~~~Author's Notes~~~

Hey, guys! This chapter sucks or at least I think it does, but then again I think every chapter sucks. It's just that this update will either confuse the crap out of you or it'll make complete sense. It's setting something up for a very very future update. Like tdc future update! SPEAKING OF THAT, I've been writing chapters for the other books in this series and HOLY CRAP MY TDC FANFIC IS going to kill everyone. Like I was crying last night as I wrote it. There's just gonna be so much Newt and I'm gonna cry again.

ANYWAY, enough of that, OH WAIT before you read, Brianne is not pregnant as some people thought, actually she's quit the opposite. You'll know what that means very soon !!!

~~~~~

~~~Third Person Pov~~~

"We have a major problem," Karen said, running her hands over her hair, "Janson!"

"What is it now?" He asked, walking up to Karen's work space.

"This could possibly be the biggest problem we've ever had in the maze- actually not even just in the maze trials, but also in the scorch trials! If we can't fix this, or prevent this, then we could have a huge issue."

"What is it?" Janson repeated, getting frustrated. Karen was always so dramatic about everything that happened in the experiments. Someone's shoe would get dirty and Karen would contemplate shutting the whole operation down.

"It's about Brianne," She started.

Janson rolled his eyes, "Isn't it always?"

"She- um, well. When we- you know," She whispered this part, "Cut her from the system, did we cut her anti-hormone supply off with it?"

"Yah, why?" He asked, "Thats a give in."

"Well, it seems to me that her 'cycle' is trying to begin cycling again," Karen didn't know how to explain what she wanted to say, "She's now a normal teenage girl."

"Oh," Janson looked around the room, "Is that an issue?"

"I don't know if she's gonna need things. I don't even know if it will come back, after we stopped it. But she's having cravings, and cramps, and she's an emotional wreck, which are all signs of PMS."

"This is why we stop these things," Janson closed his eyes, "Is that the huge problem you were talking about?"

"Part of it, yes," Karen looked at Janson for a few seconds, before she finally said, "If Brianne can get her period, then she can get pregnant."

"What?"

"Thankfully, she seems to be pretty innocent, but with her and Newt getting engaged this morning, I don't know what the future will hold for them. I mean, if all goes well, our subjects should be out of the maze within a few weeks, but what about in the scorch? She can't be pregnant. It'll throw everything off."

"Wait, what was that about Newt and Brianne?" Janson asked, disregarding all of the important parts of Karen's declaration.

"Oh, you missed it while you where at your meeting with the Chancellor. Newt proposed," Karen shouted, excitedly, "We even had a little party."

"We can't wait for the wedding! Imagine the vows, with everything they've been through!" One of the workers who stood close by chirped in.

"Imagine the things we could send them to celebrate!" Another person exclaimed.

"No, no. No! What do we look like the party planning committee? None of that will happen. And Karen, how dare you throw a party for our subjects, when you're supposed to be working," Janson angrily said.

"Can you leave us to speak in private?" Karen asked the two workers who had just spoken seconds earlier. They nodded, quickly leaving the room, "Is this difficult for you to hear?"

"No, it's ridiculous that's what it is. What's happened to you, Karen? When did you become so involved with the subjects?"

"I'm happy for Newt, if that's what you're asking? And I'm happy for Brianne too. They deserve something great after everything you've put them through," Karen said through her teeth.

Janson didn't say anything, just sighed, his head in his hands.

"I'm sorry though, that you had to hear about it like this. But hey, we're on the same side. Like I was previously saying, because Brianne is no longer on the- well, everything, Newt can get her pregnant, if they were to ever do anything. So-"

"No way they're having kids," Janson cut in.

"Exactly, we don't want that. I mean, once all of this is over, they can do whatever they want. We plan to cut everyone from the system eventually, but for now they're our responsibility and we can't have an uncontrollable, pregnant teenage girl running through our tests."

"I'll kill them both if that happens."

"Well, we can't do that, necessarily, but we just have to proceed with caution. And since we can't control Brianne. We have to control Newt."

"You have to control Newt."

"No, we do."

"No-"

"Janson, he's your son, control him!" Karen yelled.

"I get it, he's my son, I have to take care of him. I have to watch him. He's my responsibility," Janson mumbled sarcastically.

"Exactly! So do it. Don't let him do anything with Brianne," Karen said, taking Janson's sarcasm seriously.

"You act like this is my fault."

"It is!" Karen yelled, "We wouldn't have this problem if you hadn't added Brianne as one of our subjects."

"Back to that again, really? Fine, I'll take care of it," Janson rolled his eyes, "And don't worry so much about Newt and Brianne. At the rate we're moving, Newt won't last more than a few weeks anyway, after being in the scorch."

"We'll find a cure by then," Karen said, sure of herself.

"If not, then I guess our problems will be solved."

"Or they could worsen. If you don't watch him, and Brianne gets pregnant that'll only deepen our issue. And anyway, you out of everyone should know what it feels like to take care of child alone- oh wait, never mind, you were the one that abandoned your wife with your two kids."

"I don't speak of your past, do I?" Janson asked, not phased by what she was saying.

"Because you don't know mine. I've been here longer than you have, Janson."

"Fine- but would you please stop comparing Newt to me? It's getting annoying."

"The similarities between the two of you, if you don't take care of this problem, could be endless. You abandoned your pregnant wife when she was about to have your second child. And if we don't find a cure and if Brianne gets pregnant, Newt will be abandoning his. The details differ greatly, but the storyline is the same," Karen finished, walking away from Janson. Everything she was saying, she knew, would motivate Janson to work harder. He hated being compared to his son, and saying that they were similar would infuriate him just enough to prevent their problems from worsening.

And they could not let their problems worsen.

