Hope for Us (NEWT) [COMPLETED]

Ch 22 - Alby's Warning

~Sara~

Once they reached the end of the deadheads, where the light still seeped through the trees, Newt made them both stop for a moment. Right before they went back into the open of the Glade, he quickly leaned down to peck her cheek.

She giggled as he did so, and she fully turned her head to peck his lips.

"Do you think we should tell anyone? You know... about us?" He asked suddenly.

Sara hadn't really thought about what that could bring. She didn't think she wanted to tell Minho or Chuck; they'd be bothering her and Newt without mercy. And none of the others really cared anyway.

"Um, I don't know. Do you think maybe Alby should know?" she asked.

"Know what?"

Both Newt and Sara jumped in surprise at the sound of the leader's booming voice. People sneaking into her private conversations wasn't something that brought her happy memories, starting with Janson.

"A—Alby," Newt stuttered.

Alby's eyes bounced back and forth between the two. "What were you two doing in the deadheads?" He then faced only Newt. "I was looking for ya. We were supposed to release the Runners, and I had to do it myself." Then, Alby pointed at Sara. "And you belong in the gardens."

Sara grinned innocently. "Uh—yeah, we're just... discussing a few things about the gardens, and kinda stopped to find the best spot for digging fertilizer."

Alby stared blankly at the two of them, clearly not believing a single word.

He gasped. "Were you two—?"

"No!" Newt and Sara shouted at the same time, and he squinted his eyes with disbelief.

"Alby, we only kissed. Calm down," Newt said, grunting as Sara jabbed him in the ribs.

Surprisingly, Alby snorted out a laugh. "Newt, man, out of every klunk-head out here, you're the last one I imagined would get a girlfriend. And you two hated each other, what the shuck?"

Sara nodded knowingly. "Well, we just talked about that, huh Newt?" She wrapped an arm around Newt's waist and looked up at his face with a smug smile.

"Yah, we did," Newt agreed whilst wrapping his arm around Sara's shoulders.

Alby simply blinked back at them. "Unbelievable. Look, just... well, I'd suggest you guys keep this..." he gestured to both of them, "...a secret from everyone else. Don't be all lovey-dovey in front of those shanks."

"But would you still let us be together?" Sara asked timidly.

Alby shrugged. "Do whatever. I ain't getting myself into that klunk. All I'm saying is, keep it a secret. We've got enough with you being hated by almost—if not—the entire Glade," he said, and Sara had to agree. Then Alby looked at Newt. "And you'll lose authority over the Gladers if they find out you hooked up with the last person they trust."

Sara got offended. First of all, he didn't 'hook up' with her. Second, she didn't give a loving klunk about what the others thought of her anymore. It was upsetting that Newt was the one who'd be affected for being with her. He was still the Second-in-Command, and although it pained Sara to think she'd damage his reputation, Alby had a point.

Yet Newt didn't seem to agree. "Alby, that's not— 'hooked up?' Are you serious? And it shouldn't bloody matter to anyone. It's not her fault."

Alby raised his hands in defense. "I'm only telling you what I think is best 'cause I appreciate you, Newt. You're trustworthy, smart, you're the voice of reason here, and you're my friend."