Lovers Lies || Thomas

1 - Purple Bows

DARK brown hair braided back in two French braids with purple bows made of ribbon tying them off was always in Sandra's hair. Every day since the moment she was sent up in the box to The Glade.

But other than the purple bows, everything else covering her body was black.

Black long-sleeved shirt. Black cargo pants. Black combat boots. A black jacket even.

Black was, no doubt, her favorite shade...with a dash of purple to make her look less depressed—well, that's what the others had said. Even with the purple, she still felt depressed.

Who could even blame her? Any lone girl trapped in a prison surrounded by only boys would feel depressed. It's no fun and it's barely easy living. If it wasn't for her closest friends who always felt the need to protect her, then she was sure life would've been worse by now. Maybe she would've climbed the highest wall too. But she hadn't. Yet.

Sandra could protect herself when needed, but one rare time she hadn't been able to. That one time turned dark and ended with Nick banishing a few boys for their actions against her. Not only did boys get banished for what they'd done to her, but her closest friends were left drowning in guilt for not being able to help her at a time when she couldn't defend herself.

Those memories haunted the Gladers who loved and cared for her as their own sister.

"How those cookies comin'?" Frypan asked, looking over Sandra's shoulder as she used her washed hands to roll the chocolate chip cookie dough into little balls.

"Just a few more minutes and I'll put them in the oven for after dinner," she hummed with a small smile sent to him.

After three years, she had mastered the fake smile and light in her eyes. And yet, it seemed that Carlos always knew when she was lying. Luckily the older boy was running in the Maze with Minho and Ben most days for the whole day. So, when they did see each other, she could blame her quiet self on being tired and he would usually be too tired to argue.

"Well, they look great," Frypan complimented her with a hand on his hip. "You gotta make those blueberry muffins again soon."

Sandra lightly laughed, finishing the last few cookie balls. "Once Newt gives me the okay, I'll make a batch."

"Hell yeah!" Frypan cheered, walking across the room to the bench. "I swear those muffins are like a drug."

"Did Sansa make blueberry muffins?" Chuck asked, walking into the kitchen with a bright smile.

Sandra made quick work of opening the oven and putting in the two trays of cookies before turning around, wiping her hands on the old grey apron that used to be white.

"Not today," she said, taking the apron off. "But I've made cookies that will be ready by the time dinner is being served." She threw the apron into a basket made out of old sheets full of other dirty clothes that needed washing. "I'm going to the creek to wash clothes. Will you be okay without my help?" she asked Frypan.

"Yeah, yeah." Frypan waved her off with a smile. "You've done your job for the day, and I'll get your cookies out soon."

Sandra sent him a thankful smile while picking up the fabric basket and walking out of the kitchen hut with Chuck trailing behind her.

Since the younger boy arrived, he usually worked during the day as a Slopper. But every afternoon he would join Sandra to the creek at the back of the woods and no other Glader would protest or complain, knowing it was normal for her to take in the Greenies for their first month in the Glade, showing them the ropes and teaching them what they need. Plus, after Nick's unfortunate death, they had been extra careful around her snappy mood which was mainly controlled by grief and anger.