Pulling The Heartstrings (Thomesa)

Second

Set after the Death Cure au
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The second choice. Alternative option was what she was. There was no denying that whenever a certain dark haired girl was around, his brown eyes would stray away and stare wistfully in her direction.

Brenda hated the way he went quiet whenever he heard Teresa's laughter in the air, as if he wanted to savour the bewitching sound. The way his face softened at the sight of Teresa curled up asleep on the beach.

All she had in her favour was that Thomas was her boyfriend and he, just like the other gladers was still slowly starting to forgive Teresa for her past actions with WICKED. Yet why did it feel like his heart belonged to another?

He still cared about her but it felt like he was growing more distant, their relationship crumbling into mere ashes of platonic affection. It was the truth and she couldn't deny it any longer.

It was the overwhelming weight on her shoulders that caused multiple fights between them, their arguments resulting in harsh words or cold remarks. For a second, Brenda wished Teresa should have stayed dead and never came back.

She knew it was horrible thing to ask for, knowing the dark haired girl was respecting her boundaries and never tried anything with Thomas except mend their damaged friendship. This was what angered her the most, Teresa didn't even realise her lingering effect on Thomas and innocently spent time with him anyways.

It was one of these afternoons that their arguments echoed throughout his hut, she felt everything over flow. She knew she couldn't back down now especially when she found out Teresa was the one who healed the wounds on a injured Thomas.

He was hurt from his run with Minho and she was too busy with Frypan, unaware that Teresa was bandaging a shirtless Thomas. His intense gaze was fixated on the girl who held sad beautiful blue eyes, her warm touch sending a shudder down his body as Teresa tried not to look at him, her attention on his bruises.

Teresa's cheeks were flushed red, trying to focus on taking care of her best friend before his girlfriend came back. She knew if she looked at him then she'd never want to leave. She was still trying to earn his forgiveness.

The sound of frustrated footsteps brought Brenda back to the present, Thomas was oblivious that he was now distant in their relationship and his confusion was fuelling her anger even more.

"What about Teresa? You didn't tell me about her." Brenda spoke with an accusing tone as she stared at him. She knew something was wrong ever since the dark haired girl came back, her instincts telling her to be cautious.

Rain water soaked his brown hair, strands stuck to his forehead as his jaw clenched in frustration.
"Why would I?" Thomas responded, coldly as he stared back at her. The topic of the blue eyed beauty was precious to him, something he still couldn't understand himself.

"Where's your jacket?" Brenda asked, quietly as she noticed he had come back with his clothes drenched. She glanced outside the window, assuming he accidentally left it outside and only caught a glimpse of a equally drenched Teresa wearing a familiar dark green jacket.

A dark chuckle escaped her mouth at the sight, confirming her earlier thoughts as she watched him run his hand through his wet brown hair. She didn't know how he couldn't realise he was still in love with Teresa.

It was obvious now. While Thomas does care about Brenda, it is not enough to remove his feelings for Teresa to the extent that it is still noticeable.

"Brenda, she was soaked from the rain and I didn't want her to get sick." Thomas answered, quietly as he tried to forget the alluring image of Teresa's wet pink lips from his head.
He knew he was hurting Brenda by being like this but he found himself unable to stay away from blue eyed beauty.

"Go. I'm setting you free, Thomas. You want her." Brenda spoke with a crack in her voice as she saw the hidden desire in his tired brown eyes whenever he looked at Teresa. Tears filled her hazel eyes, noticing him stiffen at her words as silence filled the air for a while.

Her heart sank as she watched him swallow hard and slowly nod before he silently left the hut. She knew after the awkwardness disappeared, they were going to go back to friends again. What hurt the most was that he didn't even fight for her. It was always Teresa.

Author's Note: Please do comment what you think so far of the story. It really helps motivate me by hearing your thoughts. I'm hoping to update soon :)