11

Old Man

"Newt!!" A taunting voice called from the fire. Both Rose and him turned to look in the voices direction. It was Minho, he was dancing around the bon fire like an idiot.

They went up to the gardens, both having a plate of food. However it ended up like it normally did, her eating a small portion and him the rest. A few days had gone by, and luckily she was moving around easier. It was overall amazing at how fast her ankle healed up, she was right.

Rose gave him a questionable look hearing Minho's call for him. "I owe him a match in the ring." He answered. The ring was a place where the boys wrestled really. Fighting was how they established things. Hell they were males.

"Well we better not keep him waiting huh?" She smiled and rose to her feet helping him up. The long grass poked through the edges of her small pale toes. Dirt was caked around them followed by mud. She didn't have boots in the Glade, everyone was a bigger size than her. So, she remained barefoot.

Walking together towards the fire, Rose took in a breath. "Look ugh..." She called stopping him. Newt turned towards her with a confused look. "I'm not very good at these things." She began scratching the back of her head. "But ugh..."

In soft steps she trotted over closer to him and planted a soft kiss against his cheek. Immediately the red flushed to his pale dirty cheeks. "Minho told me about everything you did while I was out. And when you stood up for ms on the first night, and I know you had something to do with me getting my bow back, so...Thanks."

"Newt!" Minho smiled arms wide as he spotted the two. Rose gave him a shy grin before walking off from his side.

Newt's eyes followed Rose as she walked away with her head towards the fire. Minho was saying something, but the heat in his cheeks pulled him away from anything the guy could possibly be saying.

Rose continued forward towards a log on the ground. Painfully, she sat down. Her back rested against the wood as she shifted into the dirt. Immediately her stare went to Newt as he was being led into the ring by Minho. She sat back watching as the two went after one another. Newt was quick, but so was Minho.

They boys would stand around cheering for each of the boys. Eventually though, Minho had been caught off guard when Newt took out his legs throwing him onto the ground. Dust flew and some boys screamed loudly throwing their hands into the air while others let out frustrated groans. Rose just chuckled crossing her arms and Newt helped Minho to his feet.

Both boys smiled to one another giving one last push and shove before separating. Newt gradually made his way towards her, his limp a little heavier than usual. With a huff of air though, he plopped down next to her. "Good job old man." She smiled looking forwards.

Newt just turned his head in her direction as she cracked a chuckle. Then with a swift push she was on her side. Both chuckled as she regained her composure.

The two stayed together most of the night, small whispers being swapped between them. Most of the time though she focused on all the other boys, watching, observing.

Eventually, Newt grew tired and scooted forward to lay completely flat on the ground beside her. His eyes closed and she watched as his chest rise up and downwards in a slow repetitive motion.

Rose couldn't help but smile looking down at him "Your getting sand in your hair." She mumbled.

A smile crept across Newt's tiered face. Then, in a quick movement, he lifted his head and shifted his body so his sandy hair rested on her right thigh.

Instantly her breath caught and her muscles tensed. Newt noticed and went to lift his head away, but her hand went downwards to meet his hair. Slowly, Newt lowered it back down. His eyes remained closed.

As moments passed, she became a little more relaxed with the situation. His hands now resting on his stomach comfortably.

Rose's fingers seemed to have a mind of their own as they combed through his long blond locks. Staring forwards her eyes skipped from boy to boy. Some would send glances and smile their way, others would just throw it over their shoulder.

The night carried onwards and one by one each Glader began to go their separate ways. Galley and Minho approached the two. "He asleep?" Galley asked.

Rose just nodded trying to keep quiet.

"I'll wake him up." Minho puckered his lips with a smile.

Immediately Rose protested. "No don't. He seemed tired. Don't think he's been sleeping to well."

"You gonna stay out here all night?" Galley asked.

Rose tilted her head contemplating her options. "Or until he wakes up."

Both of the boys smiled watching as her hand remained combing through his hair. Immediately she became self conscious of the motion and pulled back looking back up towards them."Alright, well just be careful out here." Galley nodded and began walking towards the homestead. Minho just smiled downwards at the two and Rose locked eyes with him. Then with a small wink, he took off following Galley.

Letting out a huff, Rose held her head up staring at the dim fire. It gave her enough heat to not be cold for the night, and it was clear that Newt wasn't the least bit uncomfortable. It made her smile slightly, this was a feeling she wasn't used to. In the back of her mind, no matter how much she wanted to protest she knew that in all honesty... There was no way to fight was she was feeling.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Newt awoke in a gradual moan. Instantly it hit him where he was, outside? The dim sky skipped across the Glade lighting the edges of the walls. The doors were open, he had slept in.

Rising to a sitting position, he caught the blanket that travelled down his body. Where his head used to lay was a pillow as well. That's when he remembered everything. Rosanne was with him last night at the fire, but where was she now?

With a crack in his knees Newt was upright and searching around him. There on the ground was a plate of food, hollers echoed out the windows of the mess hall.

Galley was in the field before him, already getting to work on a other irrigation system. "Galley!" He called walking towards his friend. "Have you seen Rosanne?"

Driving his shovel into the ground, Galley turned to Newt. "Yeah she went out with the runners this morning... She didn't tell you?"

Shaking his head Newt looked to the walls. She was out there? Already?

"No... She didn't."

"Well don't worry. She'll be alright. They paired up today, she's with Minho. And they'll be back early, new Greenie is coming today."

Newt let out a long breath still staring at the doorway... Then, dropping his shoulder he turned to gather his things from last night. She was out there, but there was nothing he could do about it now. Now all he could do is wait.