His Teddy-Bear 🥾Minho TMR💨 (Pre Thomas)

Officially Cool

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The next morning, Delilah woke to the bright light streaming through the trees and the buzz of activity around the Glade. She felt different-lighter, almost. The decision was official now: she was going to be a Runner. She'd worked hard for it, pushed herself past limits she hadn't even known existed. Now, after days of proving herself, they'd finally agreed; Alby, Ben and Minho took a lot of convincing however. She was one of them.

Minho hadn't said much about it-just a curt nod and a muttered, "Don't make me regret this." Alby, ever watchful, had given her a brief clap on the shoulder, but his expression held a quiet approval. Ben, of course, had grinned and thrown an arm around her shoulders, laughing like it was his own achievement, too. But even with their support, the reality of what was to come still lingered at the back of her mind.

Today was her day off, and tomorrow, her first official run. She figured she should enjoy the free time while she had it, so she wandered over to the center of the Glade, where Chuck was busily collecting supplies for Frypan's kitchen.

"Hey, Chuck!" she called, grinning as he looked up, face brightening as he spotted her.

"Hey, Delilah! Heard the news-you're officially one of the cool kids now," he said, a playful glint in his eye. "Runnin' around like you own the place."

She laughed, crouching down to help him stack a few stray pots. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. It's just the beginning, really. But yeah, I guess I'm officially in."

Chuck's grin widened. "You're braver than I'd ever be. I don't think I'd last two minutes out there."

Delilah shook her head. "I don't know about that, Chuck. You'd surprise yourself, you know? Everyone has something they're good at."

He shrugged, pushing a mop bucket across the ground. "Maybe. But I think I'm better off sticking around here. Plus, someone's gotta keep Frypan from going nuts, right?"

She chuckled. "True. He'd probably be lost without you. Or have everyone eating burnt gruel every night."

"Exactly! Frypan would be completely helpless," Chuck said, mock-serious. Then his expression softened a bit as he looked at her. "For real, though, I'm glad you're here, Delilah. It's... nice having someone different around."

She felt a warmth in her chest at his words. Chuck had been one of the first people to welcome her, showing her the ropes, making her feel like she belonged. She reached out, ruffling his hair. "Thanks, Chuck. Means a lot to hear that."

They spent a few more minutes talking, Chuck telling her about Frypan's latest attempts at "experimental cuisine" and making her promise she'd try one of his strange concoctions before the week was over. As the morning drifted on, Delilah said her goodbyes and headed toward the fields where she spotted Newt working in the garden, carefully tending to the rows of vegetables.

He looked up as she approached, his face lighting up in a quiet, welcoming smile. "Well, look who's got the day off. Heard you're officially in with the Runners now."

She smiled, leaning against the wooden fence surrounding the garden. "Yeah. It feels... strange, but good. I didn't think they'd actually let me in, to be honest."

Newt straightened up, dusting off his hands. "You earned it. Took guts, standing up to Alby and putting yourself out there like that. Not everyone's got that kind of determination."

Delilah shrugged, looking down at her hands. "I don't know. It's just... if I'm going to be here, I want to help. I don't want to be just... useless."

He tilted his head, studying her with that thoughtful expression he wore so well. "You've never been useless, Delilah. Believe me. Sometimes, just being here, being... yourself, can make more difference than you know."

She looked up, meeting his gaze. There was a gentleness in Newt's eyes, a sense of calm that seemed to ground her. He had this way of looking at her, as if he could see beyond the walls she put up, as if he understood more than she was willing to admit to herself. Talking to him felt like breathing a little easier.

"Thanks, Newt. I... I appreciate that," she murmured, feeling a flicker of vulnerability.

He nodded, picking up his watering can and moving down the row, gesturing for her to follow. She walked alongside him, watching as he tended to the plants with careful, practiced movements.

"You know, I don't remember much from before this place," Newt said after a while, his voice soft. "None of us do. But... sometimes I think maybe I did this kind of thing before. Gardening, I mean. It just... feels right."

She nodded, listening intently. "I get that. I don't know why, but I always feel like I was... looking for something before. Like I was chasing something I never found. Maybe that's why I wanted to be a Runner."

Newt glanced at her, a gentle smile on his lips. "Could be. Some people are just born to run, I suppose."

They continued working together, her hands digging into the soil as they chatted quietly, sharing bits and pieces of their lives, fragments of who they might have been. It was comforting, this quiet companionship, a moment of normalcy in a world that felt anything but.

As the sun began to dip lower, casting a golden glow over the Glade, Delilah felt a sense of peace settle over her. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new fears, but for now, she allowed herself to savor this small slice of calm, the steady rhythm of the garden, and the quiet reassurance of a friend beside her.

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That night, Delilah lay in her bunk, staring up at the wooden beams above her. The familiar sounds of the Glade-the soft rustling of the wind, the distant murmur of voices-filled the air, but inside her, it was strangely quiet. She should have been tired after the long day, but her mind wouldn't rest.

Now that she was officially a Runner, everything felt... different. There was a weight to it, a responsibility she hadn't anticipated. The quiet pride she felt for earning her place here was laced with fear-fear of failure, fear of not being good enough. The Maze was unforgiving, and every run she'd done so far had been a reminder of just how much danger was lurking behind every corner.

She rolled over onto her side, hugging her knees to her chest. She was proud of herself. She had worked hard, proven herself, and now she had a role in the Glade that was more than just surviving. But the pride was overshadowed by a gnawing fear in the pit of her stomach.

What if she wasn't cut out for this? What if she made a mistake-just one small misstep-that could cost her everything?

Her fingers traced the worn teddy bear keychain at her belt, the soft fabric grounding her in the moment. It was the one constant she had left in a world that made no sense.

Despite the fear, she couldn't help but feel something else stirring inside her-something stronger than the nerves. There was a sense of determination growing within her, a belief that she could do this. She had to.

For now, though, all she could do was wait for tomorrow. And when it came, she would face whatever came next-proud, scared, and ready.