Nepenthe (TMR FF) UNDER EDITING

Chapter 9

A lot of the Gladers still don't know that Newt tried to commit suicide, despite a couple of weeks passing. Most of them just think that he climbed up one of the walls and 'fell'. The ones who do know though, watch him like hawks. He can walk now, with the help of crutches and the splint that is. He hates it. I can see it in his eyes. He hates not being about to support himself. Clint and Jeff say that there's the possibility that he'll have a limp for the rest of his life.

I watched as Newt hobbled over to me, an annoyed look on his face.

"I hate these damned crutches. When did Clint say I could walk by myself again?" He asked, sighing.

"Another couple weeks." I told him, smiling at my best friend. He smiled back, although it didn't really meet his eyes. He hasn't given me a real smile since Ethan came. Things are actually pretty tense between those too lately. I don't know what happened, but about a week after Newt woke up, Ethan just snapped at him. I didn't get to see it, because I was out running at the time, and no one will tell me what it was about. Apparently Alby had to physically drag Ethan away from Newt though, so I assume it wasn't just a petty fight. I was kind of angry at them both for not explaining it too me, but they still wouldn't budge. They were just a bunch of stubborn shanks.

"That's too long!" He complained, kicking a rock that lay beside him. I rolled my eyes.

"And whose fault is that?" I asked, raising my eyebrows. He glared at me for a few moments before sighing and looking away.

"I know...I'm sorry. I've been a pretty sucky best friend, huh?"

"Yup." I admitted. "But that's okay. You're just going through a rough patch."

"A couple of months ago I would've punched myself for being rude to a girl." He chuckled, running a hand through his blonde hair. I smirked, remembering how Gally made the rude comment and Newt knocked him out. Good times.

"A lot of things have changed since then, Newt. We've changed." I said, shrugging. Newt looked at me, and something flashed in his eyes. It was like he was seeing me in a new light or something.

"Yeah." He said softly, not taking his dark eyes away from mine. I raised my eyebrows, watching as a goofy grin began to make its way onto his face. I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. He was acting really weird.

"What?" I asked, confused. He just laughed, shaking his head.

"Nothing, Love."

"That's not fair! Tell meeeeeeeee." I complained, standing in front of him. He looked down at me, a smirk on his face.

"It's nothing! Now come on, Fry's cooking up some steak tonight and I want to get a good piece." He told me, grabbing my hand and pulling it lightly. A blush made its way onto my face as I lowered my head in attempt for him not to see. He let out a chuckle, and in that moment, I knew that I was caught.

"You're so cute when you blush. Now hurry up, I'm on crutches and I faster than you!" He joked, finally letting go of my hand. It was hard to hold a girls hand and use crutches at the same time I spose.

When we reached the eating area, only a few people were in line. I stumbled as Newt continued to pull me, making the other Gladers laugh. I glared as some of them wiggled their eyebrows selectively.

"Aye, what have I told you shanks about looking at her like that? Eyes of the merchandise." Newt joked, flipping them off. My jaw dropped, and I watched the boys laugh and look away, not before sharing knowing looks. What the actual shuck?

"Sorry, Newt. I didn't realise that she was your possession." A voice from behind us said. I raised my eyebrows, turning around to face Ethan. I furrowed my eyebrows, taking in the fact that he had pierced his lip. I didn't mind lip piercings; in fact I found them attractive. I just thought Ethan was too innocent to have one. Talk about people changing.

"No one said that, Ethan." I rolled my eyes, wanting nothing more than to escape the tense atmosphere that had begun to form around us. Ethan turned his glare to me, taking a step forward.

"You're gonna stick up for him? After all he's done to you?" He asked, his voice getting higher. I took a step back, only to run into Newt. The British boy dropped one of his crutches, using his free hand to grip my forearm. I bit my lip, looking away from both of the boys.

"Who pierced your lip?" I asked, my voice wavering. I desperately wanted to avoid this conversation and Ethan must have noticed. He rolled his eyes, letting out a sigh.

"Jeff did it. You're changing the topic." He stated. I swallowed, noticing that the piercing was just a simple piece of wire bent in the shape of a ring. It didn't look very sanitary.

"That could get infected. It looks kind of rusty." I told him, ignoring his previous statement about topic changing. He clenched his jaw, taking another step forward. Newts grip on me tightened, so much that it had begun to hurt. I ignored it though.

"Would you stop that? Stop trying to protect him!" Ethan growled, making the other Gladers shift uncomfortably. I watched as some of them began to stand up; ready to stop Ethan if he attempted to hurt either one of us. He wouldn't do that though. It's Ethan, for god's sake! He was acting like a shank though. He needed to calm down.

"I'm not protecting him, Ethan! Why are you being such a dick?" I hissed angrily. I glanced down to avoid his hard glare, only to find his fists clenching and unclenching by his sides.

"Because I was there for you when he wasn't, Emma! And now that he's back, you're following him like a lost puppy!" He shouted. Newt remained silent, his glare fixated on the blonde boy in front of him. Why wasn't he saying anything?

"He broke his leg, Ethan! What did you expect me to do, ignore him?" I replied, clenching my jaw.

"Just like I thought. You can't even stay mad at the shank. You're so hopelessly in love with him, right?" He laughed, running a hand through his hair. My mouth dropped open as I stared at him. Newt shifted behind me, but said nothing. I wanted to melt into a puddle. How could he say that? How could he basically announce to the whole Glade that I liked Newt? I thought we were friends. "How pathetic."

I let out a breath, before tearing myself out of Newts grasp and throwing myself at Ethan. Before he could react, my fist had already met his face, and a sickening crack echoed through the eating area. It was like everything was in slow motion. I froze, watching as Ethan held his bleeding nose, before turning to glare at me. My eyes widened as he raised his fist before extending it towards my cheek, too fast for anyone to stop him. I made a choked noise at the impact, tears immediately coming to my eyes. Shouts erupted from all over the Glade and I watched in fear as Ethan pushed me to the ground. I squeezed my eyes shut, awaiting the impact of his boot to hit me stomach, but instead I was met with a snapping sound. I slowly opened my eyes, only to see Ethan lying on the ground with a broken crutch beside him. Newt was next to me in a second, his eyes filled with worry.

"Emma? Emma, are you okay?" He asked, his voice breaking. I winced slightly as he touched my cheek, but gave him a weak smile despite the pain.

"I can't believe you hit him over the head with one of your crutches." I chuckled, my voice laced with pain. He shook his head; a small smile lighting up his features.

"Snapped it right in half." He boasted, running his hand over my hair. I shook my head, a laugh bubbling out of my throat.

"Talk shit and get hit. He deserved it. After all, you shouldn't be rude to girls, right?" I asked, remembering that he said something similar when we first met. Newt grinned at me, offering me a hand. I took it and he hoisted me up, wrapping a strong arm around me waist.

"Yeah. Especially my girl."