If There Is A Light

Chapter 11

Newt could not believe how jealous of a person he was. It was hard to admit to himself and especially hard to keep it hidden. Minho had been right... way too right. Only the younger Gladers did not seem to be 'distracted' by her presence. Everyone looked and everyone was way too friendly in Newt's book. Newt, being the laid back guy he was, kept all of his thoughts and comments to himself... there were a few times he really did not want to though.

Like when Matt tried to accompany her on a look at the wooded area of the Glade. Newt's presence seemed to deter him from the walk. He did not really care though, Matt could talk to her later. It had been a one-sided conversation anyhow. It was different with him (he hoped so at least).

It was easy for her to understand Newt. He spoke. She did not, but from the very beginning he had been pretty good at reading her. She had been amazed quite a few times at how he was able to read her thoughts.

"I ain't sure he likes me."

She chuckled. She had only seen her reflection a few times in the lake. She was never amazed with what she saw, but she guessed since there was not many options it did not matter to them. There were several Gladers that she really hit it off with. All of them were nice, but there were some of them that seemed genuinely interested in her as a person rather than her gender. Unfortunately Matt did not seem to be one of them. Newt was.

A simple shrug was her reply. She liked Matt for the most part. She did not really know him. Nothing against him, but she preferred Newt's company anyways.

"Ah well... feel at home yet?"

It was a weird feeling. How could you feel at home, when the only memory she possessed was her name? Five letters strung together. She was raised up in a crate into a place where no one knew more than a name. She spent her days working in the hot sun and then slept outside in a hammock. She looked up at Newt (he was a good bit taller than her) with a smile and nodded. It was odd and she could not explain it, but her answer was honest.

He returned the smile. He was glad. He could deal with his petty jealousy, but he was not sure he would know how to handle her not adjusting. He knew it would take a little time to happen completely, but he was happy to hear it was in progress. He stopped briefly and bent down to pick something up.

A pink tint spread across her nose and cheeks as she gratefully took what Newt offered: a small yellow and white wildflower.