Time seemed to fly by so fast. Three weeks I had been in the Glade. One more week and I wouldn't be a Greenie anymore. Somedays I still felt alone and empty. Whether it be while in the maze, or after. I felt like I was missing something in my heart, but I couldn't figure out what.

Minho and I were in the Maze, taking a break from searching for an exit. Minho was closer to me than normal, causing me to raise my eyebrows at him. I took a sip of water as he folded his arms across his chest.

"Newt has a thing for girls with green eyes."

I glanced up at him, my eyes furrowing in confusion. "I'm the only girl here, Minho."

A smirk was plastered on his face. "So you understand me."

I stared at him for a few moments. Surely he couldn't mean Newt liked me as more than a friend. No, that can't be it. Is he stupid?

"There's no way he likes me." I told him matter-of-factly as I wrapped my water bottle around my neck, a small frown on my face.

"You like him too, Don't you?" Minho was practically laughing now, and I felt too exposed. My feelings were my own, regardless of who I liked.

"What?! No! No, I don't! C'mon, we gotta get back." I mumbled the latter as I took off in a sprint, hoping he would let the topic go. I didn't want to get my hopes up. Newt was my friend, nothing more.

But why did I feel complete when I was around him? I felt safest by his side.

We reached the walls in half an hour, which was record time for me. I bit my lip as I noticed Newt wasn't there to meet me- he had been everyday since I started running. Was he okay? Did he just not want to see me?

Minho took one looks at the worried expression on my face and smirked. "I told you! You do like him! He's probably with Alby doing leader stuff."

I ignored him, walking back to the homestead. I was exhausted, and even if I didn't get to see Minho, I would see him later. I crawled into my bed, which now consisted of straws as bedding and a thin sheet as a blanket, but still it was better than what some of the boys slept in. I yawned, rolling onto my side and I held onto my necklace. I wonder what Newt did today. My brain was silent a moment, letting me slowly begin to lapse into a sleep. I wonder...Did he think of me?

I woke the next morning, the sun beating down on me. I stretched my arms as I stood up, keeping my hair down as I decided to go find Newt before I had to go into the maze.

"Hey, Newt!" I grinned at him.

"Oh hey, Greenie." He smirked. "How was the maze?"

"The maze is kind of amazing." I told him as I leaned against the board. Newt glanced up at me before turning his gaze back to the ground. He began to rake up the dirt. "Yeah."

"It's such a rush!" I exclaimed, thinking back to how wonderful I felt while running.

"Uh huh."

"Newt, you don't understand. It's so-"

"Yeah, Tasha. I get it. It's bloody great!"

My eyebrows creased as I stated confused at the boy. "What's your problem?"

"You wanna know what my bloody problem is-" He snapped, anger apparent in his voice. My face fell, feeling like a small rodent waiting to be killed. "You won't shut your shuck mouth! You're talking about something you know nothing about!"

Anger filled my chest. "At least I'm not afraid of the shucking maze!" I raised my voice back at him, my eyes narrowing.

Newt glared at me, his chest heaving up and down. "No, because your a shucking slinthead who doesn't understand anything!"

I was quiet a moment, sadness filling the void of anger. "Maybe not, but at least I don't push people away." I turned on my heel, walking away from him without looking back.

I can't look back.

I took off into the maze, deciding it was better to be alone. I could hear Newt yell after me, but I didn't care. I needed my space, and I sure as hell didn't want him around me.

When I was far enough away from the Glade, I slowed my pace to a walk, trying to find a comfortable place to sit down. As comfortable as stone can get. I sighed deeply as I sat down against one of the walls, pushing my hair out of my face. What's his problem! I don't understand why Newt is being such a-

"There you are, Greenie."

I groaned as I saw Minho come into view. Can't I just be alone for one shucking minute?

"Did Newt send you?" I asked as I leaned my back against the walls, throwing stones against the adjacent wall.

"You forget that I'm the Keeper, Greenie?"

I sighed in annoyance. "I don't need a babysitter, you can go tell Newt I'm just fine!" I threw another stone, feeling anger stirring inside me again.

"Newt's just worried about you." Minho said as he leaned against the adjacent wall, stopping me from throwing stones.

"Oh? Because to me it seemed like he was being a dick." I slammed a rock against the ground, biting my lip. I didn't know why I was so angry. What the hell is wrong with me?

"He's not good at expressing himself." Minho said as he glanced over at me. "Y'know, sometimes I don't even think he's human."

"Haha, very funny." I crossed my arms, leaning back against the wall.

"No, I'm serious. Newt just isn't great with his words. If it helps, he probably got mad because he cares about you. A lot."

"He called me a slinthead, I don't exactly see how that's supposed to show me he cares, Minho." My eyebrows furrowed in frustration. I understood that they were best friends, but I needed him to side with me for once.

"Like I said, he isn't good with words. Did he say what he was mad about?"

"I was talking about the maze and he said I don't understand anything and he called me a slinthead. So I left." I began kicked dirt around with my foot, feeling confusion fill the angry void. "What's his problem with the maze, anyways?"

Minho was silent for a moment, which gave me time to think. No matter what the excuse, it didn't give Newt the right to-

"He jumped off a wall and broke his leg." Minho blurted out, looking at me with a worried expression.

"What?"

I couldn't wrap my thoughts around that. He purposely jumped?

Minho sighed. "The creators made him feel bad enough that he couldn't handle it, so he jumped. Shucked up his leg instead of breaking his neck."

I was at a loss for words. "But- why didn't he tell me?"

