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thefinal𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉 ...
THE BREEZE WAS cold as it grazed over Ria's exposed skin.
A steadfast glow emitted from the bonfire and illuminated everything around her in an amber lustre. Ria hugged her knees, intertwining her fingers together and letting out a steady breath. A joyous chorus of voices and laughs filled the atmosphere, almost like a backdrop of sound against her attention. She was mildly fascinated by the stars this night; the sky was inky black and clearer than the girl had ever seen it before. It looked as if a handful of iridescent pearls had been tossed into the boundless twilight, shimmering in divine flickers.
It was the welcoming bonfire for the new Greenie, but Ria had grown tired after a couple of hours of socialisation. The thought of crawling beneath her warm blankets and sleeping off the bewildering day was vastly appealing. Her mind flipped back to the new boy himself. Earlier, he'd fought Gally in the Builder's ridiculing wrestling match only to end up on the floor once again. There was something different about him, Ria could sense the curiosity practically radiating off him whenever his vigilant gaze examined his surroundings.
Chuck, Jem and a few other Gladers had conversed with her as they had eaten a hearty meal of beef kebabs and salad, but they seemed more interested in the events of the celebration and the Greenie than sitting in a thoughtful silence. Strangely, Ria didn't mind being by herself in front of the flames like she'd done on her own bonfire. It gave her precious time to think, to try and sort out the scattered thoughts within her mind.
"Hey," a voice offered from above, pulling Ria back to the present.
She looked up doubtfully and her eyes met the inquisitive ones of the Greenie. Ria's lips tugged upwards at the corners, drawing her expression into a soft smile at the restless looking boy.
"Hey, um—" Ria began expectantly, hoping for a name to put to his features.
The boy cleared his throat. "Thomas." he replied. "Can I sit?"
"Thomas," Ria repeated quietly, the name rolling effortlessly her tongue like honey. Why did it come so natural? "'Course."
He sat down, leaving a small space between their bodies. Then, he blew his hot breath into his cupped hands in an attempt to warm them up.
"It's a cold night. It's not normally like this in the Glade." Ria began, eyes fixated on the fire which blazed with a comforting heat. Thomas kicked at the dry earth beneath him before turning his attention to the girl beside him.
