Thomas sighs exasperatedly, looking through the window of the car, avoiding his mother's glance in the front mirror. The atmosphere is tense since he climbed into the vehicle. He can not wait to finally get out and be able to escape his mother and her reproaches. Lately, every time they started a conversation together, it always ended in a fight. His mother pretended she wanted to help him, but she would not understand the fact that Thomas only wanted peace. The car finally slows down and arrives in the parking lot of West Coast High School, the new place where Thomas will be studying for the next few months.
Before his mother can stop the car, Thomas has already removed his seat belt, climbing of as soon as he can. His mother pulls down her window and tries to say a few words before Thomas could escape her.
-Please Tom, try not to do anything you will regret. Try to start over, alright?
-You mean anything that will make you ashamed of me… Thomas says with a spiteful tone
Thomas puts his bag pack on his shoulder and leaves without turning back. When his mother finally leaves too, he starts walking toward the building. He feels his cell phone vibrate in his jean pocket when he reaches the high school's hall, buzzing with dozens of teenagers doing god knows what. He gets it out and looks at the screen; his twin sister Teresa is texting him.
Teresa: So, how's it going?
Thomas: What do you think genius? We're talking about mom, right now…
Teresa: You fought again?
Thomas: The only things that get out of her mouth are reproaches and her feeling of deception toward me!
Teresa: Honestly Tom, you're exaggerating.
Thomas: Not at all! Since we left she's been repeating the same fucking thing! We're letting you have one last chance Thomas, don't waste it!Talk about a chance! She makes me move away from all my friends by making me change school.
Teresa: In my opinion, I think this was the best solution for you.
Thomas: Why am I not surprised, you always take mom's side after all.
Teresa: Seriously, Tom? Are you really angry at me? Stop being so childish all the time and take your god damn responsibilities for once!
Thomas sighs deeply once again, he is even angrier than when he got in the car this morning. He knows he fucked up big this time, but his family's reaction seemed exaggerated in his opinion. Nobody was hurt, nobody died, and it's all that mattered to Thomas.
Teresa: Come on, Tom. We're worried about you and we just want to help. But if you keep rejecting me, don't count on me to come and help you next time.
Thomas is so busy looking at Teresa's texts that he isn't looking where he's going. He ends up running into another teenager. The boy he ran into is obviously younger than him from a few years; he's a little chubby and has brown curly hair with a baby face, the one that you keep until puberty decides to come and knock at your door.
-Oh, I'm sorry; I wasn't looking where I was going! Are you alright? The boy asks.
-Of course, I'm alright! Not like a brat of your size could do any harm anyway! Thomas replies.
The boy looks a little hurt and Thomas suddenly feels bad about what he just said.
-Sorry, I… It was a stupid thing to say. Thomas says sheepishly.
The young boy smiles in return and laughs.
-You're funny, shank! Tell me; are you a greenie by any chance? The name's Chuck, nice to meet you!
-Yeah, uh… I'm Thomas…
Thomas is not sure what to say since he barely understand what Chuck is talking about with all the slangs he's using.
-Ah, yeah, sorry; I'm using the slangs a little too much sometimes. I remember when I was a greenie like you! Wanted to klonk in my pants every time someone tried to talk to me, eh!
Thomas looks even more confused than before and Chuck seems to notice it.
-You seem a little lost, shank! Maybe you'd like some help? I can explain you how's our school life here at West Coast during lunch!
-Sure, I wouldn't mind… Quickly answers Thomas as the bell rings.
-Oh shuck! I'm going to be late if I don't start running! Meet me up at the scorch and we'll talk! Says Chuck as he leaves toward a hallway.
-But, what's the scorch? Hastily asks Thomas with a look of pure confusion on his face.
-Never mind, I'll find you. Don't worry about it! Screams Chuck before disappearing.
Thomas turns around and leaves, wondering in what kind of school he ended up. He slowly walks toward his first class.
Even before Thomas's last class before lunch is over, he's already exhausted. He had to introduce himself in every class and explain why he had to change school in the middle of the year. He used the good old excuse: we just moved in. Thomas would've loved to see his teachers' faces if he had given the real reason. The young man walks toward his locker. He sees Chuck from afar who's waiting for him, leaning against the locker beside Thomas's.
-So, how were your first classes at West Coast, greenie? The young boy asks when Thomas reaches him.
