Great, we're all bloody inspired

She had no idea what Amelia looked like. She woke up vomiting when they were getting assigned partners, so she was left with an email and directions. She had never actually been to the coffee shop outside her school, but there was a first time for everything. Like being late while already not even knowing what her partner looked like.

Seeing as there was only one person in that spot, she felt confident enough to take the seat across from her. Disheveled was the only way to describe her. Her braid was loose, with strands falling out of place and in front of her eyes. The mascara she forgot to wipe off last night was smudged under her eyes, and the shirt she threw on had a two year old stain.

Okay. So a really, really bad start to a first date. Lack of effort, late, a crazed look in her eyes. It might just be time to leave her purse and slowly walk away with her arms up.

“I’m so sorry. My ride completely ditched me, so I had to run here. If it makes it better though, I found out it's illegal to take the highway on foot,”she apologized, wiping her forehead as she finally took a breath.

Alright. This girl was a lot crazy.

It kind of seemed like the good kind though. Or she was delusional.

“Thanks for the warning. I’ll keep that in mind next time I feel like going anywhere on foot,”she shrugged. Letting out a relieved laugh at the understanding, she held her hand out while introducing herself.

“Harriet,”she smiled, shaking her hand. The blonde’s grip wavered as she swore something was off. In the midst of her chaotic mind and chaotic morning, she couldn't quite figure out what.

“I swear I usually look better. You look nice though,”she complimented, setting her bag down. She hummed dismissively as if she hadn't stood in front of the mirror and pondered what every piece she wore said about her. Did the brown leggings seem a bit too basic? Were the ankle warmers too much? Was the lack of makeup lazy looking?

Not to Sonya.

“You are naturally pretty. Minus, you know,”she assured her, handing her a napkin. Her face warmed at the realization that didn't even need to be spoken as she wiped around her raccoon eyes. She had seen it be pulled off really well, but that required trying and not just thinking makeup wipes were too much work.

“I’ll keep that in mind next time,”she joked, getting as much off as she could. She wasn't aware that her words sent a sudden flutter to the brunette’s chest at the implication of a second date so soon. Then again, she’d be a liar if she said she wouldn't jump at the opportunity if everything kept going the way it was.

Sonya's gaze lingered for a second too long at her alleged classmate. It didn't sound like her to not notice such a pretty girl in a close proximity. She was no stranger to minding her business, but her vision was 20/20. She would at the very least take a second glance.

“Do you know what's good here by chance? I haven't gotten a chance to grab breakfast,”she admitted, pushing some of her hair back. The sheepish smile made Harriet's stomach churn, a sight that cleared the clouds in the sky and fog on the ground.

“Uh, yeah. Yeah, they have good bagels. They're plain, but they're always warm,”she answered, unconsciously twisting the rings on her finger.

“Would you be too embarrassed to go in with me? I’m not really a fan of standing in line by myself.”

“You don't know embarrassing until your sister forgets the bottom half of your wedding outfit,”she grinned, getting out of her seat.

“Now that's a story I have to hear.”

As they went inside, their shoulders an inch too close, Amelia sighed as she opened her laptop. From the other coffee shop by their school, she decided to send a more clear email this time.

Sleeping through her alarm was a blind date that was in an entirely new dimension. Her dream was immersive, and she was not getting up any time soon. And maybe, just maybe, that's the definition of fate.

@themazewomen

I kept looking around for some kind of clue. There's a way out of everything in life, and this is no different. How that way would be manipulated is the real question.

“Wanna play I spy?”

I turned to look at him to make his words actually process in my brain. I’ve always suspected there’s something wrong with him, and he never does anything to dispute the fact. If anything, he’s doing his best to egg it on. He has to get off on being insane.

“No, Aris. I don't want to play I spy right now.”

“Are you sure? I might spy something really good.”

“What good thing could you possibly spot? We could die today. Is this clicking in your head? The people that have raised us are probably going to try to murder us all. There is nothing, absolutely nothing good about this,”I ranted, karate chopping my hand against the other while pacing back and forth.

“I mean I think I’m a pretty good thing.”

I snapped my head around so quickly I got whiplash. My heart stopped before I even saw her, before I could confirm the girl I love actually came back to me. She was supposed to be miles and miles away with the guy that she better know is a worse kisser than me.

“I can't believe you're alive,”I breathed out, throwing my arms around her as tightly as I could. If I let go, she’ll leave me all over again.

“I thought you'd have a little more faith in me,”she teased, firmly hugging me back. Burying my face in her neck, I let one of the heaviest weights lift off of my shoulders. Because even if I do die today, I can go in peace knowing our last interaction was more than a tense decision.

@themazewomen

“This isn't about you,”she snapped, throwing a glare over her shoulder. The shorthaired woman only stopped for a moment, her eyes widening. Then, just as quickly, she crossed her arms over her chest as if to shield herself while trailing behind her.

“You do plenty here. You do plenty where you don't risk dying a slow and painful death. How insane do you have to be to give that up?”she pointed out, frantically twisting her fingers to resist the urge to break something.

