Jealousy // Gally x reader

Chapter Twenty-Three - Greenie Eve

I wake up to the sound of leaves crunching a few feet away from me. I rub my eyes and scan the surroundings, searching for the source of the news. Enzo is pacing back and forth, tapping his chin with his finger. He hasn't realised I'm awake yet, and it's probably best to keep it that way.

Tomorrow, Lorenzo gets his greenie, and I can tell how nervous he is. He's spent most of his time with Newt, especially since they began dating, and he really isn't one for change.

I twist the locket between my fingers, chilled by the morning air. Thankfully, Gally and I's relationship is going well at the moment, but neither of us has brought up leaving the Glade since last time, and I doubt we will.

I jump as Chuck's face floats into my view. "Ah-", I stumble backward on my hammock. "Chuck, what the hell?" I stabilise myself, grasping the sides of the cot to stop it from swinging. "Sorry n/n, but this is really important."

"What is it?"

He holds Chicken out in his hands, a wide smile spread across his face. "Chicken?" I ask him, not understanding what he was insinuating. "Jeff says his wing's healed. He can be released right now!" His smile only grows, and his happiness is certainly evident in his tone. I hop up quickly, eager to watch this moment.

"Where are we going to do it?" I ask, following him as he searches for the perfect place. "I was thinking by the walls, y'know, just in case when he flies, he manages to spot the way out and can lead us there." He replies, hope lacing his words. I smile at him sympathetically and nod, there's no harm in trying, I guess.

We slow down as we near the open entrance into the maze and set Chicken down on the floor. In a few hops, he flaps his once broken wing, looking back at us and the rest of the Glade before ascending into the sky. "Goodbye little guy, I hope you get out." I whisper, waving as he flies above the walls and out onto whatever's beyond them.

I don't think that bird knows how lucky it is.

Chuck bends down, picking something up from the ground before holding it out to me. I laugh in disbelief, carefully twisting the single feather through my fingers. The last thing we had of Chicken before he escaped too freedom, sort of like a feather of hope.

We walk back to our hammocks, and I pat Chuck on his back supportively. He was visibly upset. He must've really believed Chicken would come back for us. I hold the feather out to him, "Do you want it?", but he shakes his head. "I'd lose it, and it's special. It's safer with you." He sniffles, smiling softly at me.

I try and think of the best way to keep it safe, and an idea flickers into my mind. "Chuck, hold it for a second." I demand, passing him the spotted feather as I collect a small strand of my long hair, separating it into three sections. I begin to braid it, almost from my part, before snatching the feather from Chuck's hands and weaving it into the end, allowing the small plait to hang loose against the rest of my untied hair, feather connecting to it just behind my ear.

"Great, now we won't ever lose it." I say, winking as Chuck begins to smile again. I realise I should probably get to the kitchen or Fry might chop all my hair off, so I say goodbye to Chuck and begin to walk over.

Usually, when I'm cooking, I let my hair hang in a loose plait, but that would be difficult to incorporate a feather into, so instead, I tie it into a mid-high ponytail, half the plait and the feather hanging effortlessly on the tied end of my rubber band.

"Morning y-" Fry cuts himself off as he spins around, instantly turning me to admire my new accessory. "Woah, y/n, this is so pretty, where did you get it?" He asks, spinning me back to face him. "Thanks Fry! It fell off Chicken when we released him." I said, spinning the feather over my shoulder between my fingers.