Surviving The Thinning

2.

~Louisa~

The day is finally here.

My last 10-241 test.

The last opportunity for the Thinning to take my life away.

"Louisa!" I hear someone call out as I arrive at Vista Point High.

I turn and see my other friend, Kellan.

"Hey, Kell." I smile and reach my arms out.

"Nervous?" He asks as he wraps his arms around me.

"Aren't you?" I reply with a soft laugh.

"Not really." He answers with a playful smirk.

"Hi, guys." Laina says as she walks over.

"Corrine all settled?"

"Yep." She responds shakily.

"She'll do great. You are her tutor, after all." Kellan reassures.

"I hope so..." She trails off.

"Oh look! It's Blake." Kellan points out.

"Do you guys mind?" I inquire, glancing toward him before looking back at my friends.

"Like we can keep you two apart. You always end up together anyways." Laina replies.

"I'm sorry..." I murmur.

"It's fine. I'm over him, it was just a stupid crush from like the 10th grade." She laughs out.

"If you guys are sure..."

"Just go!" Kellan scoffs with a chuckle.

"Love you guys, good luck!" I call out as I head toward Blake.

"Yes, I'm sure." He states as I reach him.

"I wasn't going to ask that." I grumble playfully.

"Sure you weren't." He rolls his eyes with a smirk.

"I don't like it. Blake, please don't do it." I plead, looking into his blue eyes.

"I'm sorry, Lou, but you can't change my mind."

"Then I'll fail it too." I announce nonchalantly.

"No!" He hissed.

"If you're doing it, so am I." I counter.

"No." He repeats.

"You can't change my mind, Blakey." I taunt.

"Don't. Louisa, don't be stupid."

"Me. Stupid? Blake, look at yourself. You're failing the most dangerous test, like ever. Failures are executed. You will be killed if you go through with this!" I rant.

"You think I don't know that?" He cries out angrily.

"You're going to leave me behind, just to prove your dad a point?"

"I'm not leaving you. You still have Lauren and Kellan."

"Firstly, it's Laina. Secondly, that is still you leaving me. You're my best friend. I can't lose you too." I whimper, feeling a tear slide down my cheek.

"Lou." Blake croaked. "Please don't cry."

"I love you, please don't do this." I sob.

Blake pulls me into his arms and places his chin on top of my head.

"I love you too. A lot." He admitted. "But I still have to do this and I don't want you to follow after me."

"Why not?" I ask calming down, hugging him tighter and tucking my head deeper into his neck.

He leans forward, kissing my crown and sighs.

"I don't want you to die. I want you to live happily and grow old. I wouldn't be able to lose you, not after Ellie. It's not fair, Lou. You have to stay and make sure the system is brought down. Can you please just do that for me?"

I simply nod once, slowly and pull away from him.

"Time to go." Kellan says, coming over to us.

"Right." Blake affirms, grabbing my hand.

I watch as Laina and Kellan walk to Mrs. Birch's room and follow Blake into Mr. Glass'.

"Pass the test, okay?" Blake whispers as we sit down next to each other.

"Okay." I mutter sadly.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

***

This movie is too good to be so underground.