Maze Runner: The Subject Experiment

10 ✿ Teresa

Nine years had passed since Jemma had first arrived at W.I.C.K.E.D.

Nine years since those two frightened children clasped the other's hand in fear.

They'd been close friends ever since, never forgetting their promise to stay together.

Today the two of them sat in the canteen.

Thomas was entertaining himself by annoying his best friend, as usual. Today he was busying himself with poking her in the stomach. He burst into a fit of laughter when she jumped in shock.

"Tomkin, stop doing that!" Jemma winced as Thomas poked her yet again. He resumed his laughing while she sent an irritated glare his way. Yet, even when she was annoyed with him, she still couldn't help but use her little nickname for him.

Luckily, by now Jemma was used to her friend's antics and in an attempt not to give him any attention, she turned back to her food. She wondered if maybe this time ignoring him might make him stop.

As predicted, Thomas just continued poking her.

Suddenly, a girl with wavy brown hair approached their table.

"Hello."

Jemma looked up, giving her a wide, welcoming smile. "Hello!"

The girl didn't return the smile. Instead, she looked down at her feet. After a few seconds she lifted her head and tried again.

"Hello."

That was when Jemma realised, she was talking to Thomas, not her.

The problem was that Thomas was far to busy, poking Jemma with one hand and shoving chips into his mouth with the other, to realise this new girl's presence.

"Thomas!" snapped Jemma, swatting his hand away. Whenever she said his proper name, he knew it was serious. Jemma cleared her throat before nodding in the direction of the girl.

Thomas froze, immediately realising that they had company. He slowly and awkwardly turned his head to face where Jemma was hinting at - and saw the girl.

"Oh...um...I'm Thomas," he said while poking Jemma again under the table, earning him a smack on the back of his head which caused him to almost choke on a chip. Jemma couldn't help but laugh out loud. He began chugging water to clear his throat.

The girl looked both shocked and appalled but she introduced herself anyway.

"...I'm Teresa."

"Nice to meet you!" Jemma gestured towards a seat across from her and Thomas.

Teresa smiled weakly before sitting down and asking, "So...are you two...you know?"

"What?" asked Thomas.

"...a thing?"

Instantaneously Thomas began choking again and Jemma almost spat out her food.

"Oh I'm so sorry! I just thought..."

"Hey, trust me, we-" Thomas waved a finger between him and Jemma. "-are just besties." He used his right arm to pull Jemma into his chest, smiling convincingly. Teresa laughed.

Jem rolled her eyes before pushing him away.

"Er...so you guys wouldn't mind having another friend around? I don't really know anyone."

"Sure," accepted Jemma.

Soon all three of them were talking amongst each other. Thomas restarted his clown act on Jemma, gaining more glares from her and giggles from Teresa.

Jemma was sure befriending Teresa was a good idea. Besides, secretly, nothing made her happier than seeing Thomas smile.