~~~~

~~~Brianne's Pov~~~

"Goodnight," I shouted to Clint and Jeff as I left the Medjack's room for the day. I heard a faint goodbye a few seconds later on the other side of the now closed door.

I pulled the black elastic band out of my hair, letting my long locks fall around my shoulders. I combed my fingers through the still damp waves, the clean and fresh smell of my shampoo and conditioner filling my senses.

Despite the fact that today had been the best and worst day of my life, it seemed to be dragging on forever. Like I was really looking forward to just climbing into bed and sleeping for a good nine hours.

I walked down to the end of the hallway, the pain that was previously residing in my stomach, finding a new spot to attack: the bottom of my back. I don't know which was worse; nausea or lower back aches. Both seemed pretty awful.

I knocked on Newt's door, hoping that he was in there, but also hoping that he wasn't.

I mean, don't get me wrong I want to see him, it's just that I don't really feel like talking about anything of importance right now. And earlier, I'd told Newt that I'd wanted to talk to him and I know he won't let me slip into bed without saying what was wrong with me this afternoon.

"Come in!" I heard Newt shout from inside the room.

I took a deep breath and twisted the door knob. I walked into the room, expecting Newt to be already lying in bed. But was a bit surprised to see him sitting at his desk, a candle lit beside him, as he wrote something in a book.

Okay, okay, okay. Can I just mentally be the first to say that Newt looked really attractive right now. Alright, he always looks attractive, but at the moment, he has messy hair, and he's hunched over his desk in concentration, and I mean, all he needs is a pair of glasses and honestly this is the hottest thing I've ever seen.

I didn't say anything though, just stood, staring at him.

"I said, come in-" Newt started, lifting his head towards me, "Oh, hi," He flipped the cover to the book he was writing in closed.

"Whatcha doing over there?" I asked, calming my sudden draw towards Newt.

"I was just bored, so I decided to dabble in the art of writing while I waited for you to finish working," He smiled, running his hands over his face and fully turning in his chair towards me.

"That's cool," I said, smiling awkwardly, "I didn't know you were still writing in that thing," I pointed to the book that had previously been in the storage cellar.

"Eh, only a little, I'm working on something. Just stinks that I don't have as much time on my hands anymore," He explained, putting his hands in his pockets.

I finally found the motivation to move myself, and walked over to the desk where Newt was still sitting, "Can I look?"

"No-" He answered rather quickly, "I mean, not yet. It's for you, so it wouldn't make much sense if you got a sneak peek, now would it?" He winked.

"It's for me?" I asked, leaning against the desk.

"All for you, love. I just need to finish it and then tah-dah!"

"When will it be done?- I mean, what is it about?"

"Those are two very good questions, but both I cannot answer. I guess, you'll just have to wait and see," He said, before changing the subject, "Your hair is so pretty like that."

"What? Knotted?" I laughed, tilting my head to the side.

"No, wavy. Whenever you twist it up after you shower, and you leave it like that until it dries, it always looks so nice. I mean, you always look nice. But- ya' know what I mean?" Newt rambled.

"I know what you mean," I reached out to hold his hand, "Thank you."

"So, uh, what did you want to talk to me about? You seemed upset earlier," Newt asked, squeezing my hand.

"Oh, it was nothing," It was something. I just didn't know how to bring it up without seeming like an insecure loser.

"Brianne," Newt lowered his eyebrows, "If something's wrong, you can tell me. You know that right?"

"Yah," I nodded, absentmindedly placing my hand on Newt's leg, and moving closer to him. He eyed me suspiciously, "I don't feel like talking, tonight."

"You worry me when you don't say how you really feel," Newt mumbled, staring at my lingering hand on his thigh.

Newt's really, really hot.

For the oddest reason, I felt like changing the conversation. I don't know why I did, but I just wanted to, "You look really hot when you're writing," I whispered, so confused as to why I was so attracted to Newt right now, I need to stop.

Newt shook his head, "Brianne-"

