The Rebel •Newt TMR• HIATUS

23: The Relationship

Some of the Gladers grew bored of waiting for Thomas and Teresa, and decided to head off to work. Gally, Frypan, Newt, Minho, Chuck and Winston remained next to me as we all stared up at the tower. Newt's hand found it's way to my shoulder, gently squeezing to try to relieve me of my stress.

"What's going on up there?" Gally shouted impatiently, his hands on his hips. Thomas' figure popped up near the railing of the tower, his brown eyes stared down at us.

"Is she coming down?" Newt called from beside me, squinting against the harsh sunlight. I admired his messy tufts of blonde hair for a moment before returning my gaze to the tower.

"Um..." The brunette trailed off, glancing behind him to look at Teresa. "Hey, listen, you guys just give us a second, okay?"

Gally huffed, shaking his head. Newt began directing us all way. He placed his hand on the small of my back, pulling me along with him.

"Is this what girls are like? Man, Cassie never acted like this." I heard Frypan say as we walked away. My chin tilted up in a proud manner.

"Hey, are you alright?" Newt whispered to me, "I know you have a past with her and all." I gave him a reassuring smile, nodding slightly. The Glader watched me carefully, his dark brown eyes sparkling against the sun. I noticed his gaze flicker to my lips and then back to my eyes, his teeth tugging at his bottom lip as he broke eye contact.

An amused smirk grew on my face as I leaned over and pecked his cheek. Newt turned a bright pink color as he blinked rapidly. He sighed, stopping dead in his tracks. I raised my brows, stopping in front of him.

"I like you, a lot, ya know?" I grinned, my cheeks began heating up. "I just need to know... Do you feel the same? Because I really, really don't want to be dragged along thinking this is something special if it isn't." I raised my hand and gently cupped his cheek. Newt leaned into my touch, a small smile appeared on his face. Pulling him closer, I allowed my lips to collide with his. I hadn't realized until now, that I had been craving this kiss since the time in the Deadheads.

"I. Don't want. Someone to steal you. Away from me." Newt mumbled in between kisses. He finally pulled away, leaning his forehead against mine. "Be mine?"

Those simple words would have rendered me speechless if possible, but instead they made my breath hitch. My eyes fluttered close in thought.

This is the boy I've been interested in since I got here. There is no way I'd let him get away.

I pressed my lips against his briefly before nodding. Newt broke into a huge grin, his arms flew around my waist and pulled me into a secure embrace that caused butterflies to erupt in my stomach.

"Hey! Get a room you two!" Gally yelled, smirking at us from across the Glade. The blonde chuckled, nuzzling his face into my neck in embarrassment. I simply stuck my middle finger up at Gally, who copied me in return before walking into the Homestead. My attention returned to Newt, who had pulled away from the hug and reached out to press my finger down in disapproval.

"Lunch time slintheads!" Minho called, gesturing us to come over. The two of us walked to the Homestead, hands together and fingers intertwined.

———

It was nightfall in the Glade, the torches and moonlight lit up the fields beautifully as I headed to the Med-Jack's hut. I had been lying in my hammock, ready to turn in for the night, when Thomas came jogging into the room and told me everything.

Apparently Teresa had been sent up with more of the same vials of cure that had been in the box when I arrived.

I followed Thomas into the hut, joining Newt, Teresa, Clint and Jeff, who were standing around Alby's gasping form. I chose to stand beside Newt, closest to Alby and about as far away from Teresa that I could get.

"We don't even know if this is the same stuff. We don't know who sent it, or why it came up here with you. I mean, for all we know, this thing could kill him." Newt stated, his British accent was soft and filled with uncertainty. I nodded in agreement, brushing my auburn hair away from my face.

"He's already dying. Look at him." Thomas gestured to the dark-skinned Glader. Newt glanced at our leader on the bed. "How could this possibly make it any worse?"

'It could prove that your girlfriend is meant to be against us, therefore she's the enemy which means I will kill her.' I held up the notebook to show them my opinion on the matter. Teresa took a small step behind Thomas, her eyes widening slightly.

"Where did you get that notebook? Why does it look so familiar?" Teresa questioned in confusion. The boys all examined my expression and the book in my hands as I wrote my reply.

'I knew you'd recognize it. Who else would send a note with me in the box saying I'm dangerous? I'm telling you guys, she is one of them.' Newt frowned, looking back at the brunette girl. His jaw was clenched and he stepped ever so slightly in front of me as if to protect me.

"We don't know if that's true!" Thomas argued, even though he was aware of the memories I had gained. "Come on, it's worth a try." We all stared at Alby's twitching body, dark purple and black veins sprawled across his chest, arms and neck.

"Alright." The blonde paused, glancing at Thomas, "do it."

Thomas slid past me to get to Alby's side, the syringe in his hand was now directed in the center of Alby's chest. He seemed to hesitate, and our leader's grunting became louder. I knew this wasn't going to end well.

Suddenly, Alby grabbed a fistful of Thomas' shirt and pulled him too close for comfort. The brunette let out a startled yell as Alby began speaking in a raspy voice.

"You shouldn't be here! You shouldn't be here! No!" The boy shouted angrily. The six of us ran to Thomas' aid, tugging him out of Alby's grip. I held down one of Alby's wrists while Jeff restrained the other.

"Get the syringe!" Thomas demanded. Teresa pushed everyone back and stabbed Alby in the chest, allowing the fluid to absorb into him. The boy was out cold in seconds, and we all backed away in shock, panting heavily.

"Well, that worked." Jeff commented.

"Okay, from now on, someone stays here and watches him around the clock." Newt ordered as I moved my hand to move his fluffy hair back in place. He gave me a small smile as Gally appeared in the doorway.

"Hey. Sundown, Greenie. Time to go." The tall Glader stated, looking at Thomas.

Why does he still call him that?

The rest of us stood in silence for a while, watching Alby's chest move up and down with each ragged breath. I finally signalled to Newt that we should get to bed and he nodded in agreement, following me out of the hut.

"Do you think he'll be okay?" Newt asked as we entered the Homestead. I shrugged, grabbing one of Newt's shirts and stripping from my work one. The other boys were asleep and no one was turned facing this way. Newt's brown eyes scanned my torso thoroughly before he took off his top and sat on my hammock. I tilted my head with a smirk and climbed onto the hammock after changing.

We lied down, his arm wrapped around my waist, holding me against his side. I gave him a peck as if to say 'goodnight', and then laid my cheek against his chest and allowed my eyes to flutter closed.

"Sweet dreams, Cas." I heard Newt whisper into my ear, but what was strange was that a different voice spoke in my head a few moments later...

'Goodnight, sis...'