How I survived in an all boys glade

Chapter Forty-three

- Lizard or Teddy bear? -

"Hey, She-bean?" Newt's voice breaks the quiet as he walks into my hut, his hands occupied with something. His eyes scan the mess, and I see the slight shock on his face when he takes in the clutter I've created. I freeze for a moment, waiting for him to say something about it, but instead, he lifts something up, and my heart leaps in my chest. "I, uh... I found your bracelet..." 

His voice is soft, almost as if he's afraid of how I'll react.

Without thinking, I limp over to him, my heart pounding in my chest. When I reach him, I can barely contain my smile. "Thank you, thank you, thank you," I repeat, practically radiating relief as I take the bracelet from him. My hands tremble slightly, but I hold it close to my chest, feeling like I've just been reunited with a piece of myself that I thought I lost forever. I pull him into a quick hug, squeezing tightly. "You have no idea how much this means to me," I whisper, my voice thick with gratitude.

Newt chuckles lightly, returning the hug for a moment before pulling back. "You're welcome," he says, his eyes crinkling in amusement. I let go of him reluctantly, still clutching the bracelet, my smile wide enough to make my cheeks hurt.

"Alright, well, I better get going now," Minho announces, his voice cutting through the air as he carefully steps over the mess on the floor, moving toward the door. "I, uh... I'm starving, so I'll go grab some food now." His tone is light, but there's an underlying urgency to it, as if he's already ready to move on from the chaotic morning.

"I—okay? See you guys later?" I ask, more of a question than anything, my voice still a bit shaky from the emotional whirlwind of the past few minutes. I wave weakly as Theo follows Minho out, giving me a teasing smirk as he leaves.

Once they're gone, I turn back to the now-cleaned space around me, which, despite my best efforts, still feels overwhelming. Newt watches me for a moment, his brow furrowed as if considering whether or not to ask. Finally, he speaks up again, breaking the silence.

"Well... you need help cleaning this mess up?" Newt chuckles, stepping around the scattered items on the floor as he starts picking things up, his movements calm and unhurried.

"Oh, no, you don't need to," I quickly protest, feeling a bit embarrassed by the chaos I've caused. 

"I can do it myself," I add, offering him a soft smile. I don't want to burden him with the mess I've made, even though I know he wouldn't mind.

"Nonsense," Newt replies, his smile reassuring. "I'm already here, might as well help." He moves closer to me, his hands gently placing some papers on my desk, and I sigh, feeling a little more at ease. "Thank you, it would be much appreciated, Lizard," I tease, a playful smirk on my face as I look up at him.

Newt groans, rolling his eyes in mock annoyance. "Just because my name is the same as a lizard, it doesn't mean you have to call me that, She-bean," he mutters, picking up a paper with some scribbles on it.

"Oh, so you're not like a lizard?" I question, smirking at him, my voice teasing. I limp over to a pile of blankets, folding them neatly as I continue to playfully banter with him.

"No, I'm not," he responds with a grin. "I'm not green, and I don't have scales."

"Well, I guess you're right," I say, thinking for a moment. "You're more like a... teddy bear." My grin widens as I watch him, still folding the blanket in my hands.

"Teddy bear?" Newt laughs, clearly amused as he shakes his head. "I don't think I've ever been called that before."

I limp over to him, still smiling. "Well, I think it suits you," I say, offering him a wink. "But I think I like Lizard more," I add, smirking as I look up at him with a playful glint in my eyes.

"Alright, alright, I get it," he groans, though his eyes are full of warmth. "I'm a lizard." He gives a slight pause before adding with a grin, "And no, I think I prefer teddy bear more."

"Oh, really?" I ask, raising an eyebrow, the challenge clear in my voice.

"Yeah, really," Newt replies, his smirk matching mine.

"Well then," I say, pointing toward a pile of clothes near my dresser, "can you pick up that pile of clothes over there?" I raise an eyebrow, daring him to take on the challenge.

"Yes, ma'am," Newt says with a mock salute, and I laugh as I watch him easily scoop up the pile of clothes, the effortless way he does it making me smile.

"See, you're just like a teddy bear. Strong, but gentle," I say, my voice light with affection.

"Thanks, She-bean," he responds with a grin, still working as he picks up more items from the floor. "But you could help out a little here too, you know," he adds, his voice teasing.

"Yeah, you know, I could, but where's the fun in that?" I giggle, watching him laugh along with me as he shakes his head, clearly enjoying the moment just as much as I am.

"Sooo... you good here then?" I ask as I glances at him, moving toward the door. "Cause if so, I could just—"

Before I can finish my sentence, I feel myself being swept off my feet. "Oh, no, you don't," he says quickly, and I yelp in surprise. I try to get free, but it's pointless—he's got a strong hold on me.

"You are not just going to leave me here cleaning up your mess," he says with a mock frown, but there's a playfulness in his voice. Then, without warning, he lifts me effortlessly, tossing me onto the bed and pinning me down with a grin. My hands are trapped above my head, and I start laughing uncontrollably.

"But, but—" I try to protest between bursts of laughter, but he cuts me off with a mischievous smirk.

"No buts, missy. You made this mess, so you help cleaning it up," he says, his eyes glinting with mischief. I struggle to get free, but his grip is firm, and I can't help but laugh harder.

"Okay, okay, I'll help," I finally admit, laughing so hard it's hard to breathe. He lets me go then, pushing himself off of me and sitting up.

"Come on, lazy girl," he teases, his grin wide as he reaches out to help me sit up. "Let's get this mess cleaned up."

I roll my eyes, still giggling, and slowly get up from the bed, stretching out my sore muscles. 

"Alright, alright," I say, my voice full of playful reluctance as I start gathering the last of the scattered items. "Let's finish this up, Lizard."