"And you're really hot when you're all second-in-command, bossy and in charge. Wish you acted like that more often," Oh my god, what was I saying? It was all very, very true, but it was not something that I should be saying. Especially not now when I'm supposed to be telling Newt about everything Victoria had said to me earlier.

"Alright, I think it's time for bed," Newt said, standing up, "You're clearly very tired."

I stopped him from walking over to the bed, by standing in front of him. I placed my hands on Newt's chest, "And you're really hot when you act like you don't want to pay attention to me, but you and I both know exactly what you want."

"Brianne," Newt sighed, taking my hands off of his chest, "Are you drunk?"

"No, why would you ask that? Am I not aloud to talk like this to you?" I asked, batting my eyelashes.

"Don't make that face," Newt said, looking away from me.

"Which one?" I asked, not changing the way I was staring at him.

He flicked his eyes back over to me, "That one, the one you're making right now."

"This one?" I asked, staring up at him through my eyelashes.

"Yes," He said, sucking his teeth, "Brianne, you're clearly upset about something and you're trying to- I don't even know- seduce me. And alright, you win, it's working, bloody hell. But I'm not doing this, right now. Okay? You're sad, and I'm not gonna take advantage of you like that," Newt said, holding my gaze.

"I'm not sad," I reassured, trailing my finger up and down his arm.

"What's wrong, Brianne?" He finally shouted, startling me, "You're really, really horny tonight. You ate all of your dinner earlier and half of mine. You've been feeling sick all day. And you've cried like twenty times since this morning," I don't know why, but I started crying again, "Make that twenty one," He sighed, "Whats going on? You've been acting strange today."

I sniffled, my awkward attempts at making Newt find me attractive clearly failing, "I'm not acting weird."

"Yes, you are. Is it because I proposed to you? Because like I already said, if you aren't ready then we don't have to take that step-"

"It's not that."

"Then what is it? What's wrong?"

"Do you wanna have sex with me?"

"What?" Newt asked, shaking his head.

"Is that why you're doing this? Is that why you proposed? Is that why you want me to be your girlfriend?"

"What- No! Brianne," He said sternly, "I love you and I know that you know that. So why would you think that I'm only with you so that we can have sex?"

"How do you even know what love is?" I asked, sitting on Newt's bed, "I mean, you're so young."

"You're right, maybe I don't really know what love is. But I feel like I do. When I look at you, I feel like I could explain to everyone in the world what love is without even using words. When I kiss you, I feel like I understand what it really means to be in love. When I talk to you, I feel that I'm learning to love, not only myself, but others, too. Maybe I don't know what love is, but hey, maybe I don't need to," Newt explained, sitting down next to me, "But I do know one thing, I don't have to have sex with you to love you."

"But we're so young," I repeated, "Love is so complicated and we're so naive and maybe the love we think is love really isn't love. And that scares me," I paused, "And I'm scared that one day you're gonna wake up and not want me. And I'm scared that I'm not gonna be able to move on from us after that. And I'm scared that you only want me so that others can't have me. And I'm scared that we're settling. And I'm scared that we'll never find a way out of the maze. And I'm scared that you've always secretly hated me, because I was happy while you were sad."

"Wait, what was that last one?" Newt asked, leaning closer to me.

"I'm just scared that you hated me because I had something that you didn't have. I was happy. And sometimes sad people get angry at joyful people, because they have to watch them live their lives, while they themselves sit in misery. And I don't want you to hate me. I don't want anyone else to hate me."

"Brianne, I don't hate you. I love you. Or like you said, I don't know what love is, so I adore you."

"I'm so scared that I'm screwing my life up," I whispered, bringing my hands up to my face.

"Can I ask you a question, now?"

"Yah," I mumbled, looking down.

"Where did these fears come from?"

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"You've never, since I've known you, said any of that to me before. So where did it come from?"

"I still don't get the question-"

"Who told you that I didn't love you? Who said that we were never gonna leave the maze? Who said that you didn't know what love is and who said that you're naive, Brianne?"

