Fervency

CHAPTER: T W E N T Y-FIVE

The two of them ended up sprawled out beneath an apple tree, deep in conversation. The sweet smell of fruit and dandelions wafted through the air, occasionally throwing Elodie's golden locks in separate directions.

"So, who do you think your secret admirer is?" Minho wondered. They sat across from each other, both leaning against a tree trunk.

"Could be anyone" Elodie sighed deeply, before looking up through the leaves. Sun was peeking through, casting soft shadows over them. The sky was turning a vast array of colors. It faded from cerulean to violet, to a deep hot pink.

"Well... It's not Alby and Thomas seems to have a thing for the new Greenie," he scratched his chin in thought. "Hey, maybe it's Winston!" Minho laughed. Elodie rolled her eyes at his comment.

"I don't think he's been that fond of me since I pushed him down"

"Maybe that's what he likes" Minho wriggled his brows.

"STOP!" She shouted. Laughter pooled from her lips as she shook her head. "It could be Frypan..." Elodie hypothesized, "I mean he's blatantly sweet on me."

"Maybe, but I'll tell you one thing-it's definitely NOT Gally."

"REALLY?" She played dumb.

"That attitude of yours makes me forget that we're friends sometimes" Minho crossed his arms. His chocolate eyes lowered to the grassy floor as he thought to himself...

"Wait!" He shouted.

"Oh my god!" Elodie jolted up-right, "you scared the klunk out of me!"

"Who did we forget, Elly?"

"Just about a hundred other people" she remarked.

"C'monnnn" he drawled.

"I don't know" She shrugged.

"We forgot Newt!"

"Yeah right..." Her chin tilted to the side as she struggled to conceal her blush, "don't be ridiculous."

"Hey...are you blushing..?"

"Why would I do something like that?" She crossed her arms like a child, still refusing to meet his eyes.

"You like him, don't you?" he nagged.

"Listen, it's kind of hard to even think about liking people when we're faced with constant life or death situations... don't you think?"

"That is the biggest load of klunk I've ever heard!"

"How are life or death situations an excuse?!"

"Because, you're avoiding my question." He pointed at her.

"For good reason! You know what? Whatever... I don't need to listen to you."

"What are you even so defensive about, Elodie? You are human, right?" he sent her a mischievous expression. "-Waaaait I get it... You're holding something back from us, aren't you?"

"What do you even mean?" Elodie sighed loudly in disgust, sinking further against the tree.

"You really are a sky demon, incapable of feeling."

"Awesome. And you should also write a book while you're at this level of ridiculousness. It might do great things." The two of them burst into laughter.

"Look, even if i did- those types of things get in the way." Elodie's greens hardened, "Besides, I'm sure Newt thinks the same thing. He's second in command, you know? He has to be smart about things." She pointed out, "He doesn't have that kinda time on his hands right now! Especially since Alby's been stung."

"I think you're scared" Minho gibed.

"Of what?" Elodie spat.

"You're scared to admit you have feelings for him. Or that you even have feelings in the first place."

His words dug into her deep. That familiar pain clenched inside her chest at his comment. She abruptly tore her gaze from his.

"Well, then you're right, Minho. I mean why wouldn't I? We don't know why we're here. What if what's outside those walls is even worse?" A frown sent her lips sinking downwards.

Minho measured her expression for a minute and then sighed.

"You're starting to sound like Gally."

"Look, feelings mess up your ability to think straight. I can't have myself fantasizing about that...reaaally" she paused to emphasize, "really nice accent of his while face to face with a griever."

"Oh so it's his accent, huh?" Minho teased.

"It isn't anything, Minho. And if it was something I wouldn't know what it is, okay?" she yelled in defeat.

"You're really bad at this" he rolled his eyes, "I can read you like a book"

"So what if it's easy on the ears? It's dangerous." Minho stared at her knowingly, and she caved.

"Don't say anything"

"Newt~!" He called out.

"Minho! Stop!" Elodie scrambled over to him and pressed a hand over his mouth. Finally he held out his hands in surrender and she uncovered her hands.

"You think I want competition?" He joked, "Really Elly, you're breaking my heart"

"You know, I can help you forget all about Newt if you want"

Elodie sent him a blank expression, but he continued. "C'mon it's not like you haven't already when you were checking me out" Immediately, she crossed her arms and looked away from him.

"You're just substituting one problem for another."

"OH! So all I am to you is just a problem, huh?"

"Minho. That's not what I meant and you know it." she shook her head, unconvinced. A short silence followed and then Minho chimed in. "You know what, Elodie?"

"What?"

"The way you hit me with that spoon really did it for me."

"Oh my god. I'm leaving!"