control ⇢ the maze runner / thomas [1] ✓

Chapter Thirty-Three

"Here I am with all my heart, I hope you understand. I
know I let you down, but I'm never gonna make that
mistake again. You brought me closer to who I really
am. Come take my hand. I want the world to see what
you mean to me."
—Sterling Knight, What You Mean To Me

CONTROL,
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

THOMAS HAD RUN off before Ruby could ask if he was okay. What was with this kid and wanting to run instead of talk about things? Everyone else was so focused on Teresa finally coming out of her coma that no one noticed him leaving. But Ruby did. She always did.

With a heavy sigh, Ruby just shook her head and went to find Leo. She imagined he wouldn't be going girl crazy. Or at least she hoped he wasn't. She just couldn't take it. "You're not freaking out about a weird girl coming out of a coma, right?", she asked when she finally found him.

Leo barked out a laugh, like this was the funniest thing he'd heard all day. Maybe it was. It wasn't a joke, but she was glad it made him laugh. She loved to hear him laugh. "No. No, I'm not obsessing over weird coma girl. There are certain things around here that just aren't my business, and that is one of them."

Ruby sighed in relief, allowing her head to fall onto his shoulder. "Good, because I don't wanna hear another word about it."

"Don't be so grouchy, Ruby", Leo snickered. "Why do you dislike her so much anyway?"

Ruby rolled her eyes. "I don't dislike her or anything like that. I just feel guilty. The less I hear about her, the less guilty I feel."

"You know, usually when we feel guilty about things we address the problem instead of running from it", Leo pointed out.

Ruby gave him a flat look, flicking his nose. "No, thank you."

Leo's eyes locked onto something in the distance. Both his brows rose. "Well, your problem is addressing you, because it's coming this way."

Ruby glanced up. Sure enough, Teresa was standing there. Her lips parted for a second before she closed them. Teresa shook her head, turning on her heel and running off. She went in the same direction Thomas had.

Yeah, because no one saw that coming. Absolutely not.

Ruby scowled and turned back to Leo. "What was that about?"

"I'm not the brightest apple in the bunch, but I believe she wants you to talk to her", Leo said flatly. "And I think you should."

"Me talking only results in me making things worse", Ruby mumbled.

Leo furrowed his brows as he looked around them. The Gladers had begun panicking again, this time for an entirely different reason. "Hey, Ruby... let me see your watch?"