"No one, I've just been thinking," I lied.

He gave me a suspicious look, "Who was it?"

"Newt, I didn't talk to anyone!"

"You're lying! I already know who it was, because last night they said the same thing to me. So just buggin' say it."

"Victoria, okay! She came up to the Medjack's room earlier and we got into another argument. And I know that she's telling me absolute crap, but I'm still letting her get inside my head."

Newt didn't respond to the outburst of information I told him. He just sat silently thinking.

He'd said that Victoria had told him the same things last night? Why was she trying to pull us apart?

She was attempting to ruin my life and I was sick and tired of it.

After a minute or two, Newt took a deep breath, before he said, "I love you."

"Huh?"

"In case, you didn't know, I love you."

"I know you do, it's just I'm a mess today, I feel like I'm falling apart, and I really don't know why."

"You aren't necessarily a mess," Newt started.

"Yes, I am," I shook my head, "I've never felt like this before. I mean, I was just trying to seduce you ten minutes ago. Who have I become?"

Newt laughed to himself, as he wrapped his arm around me. I laid my head on his shoulder, "You can't listen to her, Brianne. She doesn't know what love is. So she's trying to convince you that you don't know either. Don't let her."

"I'm trying," I said, relaxing into Newt's arms. What was I thinking? Victoria knows nothing about us. She doesn't understand everything that we've been through. She doesn't know how much we love each other.

But Newt was right in what he'd said, maybe we don't know what love is, but maybe that's okay.

"I was thinking, that for our wedding we would write our own vows," Newt randomly said, as he rubbed small circles into my arm with his thumb, "And I think that the whole church thing is a bit too formal for us. I think, we should have the ceremony outdoors."

I laughed, "I agree."

"Maybe on a beach? Someplace that we've never, since being in the glade, been able to go to."

"That sounds pretty," I smiled at Newt's attempts to calm my stressful state of mind.

"And I think that we should get a huge chocolate cake and I think that we shouldn't have a party after, because I only want to see you."

"I like parties though."

"Looks like we don't agree on everything," Newt chuckled.

"I'm really sorry, Newt."

"For what?" He asked.

"For being annoying."

"You're not annoying. I love it when you tell me what you're thinking. It makes me feel less guilty for wasting two months of your life on my thoughts."

"I don't think it's possible for the time I spent with someone I love to be a waste," I said, picking at my nails. I felt Newt lean his head lightly on top of mine, "Now, can I please see your book."

"Nope," Newt said, standing up, I stood too, causing our bodies to become extremely close. Neither of us said anything though, just stared at each other for a few moments, before a yawn escaped my lips, my hand coming up quickly to hide it.

"Tired?" Newt asked.

"No - well, actually yes, but if you wanna talk-" I started.

"Nah, it's fine, you should get some sleep," He gave me a reassuring smile.

"I've just had a very long day," I said, as I felt Newt's arm find its way around my back, pulling me closer to him than I already was. He leaned forward, his forehead lightly touching mine.

"I love you," He whispered, eyes downcast at my lips, "And I don't think I've ever mentioned this, but thank you."

"For what?" I asked, breathing in. Newt smelt really good.

"I'd be dead without you," I wasn't sure whether his words were metaphorical or literal. Did he mean that I helped him physically get better? Or that I saved him emotionally? I hoped his words indicated both.

"I love you," I said in a hushed voice, as if the room would shatter if I made too much noise.

"Love," He drew the word out, as he pulled away from me, eyes closing. Disappointment flooded my heart for a moment. But that was washed away as he came closer again, this time lightly kissing my forehead.

"Aren't you going to bed with me?" I asked as Newt walked past me, sitting down in his desk chair once again. I laid on the bed, pulling the blanket over myself.

"I'm gonna stay up for a tad bit longer. Just to write. Don't worry."

"I do worry, though. I care about you," I reminded him, as he turned in the chair, no longer facing me. He was hiding his emotions, but I didn't really know why.

"I know," He whispered.

"Okay," I closed my eyes.

"Good Night, Brianne."

"Night, Newt," And with that I fell asleep.

