It's the day that Thomas, your best friend whom you care deeply about, is going to be sent up in The Box. You've grown up believing in the organisation that promised to be helping mankind but you know that their methods are wrong.

"(y/n)? Are you in there?" you hear knocking at your door followed by Thomas' voice.

"You weren't at breakfast and you never miss breakfast." You can tell he's trying to make a joke but when you don't respond, his voice fills with concern.

"I just, I just want to see you before I go."

You sigh, suddenly feeling a little bit guilty. You hadn't spoken to each other for the past few days. You want to think it's because Thomas has been busy making the last few preparations before he's sent up but you know it's because of your fight and to be honest, you're still upset with him. You had argued about WICKED.

When you were first brought to WICKED, you had seen things the way everyone else had, you had agreed that the only way humans were to survive was to find a cure and you'd do anything to find it.

Then, slowly, WICKED's faults started to reveal themselves to you. You started to question their methods, ultimately you started to question yourself and when you found out that Thomas was going to go up to The Glade, you tried to talk him out of it. It was now or never. You tried to talk him into leaving with you that very night but Thomas had worked too hard and too long on this project that he just couldn't see how wrong it was, how wrong it is.

Thomas doesn't say anything but you can still hear him shuffling behind your door so you push off your bed and open it. He smiles at you and you manage a smile back.

Like so many times before, Thomas makes himself comfortable on the side of your bed and you sit next to him.

"This is going to work, (y/n). Trust me." Thomas puts his hand over yours, squeezing it in reassurance.

"I don't see it working anymore. How much longer are we going to hurt them, Thomas? They're just kids."

Thomas is a good guy. You know this to be true. He wants to help people, he's smart enough to do it. You know this to also be true, you've seen him work with Teresa so many times.

You pull your hand way and Thomas looks hurt. You can't help but think of Teresa and Thomas, even at a time like this.

Teresa. Another reason Thomas didn't want to leave.

"We're just kids, (y/n). It's us who need to do this, It- it's us who can find the cure and save everyone." Thomas stands up. He's frowning, confused as to why you're not understanding him. You look away, suddenly feeling angry at his words. It were similar words that had caused you to get angry at him days ago, causing you to fight.

"What happened (y/n)? we used to be so close, you used to tell me everything. I know you still believe in WICKED, in me. D- don't you?" You sense desperation in Thomas' voice, like he truly believes that you might no longer trust him.

You look up at him incredulous, shaking your head.

"We went too far, Thomas. It's wrong! All of it, the kids, the monsters, the- the mazes!" You're on your feet, almost seething now. Before you can think, you grab Thomas by his shirt with force and strength you didn't know you had. Thomas' eyes go wide as he stumbles back but your grip on his shirt holds and you just stare at him, first scowling then you feel tears well up in your eyes.

"You can't go. You can't." Your voice breaks.

Selfish. That's what Thomas probably thinks you are. That's what you know yourself to be. Are you really angry at WICKED and Thomas for doing what they can to find a cure or were you just trying to justify yourself and lessen the guilt for wanting to leave?

"I'm sorry." You let go of Thomas, stepping back. You expect him to leave but he doesn't. The room falls awkwardly silent as you can feel Thomas' eyes on you. After a minute you hear him step towards you.

Your room suddenly seems too small.

"I'm sorry too." You feel Thomas' arm around your shoulders as he pulls you into him.

"This is what's right," You look at Thomas like he's lost his mind but before you can argue again, Thomas continues,

"for now. You've worked just as hard as everyone else, (y/n). I know you still want to help." Thomas is still holding you but he's leaning back so you can see each other.

You have to tell him everything. He knows you're having doubts but he doesn't know the extent of your 'betrayal' of WICKED. He also doesn't know how you really feel about him, that you care for him a little more than friends do.

"Thomas, I want to help by doing the right thing. I think that means going against them." Your voice is quiet, suddenly afraid that someone else might hear your betrayal.

Thomas doesn't respond and you search his eyes for anything that might hint at him agreeing with you but going against WICKED to Thomas means going against everything he's worked for and believed in.

You're right. Thomas looks conflicted and you worry you might have crossed a line you can't walk back from when Thomas pulls away from you. The loss of warmth is instant and you miss being close.

"You know I'm right." You risk it, closing the gap between you and Thomas again as you step towards him. You put your hand on his arm and look at him, almost pleading.

It's Thomas' turn to look away. He shakes his head, shutting his eyes. He furrows his eyebrows, deep in thought. An expression you've seen on Thomas many times while he worked.

"Thomas?" You cup his cheek in your hand and make him turn to face you.His gaze is soft when it lands on you and as if everything that was just said between you was forgotten, he presses himself closer. The two of you have been physically close, hugging each other with comfort but this is the most intimate you've ever been. Your heart is racing when Thomas tucks a strand of hair behind your ear.

"Can I kiss you?"

You feel heat on your cheeks as your face contorts to something of surprise. Your hand drops to your side but he catches it and brings it close to his chest.

"Thomas-"

"If I kiss you, I'll know."

So you let him. You close your eyes and lean forward. Thomas kisses you on your lips, gently and carefully. For as long as you've wanted this, it exceeds all expectations and you find yourself melting, and even more sure of your feelings.

When you part, Thomas places a kiss on your hairline and your eyes flutter open.

"What is it?" You ask him and when he doesn't meet your gaze, you realise why.

"You're still going?"

Thomas nods sadly, "I have to."