"He probably didn't want you thinking he's weak. I shouldn't even be telling you — we didn't tell anyone. But, I'm sick of you two pushing each other away."

"I wish he would've told me. I wouldn't have been so harsh to him... God dammit!" I slammed my fist against the wall, biting my lip as my hand pulsed in agony.

"Can we go back? I have to apologize to him, somehow."

Everything in my brain was scattered, and as I got past the wallsI ran as fast as I could, past the walls, past the slaughterhouse.

I could see him in the distance- a faint shadow in the sunset, but I knew it was him. I couldn't hesitate: I wouldn't hesitate. I slowed my pace as I got closer to him. He looked up at me, an odd expression on his face. I couldn't explain what it was. I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him into a tight hug.

Newt let out a quiet oomph. His body tensed slightly. "Are you okay?"

I nodded. "I'm fine." I held him tighter, trying to keep the tears away. I couldn't imagine Newt so upset that he would want to die.

As I spoke, Newt slowly relaxed as he rested his hands on my back. "What's wrong, love?"

I burrowed my head against his chest. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry that I was such a brat to you earlier; you were just looking out for me like you always do. I'm sorry, Newt."

Newt was silent for a moment, running his fingers through my hair to sooth me. "It's okay, darling. I'm sorry I called you a slinthead." The world darling rolled off his tongue so softly, his accent as beautiful as a bird's song.

I shook my head, feeling like a child who was scared of losing their best friend. "That doesn't matter- you don't have to apologize. I- I didn't know... I didn't think..." My voice trailed off as I held him tighter, tears streaming down my face. We were alone, the other gladers had gone to eat, so I felt like I could bring it up. "Why... why did you try to kill your self?"

He pulled back slowly, staring down at me with a startled expression. He glanced around him slowly before pulling on my arm. "C'mom."

"Minho told you?" Newt asked once we reached the forest. He didn't sound mad, but he didn't sound happy either.

"Yeah, I was telling him that you were mad at me and he explained why."

"Damn." Newt ran his fingers through his hair, not sounding angry, but more so disappointed.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked him, a frown on my face.

He turned his back to me, leaning his arm against a tree. "Because I'm the shank who gave myself a bloody limp."

I walked up to him slowly, grabbing his hand as I looked up at him. "Newt, that wouldn't make me think of you any less."

He slowly looked over at me, a defeated look on his face. I reached up my other hand, touching his cheek gently. "You're brave and strong." I smiled at him, tears coming to my eyes. "And your caring and kind. I could never see less than what you are." I slowly wrapped both my arms around his neck, pulling him close. "You're not alone, Newt."

At first I was unsure if he was going to react at all. I could feel my cheeks heat up with embarrassment. I was standing there, holding him close, and Newt just stood there. I sighed, shaking my head against his chest. "C'mon, you shank. Don't make me stand here all day."

I could swear I heard Newt scoff. He slowly wrapped his arms around my waist, holding my body tight against his. I grinned, rubbing his back slowly. "Was that so hard?" I teased.

"Oh, yeah. It's bloody terrible to hug you." Newt retorted, pulling away only to sit down with his back against a tree. "You gonna sit with me? Or would you rather go gossip with Minho some more?"

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, oh! Okay, I see how it is. For your information, we don't gossip, you shank." I slowly sat next to him, my side just narrowly missing his.

We sat in silence for a few moments before Newt wrapped his arm around my waist. I smiled slightly, feeling my heart flutter.

I knew then that I did have feelings for him. Far more than just friends. I felt safe laying in his arms, and I never wanted the moment to end.

"You're not alone..." I said quietly as I tentatively rested my head against his chest. "Some days I don't know if I'll make it to the next... But I have to try. Because I have to keep believing there's something after this. I mean, there has to be, right? This can't be all our lives will be... There has to be something past the maze. I just know it."

I sat quietly after that, my eyes slowly closing as I felt sleep take over my body.

"I hope you're right."

Newt's POV

It didn't take Tasha long to fall asleep. Her breathing became slower within minutes, her head sinking further against his chest.She's so warm. Newt had his arms wrapped around her waist, his one hand lightly on her stomach. His shucked leg ached from sitting on the ground, but he wasn't going to move. He wanted to stay like this for as long as possible.

Newt looked down slowly, trying not to wake her. Her head fell back gently against his arm, her chest still rising and falling slowly. I don't think she's ever looked this bloody peaceful. He stared at her face, studying every freckle, how she had faint circles under her eyes. She's so pretty.

What the bloody shuck am I thinking? Newt sighed, shaking his head slightly. I shouldn't be thinking these things... But the more he tried not to, the more Newt couldn't help but think of how pretty she actually was. Her brown hair hung in ringlets around her face, a small smile was on her lips as she slept.

Maybe Alby and Minho are right... He thought back to all the times Minho and Alby swore that Tasha had feelings for him.

"Do you see her act that way with anyone else, slinthead?" Minho would smirk.

"No, but-"

"It's the way she looks at you." Alby interjected, a smile on his face. "She trusts you more than the rest of us."

Newt was unsure if he wanted to believe them. He hadn't told her he wanted to kill himself because he was afraid of how she would react. But she was so kind about it...

Maybe I do like her... Newt thought as he leaned his back against the tree, holding her a little tighter. Everything is easier when she's around...

He wasn't sure how he would tell her that.

He wasn't sure IF he would tell her that.

All he was sure of, was for that moment in time, she was with him. And that was all that mattered.

A/N: Please leave comments so I keep writing!