~~~~

~~~Newt's Pov~~~

I leant down and shook the newbies shoulder, or Thomas's shoulder, as Brianne had told me this morning when I'd accidentally woken her up.

I'd slid out from underneath the blankets, trying my hardest not to cause the bed to move or shift, like I always did when I had to get up before Brianne did. But of course this time, when I had to wake up at 4:30 to show the newbie the grievers, a new part of the tour that Alby seemed to think would fit into the day nicely, I couldn't get up silently.

I'd just placed one of my feet down on the cold wooden floorboards, when I'd heard a faint, "Newt?" From beside me. Brianne's voice had been scratchy and deeper than normal, since she'd still been half asleep.

"Go back to sleep," I'd mumbled, getting out of the bed fully. I'd hurriedly run over to get my sweatshirt, pulling the hoody over my body. It'd been absolutely freezing.

Actually it was still quite cold out.

Brianne had stayed quiet for a very long time after that, making me think she'd fallen back asleep, but I was proven wrong when she'd asked, "What time is it?"

"Too early," I'd rolled my eyes, as I'd hopped into a pair of sweatpants.

"Why are you getting up then?" She'd asked, rolling over so that she was facing me.

"I have to show the newbie somethin', I'll be back to wake you up in a few hours," I had reassured her, hoping that she wouldn't have gotten up. She'd felt so sick the day before, and she definitely did not need to wake up that early.

"He has a name, you know?" Brianne had muttered, reprimanding me for calling him a newbie.

"What is it? He wouldn't talk to me, yesterday. I don't think he likes me very much, actually," I'd said more to myself than to Brianne. I mean, he'd shaken my hand, but other than that he hadn't seemed to show me much interest. I don't know. Whatever.

"His name's Thomas," She'd whispered, moving her arm to cover her face. I'd smiled at her, seeing that she had pulled the arms of her sweatshirt down to cover her hands. Almost making them look like little paws or something stupid like that.

Help, it was too early for this.

"How'd you find that out? He tell you?" I'd asked almost sarcastically, not expecting her answer to be yes, as I'd tied the laces of my sneakers.

"Yah, I ran into him in the, uh, hallway," Brianne had answered, softly, sounding as though she were falling back to sleep.

"Alright, well, I'm gonna go. Okay, love?" I'd then walked over to the bed and pulled the covers up higher so that they covered more of her exposed body.

"Mmhmm," She'd hummed, "Goodnight."

I'd laughed, before finally leaving the room, closing the door silently behind me.

I shook Thomas's shoulder again, not saying anything, because there were too many sleeping people around us. And I didn't want to be the one getting a billion complaints because someone was too loud at 4 am.

The newbie finally seemed to be waking up, his hand swatting me away.

I rolled my eyes, shaking him a bit harder. Come on.

At last, Thomas's eyes flew open, as he was clearly not expecting to be woken up at this hour. He opened his mouth to say something, probably a protest, but I moved my hand over his mouth, so that he couldn't speak. A panicked look spread across his face, but he seemed to relax a bit when he saw that it was me.

I looked around us, Chuck was sleeping peacefully about three feet to the left. I decided it was safe to whisper, "Don't speak. Don't want to wake up Chuck, do we?"

Thomas nodded slightly, silently agreeing with me.

"Alright," I said, helping Thomas to his feet, "Follow me, I have something to show ya' before everyone wakes up."

"Okay," He whispered back, putting his sneakers on, "Where are we going?"

"Just follow me, and stay close, Greenie, you'll see soon enough," With that I began maneuvering around the multiple sleeping Gladers in this area.

Somehow on our way to the open field, Thomas managed to step on someone. I gave him a quick look, narrowing my eyes. He mouthed back a 'sorry' and I didn't turn around again.

Once we were far enough away from everyone, I broke into a run, hoping that Thomas would pick up the pace with me.

The rush of cold air against my face as I sprinted, made me feel energetic and full of life. Like how I used to feel when I was a Runner. I pushed myself to run faster, ignoring the ache in my calf. I smiled, but that was quickly replaced with a subtle frown as I realized that I couldn't run quite as quickly or as swiftly as I could before.

