Stars ➳ TMR, Thomas [1] ✓

Chapter {10}

Air turned pensive right after Alby left, dragging over the ground like fog of gray dust and creeping into my being, all the way to my bones. Barely being able to think, much less talk I blinked rapidly, trying to scare away the state of stillness and too many thoughts in my head about that Griever. My gaze burned a hole in the gray wall like fire that went wild, consuming and raging apon the nature of Glade. I looked up, still thinking when suddenly a clap interrupted my thoughts, both Thomas and I springing away as we noticed we have been leaning on each other; my head on Thomas's outstretched arm while his arm on my shoulder.

"Finally, I thought you two were gonna stand here all day." Minho laughed gleefully, slapping playfully Thomas's shoulder as if he wanted to encourage him so he'd drop the dead Griever subject. Yet, I knew whatever occupied Thomas's mind wasn't bound to leave any time soon.

"This is serious, and I'm starting to think Chris was right." I stated as Minho rose his eyebrows, keeping his lips in straight line no matter how much he wanted to laugh that possibility off. He waved his hand in the air dismissivly.

"You can't succumb to him now. Hell, maybe that shank has gotten what he wanted but not anymore. I'm gonna make him explain." Minho placed a hand on his hip, nodding firmly before stalking off proudly with his head held high in air.

I let a tiny smile spread across my lips, faintly erasing the atmosphere as it made it a little bit more bearable. No matter what I couldn't help feeling all somehow started going down the moment that Box brought me here. Scratching on my scalp, I pushed my lips in a thin line despertely trying to make my thoughts wander off, all to no avail. "It has to be. It is m..."

Silently, I spoke to myself, more of scolded myself when in between my sentences someone else's voice cut in. "No, don't say it." Thomas said loudly, making me quiet down and give him a chance to speak. "That plaque and the dream don't give you the right to blame this on yourself." He made a certain step forward, closely studying my features for agreement which I refused to give.

"I wish I could agree, but so far I've caused nothing but chaos." As if my thoughts spoke before I could even analyze them, words rolled of my tongue.

"I won't let you speak like that. So please, be quiet." Thomas smiled suddenly, I meeting his eyes with question in my own.

"What? Tom?" Then out all things he could've done, talk, laugh or anything else, he wrapped me into a tight hug, drowning my words into the fabric of his shirt. Earthy smell, mixed with a faded stench of sweat invaded my nosetrails, as I found myself hugging him back.

"You need to go back to work. I'll be with Newt, probably working if you need to talk." Thomas mumbled into my hair, sensing a smile on my lips and I on his. Pulling away we stood dazed by something, just before dismissing it and as we planned making our way toward our workstations in comfortable silence; I back to Homestead and Thomas to find Newt.

•••

The rest of the day spun before my eyes quickly; the Med-jacks, lunch then dinner, talking and laughing. By the end I was dead tired, spent by some unpleasant and in number more pleasant encounters as the night embraced the Glade in a veil of shimmering dots and blue, an ocean just after a sundown while peacefulness and silence fell over us. My breaths steady and silence in my room calming I lay in the bed, softly gazing at the Glade through the single window carved on my right side, placed low just well enough for me to see. A knock interrupted the peaceful atmosphere, silent but still loud over the tranquility of my room.

"You can come in." I answered, forcing myself in an upright position, while the door opened with a low screech and Nico entered the room.

"Hey, you still awake?" He sat down next to me, making me scoot over to find more space for him.