How I survived in an all boys glade

Chapter Fourteen

- Dirty laundry -

"Sorry, boys, but I've got to get going now. The clothes aren't going to wash themselves, are they?" I quipped, rising from the table. I carried my plate to the kitchen, rinsing it before placing it on the counter. As I set it down, a familiar pair of arms slipped around my waist, the gentle embrace making my heart race.

"Hi..." Newt's raspy voice sent a shiver down my spine, his breath warm against my ear.

"Hey," I replied, a smile tugging at my lips. He laced his fingers through mine, his thumb drawing soothing circles on my hand, the simple gesture sending butterflies swirling in my stomach.

"Tired?" I teased, knowing full well he'd been up late with Alby again, lost in one of their endless discussions about the mysteries of the Glade.

"Yeah," he mumbled, nuzzling into the crook of my neck for a brief moment. But the sound of Theo's approaching footsteps made him pull away. The unspoken agreement between us was clear: Newt's rare displays of affection were private, shielded from the inevitable teasing of the others.

"Y/N, please!" Theo's voice rang out as he and a few others entered the kitchen, catching Newt's retreat. "Make it stop!" he begged dramatically, throwing his arms up in mock despair.

"Guys, seriously, give it a rest," I said, brushing past them. The others groaned in mock defeat, and Theo mouthed a grateful "thank you" before I left.

I headed to my room to gather my laundry, then made my way to the boys' restroom to collect the scattered clothes littering the floor. My arms were overflowing when Justin appeared in the doorway.

"Need help?" he asked, a knowing smile on his face.

"PLEASE," I exclaimed, letting out a sigh of relief. He chuckled lightly before stepping in to lighten the load. Together, we carried the heap to the washing hut, dumping the clothes onto the ground with a shared laugh.

Justin sorted some of the guys' clothes while I picked out mine, along with a few others, and we moved to our respective washing bowls. As I dipped my hands into the cool water, scrubbing the dirt and sweat from the fabric, Justin broke the comfortable silence.

"So...?" he began, his voice lilting with curiosity.

"So...?" I mimicked, smiling at him over my pile of clothes.

"May I ask what had you and Theo laughing so hard this morning?" he ventured, hesitantly but unable to resist.

I chuckled softly. "This morning? You make it sound like breakfast wasn't just a few minutes ago," I joked, avoiding his question as I worked on a stubborn stain.

But my smile faltered as I reached the shirt I had worn the day I cut my hand. The sight of the dried bloodstains along the sleeve and stomach stopped me in my tracks, a flood of memories washing over me—the pain, the panic, the fear that had gripped me that day in the slicers' hut.

"Shebean?" Justin's voice pulled me from my thoughts, his tone laced with concern.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I replied quickly, forcing a smile as I folded the shirt and placed it in the pile of darks. I could feel Justin's eyes on me, his curiosity and worry evident, but he didn't press. His quiet respect for my boundaries didn't go unnoticed.

The rhythmic sound of water sloshing against the bowls filled the air, soothing and steadying. Outside, the boys' laughter echoed through the Glade, a reminder of the strange yet comforting family we had become.

When we finished, Justin and I carried the wet laundry to the clothesline. The warm sun peeked through the towering walls of the Glade, and we worked in quiet harmony, hanging the colorful fabrics that fluttered gently in the breeze. It was a simple act, but as I stood there with Justin, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for these moments of normalcy amidst the chaos of the maze.

"Thanks for the help," I said, offering him a small smile as we finished the last piece.

"Anytime," Justin replied with a wink, slinging a damp towel over his shoulder before heading back toward the boys. I watched him go, the camaraderie we shared filling me with a quiet sense of belonging.

For now, that was enough.