I really don't want to know!"
But Chris decides to tease his friend a little. Standing right next to Tom, he pretends to fiddle with his trouser buttons.
"Come on!" Chris jokes, in between laughter. "The inner thigh is pretty impressive!"
"Stop," Tom laughs, as he bats Chris away. "Stop it! Get out of here, you idiot!"
Chris settles his laughter down, and taps his friend on the shoulder as he turns to leave the room.
"Thanks for the shirt," Chris repeats, as he walks out the door.
"Yeah - just tell her not to rip it later!" Tom calls after him.
Chris pops his head back around the door frame, with a childish grin on his face.
"I can't promise anything!"
Tom laughs before throwing a rubber at Chris, as he dives out the way, sauntering down the hallway.