How I survived in an all boys glade

Chapter Twelve

- flirting or not? -

It had been a couple of weeks since I arrived in the Glade, and I had slowly settled into my routine. I had learned a lot about the guys here, especially how they thrived on teasing and making fun of each other all the time. It wasn't so bad, though. I'd gotten used to it, and their playful banter had quickly become a comfort in a place that was still so unfamiliar.

I had also tried out all the jobs—well, almost all of them. The *Runner* role was off-limits to me, simply because I was the only girl. They insisted it was for my safety, but I couldn't help but suspect it had more to do with their own insecurities about having a female presence in their tight-knit group. And maybe a little because they were worried they wouldn't be able to outrun a girl, but that was just my theory.

The *Bagger* job was another I'd avoided. It required handling the deceased and preparing them for their final journey, and the thought of coming face-to-face with death was enough to make my stomach churn. It wasn't a job I could ever bring myself to do, no matter how necessary it was.

As for the *Builders*, well, the towering structures they worked on made my head spin. Even climbing the watchtower, a mere fraction of the height of the massive buildings they constructed, was enough to give me chills. The idea of falling from such heights was a nightmare I could never entertain. So, for now, I helped out where I could. And honestly, it wasn't so bad.

My hand had finally healed, leaving just a scar as a reminder of my mishap in the Slicers Hut. I made sure to be extra careful now, but at least I could contribute without that constant fear of injury.

But now, onto the telling...

"Y/N! Get up!" A voice suddenly screamed, growing louder as it neared my hut. I groaned, pulling the blanket over my head.

"She-bean?!" Theo's voice was almost as loud as his entrance. The door swung open, hitting the wall with a loud thud.

"What...?" I mumbled, my voice muffled by the pillow as I tried to block out the intrusion on my peaceful morning.

"Come on, you've gotta get up before the others eat all the eggs and bacon!" Theo's voice rang out with urgency.

"Just go without me..." I groaned, wishing I could just sleep in a little longer.

"I can't though," Theo said, "Alby said I had to wake you up before I could take some. Since I was the last one to the table."

I couldn't help but giggle slightly. "How do you manage to always be the last one there?"

"I need my beauty sleep," Theo defended himself, leaning against the doorframe with a smirk.

"So do I," I joked, laughing as I pushed myself up from the bed. I made my way to the dresser and grabbed a pair of baggy cargo pants and a gray shirt with buttons down the middle.

As I turned around to change, I spotted Theo still standing cluelessly in the doorway. I rolled my eyes. "Maybe a little privacy while I change?" I asked, half-laughing at his obliviousness.

"Oh, yeah, sorry," Theo muttered quickly, his back turned to me as I began pulling on my clothes.

"So?" he suddenly spoke up, breaking the silence.

"So what?" I replied, confused as I reached for my shirt.

"What's the deal with you and Newt?" Theo asked, his voice teasing. My heart skipped a beat, and I nearly choked on my own spit.

"I—what do you mean?" I laughed nervously, sitting down on the bed to put on my shoes.

"You know what I mean," Theo said with a smirk, walking up to me. "The way you two are always hanging out. How you're *always* flirting with each other. And let's not forget his nickname for you, 'Love.'"

I felt heat rise to my cheeks as I tried to laugh it off. "We hang out a lot too, and we're not dating."

Theo raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "And the flirting?"

"That's not flirting," I said, my voice defensive as I stood up and grabbed a green cap from the dresser to pull on.

"Then what would you call all the flirty touching?" Theo challenged, stepping closer. He put his hand on my shoulder and fluttered his eyes dramatically. "Oh, Newt, you're so funny."

I laughed and swatted his hand away, shaking my head. "Oh, stop it!" I said, rolling my eyes playfully.

"Now come on," I reminded him, trying to redirect the conversation, "Wasn't it you who wanted eggs and bacon before the others eat it all?"

Theo grinned mischievously. "You know you love me!" he called out as I walked past him toward the kitchen.

"Ew, as if!" I retorted, playfully pushing him away as he threw his arm around my shoulders.

As we bantered our way to the dining area, the laughter and teasing between us were a welcome distraction from the tension I couldn't help but feel whenever I thought about Newt. But for now, I was content. The Glade was starting to feel like home.