“I’m not going to. We’ve come so far in science, and I’ve worked so hard to prepare. Do you understand? Do you have any idea how much work-”

“You're being ridiculous. All of this is ridiculous,”she repeated, her voice raising at each word.

“Oh, so my entire career is a joke to you?”she scowled, finally looking at her.

She opened her mouth to respond. Not just respond but be honest, vulnerable, say what she really wanted to say.

I’m scared to be without you.

“You're making your life harder for no reason.”

“Brenda-”

“No! No, there's no reason for this! Absolutely none! You're just fine here! You can stay here! You'll be alive here!”she screamed, slamming her hands on the table. Flinching at the noise, she pressed herself to the wall. Her eyes grew wide, her face paling at the outburst.

“Why don't you believe in me?”she whispered, her eyes stinging with violent tears. Turning her gaze to the ground, she pushed down the nauseous guilt when she caught her breath.

She stood outside the next day, craning her neck in the crowd. All she wanted was a glimpse of those deep coffee eyes, of that comforting face, of assurance that maybe waking up in the empty bed was worth something. She waited and waited while she still clinged onto any sort of hope.

She looked onto the faces of cheering strangers and left with a heavy heart.

With her knees pulled to her chest, her love watched her leave from the porch. She was spinning the ring on her left hand as she watched the launch that went further and further away. Leaning her head against the beam, she let herself silently fall apart. Without so much as a goodbye, she waited for it to hit her that this would be the hardest year of her entire life.

@themazewomen

So I had no choice.

I answered dare.

The smirk that followed, something subtle and cocky, made me think losing wasn’t the worst thing in the world.

“Let Newt sit on your lap until the end of the game.”

If he wasn't paying attention before, he was now, his head snapping at him as he stared at me. I couldn’t control the way my face burned hotter than the fire as I raised an eyebrow. What kind of freak joke is that?

“I don’t mind if you don’t.”

I do mind. I mind quite a lot actually.

I mind people knowing I mind more.

“Yeah. Sure,”I shrugged as casually as I could.

He got up with pure and unfiltered confidence. His brown eyes shimmered in the fire, hints of gold that made my face heat up.

He seemed to think nothing of it as he sat on my lap with everyone watching. I kept my hands firmly behind me, doing my best to be normal about all of this. I definitely never agreed to play for this to any kind of ending.

The first thing I noticed was that he was warm. Not the kind of harsh sun you need to pull away from or that makes you sweaty when you wake up. He was calmly warm, like he matched his personality. The second was that he smelt a lot like dirt and grapes, which was strangely nice.

A chorus of, “oooh’s” echoed in the air, which made me roll my eyes as casually as possible. I’m mostly sure Newt did the same, just like I’m mostly sure I’m the only one who saw the way the back of his neck was red.

Newt’s on my lap. Newt’s on my lap, and I’m being normal about it.

The game kept going, and people forgot about it unless it was one of our turns. Granted, the options were limited now that neither of us could move, but I didn't really feel like jumping from a tree branch anyways.

The longer the night went, the more natural it felt. It felt natural to put an arm around him when the position got uncomfortable, it felt natural for him to lean on my chest like this was a daily activity, and it felt natural to be way too close.

The game has to end soon.

The train contained the shiniest jewel in the entire world. There, still trapped inside, were the two most important people to ever live. She had been surrounded by what was as good as strangers. Nobody was Aris, with the ability to know when to go silent and when to talk your ear off. Nobody was her Sonya, the only ray of light in their cruel world.

She was quick to find them near the back, their hands chained down on their laps. The sight of sunlight shining through and Harriet wading through it made her seem like an angel. She was there to save them after an eternity of hell.

As she wrapped her arms around them, a tight hug that she had missed, Sonya felt herself right back in the fire.

The essence of the Safe Haven was the same as she remembered. Tents were set up to ensure privacy and mark zones. People were fixing things up or laughing in groups like everything was normal.

Every few seconds, someone checked over their shoulder or above their head. The sanctuary of the place was disturbed by something that was still following her. Even with her new clothes and hair redone, every part of Sonya felt stuck there. There was something different about being in WCKD when they weren't afraid to show their true colors. When they were desperate and running low on resources and willing to sacrifice every little obstacle.

Sitting alone on the beach, she stared off into the distance. The fresh air filled her lungs, a salty scent that she was waiting to be replaced with cold lab air again.

Harriet stood there for a moment, watching her girlfriend ground herself in her new reality. Her heart was a hundred times lighter. The cage she had been trapped in finally opened with the key she had spent months making with her bare hands.

“Hey. You awake over here?”she teased, placing a hand on her shoulder. Freezing at the contact, she tensed in her spot. Her face flushed with heat as she held her breath. Darkness loomed in over her, a cloud of chemicals and fear taking over her being.

“Sonya?”

“Yeah. Yeah, I’m here,”she choked out, physically pulling away. Her stomach churned at the unexpected rejection as she crossed her arms over her chest to give them something to do. The waves moved on, a quiet swishing back and forth on the sand. Because even after everything they had been through, the world was still spinning. Whether they healed or not, it would always be spinning.

