Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me.
Arthur swallowed, and held his wrists under the running cold water to cool his blood.
"She wants to observe me," he muttered, "She wants to observe me. Nothing wrong with that."
He dried his hands, and began to walk in the direction of his office. "Nothing wrong at all."
Ariadne stirred her cup of coffee, discontentedly. She couldn't work out what it was with Arthur, but he seemed to be increasingly imitating a cat caught on hot coals. She sighed, and looked into the dark liquid.
"You ok?"
She looked up. Eames was standing next to her, and before she could speak, he pulled out a chair, and sat down.
"Fine," she said, with a forced smile. "Fine."
Eames raised an eyebrow. "Whats wrong? Arthur being a pain?"
She shook her head. "No. Its just-"
"Just what?" The British man was looking at her, his face a picture of wide eyed innocence. The Art specialist took a look round the staff room, and then lowered her voice.
"Well, we went out for dinner last night, but he seemed really uncomfortable." She sipped her coffee. "He said he couldn't have dessert because he was heavy when he was younger, then when he drove me back, he leaned over, and kissed me on the chin."
Eames raised an eyebrow. "Oh dear. Sounds awkward."
"It was." She leaned back in her seat, seemingly defeated. "I don't get him. He seems so smooth, so-" she paused, biting her lip. "But then he seems really unsure of himself."
Eames leaned forward. "Ari, let me tell you something about Arthur. He really doesn't get out much, and he's quite awkward in situations that are new to him."
"Oh." She looked at Eames. "So what do I do?"
"Well," Eames began to grin. "I'm free tonight, and I wondered if you...?"
She blinked. "Are you asking me out on a date, Eames?"
He shrugged. "Maybe."
Ariadne bit her lip. "Eames, I would really like to...but I-" she shook her head, smiling.
Eames nodded. "OK, I can take a hint." He smiled at her, and stood up. "No hard feelings, trust me." He began to leave the room.
The Art teacher looked after him. "Eames!"
He turned. "Yes?"
"Well," she began, "Arthur is difficult to get to know, and I don't know many people here, so, yes, tonight sounds good. As friends?"
Eames nodded. "Of course." He smiled. "I'll see you at eight?"
Ariadne smiled. "Great, see you then!"
Arthur scribbled on a sheet of paper. The next lesson for his twelth graders was proving very hard to plan. He slumped in his seat, feeling defeated. "Ariadne wants to observe me," he muttered. "Great."
"Hey up!"
Arthur looked up from his desk. "Eames. What is it?" he gestured to his lesson plan. "I'm pretty busy."
Eames sat down, his eyes dancing. "How was your date last night?"
Arthur looked at the desk. "It was...good, thanks."
"Really?" Eames was grinning. "So you didn't refuse to eat your dessert and then not kiss her?"
Arthur scowled. "I was full, and she moved and- "
"Oh, Arthur!" Eames was starting to laugh. "You need to relax! But I have the perfect solution!"
"What?" Arthur raised an eyebrow.
"Its simple," Eames said, grinning again. "I've asked Ariadne out this evening. We're meeting at eight pm. I'm taking her to the Coffee Bean. And I will be unpleasant, boorish, sexist, and everything I'm not."
Arthur coughed, causing Eames to glare. "Continue."
"Well, I go out with her, and try it on," Eames continued, "and you walk in, and stop me. Therefore, you show her how macho you are, how in control, she looks at you in a completely new light, and chances are you'll be on a date again in no time. What do you think?"
Arthur paused, and looked at Eames. "Eames, I think its one of the stupidest, most cliched ideas you've ever had." His tone was scornful. "If Ariadne really likes me, she'll be impressed by what I do." He stood up, the lesson plan scooped off the desk. "She's observing me next period."
"Really?" Eames raised an eyebrow. "And what are you going to do?"
Arthur turned, and smiled.
"Wouldn't you like to know!"
And with that, he turned and walked out of the office, leaving the Drama specialist staring after him.
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