Fervency

CHAPTER: E I G H T

"Yeah?!" she shouted, "prove it!"

"Take Gally's juice!"

"What?!" he wrinkled his face in disgust. "Listen, I'm not sure I know what you mean by that." The gladers laughed in response.

"You know exactly what I mean" She looked him firm in the eyes.

"You think I wanna stoop to your level?"

"What's wrong with my level, shank?"

"Okay, you really need a time out."

"Come and get me!" She yelled, darting the other way.

"Oh no..." Newt covered his mouth. At first, she made good distance ahead of the runner, until she tripped over a log. Her head went smack down on the ground, knocking her out cold.

Moments later, her lashes fluttered open. She discovered several gladers looking down at her, until Clint came over and cleared them out.

"Give her space!" He directed.

"Can you sit up?" he asked. Elodie squeezed her eyes shut and then gave him a small nod. Once she was sat up, he flashed a light in her eyes.

"She okay?" Alby worried.

"She might have a concussion." Clint replied, "just have someone monitor her tonight."

"Can you stand?" Minho knelt down and helped her to her feet. She nodded again and stammered forward, quickly losing balance and knocking into Newt.

"Woah there. Easy, Elle." he caught her, steadying her up right. She leaned forward for a moment, scanning his expression from top to bottom. Suddenly his expression changed from concerned to a deer in the headlights. A red blush stung at his cheeks under her observation. Laughter bubbled from her lips at his reaction and then she apologized.

"You took quite the stumble." Newt shyly broke eye contact, "I warned you about the special Cider."

"Oh, so this is your fault" Minho approached the two.

"Shut up Minho." she went in to playfully smack his chest, but instead misjudged his closeness and stumbled forward once more.

"Careful!" Minho laughed, catching her before she hit the ground.

"You think I need your help?" She narrowed her eyes and Minho and then back over to Newt. "Then you're right. Because I do."

"Why don't I get you some water?" Newt volunteered.

"Good idea" Minho agreed, "we'll meet you in the kitchen."

"Come on, let's get you hydrated." he pulled her up, leading her forward a couple steps.

"Why are you trying to feed me water?" She slurred, "the only thing I drink is cider."

"How's that working out for you?"

"Greeaat" she drawled, giggling soon after.

"Almost there" Minho grunted, re-situating her arm around him. Finally, they arrived and slowly- he lowered her into a seat. Newt met him with a glass of water.

"Try some of this" he sat beside her and brought the straw to her lips. For a moment she pursed her lips in contemplation and then she decided to take a drink.

"Whaat was that?" he hummed, "One more." Instead of taking another drink, she proceeded to blow bubbles in the water. Newt sighed and gave her full reign of the cup.