ribbons

iii

Today was the celebration of Thomas' arrival. They do the same for every Greenie, the fire, the dancing, the drinking... It was a ritual.

Newt noticed that Thomas wasn't enjoying the party as he thought he would. He was far from the group, sat down and looking at the grey, granite walls.

"Tommy? Are you okay?"

Thomas looks over to see Newt next to him, sitting down. He nods and continues to stare at the walls.

Newt knew something was bothering him. He recognised the look on Thomas' face, he's seen it too many times.

"Thomas. Just speak to me." Newt whines, Thomas didn't like seeing him like this.

"Why do you care soo much? You don't know me."

Those words tore Newt apart. He didn't even know who he was. He didn't remember anything, for god sake... He didn't remember his own name.

"Still, it's my job to make everyone feel welcome. Just tell me please."

He looks at Newt before sighing, turning to face his way. Newt had missed speaking to him.

"How don't you feel trapped here?... Like you're not even worrying about who's watching us or put us here."

"Tommy... We all worry about this. But we can't just waste all our energy on this constantly." Newt explains, before turning round to face the party.

"Look, they're Runners. They go through the Maze, mapping every second of it. If anyone's gonna find a way out... it's them."

Thomas nods, smiling a bit. Newt laughs, that's the first time he's seen Thomas smile in a long time.

Newt gets up to leave but Thomas grabs his arm, once again making him shiver.

"Hey... Thanks."

"For what, Tommy?"

"Being there when no one else would. You're a good friend, Newt."

Friend. Newt... was a... friend to Thomas. Only a friend. But he wanted to be soo much more.

"Yeah yeah... Don't worry about it."

Newt walks off, his mood changing. He wasn't as happy now. Maybe Thomas coming to the Glade wasn't a good thing.