A/N: Thank you TheMortalMazeRunner745 for your review! I will try harder to proofread my stuff before posting :) Sometimes I just want to get a chapter up that I forget to check for grammar mistakes! Glad you're enjoying the story! Also thanks to the Guest who reviewed, hope you keep enjoying what I write for you!
Disclaimer: I do not own Maze Runner
There's a persistent banging on my door and I urge it to go away. It is too early to get up. I groan and roll over hoping it goes away but it only gets louder.
"Elizabeth! Wake up!" The voice yells through my door.
"Go away!" I shout back and put my pillow over my head and try to fall back asleep.
"You've left us no choice El." Suddenly my door is thrown open and my blankets are thrown off.
"No!" I whine and cuddle my pillow closer. Only Newt and Minho would barge in and demand I wake up at such an inconvenient hour.
"Come on El, it's only 4:45am!" Minho says and sits on the bed.
I take advantage of this and latch onto him using him as a pillow now.
"Comfy," I say as I cuddle into his side and continue to refuse to get up.
"No way. You are not cuddling to get out of this. If you are going to be participating in The Runner Trials you need to start some training. You're lucky we are giving you this two day advantage. The Gathering is today which means everyone else will start training later today." Minho says and struggles to get out of my grasp of him.
I look up at him and open my eyes. I give him my best puppy dog face and snuggle up closer to him, "Just a few more minutes of sleep please," I say and widen my eyes innocently knowing he can't resist my eyes.
I see the struggle cross his face and Newt starts laughing, "I never thought I'd see the day someone would crack Minho's shell." I smile at Newt in triumph before turning back to Minho with my pleading face.
"Isn't this just so comfortable Min," I grab the blanket from his hands and pull it over me as I stay cuddled into him.
He shakes his head and stands up causing my head to flop down onto the bed; I look at him with narrowed eyes.
"You need to train if you're being forced to participate in Trials. The last day typically involves going with someone in the Maze and I need you to be ready. Do this for me, please," Minho says in a rare moment of vulnerability. He knows I can't argue when he says do it for him.
I sigh dramatically and stand up, "Ugh, fine. You win!"
He smirks, "I knew you wouldn't be able to resist me."
I throw my pillow at him while Newt laughs and tells Minho he deserved it. Once I untangle myself from the blanket I realize I am just in my short shorts and oversize t-shirt so it must look like I'm not wearing pants. Minho and Newt seem to have noticed as well because Minho is blushing and Newt is holding back another laugh.
I decide to play it up, "Why the blush Min?"
I see him visibly swallow as he scratches the back of his neck, "No reason."
"Really?" I say as I stretch out causing my shirt to rise up and reveal my shorts. I see him visibly relax and point a finger at him.
"Ha! You didn't think I was wearing pants did you?" I cross my arms and smirk.
"What?" Minho asks very uncharacteristically flustered.
"Boys, always so dirty minded." I say and Newt laughs in agreement.
I tell them to turn around so I can get dressed. I decide to wear my capri leggings, a sports bra and my purple running jacket. I pull my hair up into a bun and put in my contacts. Two days ago we decided to start these early morning training sessions. They've been making me do all sorts of workouts and running exercises. It's exhausting really but I got new purple and gray running shoes out of it that I'm obsessed with. Some of the exercises have even been good for Newt's leg, it's like physical therapy for him. Minho kind of just coaches us.
"I'm ready." I say and walk past them towards the door. They follow close behind and we make our way outside to the still dark Glade. We find a spot away from the others in the depths of the Deadheads and get to work.
"What's on the agenda today?" I ask as I sit in the grass and start to stretch. I love stretching so I make sure to always do that before and after these workouts.
"Just some physical training. No running today." Minho says as he stands and watches.
"Physical? As in…." I ask hesitantly.
"You'll see." Minho smiles and helps Newt out of his boot so he can do some basic stretches Clint and I recommended he do for his leg.
"Okay let's get this over with," I sigh and start to stand up.
"No, no. Push ups are first."
I sigh dramatically, "Whyyyyy? Can't we do sit ups? Or squats? Or anything besides arm exercises? