I sat by the maze door with crossed legs. I was waiting for Minho to get back. He's been running for three days now and he's been happier then ever. I have been too.

My illness vanished, I was back to work again in the gardens. Clint and Jeff said if I felt any sort of sickness I should stop working right away because they didn't know what the Beetle Blade did to me. I didn't think anything else would happen because I thought the Beetle Blade was just protecting itself. It did that to me to warn the others not to touch it. Alby thinks I'm right. I wasn't going to worry about it.

I spotted Minho and Ben running side by side. They were laughing about something I couldn't hear. When Minho saw me he grinned. He sped up just as I stood up. As soon as he was in front of me he engulfed me in a giant bear hug.

"Minho... can't ... breath," I forced out.

"Sorry," he chuckled. "I'm glad to see you."

"You're just saying that to make me happy."

"Oh, sure. I don't have feeling and I can't express them. I must be a robot then!" I laughed and rolled my eyes before grabbing him for another hug.

"Aww so adorable," Ben commented as he jogged past us.

"Slim it, shuck face," said Minho. Ben stuck out his tongue playfully.

"I like, Ben. He's nice."

"Don't tell me you're falling in love with him."

I scoffed and ruffled Minho's hair. "You always overreact. I just said he's nice."

"Next your going to say he's a real babe."

"So that's what you think of Ben!"

Minho glared at me before putting his arm around my hips. We walked to the Map Room together in silence. The Glade was dying down as Gladers got done working for the day. I always liked this time of day, it was peaceful, quiet.

"After I do my mapping I'm going to take a shower. If you're wondering where I am, that's where I'll be," Minho said.

"Wait for me?" I asked.

"Always," he smirked. "That should be our thing. I like it."

"You're adorable, Minho." I kissed his cheek and his face got slightly red. "But yes, it should be."

"And I seriously need you to guard the bathroom while I'm showering," I added.

"Will do. See you soon, Anne."

I gave him a little wave before I walked to the animal pens. I began to pet a cow on the head while it was eating. It's hair was black with a ruff feeling. I rubbed his ear, which he seemed to enjoy immensely.

"Like animals?"

A small scream burst out of me. I spun around, seeing Leo was the one who scared me.

"Uh, yeah I guess I do," I responded.

He laughed, his dark hair falling in his face. The boy caressed the cows back gently. "Me too. It's too bad I have to kill them tho."

That was creepy. "So you're a slicer. Do you like it?"

"Yeah. I do. It's sounds weird but I'm good at it."

I laughed awkwardly. I desperately wanted to get out of this conversation, but I didn't know how.

"My friend, Josh, doesn't shut up about how pretty he thinks you are. It's sort of annoying at times but it's true."

"Thanks."

"You are so pretty, Anne. Even the new kid, Pete I think, says you are," Leo continued.

"I am the only girl."

"I bet you are still the prettiest girl outside the maze."

I could tell what he was trying to do. Leo was trying to butter me up so he could put his arm around me, or touch me in some way. I had to get away.

"If you don't mind, I have to go. Minho is probably waiting for me," I said.

"Oh, I get it. You're messing around with that slinthead. I'll back off."

"I'm not messing around with him. He's my friend. Goodbye, Leo."

Before he could protest I broke out into a sprint towards the Map Room. I opened the door and came inside.

"Hey! You can't be in here!" a boy yelled.

"What are you doing, Anne?" Minho asked, looking up from his map.

"Running away from a weirdo," I said.

"Who?"

"Leo."

Ben chuckled and said, "Leo's always been a little jacked."

"Don't worry bout' him. He won't try anything. I'll make sure of it," Minho promised with a wink. "I'm almost done here."

"Can I stay?"

He nodded and started working again. I went up and wrapped my arms around his torso before I laid my head on his arched back. One Runner whistled, another howled like a dog.

"I can turn you all into Sloppers," threatened Minho. Everyone laughed.
"I'm not joking." The Runners fell silent. But Minho grinned widely and shook his head.

The boy stood up straight, indicating that he was finished. He turned around, his beautiful dark eyes pouring into mine. It was almost as if he put me into a trance with his gaze.

"Lets go," he murmured, taking my hand in his.

Minho took me behind the Homestead without a word spoken on why.

"Why are we here?" I questioned.

He smirked and leaned in. "Can I kiss you?"

I nodded and Minho's lips crashed into mine.