Mary: The First Girl

12

I woke up at the before the sun was up. The clock read a quarter to five. And so, hoping to avoid any gladers, I hit the showers. Then, I got dressed in jeans and a black T-shirt, and combed my dark, thick hair out once again pulling it into a pony tail, in silence as Newt slept. 

Then, in silence, I began a new tradition. I started doing sit-ups beside the bed, easily two hundred, far away from Newt. I didn't even break a sweat.  Followed by fifty pushups, all I could handle yet. By the time I had finished, the sun was rising, and Newt began to wake up. 

I didn't have anything to do. And I didn't think it would be smart to leave. So, I sat on the bed and stared out the window, watching the sunrise. 

And slowly, Newt got up. I glanced over as he stretched, noticing his messy hair first. 

He smiled up at me, "Morning, Greenie. How long have you been up?" 

I shrugged, "A few hours." 

He looked surprised, "Why the bloody hell would you do that?" 

I shrugged again, and looked back out the window. The maze wasn't open yet, but the screeching had begun. I made out the figures of a few boys at the entrance, clad in gear and running clothes, just as I had suspected. They were runners. 

Judging by Newts drawings, their job seemed pretty damn hopeless. But runners nonetheless.

He shook his head, "Just let me get dressed and we can go down for breakfast, Mary."

He took about ten minutes, and came back dressed exactly as he was the day before. 

And so, we headed down. When we reached the door, Newt wrapped his arm around my waist, and nearly his entire demeanor changed. I tried to ignore it, and looked up at him, asking as many questions as I had the day before, only growing quiet as we approached the pavalian. 

When he opened the door, I was immediately met with catcalls, and suggestive smiles, whereas Newt was met with cheers. He grinned at them all, shaking his head, before leading me over to the line. 

I was still starved, but it seemed like no matter how hungry I was, the others would be hungrier. I grabbed a spoonful of scrambled eggs, a slice of toast, a spoonful of berries, a couple carrots, and a glass of water. But Newt piles his plate high with everything there was to offer: eggs, toast, bacon, fruit, vegetables, and pancakes. 

I laughed when I saw him reach for the waffle at the end and looked over at me confused. 

"What?" He asked, and I shook my head. It wasn't all that funny. 

Nor where the jokes that rang about. 

After the line, he led me over to a table near the back with Alby and a few boys I didn't know. I saw Chuck out of the corner of my eye. 

"Hey, I'll be right back!" I told him, and twisted away from his grip to talk to Chuck. Newt nodded, and let me go. 

"Mary!" He greeted me excitedly. "Morning Mary! Hm that's funny. M, M. Anyway, how are ya...Greenie?" I smiled down at the boy and laughed at his bad joke. 

"I'm good, Chuck. How are you?" I asked. 

He glanced around, making sure no one was listening. It seemed the only the that could distract these boys more than my body was my food. I was grateful in that moment. 

"Are you sure? Newt didn't, uh, you know? Alex was telling me last night what would probably happen." He blushed, and my heart melted. 

"No, don't worry about me Chuck. He wouldn't. Listen, I need you're help with something later, okay? Can we talk at dinner?" I asked, glancing around. 

"Sure! See you later!" And with that, he bounded over to his table, shaking his tray as he went. I shook my head, and walked back over to Newt's table, ignoring the yells around me. 

Carefully, not wanting to interrupt, I slid into the only seat left, between Newt and Alby.

It seemed like they were talking about me, but the laughing ceases when I approached the table. 

I didn't look up. Instead, I fixed my eyes on my plate, and devoured me food, preparing for the day to come.