Second Time Around // Newt x Reader

27

(A/N: Wow. This looks so cool on an IPad. Sorry if there are any spelling errors. Writing on an IPad is difficult.)

You all sat in a circle on the floor, not trusting outside enough to move the chairs from barricading the door. River had thought herself to sleep at some point and was lazily hanging from Minho. How he was keeping a hold on her, you had no idea. But it was Minho for god's sake, no one knows how he does anything - especially his hair. It defies gravity. You need to find out what he uses.

"- should just stay," Gally was saying.

"We are not doing this again, Gally," Minho said, quietly so he didn't wake River. Like I said, demonic, that child, really.

Newt, from beside you, gave Gally a look that shut him up quick. He wouldn't let you do anything alone. It's been three hours and nothing's happened, but "Anything could happen at any time."

"It's either that or wing it," Gally defended. "Pick yours,"

"We could die either way," Alby said, helpfully making you feel guilty, which confused you to some extent.

"Very up-lifting," Minho smiled sarcastically.

"Well, if we stay, it's certain death," Thomas countered.

"Same to leaving," Gally exclaimed.

"Not necessarily," You spoke up, resting your head in your hand, trying to seem less scared then you were. You could tell that everyone else was doing the same. "Knowing my . . . mother" Still not used to calling her that. "-she will probably wait until we're actually through the door before tormenting us with guns and explosives. She'll most likely send dogs. Splitting us up is essential to killing us all. It'll be harder if we stay together, since the people in front will somehow try and block the people in back, so they could run away,"

The guys stared at you, gaping at you.

"So everything I was originally planning isn't going to work?" Alby asked. You've never seen him so defeated.

You smiled sadly, "Sorry. . ."

"So, we change everything," Alby said, picking up a rock. He used the rock to draw ten circles, one for each of you. The smallest one, you guessed, represented River, it was practically over lapping another circle - which could be anybody since River was close to everyone here. "This is just a precaution, just in case we get split up, stay in groups. River stays with (Y/N), Newt, and Minho. Thomas, Chuck, and Gally; if you fight at all, I will find you and make your life miserable. Even if I die, I will haunt your asses," Alby said, half-joking. But you could detect the serious tone underlying it.

"He practically is already," Chuck whispered to you. You burst into a fit of giggles, holding a hand over your mouth quickly proved useless.

You playfully slapped his shoulder. "Chuck!" You said, still laughing like it was the funniest thing you've ever heard. "That shouldn't be funny!" You continued laughing, even though you didn't have a reason to. Newt dipped his chin and held the back of his scarred hand to his mouth, a small giggle escaping him before he could prevent it. Soon, Minho, Thomas, Gally, and Winston had joined in. Gabi and Teresa weren't doing such a good job of covering their chuckles. Alby and Frypan were trying to press their lips in a straight line, which - as you could imagine - didn't go as they planned and they ended up bursting with laughter. You all sat there laughing for a solid five minutes. That much needed laugh managed to put a smile on everyone's face, even if temporarily, it meant everything at the moment.

"Okay, okay-" Alby tried calming everyone. Slowly, everyone pulled themselves together. You were sure everyone besides you and Chuck had no idea what they were laughing at. Silently, you thanked Chuck for still being the positive little kid he was. It was cool how he managed to stay that way, especially after literally dying and coming back to life.

"So," Alby continued after he had everyone's attention, "Gally, the girls, and myself will stay together,"

"I can't believe you're making us use the buddy system," Gally scoffed. "Slintheads,"

"Would you rather be eaten or go through insufferable, unimaginable pain?" Newt asked, a smug look on his face.

"In which way is the 'buddy system' going to help us?"

"In a lot of ways actually," You were really getting tired of this. "If you would shut up and listen for once you would know,"

"Is the princess trying to be tough?" Gally asked, making Gabi laugh.

"Shut up, Gally,"

"Why should he?" Gabi barged in, leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms. "It's not like he did anything wrong,"

"Shut up, Gabi," You threw a glare her way.

Gabi laughed.

"As I was saying," Alby said in a stern voice, the glare he sent them said 'One more word and your going in the Pit. If you could make it,' You didn't want to mess with him on his bad days. "The 'buddy system' is going to happen and I ain't listening to complaints,"

"So that's only for if we get split up," Thomas confirmed. "If we do get split up, where do we regroup?"

"The safest place in WCKD maybe?" Newt suggested.

"That would be the lab. It's in the back of the building. I use to-" You started but Gabi cut you off.

"I use to beat the shit out of you," Gabi said, a smug smile splitting her face.

"If I do recall correctly," You pointed out, pretty annoyed with Gabi now. "I was the one to break four knuckles almost smashing your face in. I can demonstrate if they want to see," That seemed to shut Gabi up fast enough.

"Okay," Minho said slowly. "What else should we know about you two?"

"I grew up getting tormented by my mother and Gabi, not getting a break. Then it only got worse when I was sent here and jumped," You explained, not seeming interested in this conversation any more.

"And I grew up torturing her because it was fun and she was weak. Plus she was the only one around," Gabi always seems to brighten up when she starts talk about herself. "Then they started bringing you guys in and you all drifted over to her, leaving me behind. I got mad so I would always make things turn out the wrong way for her. Her life was - or is - terrible and I thought I would help her mom ruin her. I didn't exactly know that her mom was the head of WCKD until just recently. But now," Gabi laughed, "Now, I have so much blackmail to use. She's gonna dig her own grave with what I tell everybody,"

You had been staring at your lap the whole time, but now, when you looked up, you could say you have never seen more disgusted faces in one room. At first, your heart dropped, thinking that those feelings were aimed at you.

It was absolutely horrifying when Newt turned to you. The look on his face was a mix between disgust and confusion. "And that's true?"

You could only nod. You couldn't meet his eyes. Guilt was overwhelming you, slowly sucking you deeper and deeper into a hell you had suffered through most of your life. Nothing hurt worse then losing your friends. Your family. Everything. Now you know what it feels like.

After a moment of holding back tears and regretting everything, wanting to take it back, something happened. It was a big light in the hell you were in, a small brush of skin in reality. You didn't understand why it was happening, but you couldn't believe it was. It all seemed so foreign to you. Newt's arm around your waist, pulling you closer - almost protectively. Chuck and Thomas moving in closer. Minho tightening his grip on sleeping River. Everyone, including Gally even, scooting closer to you and away from Gabi. Their eyes never leaving Gabi. Teresa was the only one who stayed with Gabi.

I thought you guys hated me, You thought, letting everyone who could hear it, hear it.

That's one thing that could never happen, Newt thought.

Thank god.