[Off Path] | Wasted ~ Newt¹

[0.7] She-Bean Runs

Isa woke up early enough to watch the sun rise and the doors to the maze open. She wasn't working today due to the meeting that would be taking place, she was told it would probably be a long one because what they are suggesting is kind of a stretch and may take some convincing. Even though Alby had the final say, he wanted the rest of the keepers to agree with him or at least understand. At the bottom of the ladder waiting for her was Newt, he seemed hesitant on the idea of putting Isa in the maze, maybe that's how he got his limp.

"Goodmorning love, are you ready for the meeting? I promise there will be arguments, mainly from Gally I'm guessing."

"I forgot he has to be there, he really makes living here difficult."

"He can be stubborn, and mean, and a down pain in the arse, but he's not a bad guy, most of the time. If you talk to him maybe you could be friends."

"Me and Gally? Friends? Have you gone out of your mind?"

"Maybe just slightly, I'm nervous for you, the maze is a dangerous place and if you get made a runner you'll be put in danger."

"I'll be fine Newt, I promise."

"Pinky promise?" He held up his pinky with a smirk, Isa wrapped her pinky around his.

"Pinky promise." Isa pushed open the door to the room they were holding the meeting, again most of the boys were in their own worlds or talking with one another. All attention turned to the girl once she walked in, she was confused at first but then it hit her. They didn't know what this meeting was for and Isa wasn't a keeper.

"Alright then let's get started." Alby pushed himself off the pole he was leaning against to try and get everyone's attention. "A few of us have been doing some thinking, we want to nominate Isadora as a runner." The building erupted in noise, some were cheering, some were angry, some were silent. "Hey! We're here to talk about this, no yelling about how you don't like it, we're gonna talk."

"No way Alby, this is insane, she can't be a runner." Gally was the first to speak up.

"I think it's a good idea, if Alby and Minho think she can do it then I don't see why we should be doubting them." Clint voiced his opinion, some of the boys nodded their heads in agreement but it was clear that some still weren't convinced.

"I think she's perfect for it, she can run without getting winded and she can run fast, she's up for it and I want her in the maze." Minho made his case to the few who were still on the edge, this got some people to agree but even still a few people weren't convinced.

"Alby, Newt, do you guys really think this is a good idea? She's new, still getting used to the glade and now you want to send her out into the maze?" Keeper of the slicers piped up.

"She's almost been here for almost a month, the box comes up in two days, if she's going to be comfortable here we can't treat her as if she's fragile." Newt placed his hand on her shoulder for comfort. Isa had started to get nervous about the situation at hand, everyone was looking at her, she hadn't said a word and wasn't planning on it.

"She can handle herself, give her a knife and a griever won't make it close enough to see her." Fry laughed at his own joke along with a few others, he looked over at Isa, sure he saw her worry, she shot him a small smile back before Alby spoke up.

"Let's not talk this to death, we made our case now let's take a vote on it." Isa looked over at Gally who's face showed anger and disbelief. "Show of hands for Isa becoming a runner?" She looked around to the boys sitting before her, Fry, Zart, Clint, Minho, Winston, Steven (keeper of the map-makers), and Alex (keeper of the sloppers) raised their hands, Isa turned around to see Newt with his hand proudly in the air as well as Alby, who had a slight smirk on his face. Gally, Billy and Jack (keeper of the bricknicks) all had their hands down, Gally seemed the most upset along with Jack, Billy just shrugged to see the amount of hands up. "That's majority vote, starting the day after tomorrow, Isadora is a runner." His voice was more cheery than normal. Everyone stood to leave but Gally was the first to leave, slamming the door on the way out. Isa felt a hand on her shoulder belonging to none other than Newt.

"He'll come around. You've got today off, back in the kitchen for your last day tomorrow then start as a runner." Newt smiled at her, she could see the worry through it though. To comfort him she placed her hand on his upper arm and smiled. This seemed to cool him off a bit. He moved his hand down to her lower back to lead her away, once outside she was attacked by Fry with a hug.

"I can't believe you're leaving me." She laughed at his childishness. "Tomorrow is going to be great, we are going to have a party for your last day in the kitchen." He smiled before he ran off, Minho walking up as he did.

"Glad they agreed, we've got a lot to do when you start so make sure you rest up before then, congratulations Star." He winked before he walked away in the same direction as Fry, Newt was still behind her watching the interactions. She was a little overwhelmed and Newt noticed that, placing his arm around her.

"Let's head to the watchtower yeah?" She smiled up.

"Race me." She took off Newt on her tail, even with the limp he could run pretty fast. He picked up the speed and moved to pick her up. He spun her around before placing her back on the ground laughing.

"That was unfair." She was really starting to like it here.