DEVIANT [H.S.]

18 - Torn

Harry and I haven't spoken for the past two days.

Ever since we watched the security, Harry has been on watch with Malachi and other Deviants to make sure no one leaves or enters the compound without clearance.

They've even done a head count of every single Deviant. Mona is nowhere to be found.

Aubrey is devastated and wants to help, but Malachi encourages her to stay here and keep calm.

I, however, have been here in the lab monitoring Tara as she undergoes the last stages of her recovery.

"What day is it, Serena?" She asks as I scribble a few things on a sheet of paper.

"It's Wednesday," I say quietly, trying to think of some pain killers to give Tara once she's out of my hands.

Tara shifts under her covers and sits up, her eyes looking over to me. "Why is it that whenever Harry comes in here to visit, you always go to your room?"

I stop writing and look up at her. Her mind is full of questions that she needs answers to. She's a smart girl, noticing that I'm avoiding Harry. Whether I can give her those answers or not is the problem.

I casually shrug. "I just want to give you and your brother some time alone, that's all."

I'd rather lie and say that than admit that I'm too scared to face him after our argument the other day.

She folds her arms and frowns at me, raising a brow. "But I've seen the way you look at him. You really like him. Why do you leave if you like him?"

Tara's questions are so simple, yet they feel so complex. I want to give her straight answers, ones that she can live with and not be so curious with, but with every answer I give, another question arises.

"I just.. y-you don't know what you're talking about. Get some sleep, Tara," I reply, wanting this conversation to be over. The more she mentions Harry, the less calm I stay.

"I do know what I'm talking about! He likes you too. He's never looked at anyone the way he looks at you!" She exclaims.

"Enough, Tara! Enough!" I almost cry out, slamming my clipboard onto the table.

Right on cue, the elevator doors slide open and Harry walks forward into the room, his eyes darting between his sister and I. He has come for his daily visit with Tara.

"What's going on?" He asks, noticing the alarm on his sister's face and the tears in my eyes.

I shake my head side to side violently; I hate it when I'm vulnerable in his sight. So, I shrug off my labcoat and escape to my bedroom once more, ignoring Harry's glare and Tara's plea for me to stay. I can't cry, I can't. Not over a boy.

Not over a stupid argument.

"Serena, what's wrong?" Caleb asks me, sitting up on my bed.

What the hell.

"You have some nerve being here. Can you just leave?" I snap at him, instantly wanting to take back my words.

I don't mean to be rude to Caleb, I'm just conflicted with a lot of shit right at the moment.

"If you want me to leave, then I can," He replies calmly, standing up and beginning to walk out of the room.

"No! Don't!" I shout, not wanting Harry and Caleb to meet, especially if Caleb randomly walks out of my room.

Caleb sighs and sits down on the edge of the bed, looking at me as if he's expecting some type of explanation.

"What?!" I ask, tired of his eyes fixed on me.