Nepenthe (TMR FF) UNDER EDITING

Chapter 24

The next day was extremely awkward. I hadn't left the Med-Jacks quarters until about lunch time, and that was only because Clint refused to bring me food, claiming that I was well enough to get it myself. The only reason why I was avoiding going outside in the first place was because I was scared of seeing the other Glader's after the show I put on. Although it took a little less than a week for me to go through the changing, I didn't doubt that everyone still remembered my emotional breakdown. Despite this, Clint still wouldn't let me stay in bed.

So that led me to where I was now, cautiously walking to my usual lunch table. A pang came to my chest when I saw Gally, Newt, Minho, Thomas and Chuck waiting for me. Of course, there was no Ben. I guess I forgot about his banishing for a little bit.

"Hey, Emma! You look great!" Chuck announced, making almost all the Gladers in the room turn to look at me. I shifted uncomfortably, ignoring their judging looks. Could they not stare at me?

"Lies." I muttered, sitting down next to Thomas. I would usually sit next to Newt, but he was sitting next to Gally, and I'd like to avoid him at all costs.

"It's not a lie! Honestly, you look much better than you did when you were going through the changing." Chuck said, as if it was supposed to make me feel any better with myself. Minho rolled his eyes, elbowing Chuck in his side, silently telling him that what he was saying was not helping at all. He let out a painful squeak, his eyes widening.

"Hey!" He complained, rubbing his hand on his sore side. I let out a sigh, not amused at the scene that played out before me.

"Its fine, Minho." Was all I said, glancing around the table. I froze, making the mistake of looking Gally in the eye. His eyes analysed me silently, and I instantly felt a warm feeling travel through my body. It felt all too familiar. It matched the feeling that I had when Aris talked to me in my mind. I wonder...

Gally. I thought, picturing myself talking to him and only him.

It was like an instant reaction. Gally flinched, his eyes widening as he watched my mouth, as if trying to figure out where my voice was coming from. I smiled to myself, letting out a giggle.

You can hear me, then?

Gally nodded numbly, staring at me in shock. The other boys looked between us in confusion.

"Are we missing something here?" Newt asked, jealously clearly leaking through his voice. I raised my eyebrows, looking towards my boyfriend. His eyebrows were scrunched in confusion, his jaw clenched. Ever since I had told him about dating Minho back before the Glade, he had been tense around basically every boy who even looked at me. Apparently Gally was included, despite him being one of my best friends. I guess Minho was my best friend too, so I shouldn't blame Newt for getting a little defensive.

"Dude, stop staring at her. It's making me uncomfortable." Minho told Gally, making him blush and look away. Newt tensed, shooting a glare towards the Asian boy.

"It's making you uncomfortable? She's my girlfriend." Newt said, getting all defensive again. Thomas and Chuck shifted slightly in their chairs.

"Calm down, Newtie. I didn't mean anything by it." Minho claimed, holding his hands up in surrender.

"Right." Newt spat, rolling his eyes. "Of course you didn't."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Minho asked, his eyes narrowing.

"I'm just saying that it's painfully obvious that you like MY girlfriend. Pathetic actually." Newt muttered.

Minho stood up, leaning across the table until he was in Newt's face.