What If | tmr, newt ✓

Chapter 13

Minho wouldn't shut up.

Once he had caught up to us, he cheered, only drawing the attention of more gladers. I was embarrassed, but at the same time ecstatic as I buried my face into Newt's chest, smiling.

"You have brought this upon yourself," Minho jeered.

"You're like an annoying younger brother."

"Hate to break it to you, but I do believe I'm older than you, little Falcon."

"That doesn't make you any less annoying." I kick my leg out, trying to trip him up, but he dodges, laughing as he makes his way back to the Map Room.

"I should probably go help," I say to Newt, torn between following or not.

"You should. That shank won't last a second without your help."

I smile, standing on my tip-toes and kissing his forehead. "See you later," I say, before running off with a massive grin on my face to the Map Room.

I had barely opened the door when Minho came barreling at me from the side, tackling me into another bear hug. I let out a mixture of an excited laugh and worried scream.

"You two are shucking adorable," he says, squeezing me tighter.

"Minho, I, can't, breathe," I gasp.

"Sorry, little Falcon. I'm just happy for you. Now come over here and help me with these Maps - I've already forgotten the first turn."

***

Turns out - with such a small space and nowhere else for anyone to go - word travels quickly in the Glade.

By dinner, we had been receiving some strange looks, and by night-time anyone who didn't know must have been living on their own planet. I sat in between Minho and Newt the whole evening, both of whom were grinning stupidly, and I felt safe knowing nobody could touch me with them beside me. Shivering slightly, I curl into Newt's side, and he wraps his arm around my shoulders. I knew what the gesture meant. You're mine, and I'm never letting you go.

I can't help but start singing again. It's not the sound of my voice that surprises me, but rather the lyrics.

Your touch is sunlight through the trees, your kisses are the ocean breeze, everything's alright when you're with me.

I see the whole world in your eyes, it's like I've known you all my life... we just feel so right.

I don't even have to ask Newt to carry me back to my hammock as I slowly drift away.

***

I wake up the next morning just before the alarm of the doors feeling... alive. There was no other way to put it. I don't think twice before getting up out of bed and heading to the kitchen area to see the Runners off.

The Glade is just coming to life as I walk. I notice for the first time how green the grass is even though it never rains, and how leaves fall from the trees even though there's no seasons.

When I reach the table that all four of the Runners are sitting at, I shuffle in next to Ben, who pats me on the back, and opposite Minho, who still won't stop smiling. I kick him under the table for good measure.

"Calm down, little Falcon. Don't forget the rules or I'll have to report you to Alby."

"Not if he's not awake, you can't."

Minho just shakes his head at me, smirking, before clearing away at the sound of the doors opening. I say a quick goodbye to the other Runners before following him to the door we entered just yesterday.

"Where's Newt?"

"I thought you might ask that."

I sigh. "Just tell me already?"

"He went off into the Deadheads, like the usual grump he is. I don't know why you like him. You'd have done a lot better with someone like me."

I glare at him. "Because, unlike someone else I know, he has a brain. And a heart. And a sense of morality. Oh, yeah, and a nice body."

Minho frowns. "Are you telling me that after running this shuck place for nearly two years I'm not fit? I don't believe that for a second."

I laugh at him. He was right: he most definitely was fit. Not that I would ever admit it... he was too proud for his own good, and I wouldn't want him to think I thought of him in that way. "Good luck out there today."

"Trust me, I don't need it," he replies, before taking off into the Maze.

I decide to go and find Newt. He had to stop disappearing! And especially into those goddamned woods.

When I find him, lying on the ground, arms under his head and staring up at the sky, he looks so peaceful. He doesn't deserve to be stuck here. In that moment I made a silent vow that he would get out of here alive, even if it meant I didn't.

He barely even turns to look at me as I join him, laying my head on his chest and curling up into the warmth of his body. I could stay like this forever; silent, peaceful. Just thinking. He lowers one arm around my shoulders, and I look up at him for just a second, enough to see him smiling to himself and also the purple bruise on his jaw.

"Ow," I mumble, feeling his pain.

"What is it?" He asks, confused.

"How'd you manage to hide that?" I say, tracing a finger down his jawline.

"I told Alby that I hit myself with a bucket by accident."

"What! And he believed you?"

He nods slowly and smiles, obviously remembering.

"But that would be, like, really dumb."

"If I recall correctly, punching someone before they even know their name is also dumb."

I groan, lying with my back to the ground so we're side by side. "I said I'm sorry."

"Is that all I get?"

"I said," I repeat, rolling back onto my side. I lay one hand on his chest and kiss the affected jaw, whispering the next words. "I'm sorry."

He pretends to think for a second, but before I know he has rolled on top of me, pinning my arms down by my sides. Like that's going to stop me moving. "Not good enough," he says, smirking, and I smile up at him. Dammit, he was gorgeous.

I copy his movements faster than he can react, pushing him back to his original position and sitting on him, restraining his movements, except I leave his arms free. I place both of my hands on his chest gently, lean down, and give him the faintest of kisses, hardly leaving a trace on his lips. "I'm sorry."

I sit back up, but before I can even resume my original position, Newt sits up with me, saying, "Me too."

"For what?"

"For this."

This time he brings his lips to mine, kissing me slowly, and he holds me against him with his hands on my neck. I manage to breathe in, feeling invigorated with the taste of his lips against mine. The butterflies in my stomach only heighten when I wrap my arms around his back and up underneath his shirt, letting his warmth infect my cold-bitten fingers.

I can feel this kiss meaning more than yesterday's. We act slower, but I tilt my head more to deepen it, and we linger on each other for longer, barely taking time to breathe. When he stops, I could continue forever, but my lips feel numb and I'm silently breathless.

"We should stop," he says through a smile, dark eyes surveying my face.

"We should," I agree, kissing him again.

"Addie, we have to stop," he says in between kisses, laughing.

I frown, drawing away. "Really?"

"Yes," he says, kissing me one final time. "Really."