Nepenthe (TMR FF) UNDER EDITING

Chapter 32

"I swear to god, Blondie—"

"You're obviously not eating it!" Newt protested, sticking his tongue out cheekily before placing the spaghetti in his mouth. He chewed loudly, winking at me. "You haven't called me Blondie in ages."

"We haven't really had the chance to have a good conversation in ages." I shrugged, a soft sigh coming from my mouth. Newt's eyes softened and he frowned, swallowing the food in his mouth.

"Maybe, but it doesn't mean I don't know how to tell when you're acting weird." He told me, raising his eyebrows. Chuck grunted beside Newt, nodding to himself. He watched me with the innocent curiosity that permanently resided in his eyes, as if he was oblivious to the struggles of the world. Deep down I knew that wasn't true, however, considering that he cried almost every night.

"I'm not acting weird." I sighed again, running a hand through my messy hair. I hadn't been motivated to brush it since I was let out of the Slammer last night.

"Oh, you so are." A new voice chimed in. I looked up at Dave who lifted a hand and waved slightly, gesturing to the empty space beside me. Newt smiled, giving him a small nod; his way of saying that he could sit with us. Dave grinned happily before sitting down, his leg bouncing.

"You don't even know me!" I protested, my tone slightly defensive. This kid had met me less than twenty four hours ago and he's trying to tell me that I'm acting weird? Rude.

"Emma, you've been in the Glade for about a year now. You're also the only girl. Just because I don't swing that way, doesn't mean I don't keep an eye out for you." Dave admitted, grinning at me sheepishly. I furrowed my eyebrows, kind of confused. How had I never noticed him before?

Newt snorted, glaring playfully at the boy. "Come on Davey, stop flirting with my girl."

The look in Newt's eyes told me that he already knew that Dave was gay, which led me to believe that they were friends. I mean, I guess when you're second in command you meet a lot of people.

"I'd rather flirt with you anyway, Cutie." Dave winked at Newt, who in turn, rolled his eyes, as if he was used to it.

"Don't you have a boyfriend?" Newt asked, a small chuckle escaping his lips. Chuck's jaw dropped, only now realising what the conversation that we were having meant.

"Boyfriend?" He finally managed to choke out, making all of us laugh. Dave reached over and pinched his cheek, cooing at the younger boy.

"You are just the cutest Chuckles! Has it really taken you this long to figure it out?" Dave asked. Chuck's cheeks flushed in reply, and his nose scrunched up.

"Chuckles?" I bit my lip, trying to supress my laughter.

"Dave! I told you not to call me that in front of Emma." Chuck complained, crossing his arms. He didn't seem bothered by the fact that he had found out that Dave was gay, but he did look rather embarrassed.

"Why does everyone seem to know who you are except me?" I asked, my bottom lip jutting out. Dave shrugged, looking up at the grey sky in thought.

"I dunno. I've never really attempted to talk to you, I 'spose. You've always been with Gally, and we don't exactly get along." He admitted, looking away sheepishly. My heart clenched at the sound of his name, and I swallowed, squeezing my eyes shut tightly.

"Oh." I said, trying to keep my voice even. It didn't work. Chuck glanced at me worriedly, nudging Newt. The Brit's eyebrows furrowed as he watched my shaky hands tap the table we were currently sitting at.

"Yeah. He's a real douche bag, ya know. I don't understand how you can be friends with the guy." I clenched my jaw, scrunching up my nose in an attempt to stop the tears that I knew were coming soon. Newt coughed awkwardly, trying to subtly tell Dave to stop, but apparently he didn't get the memo. "I'm kind of glad the Grievers took him, and not someone else. He deser—"