I whipped my head around to check for Thomas. He was following close behind me, almost able to match my speed. Almost.

I was still pretty fast, but Minho would certainly outrun me.

It made me sad that I wasn't the same person I was a month ago, all because I thought life wasn't worth living. I was wrong.

Dead wrong, almost literally.

I stopped running once I got within fifteen feet of the maze walls.

This was something we'd never shown any of the newbie's before. Nick thought that the grievers should be classified information that only the privileged would get to see. But Alby and I decided that this would work great as a bit of a scare tactic for greenies. If they knew what was in the maze, then maybe they'd be thankful for the Glade and work harder.

"What are those?" Thomas finally asked, pointing to the little red dots of light that seemed to be bouncing off of the walls.

I shook my head, staring at the thick lining of ivy that ran along the towering wall. I tried not to panic as I reached my hands out to grasp the vines. I took a deep breath, remembering the last time I'd touched shrubbery like this.

"When you need to know, you'll know, Thomas," I finally got out, feeling like I was being suffocated.

Thomas didn't seem to notice my struggle, "Well, this is stupid. Being sent to a place where nothing makes any sense and then on top of all that, have no one answer my questions," He stopped talking, and I thought he was done. But then he threw in a, "Shank," And I couldn't help but, even in this very stressful situation, laugh.

I turned to face Thomas, cutting off my laugh, as I realized he was serious, "I like you, Greenie. But just shut up and let me show you something."

I could do this.

I pulled at the vines, moving them to the side so that a window was revealed. Beyond the glass, a darkness lurked, so thick that it looked as though this window wasn't a window at all but just a black square.

"What are we looking for?" Thomas asked.

"Hold on, one'll be coming by soon enough," I said, not looking back at Thomas.

A couple of minutes ticked by, nothing passing by the window, and I could hear Thomas's noises of impatience coming from behind me.

But then the darkness changed, and an eerie light shone in the distance. As it moved closer to the now exposed window, bright colors of blue and purple and red began shining at me. The griever most likely sensing the presence of someone.

I stared, waiting for the Griever to be close enough so that I could see it clearly.

"Out there's the maze," I whispered, completely mesmerized by the blinding lights and colors, "Everything we do revolves around the maze. Every second of every day, Greenie, is spent in honor of the maze. We're just trying to solve something that's not shown us it has a bloody solution yet, ya know? And now, here I am showing you that it's not something to be messed with. Show you why those walls close every night. Show you why you never want to find yourself out there," I stepped back from the window, still holding the vines out of the way. I gestured for Thomas to take my place.

Almost reluctantly, yet eagerly, Thomas took a couple of steps up to the window. He leant forward so that his face was almost pressed against the glass.

I decided to save myself the pleasure of seeing the griever, and just watched Thomas's reaction instead.

He looked on, a horrified expression across his face. I listened to the sounds of the griever, but was a bit thrown off when the noises ceased, yet Thomas still stared out the window as if he were watching something.

Where'd it go? I thought as I moved to look out the window with Thomas. But then, a loud thud sounded against the window, scaring me, but absolutely terrifying Thomas, who screamed, as the griever threw itself at the window.

Thomas jerked away, but only for a moment. He returned to his spot once seeing that the griever had done no damage to the thick-glassed window.

"What is that thing? Is it an animal?" Thomas finally asked.

"Grievers. That's what we call 'em. Just we glad that they only come out at night. Be thankful for these walls," I answered, using the words Alby had told me to, "Now you know what bloody lurks in the maze. Now you know that this isn't some big joke, Greenie. You've been sent to the Glade, and we're expecting you to survive and help us do what it is we're meant to do."

"And what's that?" Thomas asked, staring at me.

I released the ivy, letting it fall back to it's place, covering the window. I looked at the newbie, "Find the way out. Solve the buggin' maze and go home."

