𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐍 & 𝐄𝐂𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐘-𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 (𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙯𝙚 𝙧𝙪𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙧)

FIVE

It had taken an hour and a half for Frypan, his cooks, and I to get the kitchen clean, but when he did, Frypan gave me a proud look. "You're not half bad Greenie. Sorry, Florence."

I smiled. "It's okay. And thank you."

"Alright, you sad sacks, get to bed." The boys were happy to be out of the Kitchens and left without another word of encouragement. Frypan walked with me out of the Kitchens. The tables were completely empty except for Newt and Gally. They were talking and Gally was writing something on a paper, a lantern close by.

"I'll see you tomorrow Frypan."

"Good night, Flor."

I smiled. "Flor?"

"Florence is a mouthful. Flor is cuter for you anyway."

I blushed. "Thank you."

"'Course. See you." He left and I joined the two boys at the table.

"What are you guys up to?"

"Figuring out your sleeping situation." Newt answered. "Gally and his Builders are gonna build you your own hut, but for now, we're not exactly sure where to put you."

"You had all day to figure that out." I teased.

"It wasn't that easy." He said, but he didn't elaborate. I could guess why it wasn't that easy. A single girl sleeping in the same area as boys. I didn't want to imagine the outcome of that.

"She can have my hut for the time being." Gally said.

I raised my brows at him. "I don't want to put you out of your own hut."

He held up a hand. "It's fine. I don't mind it."

"But that still leaves her alone." Newt frowned, his whole face showing his discomfort. "I don't trust that."

"Then I'll sleep in there with her."

They both looked at me, probably to see how I felt about it. Honestly, it was better that someone was in there with me. And it seemed that Newt was okay with this. If he didn't trust anyone but Gally, then I guess it would be better than being alone. "Uh, yeah. Anything to keep me safe right?" It came out so awkward, and they caught on it.

"Florence if you don't feel comfortable, then you can tell us. We just want to make sure you feel okay with these decisions." Newt's voice was soft and I knew that he meant it genuinely.

"Yeah. I'm okay with it. It shouldn't be that long right?"

Gally shook his head. "I'll have my Builders on it tomorrow."

Newt nodded. "Alright, then that's settled. Let's get to bed, shanks."

"Good that." Gally stood up, grabbing the paper, folding it and putting it in his pocket.

Newt grabbed the lantern. "See you guys in the morning." To me he said, "You got Track-hoe tryouts tomorrow."

"That still is a very weird name for gardeners."

They both laughed. "I guess so." Newt said goodnight and left, taking the light with him.

"Come on, Florence. It's not that far." It took about five minutes to get to his hut. It was small and really only had space for a hay packed bed-the sheets still disturbed from his sleep last night I'm guessing-and a small chest. It also had no door. But it was far from everyone so privacy didn't seem like an issue. "Welcome to my humble abode. Uh, you can take the bed, I think I have extra sheets around here."

"No, it's okay. I can sleep on the floor. I don't want to take your bed as well."

"You worry too much Greenie." He grumbled, kneeling by the chest and opening the top. He dug around in it and I saw unfolded clothes. "There we go." He pulled out a couple sheets and an extra blanket. He closed the chest and stood up. "You can make yourself comfortable."

"I've been working with animals all day. My clothes aren't really that clean."

He rolled his eyes, but dropped to his chest again, digging through the clothes. He tossed me a pair of cargo shorts and a shirt I knew would be too big on me. "I'll wait by the door." He moved stiffly towards the door and faced out. Thanks to his build, he was able to cover most of the inside, but still I stuck as close to the wall as I could.

The shirt was big on me and so were the shorts, but those came with strings on the inside so I can tighten the waist. I told him when I was done. He turned and immediately started laughing. I blushed. "What's so funny."

"You look like a child in my clothes." He held his hands on his hips as he laughed.

I pouted. "That's mean." I sat at the edge of the bed, still not very comfortable with taking over his space yet.

"Oh come one. I mean you look cute, but they are huge on you. And I was fourteen when those last fit."

I was ready with a comeback but then it hit me what he said. "You think I look cute?"

He was left speechless and I'm sure I was able to feel the heat from his blush all the way across the room. Which wasn't that far, but he still wasn't that close. "Uhm, I mean..." He stuttered through his sentence. "I haven't seen a shuckin girl for as long as I remember..."

I looked away, biting my lip. For as long as I remember...it was a sad reminder that none of us had our memories. When was the last time I had seen a boy? I shook my head. If I dwelled too much on those thoughts, I fear I might drown under their crashing waves of despair.

"We should go to sleep." Gally unfolded his sheets and laid them out on the floor.

I chewed on my cheek. "I really feel bad that you have to sleep on the floor."

"Unless you want to scoot over, I don't really see another option."

I stayed quiet. I didn't feel that bad.