-What do you think? I had French and history, talk about a cakewalk…Answers Thomas.
-Come on, stop being so gloomy and cheer up! I'm taking you on a guided tour of West Coast High School. After all, Gladers have to help each other. Come on, I'm going to show you the Maze, the Scorch and the Glade! Chuck said happily.
-Wait, what are Gladers? And what are the Maze and the Scorch and…. Thomas began, trying to follow the young boy walking in front of him.
-Don't worry greenie; you're going to get use to our slangs pretty soon. The Maze is the place where the lockers are, which is where you are standing right now. The Scorch's the cafeteria and the Glade is the gymnasium. And the Gladers are the students of West Coast! Chuck explains too rapidly for Thomas to follow what he's saying.
Thomas wonders in what kind of High School he landed in, to him, everything was new, weird and scary. Chuck leads him through the whole school, spending their lunch time visiting each place the younger boy talked about. They finally reach the Glade, the only place they haven't visited yet. When they arrive, a group of boys of Thomas age is training.
-Uh, I forgot that the Runners were training today…
-Why are they called Runners? Thomas asked, arching an eyebrow.
-It's the name of the school's track team! They are the best of the best and the most popular Gladers as well…
Chuck then proceeds to introduce each member of the track team to Thomas. The coach is a scary looking Mexican called Jorge. Among the team were only three girls; Brenda, Sonya and Harriet. The leader of the team is Albert, but he prefers to be called Alby, he is a tall black man with very short hair. There is also Minho, a sassy Korean teenager who seemed to be the fastest of the entire team to Thomas. Then, Chuck introduces Gally, a tall scary looking guy with a very short temper. Thomas notices a boy standing beside Jorge that Chuck hasn't introduced yet. He has short blond hair and a cunning look on his face; his arms are crossed over his chest.
-And who's that guy? Thomas asked.
-Oh, uh, that's Newt, Gally's boyfriend. He's the wisest of the team's member, unlike Minho. But he isn't running anymore, because of his limp.
Before Thomas can ask more questions about Newt's condition, Alby notices both of them from afar and starts to run toward them.
-Hey, Chucky! Do you mind introducing the greenie here? Alby asked, observing Thomas.
Thomas looks at Chuck, arching an eyebrow.
-Chucky, like in the horror movie?
-I like that shank! What's his name?
The three teenagers turn around to see Minho and the rest of the Runners.
-Everyone, this is Thomas, he just arrived this morning. Chuck says, grinning.
-It's a pleasure to meet you greenie, I'm Alby and these are the Runners. The leader says, offering his hand as a welcoming gesture.
Thomas looks straight at Alby without even shaking his hand.
-Yeah, Chucky here has already told me that. By the way, my name's Thomas and not greenie, is that clear?
The Runners look at each other, surprised by the teenager's rude comment. Gally, who was standing behind, walks to the front of the group to finally stand in front of Thomas. Chuck yelps and stands back, fearing the fact that he could be Gally's target.
-What's your problem, greenie? Gally asks arrogantly.
-My problem is that I have a name and I would like you to use it. Thomas answers, getting closer to the young man in front of him.
Everyone could notice the tension rising between the two teenagers.
-Looks like this shank's jacked, or maybe is he just looking for trouble, uh?
Gally puts his hands on Thomas chest and pushes him away from him. Thomas stumbles away. It's at this very moment that Newt decides to intervene before it ended up in a fight between his boyfriend and the newcomer.
-Slim it, guys, this is ridiculous. You both look like bloody slintheads acting like that. He says, placing himself between Gally and Thomas that were looking at each other menacingly.
-This doesn't concern you, man. And by the way, you're more of a slintheads than us with this limp of yours.
The assistance goes dead silent. Everyone is holding their breaths, knowing that the newcomer has crossed a line that he shouldn't have. Gally lose his composure and pushes Thomas strongly once again, but this time, the boy fells on the ground. Thomas is too busy trying to stand back up, he isn't really paying attention, but by the looks of it, Gally isn't happy about what he said, neither do the other Runners. When the group finally leaves, Chuck looks sadly at Thomas.
-What you said was really wrong, greenie…
Chuck leaves too and Thomas finds himself alone. The young man wonders why everyone's reaction was so bad. He suddenly remembers what his mother and his twin sister Teresa had told him this morning: try to avoid trouble. Once again, he is disappointing them… And himself.