~~~~

I pushed through the door to the homestead, planning on going to wake Brianne up. But was rudely stopped by Gally, when he wouldn't let me go up the stairs.

"Gally, come on, man, I gotta go up there," I said, crossing my arms over my chest.

"I need to talk to you."

"Can't it wait?" I asked, glancing at my watch. 8:44. Brianne had to wake up now, so that she could go eat breakfast and be back at the homestead by 9:30.

"Newt, I get that I'm not your favorite person for some unknown reason, but I have a bad feeling about something and I think you should know," Gally explained, seeming more normal than he has in months.

"Some unknown reason? You know what you did," I said, remembering the night that Gally and I's close friendship ended.

"It was out of my control, Newt. I was stung by a Griever."

"I know," I took a deep breath, not wanting to talk about this right now, "I have to go wake Brianne up. I told her I would, today."

"Please, let me just talk to you. I'm not out of control like I used to be," Gally pleaded, giving me a sorry look.

I stood unmoving for a few seconds before finally giving in, "Fine, you have five minutes."

"Alright, you're gonna think I'm crazy, but I've seen the Newbie before. I saw him when I went through the Changin'."

"You what-?" I started.

"I saw him. And he's nothing but bad news, Newt," Gally shook his head, weighing my reaction. He knew I didn't believe him.

"What exactly did you see?" I asked, giving him a suspicious look.

"I ain't telling you that much."

"Well, how am I supposed to believe you if you won't even tell me the buggin' details? What am I supposed to do with this 'half' information?"