“I’m really sorry. For leaving you there so long. I tried to get there sooner but,”she trailed off.

“I know. It's still amazing that you got me out at all,”she promised, looking at her. As if to prove it, she patted the spot beside her, inviting her to sit with the sunset. She did so at a distance she wasn't used to. Only six months ago they were practically in each other's laps. Their knees not even touching was a lifetime apart.

“We can talk about it. We can talk about whatever you want,”she promised, still looking at her with the kind of soft eyes that people wait decades for.

“I don't feel like I got out. Yet,”she admitted, mindlessly dragging her finger through the sand in front of her. Not knowing what to say, she said nothing at all. The words were still building up, grievances that had been forced back trying to arrange themselves in something a little more comprehendable.

“I know it's you. But I’m still waiting to turn around and see . . . them,”she whispered, curling her knees to her chest. Feeling her heart shatter, she instinctively reached out to make it better only to catch herself at the last second.

“You are here now. With me. And I won't let anyone touch you again. Not until you want it.”

“Even if it's you?”

“Of course. Even if it's me.”

Still standing there, Harriet tried to figure out the best way to keep her promise and how to rearrange the room. The one cot was clearly out of the picture for now, but she wasn't sure what the best course of action for two would be. Completely opposite sides? Vertical and horizontal? Someone close to the door? There wasn't exactly a guide book for helping your traumatized lover heal after getting back from a government organization that also traumatized you.

Interrupting her train of thought, Sonya finally made it to their small space. Hearing her footsteps, she turned around to see her ready for bed, light hair hanging over her shoulders and Harriet’s old shirt she already got her hands on. As she was glued in that spot, her heart skipping a beat at the sight she died without, the single bed was noticed.

“We can share for a while. If we have to,”she reluctantly promised.

“No. Just figuring out how to go bother Vince about this,”she promised, making her way out. Before she left, she blew a kiss, a promise of permanent love without a single fingerprint exchanged. Catching it in her hand, she let herself truly grin for the first time in so long. She had almost forgotten what it felt like for your cheeks to hurt from pure happiness. She hadn't expected it to be because her girlfriend was already going out of her way to adjust to the hopefully temporary boundaries, but she wasn't at all shocked Harriet would work so quickly to do it.

@themazewomen

The brunette was wasting the break. His brow furrowed every now and then or a small smile would cross his lips. The telepathy was obvious on his side (the other boy had mastered the deadpan expression).

What could they possibly be talking about that was so important? So what? This Aris guy and Thomas probably go back thanks to their WICKED powers. Who cares? He’s here now, and that’s what matters.

His instruction for them to get moving left no room for objections. Nobody dared question him seeing as his eyes held the rage of a thousand Cranks. With an obliviousness only Thomas could have, he attempted to pair up with the olive-skinned boy and childhood friend he had been thrown into free labor with.

Before he could even touch the sheet, Minho grabbed his hand, pulling him his direction. He followed blindly, more than okay with being beside the love of his life. Was he aware the hand grasping his in the desert heat was because of a point that he was taken? No. Did he mind it?

He took a deep breath as he prepared for the win. Either he got first place, or he got nothing at all. If it wasn’t a number one medal, it could go in the trash.

“Go!”

Thomas cheered as his boyfriend was off, clapping his hands together. The track star felt the way his feet hit the ground as the wind whooshed passed his face. His shoulders were finally light, the weight of everything else brushing off his mind. This was all his world was, all it had ever been.

He pushed himself like his life was in danger, sweat dripping down his forehead as the sun beat down on him. The air smelt like dirt and salt, an athletic scent that had become his peace. His legs burned and ached, so much so that he had to remind himself that stopping would only make it hurt worse.

The finish line was right in front of him, barely an inch away. The guy beside him noticed too, panting as he could see victory in reach.

This could kill him if he screwed up.

But his pride was stronger than his will to live.

Pushing off the ground, he physically threw himself over the line. His face burned at the feeling he never expected, a strange relief as both feet left the Earth. Knowing what was coming, he tightly shut his eyes as he won by just a second.

And then the sound of an angry snap when he landed.

Thomas could only watch Minho lay on the recliner, giving one word responses as he stared at the ceiling. His face was blank despite the dark circles under his eyes. The white cast had sucked all of the color from his world. Food had no taste, candles had no scent, and he was too numb to even feel the disappointment at this point.

“I bet you ten bucks he’s the father,”Thomas bet from the couch beside him. He didn’t even offer a grunt this time. Why the hell would he care about someone else’s mess of a life when his own was falling apart?

As he glanced over, he noticed the empty water bottle. Without a word, he picked it up and walked passed him to the kitchen. As soon as he was out of sight and the fridge covered it up, he let himself sigh as he closed his eyes. He could feel the limit approaching and hear warning bells getting closer and closer. Between the uncomfortable silence they were always in to being accused of sabotage for getting him a popsicle, he had a feeling this was the test of loyalty.

And he had a feeling Minho wasn’t that interested in passing.

He knew track was important to Minho. Running had been there since he was young, had comforted him when he didn’t know how to speak. It built him up into who he was, and he was better for it.

Thomas knew running was important to him.