control ⇢ the maze runner / thomas [1] ✓

Chapter Nineteen

"I heard love was dangerous, but
once you fall you can't ever get
enough."
—Big Time Rush

CONTROL,
CHAPTER NINETEEN

"I WANNA DANCE with somebody", Ruby sang as she carried a soapy bucket of water back to the bathrooms. That day she was spending her time with Chuck and the other Sloppers, a kind bunch. Ruby thought they were all very sweet, even funny. She didn't know why Zart talked so lowly of them. She was sure each boy could do something grand if they wanted to.

She was finally being allowed out of bed, and Ruby immediately put herself to work. She refused to stay even a minute longer in that damned bed.

"Nice song", Gally snickered in passing, off doing his own thing. Probably about to go force his Builders to act busy. At this point, Ruby was sure people broke things on purpose.

"I think someone I knew liked it. I would say my dad, but..." Ruby shrugged. She then frowned. "My mom's a bad person, Gally." The blonde haired boy looked caught off guard.

He quickly made his way over to her, chores be damned. "I'm sure that's not true, Ruby."

Ruby shook her head. "It is. She's bad. We both are. I'm no better than she is."

Gally took the bucket of water from her hands. Before that, though, he flicked her forehead. "Ruby, you've been here with us a long time now. If you were bad, you'd have shown that by now. But you haven't. And I didn't see you in any of my memories."

Ruby shook her head. "Cause you weren't allowed to. My mom pulled me from a lot of the projects after the initial design stages. I didn't get to see you guys anymore. My job became the variables." Gally looked deep in thought. She nudged him with her shoulder. "You were my best friend, you know. Always protecting me."

The boy smirked. "I'm Captain Gally, it's what I do."

"Wooow, Gally", Ruby snorted. "See, this is why we were only ever friends. You overly cocky idiot."

"I like to think I'm just the right amount of cocky", he said proudly.

As the two of them walked, she noticed Thomas coming out of the Homestead. He'd probably been talking to Newt. The two of them locked eyes. They just stared at each other. Finally, Ruby broke the contact.

"Alright, Captain Gally, thank you very much for carrying my bucket." She stood up on her tip toes. Hesitant for a second, she pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek. Gally's face turned red. "You're a true gentleman." Thomas scowled at them for a second before storming off. Ruby didn't notice that though. Instead, she was gently punching Gally's arm. "Alright, tiger, get to work."

"What was all that about?", Newt asked as he approached her.

Ruby shrugged. "Can't a girl reunite with her best friend in peace around here?"

"Gally has friends?" Newt looked surprised, raising his brows. He was only joking. Mostly. Ruby rolled her eyes in response. "I just wanted to let you know that your Gathering is in the morning, after the wake-up. You and Thomas are the only buggin things on the agenda, so don't be late", he warned.

If that bucket weren't full of water, she would have flung it.

DECEMBER 14, 2019