"I don't know, act like a leader for once," Gally laughed, "You don't believe me? Fine, I'm just waiting for my chance to swoop in and steal your spot, Newtie. I think we all know who the real leader here is."

I rolled my eyes, deciding to ignore his sudden want for power, "Gally, I'm sorry, but I'm not telling Alby anything until you give me some facts," I pushed past him up the stairs.

"I've seen Thomas! And I bet if you were to ask Ben, he'd say the same thing!" Gally shouted after me, almost causing me to turn around.

But I didn't, and even if I had, I heard the door to the homestead open and close anyway, signaling that Gally had left.

What the heck was Gally talking about?

He's seen Thomas? While he was going through the changing?

That was a huge red flag, any one here with common sense would know that.

But if Gally couldn't even tell me why Thomas was bad news, then what was I supposed to do about it? I couldn't tell Alby without actually having something interesting to say.

But Gally brought up a good point, if he saw Thomas, would Ben see him too? If that happens, then I'll take action and look into the situation. But for now, Thomas is just as much of a threat as Chuck is.

I walked down the hallway to my room, ignoring the groans and moans that were coming from the Medjack's room where Ben was staying.

I silently twisted the doorknob to my bedroom open, expecting to have to wake Brianne up, but was surprised to see that she was already awake.

"Oh you're awake? I said, I'd wake you up at quarter to nine," I came into the room fully.

"It's okay. I just woke up earlier than I wanted to," She said, watching me slowly walk over to sit on the edge of the bed, "You hurt?" She asked.

"No, why?" I asked.

"Because, you're limping," She said, studying me, "Well, your limp is just more noticeable today."

I looked down at my leg. It did hurt, more than I'd like it too, "I was running."

"Why, Newt? You still need to rest. It's only been a month."

"I know, but I was showing the Newbie stuff early this morning and I wanted to get places faster. So I started running and it felt really good, ya' know? I haven't run in so long."

"I know, I'm sorry, I'm just being a Medjack again," She laughed, running her hands through her hair.

I coughed, "So, breakfast? Do you need to shower?"

"Oh, uh, no, it's fine," She answered, standing up.

I stood too, "Need me to help you with anything?"

She gave me a weird look, "I'm good," Brianne said, as she went to go get her sneakers.

"I can get them," I said, trying to beat her to the shoes.

"Newt!" She shouted frustratedly, "Whats going on? Why are you acting so weird?"

"I'm not, I'm just trying to help you," I answered, more or less truthfully.

She lifted her eyebrows, "Really? Because I'm perfectly capable of getting my own shoes."

"I'm just-"

"Don't try to take care of me Newt, I'm fine," She said, holding onto her side, clearly showing that she was not at all fine.

"Okay, I won't," I replied shortly, as she finished putting on her sneakers.

I rushed over to the door, so that I could be there first to open it for her.

"Newt," She said, throwing me a long look.

"Sorry," I apologized, still holding the door as Brianne walked through.

With everything that had happened last night, Brianne acting so oddly towards me. And the revealing of her secret insecurities, I felt as though I was slacking in our relationship. As if, for the past two months, I'd merely been using Brianne as an outlet for my anxiety, stress, and depression. But it wasn't like that at all, I love Brianne and I want to prove that to her. And I think by helping her, and by trying to listen to how she feels, I can do just that, ya' know?

I don't want us, to always have to be about me.

~~~~

~~~Author's Notes~~~

Pretty boring chapter..,,.. I'm still figuring out how I want to write now that I have a set idea to follow.

BUT I'm trying really hard to update faster so that I can move on from To Love as awful as that sounds. I just have so many great ideas for the other books in the series and I WANT TO WRITE THEM!

Side note: I have a new obsession with Peter/Miles Teller from Divergent/Insurgent and it's an issue, help!

BUT I'LL TALK TO YOU GUYS VERY SOON, BYEEE!!!