How I survived in an all boys glade

Chapter Sixty-seven

- Tickle fight -

When we finally make it to the Med-hut, I sit down on one of the beds, my hands still aching. Jeff moves quickly, carefully cleaning the blood off my hands, and I can't help but hiss in pain as the antiseptic touches the cuts. "Sorry," Jeff mutters, his tone apologetic. I just nod, taking a deep breath, trying to push past the sting. Once he's done cleaning, he starts wrapping my hands in bandages, working with steady hands.

"Thanks," I manage to say, giving him a small, appreciative smile after he's finished. "No problem," Jeff replies with a soft grin of his own. I hop off the bed, wincing slightly, and make my way toward the door with Newt close behind me. We walk in silence, both lost in our own thoughts. When we reach my hut, I flop onto my bed, the exhaustion of the day weighing on me. I lay on my back, staring up at the ceiling, the air heavy with uncertainty. Newt sits down beside me, his presence comforting, though we're both still caught in the dread of Minho and Alby's fate.

"They're gonna make it," Newt says, breaking the silence, his voice calm but not convincing. I just nod, unable to respond, too worn out to say anything. I don't even bother to look up at him. 

The uncertainty hangs thick between us until I hear a knock at the door.

"Come in!" I call out, propping myself up on my elbows to see who it is.

"Hey," Theo's voice rings through the door as he pokes his head in.

"Hi," I reply blankly, my exhaustion making my voice flat as I flop back down onto my bed. Theo doesn't seem to mind, though.

"How are you doing?" he asks as he sits down on the opposite side of me on the bed.

"I'd feel a lot better if Minho was here, instead of being stuck in the Maze..." I answer, my eyes fixed on the ceiling, the weight of my words sinking in.

"He'll make it," Theo reassures, giving my leg a light pat. He pauses for a second, then adds, "Well, I actually came to tell you that dinner is ready." He offers me his hands, and I roll my eyes but accept them, letting him and Newt help me out of bed gently, being careful with my bandaged hands.

We walk together to the eating area, where the others have already gathered. After dinner, we linger at the table, talking and laughing for a while, but the weariness of the day finally catches up with me. I get up and make my way back to my hut, nodding goodnight to the guys as I go.

As I step into the hut, a pair of arms suddenly wrap around me from behind, and I jump, spinning around to see Newt standing there with a mischievous smile.

"Hey," he says with a soft chuckle, pulling me closer to him.

"God, Newt, you scared the heck out of me!" I say, half laughing, half annoyed, as I punch him playfully in the chest. He just laughs, and I can feel the tension in my body loosen a little.

"Sorry, love, I couldn't help it," he says with a grin, leaning down so his face is just inches from mine. "You just look so cute when you get scared like that."

Before I can respond, he closes the gap between us, kissing me gently on the lips. I smile into the kiss, my hands instinctively wrapping around his neck. His hands move to my waist, pulling me closer to him. When he pulls away slightly, I giggle as he gently pushes me backward until I fall onto the bed. He climbs on top of me, his hands still at my waist, and I flinch slightly as he tickles me.

"Oh, no..." I mutter, trying to push him off, but he just laughs, pinning my hands above my head with one hand.

"No, no, no! Newt! Please!" I say, though I can't keep a straight face, bursting into laughter as he continues to tickle me.

"Please!" I laugh, trying to break free, but he just tightens his grip around my hands, still being careful not to hurt my bandaged palms, as he keeps tickling me. Finally, I'm gasping for air.

"Okay, okay, I give up!" I say, surrendering at last. He stops, looking down at me with a proud grin.

"That's what I thought," he says, his voice full of satisfaction. Then he leans down and kisses me again, this time slower, more deliberately. He releases my hands, and I immediately wrap them around his neck, smiling into the kiss. He runs his hands down my body, settling them back at my waist, pulling me closer.

When he pulls away, he lies beside me, his body facing mine, and starts playing with my hair.

"I really like you, Y/n," Newt says, his voice sincere.

"Oh, really? I just thought you kissed me to pass the time," I tease sarcastically, looking up at him. He chuckles, clearly amused.

"No, I really do," he says again, and I feel my heart flutter at his words.

"Well, I like you too, Lizard," I reply with a smile, using the nickname I know he secretly loves.

"Well, that's good to know," he says with a grin before leaning down and kissing me again. This time, the kiss is slow and sweet, and I feel myself melting into it. He moves his hand to my cheek, trailing it down my body, then pulls me closer to him. Slowly, he pulls away, and I bury my face in his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart as I begin to drift off to sleep.