Aberrant

Forty: Brooke/Dex

Brooke: 

The look of shock on Dex's face is comical. She probably would have stood there for the rest of eternity if it weren't for the other Divergents. 

"Come on Dex," a Dauntless-Lyra-says from behind her, "Tick Tock. We're wasting time here." She, Plato and another Dauntless move past Dex out of the room. 

"Thanks," says the boy, who smiles at me gratefully. Plato, quiet as always, gives me a nod. The other boy turns to Dex, "Dex, we have to go."

"I think you've broken her." Lyra grins. 

"I do my best," I smirk. 

"You-" Dex begins-and my smile widens as I realise that she's stuttering. It only adds to her cute factor. Dex falters and then tries again, "You called me Dex." 

"Yeah," I'm grinning now, "Yeah, I guess I did. Dex. " Her name feels unfamiliar to my mouth, but it fits the girl I see in front of me.

"But you hate me," she whispers. The confusion is clear on her face. It's not surprising. Everything is black and white to her. Truth and lie. Friend and enemy. This happening to fast for her to comprehend. 

My smile fades, "No. I never hated you. I always respected you. In fact, I-I rather like you." I flush, embarrassed. 

"You-what? " Dex asks, bewildered. 

I smile, "You were always bad at reading people." 

Callum coughs awkwardly, "Guys, I'm sorry for interrupting the moment, but we really don't have much time. We have to go. Like, now." 

I nod and turn to the others, "Take care of her, will you?" 

"Roger that," Lyra smirks. She nods to Plato, who's picked up a gun from one of the guards on the floor, "Lead the way." 

Plato nods and runs off, with Lyra right behind him. Callum grabs Dex by the arm and they follow. I watch until they're round the corner and then, with a sigh, I lock the door and step over the fallen guards. 

If all goes well, I will never see April Dexter Meadows again. But I can't think of that now: I have a key to return. 

Dex: 

We race through the corridor, my mind still reeling from the fact that not only did Brooke save us, but that she also doesn't hate me. Plato leads the way, checking that the next turn is empty before leading us past the Pit and towards the Chasm.

I don't understand. Brooke has always hated me. Ever since we started school, she hated me, picked on me, teased me. And now, she says she never hated me. She even likes me. My feelings are in turmoil. Is it possible to hate someone even if they don't hate you back? I want to hate Brooke. It seems only natural to hate her after all the hurt she's caused me. But now I can't because she's done a decent thing and rescued me.

Callum grips my arm and jerks me to a stop, bringing me back to reality.

"What is it?" I hiss.

"Guards ahead," Plato whispers, "By the Chasm."

"How many?" Callum asks.

Plato risks a look, "Two. But they're armed."

"What do we do?" Callum murmurs.

"We're going to have to make a break for it, right Plato?" Lyra whispers urgently.

"Please tell me you have a plan," I say to him.

Plato studies the gun in his hand, and turns to the rest of us. "We run as fast as we can. If things get bad, I'll use this." He holds up the weapon. We all nod.