Complicated

Chapter 53: The Gathering

Minho, Thomas and I were sitting in the middle of the large gathering room, the Keepers sitting all smug in there chairs in a half circle facing us and the rest of the Gladers were piled in around their keepers, in the back. I knew I did nothing wrong, but I still felt apprehensive. This seemed a bit extreme, but I knew Newt wasn't one for big formalities, so...hopefully this wouldn't take long. Newt came strolling into the room, his hands shoved into his pockets. I looked grim, and frustrated already. He stopped beside a pole that supported the roof, and leaned on it. 

"In place of our leader, sick in bed, I declare this Gathering begun," he said, with a subtle roll of his eyes as if he hated anything regarding formality. "As you all know, the last few days have been bloody crazy, and quite a bit seems centered around our Greenbean, Tommy, seated before us, and our One and Onl' Lass." 

Newt waved his hand around, and gestured to us. Minho yawned, really loud and obnoxiously. I snorted, trying to keep my over tired giggles to myself. It didn't work. Minho started, and it made me giggle more, but I did, I tried so hard to stop. A few of the Keepers were looking disapprovingly at us. Thomas looked slightly pale, and worried, which only made me giggle harder. I nudged Minho and nodded my head in his direction, and then nodded to the few Keepers who were angry. 

"I don't think they like us, Mouse." I whispered. 

Minho snorted. "They never liked you, Tiger." He whispered back. 

I sat up straight, the giggles gone, I had a stone face, and pointed a finger gun at Minho. "Fact."

We both burst into giggles again. I stopped giggling the second Gally stood up, arms crossed.

"He's not the Greenie anymore," Gally said calmly, "He's just a rule breaker now."

"Gally, Tommy has been here for a few days! He's defiantly still a Greenie!" I frowned at him and folded my arms. 

"Gally! Minho and Charlie!" Newt said, "lets try to keep some buggin' order, here. If you're gonna blabber your shuck mouth every time I say something, you can go ahead and bloody leave." Gally sat down heavily, glaring at Newt and Thomas. 

Newt went on to scold us, "and if you two" he pointed at Minho and myself, "can't keep yourselves together, you will be kicked out! 'Cause I'm not in a very cheerful mood." 

In unison Minho and I rolled our eyes, we had to purposefully look away because we both burst into giggles. 

"Don't piss off Mama Newt, MinMin! He's already cranky!" I whispered, making him snort harder, Thomas elbowed me. 

Newt pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath, and ignored us. 

"Tommy, Snips and Min, you keep your traps shut until I ask you. Every Keeper will have their turn. Now." He nodded to Gally, "What are you dyin' to say?"

"Things are changing. There's no denying that. First, Charlie is stung and Fred is killed in broad day light, then another comes and kills Jax, Ben gets stung in daylight. And then Alby. And now our GREENIE, here, has taken it upon himself... to go into the maze. Which is a violation of our here!" 

"Yeah but Charlie and him and Minho saved Alby's life.." Winston volunteered. 

"Actually-" Minho started, but Gally cut him off.

"Did they?" He rounded on Winston.

"They've ... changed things. Now we know we can survive out there, and that we can beat the Grievers." Frypan added.

"Guys!" Newt yelled, pushing off the pole, "Sit down! We will all have a bloody chance to have our shuken say." 

Gally, Winston and Frypan sat down. I wasn't sure what Gally's real problem was. I knew he didn't like, but what's with the hostility? I thought I made it very clear where I stand on our relationship. I frowned at him, all the giggles were gone. I kept my eyes glued to him, he was purposefully ignoring me.