Girls of the Glade

I Hurt My Pinkie :(

The next two weeks were busy between trying job after job. Some I did great at, others were just plain embarrassing. I learned that I can't chop animals (which I am proud to suck at that), I can't do shuck with a hammer, and no way will I ever be a Runner because I am really slow. To be fair, I didn't really want to be  Runner. I was good at being a track-hoe, I worked great with Newt. Jo and I also did great together as Medjacks. I was a pretty good cook in the kitchen though and to be honest, I think that was my favorite job. As much as I loved working with Newt and Jo, I just loved cooking. But, it's not up to me. They were having a Gathering later today about where I would be going. So long as I wasn't a Bagger, Slicer, Builder, Runner, or Slopper, I would be fine.

Jo sat with me in the Homestead while the gathering was going on. Jo was easily my best gal friend. We just clicked really well. We had similar humor and style and just got along really well. We shared the bed in our room while Tees and Ames took hammocks. She was currently telling me about what she and Minho did on their date last night when Alby came out and told me to come in. I stood up and Jo squeezed my hand.

I walked in and saw all the Keepers sitting in a circle. I glanced at Newt and he smiled encouragingly and Minho winked at me when I looked at him. I stuck my tongue out at him causing him to chuckle. Being best friends with Jo made me close friends with Minho as well. 

"So, y/n" Alby said drawing my attention to him. "The Keepers had a nice long discussion on where you should be. Some really wanted you. It has been decided that you are going to be a Medjack. Clint said you did great and Jeff said he heard a lot of praise coming from Jo as well. Congratulations."

The Keepers applauded and I smiled. I was hoping to be a cook but being a Medjack would be lots of fun. I could spend my days with Jo. I walked over to Clint and Jeff who hugged me and said welcome to the Medjack team. I turned around and saw Newt, Minho, and Jo waiting for me. She must have heard the applause and came in.

"Yaaaaay!" they cheered as I came up to hug them. I hugged Jo first.

"I'm so gad that we get to work together." Then Minho.

"Congrats you shank." Then Newt. I hugged him different though. Jo and I do like the girl hug, Minho and I do the one arm up the other down, but with Newt I stand on my tiptoes and reach my arms over and he goes under grabbing my waist.

"You'll do great there. I know it." He whispered into my ear like it was a secret.

After that we all went and got dinner. I told Amy and Tees and Tommy my job and they congratulated me. Then it was time to go to bed. Tomorrow would be my first real day in the Glade since coming here. I fell asleep with a smile on my face. I wish my stupid repetitive dream wouldn't have come so I could stay that way. 

I started the next day restless as I did ever since I came to the Glade. But I smiled. I never let anyone know I had a haunting nightmare every night. Not even Jo knew. Well, she comforted me the first time I had it but I never bugged her with it again. Jo and I went to breakfast then to work. We patched up one of the slicers hands and helped a builder who hammered his own hand accidently. Pretty chill day. Jo and I were talking when Newt came limping in. 

"Sorry, I... um... was working when I got a splinter in my pinkie from the hoe," he said looking embarrassed.

"That's cool Newt," Jo laughed. "Well Clint and Jeff are dealing with a Bagger who has a fever and this is really a one man job so I will go help them out."

"Oh... ok." I said. Jo tried to set up me and Newt alone a LOT. the girl was worse than Amy who spoke her mind too much.

I went to the shelf and took out a light and some tweezers. I went to Newt who had plopped himself on the bed and shone the light on his injured finger. I saw the Splinter poking out but something was off. It was sticking straight out like a pole from the ground. Splinters go under the skin. I pulled the thing out without any difficulty. 

"There you go. All better," I said putting his hand down.

"You have really soft hands," Newt chuckled.

"Thanks. You have really rough hands. Probably from holding the hoe all day."

"Ya those bloody hoes are hard and rough."

We chuckled softly. I was looking down but when I looked up he was staring at me with such intensity into my eyes. I was looking back at his eyes. Soft brown, sad eyes despite the smile he was always wearing. 

"Umm... I best be off. Goodbye... y/n."

Jo came in as he left. Boy that boy has a high fever. He isn't looking too well. How was Newt?"

"Oh he was fine. I noticed something odd though. The splinter wasn't dug under the skin. It was sticking straight out of his pinkie."

"Huh? OMGOODNESS! Maybe he did that on purpose to come and see you at work!"

"Don't be ridiculous," I tried to change the subject a bit. "Ever notice the sadness in newt's eyes? I always find it so weird cause he's always smiling you know?"

"He's always what?"
"Smiling. You know.." I flash a smile at her.
"No he's not. He always looks sad or serious."
"What are you talking about? He is always smiling and laughing."
"Honey I think you're confused. He almost never smiles. I think he only smiles when he's with you."
"Oh," I nodded breaking into a small smile myself.