The Box

Chapter 3

Piper's P.O.V

I open my eyes and see Toria lying next to me, peaceful in her sleep. I get up and shake her shoulder.
"Huh?" She first looks startled, then smiles. "Oh it's just you. Who am I kidding, get away from me!" She gets up and links her arm with mine and we walk towards the kitchen.
"Hey, Newt. We were just gonna go get some breakfast wanna come?" She links arms with him as well and bites her lip.
She's such a flirt. Does she think flirting is gonna get her through every problem in the Glade? I surprise myself. Why do I care? I'm not....jealous am I? I brush away the thought and focus on Newt and Toria's mindless chatter.
"What's it like being the only two girls in the Glade?" I shrug.
"Fine, I guess. We get special treatment." Newt rolls his eyes. He knows that all too well.
"It's great, actually. There's some really cute guys here." I can't help but notice she pulls him closer, her hip brushing against his.
We arrive at the kitchen and I rush ahead of Newt and Toria. I grab the eggs and bacon Frypan laid out for me and ignore his awkward wink.
I sit down at our normal spot and watch as Newt and Toria grab their good. Newt sits down next to me. Outside, I don't acknowledge the fact that Newt puts his arm around me, or the pouty look on Toria's face, but inside fireworks go off.
Why fireworks? I roll my eyes. I do NOT like Newt.
"What's your plan for today, ladies?" I shrug and shove a forkful of eggs into my mouth, hoping Toria gets my hint. I want her to talk.
She gets it. "I don't know. Other than Piper, here, you're my only friend, what are you doing?"
"I have to work." Toria pouts again. Flirting comes so naturally to her. I try to imitate her actions, but come out like a dork. I ruffle my hair and bat my eyelashes and Newt. He blushes and gives a small smile.
He looks between Toria and I. "I guess I can try to get out of it." Toria smiles brightly and grabs his hand, pulling him out of the chair. His arm slips off my shoulder.
"C'mon!" Toria dashes out of the kitchen with Newt and I in tow. Once we are out of the kitchen, she slows down and links arms with Newt again, me on his other side. He slides his arm around my waist, causing me to shiver despite the warmth of the glade.
"Tor!! Where're you taking us?" Toria just smiles and keeps walking.
"Seriously? Okay, fine, if you want to be antisocial."
He pulls his other arm away from Toria and links his fingers behind my back. I look up at him and smile shyly. Damn. Why does he have to be so tall? And cute! He smiles back widely.
"Just come on!" She tugs Newt away from me, and I try to hide the disappointment in my eyes.
Keeping one arm warmly draped around my waist, he follows Toria to my place deep in the deadheads.
"Woah. This place is amazing. How'd you find this, Tor?" She puts her hands on her hips and looks over to me.
"I didn't. She did." Newt looks at me with wide eyes.
"It's so beautiful!" He picks up a fat stone and tosses it into the pond effortlessly. It splashes water onto Toria and she squeals. We all laugh, until we hear yelling.
"ALBY! YOU BETTER GET YOUR BLOODY ASS HERE WITH SOME WATER OR ELSE I FEED YOU TO THE SHUCKIN' GREIVERS! WHERE IS THAT SHANK?"
We run over to him.
"What the bloody hell happened out there?" Minho looks insane, dripping with sweat, yet laughing.
"I'll answer once you get me some water, you shuck-head." Just then, Alby runs from the Homestead and gives Minho a large jug of water.
"You better have a good reason for coming back early and smack-mouthing your leader."
Minho rolls his eyes, and then the crazed smile returns.
"I found a dead one." Disbelief fills Alby's face. Then, his scowl returns.
"Rest of the day off. Tomorrow, you come with me and we investigate."
Newt takes Minho by the arm. ."C'mon, man. There's fun to be had!"
Newt runs towards the deadheads with Minho in two and, even with his limp, us struggling to catch up.
"What can we do here that's 'fun'? Stare at each other?" Newt rolls his eyes.
Toria speaks up. "Speaking of staring at each other, don't you guys ever wonder what you look like?" Minho gently grabs her face.
"You have really long, curly, blonde hair. Blue eyes. Skinny. What about me?"
She carefully takes his face in her hands and he had done. "You have jet black, somewhat messy,hair. Dark brown eyes. Well built."
She lets go, and Minho doesn't hide his disappointment I as had.
From behind me, I feel Newt gently tilting my face towards him.
"Piper, you have black hair, straight, chin-length. Pale." He leans in closer and butterflies fill my stomach as I feel his breath on my lips.
"You have dark green eyes. Pretty," he smiles, and keeps hold on my face. He doesn't let go, I don't pull away.
"Woah. Gross. Quit it with the lovefest. Newt and I are going for a walk. Meet you back here in a bit."
He tugs Newt off the ground and pushes him deeper into the deadheads.
Toria scooches into Newt's spot and smiles at me, eyes ecstatic.
"You said you didn't like anyone!" I raise an eyebrow and laugh, trying to hide the truth.
"What? I don't." She rolls her eyes and starts listening on her fingers.
"The little lovefest right there. The way he drapes his arm around your waist. The way you learned how to flirt and used him as your first subject. The way he looks at you when you aren't looking back." I smile, then wipe it away. I don't like Newt!
"That!!!!! You and Newt like each other."
I retort. "What about you and Minho? It's about as plain as the fact that we're the only girls in the Glade." She gets up and walks to the other side of the pond. Picking up a huge stone, she snickers and drops it into the pool.
Water splashes onto me and I laugh, splashing back at her. Just then, Newt and Minho return.
"You ladies hungry? We skipped lunch, might want some dinner." I get up and walk towards them. Newt slips his arm around my waist and I smile up at him.
Minho, quite literally may I add, steps between us.
"This lovefest is really obnoxious. You know what? Let kids be kids. Just don't get her pregnant, Newt."
Newts face reddens, as does mine.
"There's no lovefest and she's certainly not getting pregnant. We're just friends. Right Piper?" I nod, yelling at myself inside for wishing we could be something more.
He rolls his eyes and the four of us walk towards the kitchen. When we get inside, I grab a plate with a makeshift sandwich on it. How hard is it really to make a roast beef sandwich?
I sit down at our table and eat in silence, listening to the dull chatter.
"I'm tired. I think I'm gonna sleep after dinner." Minho, Newt, and I look at Toria in surprise.
"No, you can't do that. We need to have more fun in that little clearing." Minho protests.
"But I'm so tired." Minho rolls his eyes, mocking her.
"But you're so tired, my ass. We're gonna hang in that clearing."
"I'm gonna sleep in that clearing." Toria takes another bite of her food, finalizing it. Or so I thought.
"Then Newt and I are sleeping in that clearing and we'll wake you up early to annoy you." Toria shrugs and puts her food back on the counter.
"Okay. Works for me." I get up and also put my food back, not sitting back down like Toria had, headed straight for the deadheads.
I reach the clearing and cup water in my hands, splash it onto my face. I can't handle another night with Newt, my FRIEND.
They come into the clearing and I lay down on the edge, my back facing them. It's dark in the Glade and I find it easy to fall asleep.
But, as I am on the verge of sleep; I hear rustling. I stay still and then feel someone lie next to me.
He lays his arm over me, pulling me close. He presses his lips to my hair.
"I lied earlier. I only wish you knew that. You're not just my friend." He thinks I'm asleep, so I don't respond, and when I finally do drift off, it's with a smile lingering on my face.