'You need to let go of it, Nora.' Logan whispered at dinner. 'We're not going to do it behind his back. It's against the rules and I don't feel like fighting with him again.'

'But-.'

'I agree with Logan.' Minho interrupted me. 'He's right.'

'I'm not going to stop trying because Newt doesn't want me to be a Runner.' I said.

'I like your mindset, but no, we're not going to lie to him.' Minho commented.

'Just for one day. We can tell him once I'm a Runner.'

'We can't decide without him.' Minho sternly said.

'And what if Alby wakes up? Then Newt's not the leader anymore.' I didn't give up.

'We'll just-.'

Logan stopped talking when Newt sat down next to Minho.

'Newt-.' I started.

'You're not going to be a Runner.' He said before I even could finish my sentence.

'I didn't even finish my sentence.' I bit my lip.

'You're not going to be a Runner.' Newt repeated.

'You're overreacting.' I commented.

'Newt,' Minho started, this time Newt didn't interrupt. 'We can have a gathering about it and see what happens.'

Newt hesitated.

'Well?' I asked impatiently.

'Fine.' Newt sighed.

'Thank you!' I smiled and Newt frowned at my happiness. At least I didn't have to lie to him.

'After dinner.' Minho decided.

'After dinner?' Newt repeated.

'Yes.' Minho said.

'Can I be there?' Logan asked.

'No.' Newt immediately replied.

'Yes.' I said at the same time.

Newt glanced at me. 'Logan is not going to be there.'

I expected Logan to start arguing, but he didn't. When I wanted to, he stopped me. 'It's fine.' Logan quietly said.

~

'Quiet everyone!' Newt tried to draw everyone's attention in the gathering hut. 'We're here to decide if Nora is going to be a Runner or not. As you might've noticed, she wants to be one.' He paused. 'We're all going to vote. Nora gets to say why she wants to be one and why y'all have to vote for her.' Newt explained.

I could see on Newt's face he didn't like all the formal stuff.

'Nora.' Newt motioned for me to talk and leaned against the wall.

'Just as Thomas, I survived a night in the maze. He gets to be a Runner, and I don't.' I started. 'I don't care if it's because I'm a girl or whatever reason. There are only three Runners left, Minho, Logan, and Thomas. We're close to escaping, so wouldn't it be great to have another Runner?' I paused again. 'That was it.' I looked at Newt, who was frowning.

'Anyone wanna add something?' He looked at the Keepers.

Minho raised his hand.

'Yes, Minho.' Newt said, clearly annoyed. He knew Minho was going to help me.

'She killed a Griever just like Thomas.' Minho said. 'She survived a night in the maze without getting hurt. When I ran away, she kept helping Alby. I don't know if she can be a Runner, but we'll never know if we don't let her try.'

'Thank you, Minho.' Newt said, though I knew he was anything but happy by Minho. 'Anyone else?'

No one replied or raised their hand.

'Okay. Then we're going to vote. Say what you choose and why.' Newt quickly explained. 'Frypan, we'll start with you.'

'If we are close to finding a way out, then we need all the help we get. I vote for Nora to be a Runner.' The Cook said. I smiled at him.

'Winston?'

'I agree with Frypan.' That was the only thing Winston said.

'Zart?'

'I think Nora will be able to do it. I vote for her to be a Runner too.'

I also gave Zart a quick smile.

'Billy?'

Billy was most likely going to say no.

'I don't think she can do it. I vote no.' Billy's facial expression was blank.

'Gally?'

'I think Nora will be able to do it, but I'm still going to vote no.' Gally didn't say the reason why he didn't want me to be a Runner.

Newt clenched his jaw. 'Then it's decided. Starting from tomorrow you're a Runner.' He said. 'Everyone go to sleep.' He ordered.

The boys did as he said and I looked at Newt. He was still leaning against the wall and looking at the ground.

'Newt,' I started but never finished my sentence. I didn't know what to say.

'Congratulations.' And with that, he walked away.

After a few seconds of being shocked, I walked outside too, and looked around. I noticed Thomas and Chuck sitting together, in the corner of the Glade against the maze walls.

'Hey, guys.' I walked over to them.

They both looked up. 'Nor!' Chuck smiled and immediately motioned for me to sit down.

'What're y'all doing?' I looked at the blankets that were on the grass.

'We sleep here. Otherwise, we'll have to sleep with all those sweaty boys.' Chuck explained. 'We can hide under the ivy and we have some blankets. It's nice!'

I smiled but also felt bad that they didn't have a hut.

'And? What happened at the gathering?' Thomas asked curiously.

'Are you a Runner?' Chuck asked full of hope.

'Yes.' I smiled.

'Really?' Thomas looked surprised. 'That's great.' A little hesitant he bent over and hugged me. I firmly hugged back and after a few seconds let go of him.

'Get here.' Chuck motioned at the blanket next to him. I sat down on it.

'Tomorrow we're checking out section seven, if it's open.' Thomas said.

'Can we stop talking about the maze? It scares me.' Chuck commented.

I and Thomas let out a laugh. 'Okay.' I smiled.

'Where's Newt now?' Thomas asked. 'He didn't want you to be a Runner so I assume he's not very happy.'

'I don't know where he is and honestly, right now I don't even care.' I replied. 'He was overreacting.'

'But he cares about you, that's why he's upset. I don't blame him.' Thomas responded.

'I'll just leave him alone for a bit.' I decided.

'Don't get angry at him.'

'I won't.'

'I'm serious.' Thomas added.

'Why do you care so much, Thomas?' I wondered.

'Because if you get angry at him he's gonna get hurt. He's already so stressed about the fact you are going into the maze. He just doesn't want to lose you because he loves you.'

I was stunned by Thomas his words.

'Wha- how do you-..' I stammered.

'It's obvious.'

'He loves me?'

'Didn't you ever say I love you to each other?' Thomas asked.

'No, I mean.. we did say that, but he actually loves me?'

'What do you think he means when he says that then?'

'Well, I don't know.' I shrugged.

'This is horrifying.' Chuck commented.

'It's obvious he loves you.' Thomas ignored Chuck. 'Always talks about you, smiling from ear to ear. Annoying as shuck, trust me. Anytime he hears your name his face lits up. If any boy says something about you he gives them dirty glances. He fell hard, believe me. Never shuts up about his love.'

My mouth almost fell open. 'Wow..' That was the only thing I could say.

'Can we talk about something else again? This also scares me.' Chuck said.

'Sure sure, Chuckie.' Thomas laughed.

'Don't call me that.' The kid snapped. 'Nor, tonight you stay with us. That's an order.' Chuck said. 

I let out a chuckle. 'Okay then.' I lay down under the blanket and grabbed a pillow, one that Thomas and Chuck probably stole too.

'Do you remember my parents, Nor?' Chuck asked.

'No, I don't. Sorry, Chuck.'

'They must miss me.' Chuck mumbled. 'I don't remember them, so I can't miss them.' He grabbed something out of his pocket. 'I made this.' Chuck handed me an object.

I looked at the thing he gave me. It was a beautiful wooden figure. 'This looks really good, Chuck.'

'I want you or Thomas to give it to them.'

'You're going to do it yourself, Chuck.' Thomas said.

'We'll escape and find your parents, okay?' I added.

Chuck gave me a nod and I handed him the figure back.

'Good night, guys.'

'Night, Nor.'

'Sleep well.'

~

A/N: I just wanted to say thank you for all the support and ideas! I'll definitely use some of them :)

Happy Easter y'all!! <3