Nepenthe (TMR FF) UNDER EDITING

Chapter 15

                  

I sat at one of the tables, watching Newt shovel spoon fills of spaghetti in his mouth. We've been having spaghetti a lot lately, which I assume is Fry's attempt at keeping Newt happy. I don't know if it's working, but he does seem a lot happier when he's eating it, so I guess it'll do.

"Newt." I spoke, making everyone at our table look at me. Gally watched me cautiously, as if I was going to snap and make Newt cry again. Hopefully not, but you never know. Ben and Chuck looked confused, and kind of wary. They didn't like Newt and I fighting, and they always made jokes when they thought we were going to. They were silent right now though.

"Yeah?" I asked, a mouthful of food. I scrunched my nose up in distaste, but tried to ignore it. I glanced away for a second, only to find Minho staring at me. He was sitting directly across from me, and he had a knowing look in his eyes. He nodded in reassurance and I swallowed, turning back to Newt. His eyebrows her raised when he saw the little moment unfold and I bit my lip.

"I've decided that I'm going to keep running." I finally said, squeezing my eyes shut tightly. The sound of a metal fork dropping onto a plate rang through the homestead, and Chuck let out a squeak. I opened my eyes to see Newt staring at me, his jaw clenched. I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the worst.

"You told me this morning that you were quitting!" He complained, throwing his hands up in the air. Chuck and Ben tensed, not liking the current atmosphere. Gally sighed loudly, leaning back in his chair. Minho just sat up in his chair, looking ready to fight someone.

"I know, but then I thought about it and-"

"And what? Is that what we do? We lie to each other now? That's great, Emma." He spat, pushing his plate of food away from him. Hurt spread through my veins like wildfire, but I kept a calm face, trying my best not to let my pain show.

"I wasn't lying, Newt. I'm just-" Once again I was cut off.

"Bullshit." He spat. I flinched back. I had never heard Newt actually swear before. It was always shuck, or klunk.

"Aye, what are you doing bro? Don't get mad at her!" Minho butted in, quickly defended me. Gally nodded, glaring at my boyfriend, not looking the least bit impressed.

"I thought British guys were supposed to be charming and treat girls with respect." Gally muttered, looking me up and down as if to see if I was okay. I swallowed, avoiding all of their eyes. I couldn't do this.

"Look, Newt. I've made up my mind. I'm going to keep being a Runner." I stated, my voice hard. I stood up from my chair, as did Chuck, ready to follow me wherever I went. He has been really supportive these couple of days. He was the one person who I could talk to, who wouldn't judge me or have a biased opinion. Chuck wasn't like that.

"Idiot." Newt muttered. I narrowed my eyes at him, and Minho stood up.

"Bro, what's up with you lately? I'm your friend. I have always been your friend, and I always will be, but right now you're acting like a real shuck-face. If it was Gally who was saying this, you would knock him on his back in an instant." Minho said, making Gally snort. Ben murmured something about getting more food and stood up, walking away. He left his plate at the table. Newt glared at Minho, his eyes lit up in anger.

"Since when do you care?" He spat, clenching his jaw. I shook my head, turning away.

"I've always cared! She's my friend too, Newt. She's one of the best Runners we have, and I respect that. Unlike some people at the moment, I respect her." Minho stated. I bit my lip, turning towards Chuck.

"Come on, let's go." I muttered. Chuck nodded eagerly, grabbing my wrist and pulling me towards the sleeping quarters. It's where we liked to talk.

"Running away. Like always, right?" Newt laughed, although his voice was filled with malice. I clenched my jaw, before turning back around.

"You're a real shank, you know that? And right now, not a lovable one! I am my own person, and I can make my own decisions! You don't get to decide what I do. That's not what a boyfriend is for." I snapped, glaring at the British boy. Minho sort of smirked, and Gally watched me with concern. He knew that when I got angry it usually brought tears along with it, and he hated seeing me cry.

"Chuck, you should go take Emma for a walk." Gally told the boy, gesturing his head away from Newt. Chuck nodded, tugging on my wrist again. I wrinkled my nose, planting my feet in the ground so that Chuck wasn't moving me an inch. Gally sighed, rolling his eyes and muttering about me being stubborn. It was in a completely friendly way though.

"You know, you're not that great of a girlfriend either, Emma. You should stop thinking so highly of yourself. It'll start going to your head." Newt said, smirking at me. My eyes widened and my knees buckled and if it wasn't for chucks grip on me, I probably would have fell to the ground. It felt like an arrow had been shot into my chest and pierced into my heart, and then it was ripped out of my chest, stomped on and set on fire. All by Newt. Before I could react, or reply, Newt fell to the ground, holding his palm to his cheek. Gally stood over him, breathing deeply. He had just hit Newt.

"You know, Newt, I have been real patient with you lately. Ever since the Maze incident you have been treating Emma like klunk. Just because you can't run anymore and she can, doesn't mean you can make her feel horrible about it. She's a human being, and a great one at that. She's treated you with nothing but respect, and the only time she even raises her voice at you, is when you say something that you shouldn't have. You used to be a nice kid, Newt. But now, I don't think you deserve her." Gally breathed, staring coldly at the hurt boy. I could already see a bruise starting to form on his cheek. I winced, wanting to hug him and tell him that it would be okay, and I wanted to yell at Gally and hug him all at once. I didn't do either of the two, however. I just stared, my eyes wide.

"Then who does?" Newt said, his voice lowering. I frowned, looking over at Gally who chuckled, running a hand through his messy hair.

"None of us shucks do." And then he walked away, leaving a hurt Newt, a scared Chuck and a fuming Minho.

"Come on, Em. I want to tell you about what happened this morning!" Chuck told me tugging on my wrist again. I watched as Minho took one last look at Newt, and with a shake of his head, turned and walked away. He didn't even look at me.

"Okay." I whispered, glancing down at the blonde boy. He stared at me, guilt in his eyes. I just shook my head. "Goodbye Newt."

And then I left him, despite the fact that I once told him that I never would. I don't think anything will ever be the same, and I definitely was not okay with that.