The Only One (Newt || fanfiction)

Chapter 14

That night the boys had built a bonfire and Minho made a little makeshift race track over to the side. It was just a path with a start and finish line.

Once everyone had gathered and started bombarding Minho with questions about the track, it was time to start the races.

"Okay everyone, I had promised Eve that I would race her," Minho shouted out to the big group of gladers surrounding him. Everyone cheered a little, "But, I failed to follow through with that promise."

Now people were booing and Minho was obviously starting to get annoyed, "Let me finish, shanks! So, that's what we are doing here, tonight. We're gonna have a little race." And finally everyone started cheering except for the few bums in the crowd. I smirked at Minho from the back of the audience, leaning all my weight on one foot.

But my confidence left me when I heard a lot of people saying things like,

"Why is Minho racing Eve?"

and

"Seriously, the shucking girl?"

Although I did let their voices change my attitude, I didn't let them affect it negatively. I sculpted my state of mind from confident to determined like clay. And believe me, I was determined. I was going to beat Minho, and show every last one of these kids up.

More and more boys started making comments until I couldn't take it anymore. I rose one hand up in the air and shouted, "Alright, listen up!" Everyone turned towards me in a second, one I noticed in particular too. Newt.

"You can all say what you think or what you want, but you don't actually know who's going to win until we race," I slowly walk to the middle of the crowd as I say this. I'm walking to Minho. It's time.

Once I reach the middle I hear some boy shout, "So what are you waiting fo-" I cut him off at the last second.

"I hope your asking him," I point my thumb to the side at Minho, who I am now standing next to, "because obviously I've been ready since this morning."

"Yeah Minho come on, race her, let's go," some boy says in the silence and punches Minho's arm.

I'm already looking up at him when he turns his head and looks at me. Minho smiles and says to no one in particular, "Alright, let's go."

Everyone starts cheering and we jog up to the starting line. Chuck stands off to the side to tell us when to go. Everyone makes their way to the sides of the track, most gathering up and the start and finish lines.

Minho and I both get into our ready positions, feet behind the line.

"Ready?" Chuck asks us. I smile and nod at him and Minho does the same, "Alright, on your marks... get set..." the adrenaline starts pumping through me. Come on just say it! I think to myself and right when that thought finishes, Chucks yells, "Go!"

I start just like I did when I ran the half of the Glade, a steady run. I pick up speed quickly though, in a full sprint within 15 seconds. I decide never to look at Minho, just concentrate on my speed.

I pump my arms as fast as I can, my calves burning. Come on, faster! Faster! I mentally shout at myself and pick up even more speed.

I've never run this fast, this is the absolute limit. I almost trip over my own feet, I'm going so fast.

When the finish line is only about two yards away, I decide to take one quick glance at Minho.

He's behind me! Only by like half a foot, but behind! His face is bright red and filled with pressure to get in front. But it's too late. I've crossed the finish line. I WON! I beat Minho!!!

Everyone is cheering to my surprise. They're glad I beat him. They probably think it's unbelievable. I look back at Minho who is smiling at me. I smile back, good sport.

"Oh come on, he went easy on her," someone from the middle of the crowd says. It's a scratchy voice. I don't like it. He makes his way to the front. It's Gally.

"Why don't you race me then?" I say breathing heavily, hands on hips. If I can outrun Minho I can outrun anybody.

"Alright, fine," Gally says and people start cheering him on. Does he seriously think he can beat me?

I just roll my eyes and laugh to myself, already seeing the embarrassed look that will be on his face.

"What are you laughing at, greenie?" he asks.

"Oh, nothing, I just didn't realize you were the type that's willing to be embarrassed," I say with a shrug.

"I'm not, that's why I'm racing you." he says.

I just roll my eyes and jog up to the starting line. This will be no problem, a piece of cake.

We both stand at the line, Chuck to our side. He calls it, and I'm off once again. Within 15 seconds I'm a whole foot ahead of Gally, and by the end of the race I'm an entire yard ahead.

"Did you go easy on me too, big boy?" I ask once he finally crosses the finish line. He fights the urge to talk back and just walks away, annoyed and embarrassed.

"Anyone else wanna try?" I ask the crowd. All of the boys look at me like I'm crazy, but in this situation, I take that as a compliment.

~

I had beat everyone that had challenged me that night, but only a couple came after Gally.

When the fire was finally dying out, everyone was going to bed, including myself.

I walk up to my little sleeping bag. My body aches and I'm tired. Maybe I'll actually be able to sleep tonight.

I unzip it and slide in. Once I'm comfortable, I let out a sigh.

Newt's POV

I couldn't believe that she had beaten everyone in the races. I had a sense that she was fast, but I was astonished when she outran Minho.

I turn in my sleeping bag, searching the Glade for her. I had been sort of ignoring her every since she said that she would leave, but I can't stand it anymore. I need to be with her, hear her voice.

I finally spot her in her sleeping bag. It's only been about half an hour since we went to bed, but she's already asleep.

I watch as her back rises and falls, her breathing steady. But then, all of a sudden, it stops abruptly. When she stops breathing for about 15 seconds, I sit up quickly, worried.

But then it picks up again, this time her back rises and falls rapidly. The speed only quickens. Then her entire body starts shaking violently.

I start running toward her when her head starts thrashing from side to side.