[Nova].

My face was covered in sweat. My hands, arms, even my shirt, that once was a light blue, was now covered in blood.
The sun was starting to disappear in the sky which meant that it was almost time to stop working.

I thought that by being a girl, more specifically the only one in the glade, I wouldn't have to kill animals almost every day, well that's where I was wrong.

Apparently not throwing up by the sight of blood is enough to make you a slaughter. Well, it doesn't mean that I like that job. It's completely disgusting in the Blood house. I can still remember when the smell of metal made me gag.

My thoughts were interrupted by Winston's voice.

"Hey, Nova!" I look to the side to see him approaching me, all bloody just like me.

"Works over, you can go see your shank now" he says with a teasing smile.

Almost a month of dating Minho I was almost getting used to the constant teasing of most of the gladers, although I have to admit that I thought that this was going to last only a week but obviously I was wrong. These shanks don't have anything better to do?

Minho didn't really seem to mind all the wolf whistles and jokes that were thrown at us every time that we were together, in fact, it almost seems to make him even cockier than he already is.

I said goodbye to Winston and start heading towards the maze doors. Normally I would take a bath and change to some clothes that were not all bloody, but seeing that it was already late for that, as some runners already started to enter the glade, I headed straight to the maze doors.

✳︎✳︎✳︎

After maybe five minutes of waiting, Minho finally came throw the doors, jogging slightly in my direction, a goofy smile on his face that makes me immediately smile back.
Once he was standing in front of me I went to hug him but to my surprise, he took a step back.

I was confused and slightly worried that he had rejected my hug. The moment he saw my sad expression he approached me but still never touching me. "Hey munchkin, are you alright...? Did anyone said anything to you? I swear I will beat that shuckface ..." before Minho could finish I interrupted, "No,...no one said anything" I was looking at my worn-out boots, I didn't want him to see the tears forming in my eyes.

"So...what is it ?" he asked, confused by the way I was acting.

"Nothing...never mind. I think I'm going to go and take a shower" I answer with a forced smile.
By the look on Minho's face, I could see that he saw right through me.
When I started to turn around his voice stop me, "Okay then... I just have to go to the map room but when I'm done I will come to find you" I just nod and started walking towards the large forest.

Although I didn't know, Minho keeps staring at my retrieving figure with his hands on his hips, with a frown on his face.

✳︎✳︎✳︎

I was getting near the small pond that had water provided by a small stream.
Once I get there I sat on the ground, full of dry leaves and weeds, with my knees to my chest, arms folded on top of them and my chin resting on my crossed arms, and let my thoughts run freely in my head.

I haven't even noticed that a few tears started to stream down my face until I feel something fresh land on my arm.
I don't know how much time I spent there just looking at nothing, completely lost in my mind.

The snap of a twig startled me making me jump a little. I look in the direction where I thought the sound came from. A few seconds later, a person, who I immediately identify as Minho, came through the trees.

I turn to look back at the water that seems really inviting to me at that moment since I could steal smell the blood from the animals.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Minho take a seat next to me. I waited for him to say something.
After a moment of silence between us with only the sound of crickets, Minho finally spoke, "I thought you were going to take a bath" and at that moment I was invaded by anger and frustration. After probably an hour of trying to figure out what I have done wrong to resulting in him to push me away, he just says that. No sorry? Nothing?

Minho understood that I wasn't going to answer him so he started to take off his combat boots and socks, following by his sweaty blue shirt and his cargo pants, leaving him in only boxers, not that I minded, since my eyes have been glued to him or more precisely his muscular and tan body the whole time.

I was so distracted that I haven't even noticed the big smirk forming on Minho's face while he stood there, almost naked with his hands on his hips staring at me, who was admired for the first time his gorgeous body. "Well, munchkin I think it is quite obvious that you like what you see, how about we see if I have the same reaction " and with that, I was brought back to reality. Why couldn't he just wait a little longer?
And he was still with that stupid smirk on his face.

Clearing my throat I stood up, removing my shoes quickly without even caring to loosen the laces and turn my back to him. I start to slowly lift my blood-stained shirt, drooping it somewhere on the ground. Taking my hair out of the ponytail that I always wear, I let my dark brown curvy hair cascaded down my back, reaching my bare waist.
Soon my black cargo pants join the other clothes on the ground.

All this time Minho has been looking at me like I was some piece of art. Taking every inch of my body even though I thought that it had so many flaws.
But once I turned around and saw that look of pure adoration plastered on his face - that rapidly turn into one of lust - make me forget all about my insecurities. But Minho's wasn't going to get out of the hook that easy.

With one final look at him, I started to make my way to the pond.
It was only when the water reaches my hips, and I turn around, that Minho finally came to his senses.
I had to control the laugh that was fighting to break free upon seeing the look on his face.

I started to slowly walk backward while Minho advanced towards me, entering the pond, while never breaking eye contact with each other.

When the water was just above my chest I stop walking and since Minho has been - apparently - very eager to join me in the water, he was now a two-foot distance from me.

I swallow hard under his intense gaze, taking in every little detail of my face and never once looking lower than that.
That look made me completely forget my little plan of revenge.

He took one step closer to me and my heartbeat start to increase even more that already was due to our close proximity.
I noticed how his eyes would go from my eyes down to my lips a couple of times and very slowly he started to lean in and I unconsciously began doing the same until our lips brush against each other, and finally, we kissed.
This kiss was different from all the others that we had shared, so much more passionate and intense, full of hunger.

Soon I felt Minho's fingers being placed on my waist, enclosing it, bringing me close to him till my wet chest made contact with is a dry one, since I was much smaller than him.
While we kissed I put my hands on his broad shoulders that soon moved to his neck and then to his black short hair, slightly pulling on it.

We broke the kiss, reaching for air to fill our lounges, our foreheads touching, eyes closed. I could feel a soft smile forming on my lips.
I look up and into his dark beautiful eyes, my nose brushing softly against his. Finally, I asked what had been nagging my mind since our encounter by the maze doors, "Why didn't you wanted to hug me earlier?" my voice came out so weak that I feared that he didn't hear me but by the look of confusion portrayed on his face I knew he did.

"What?" Minho asked with a look of astonishment, stepping back, breaking our embrace.

"Don't play dumb with me Minho you now exactly what I'm talking about!" I said with a bit of anger present in my voice.

"Nova you are kidding with me right? Is this why you were upset? For me not hugging you?"
I didn't respond immediately and look down embarrassed.
Hearing him said out loud makes me feel so stupid and childish, but at the time I was just afraid that he didn't like me anymore.

"Nova look at me" his voice was soft but demanding. Reluctantly I look up from under my lashes and into his eyes. He had a small smile on his face, almost an amused one which makes me look at him puzzled.

He puts his hands on each side of my face, "If you want me to hug you, you just have to say okay? I will hug you whenever you want,...even if you look like a massive murder all cover in blood, I don't care. You know why Nove?" He asked with a cheesy smile. I shook my head slightly no.

"Because I love you shank" he replies with a small laugh at the end.
It takes me a moment to understand what he said, but when it finally clicks, a breathless laugh escapes my lips and I can't stop grinning at him.
I grab his face and bring my lips to meet his in an intense but at the same time soft kiss that brought butterflies to my stomach.

I pull away, both of my hands on his neck and look right into his eyes, "I love you too Min"

His strong arms embrace me tightly to his chest. One of his hands came to my head that was resting in the crook of his neck.
I wrap my arms around his torso and close my eyes, never wanting to let go, listening to his heartbeat. And right now, the only thing that I wished for was to be in this moment forever.

[1800+words]