In The Morning I'll Be Better// newtmas

23

Newt's POV:

After school and everything that went wrong during it, my day only got substantially worse when I returned home. 

My parents were arguing again like they had been doing so often in the last few days but this time their conflict grated on me more than it ever had done. As I walked into the kitchen, thoughts of Thomas lingered on my mind like they always did but now those thoughts were red-tinted and made my stomach pitch with utter anguish. So seeing my parents who were lucky to have each other but never appreciated it tearing at each other's throat turned my blood to acid. 

And so I snapped, shouting at them to grow up and get over whatever was ruining their relationship because life is too short to have arguments and split from the person you love. I shouted until my eyes brimmed with tears and I felt close to collapse. And when I finally stopped and the room plunged into silence, the humiliation of my words suffocated me like a wave in a stormy sea. 

I stared at the ground, my eyes burning and my hands shaking. I realised that the words I'd spoken were how I felt about everything that had happened between Thomas and me. And I realised I had to do something to resolve the conflict between the two of us because life couldn't be wasted by something so insignificant. In my parent's case, wasted money intercepted their ability to love and it sounded so stupid in words. If I could solve mine and Thomas' rift then everything could go back to normal between us.

My mum had then tried to comfort me, which only made me angrier and more upset. So I turned tail and ran out the door, determined to find a solution to our problems even if they still weighed on me like a lead balloon. 

Now, in a small back alley between houses as I make my way to the police station, my thoughts whirlwind with what I'm going to tell the authorities. Mostly I worry. I fear that what Thomas has been telling me will come true. What if the police only make everything worse rather than help? What if they don't think our case is serious enough or there's not enough evidence to make a conviction and instead, Ratman can take his anger out on us again?  If that's the outcome then I'm going to take all the blame. The last thing I want is Thomas getting hurt again on my behalf, especially as he cautioned me against the idea. 

I swallow my doubt and walk on. Nothing can get in the way of my love for Thomas Murphy. 

Except, of course, for someone barrelling around the corner and almost knocking me flat. I'm about to shout obscenities when I see who the boy is and then all swear words leave my throat and instead, a single word escapes.

"Tommy?!"

That word barely leaves my mouth when the question spills out.

"What are you doing?"

Thomas looks up then, panting, his face glistening with sweat. As much as I wish to stare at his stunning face all day, I can't help noticing the sagging of Thomas jacket. Then I acknowledge the shouting behind Thomas and everything tumbles into place. If I'm right then Thomas is in trouble.

"Tommy, are you stealing?" 

His originally red cheeks blanch as he stares at me, his eyes wide. I worry he's about to be sick but more pressingly, I worry about the shouting behind him. If he's truly been stealing- which I don't want to believe- then Thomas could be in quite a sticky situation. Suddenly the police station doesn't seem as important. 

"Let me help you."

Thomas finds his voice at long last. "I don't need anything from you Newt, now leave me alone."

As much as I care about him, sometimes he can be awfully dense and that makes me mad.

"Leave you alone! You're the one that ran into me!" I step aside, my jaw clenched as I motion for him to pass, "But by all means run along now, Tommy boy!"

Thomas glares and my stomach twists. I hate being horrible to him but sometimes he's so difficult I lose my patients. He doesn't move and the pursuers sound only meters away now. So I grab his jacket and drag him forward to push him past me so he can run and I can distract his chasers. I hear the clank of bottles, tipping off his stolen loot, and shame for what he's done fills my heart.

Rather than moving past me, he stumbles, and the next thing I know, his face is millimetres from mine. His eyes are the perfect colour of warm caramel, his breath surprisingly cool for someone who's been running. Having him so close reminds me of everything I love about him and of course, everything I lost. I want to kiss him and hold him close and never let go but I know he has to go if he wants to escape the law. Anyway, he would never allow me the luxury of loving him until Ratman is taken down. If only he'd help me then things might be easier. 

Just as I'm about to beg for him to help and rebel with me, two men rush around the corner and I know Thomas has run out of time. Fully aware that he's going to hate it, I pull him in and kiss him on the cheek. He scrambles away from me, probably partly due to the kiss, and starts running again, the bottles clinking as he goes. 

Behind me, the men try to rush past but the alleyway is narrow and I'm trying to get in their way, so it's near impossible for them to get past. Precious seconds slip by as I stand their and Thomas makes his escape.

"Move, Kid!" One of the men growls and I turn around, a bashful look on my face as if I hadn't realised they were trying to get by. I know they can probably see right through the look as they'd seen me with Thomas but it's worth a try. I know I won't be able to hold them back much longer but for the meantime, I want to give Thomas the best chance of escape, even if I don't approve of his stealing. 

"Oh, sorry!" I laugh and try to step out of the way, only to trip a guard as he moves past. His friend runs into him, causing more floundering and cussing. I'm knocked against the wall as they struggle to get their feet under themselves but the thump my head receives is worth all the time Thomas has gained. 

Finally, the guards get over themselves and start off down the alleyway but I know Thomas is long gone by now. It would be like searching for a needle in a haystack with all the side roads, alleyways and crevices of the town. Yet the men continue on, disappearing from view at the end of the walkway. Whatever Thomas stole must have been worth quite a lot of money. 

Of course, I know what he's taken. The clank of the bottles and the pending party is a big giveaway. I just don't understand why Thomas thinks stealing alcohol is worth it. Once again, I have an idea about that as well and it only makes me feel more dejected. I think Thomas could be doing it for popularity. He made a big scene this morning with the corridor confrontation and now he's trying desperately to clear the air. Apparently, that means stealing. 

All at once, my desire to go to the police station evaporates. What if things get twisted around and, with Thomas now a petty theft, the police decide to victimise Ratman instead, insisting we're making a fuss for the attention. Or worse, Thomas gets arrested because I brought his name to the surface of the authorities awareness and decide to charge him for the theft instead of dealing with the problem at hand. I realise now is not the time to go to the police and I'll have to find another alternative in the meantime. 

I turn around so that the sun warms my back and make my way back down the alleyway, heading home so I can get ready for the party tonight, hoping a new solution to my problem will come to light.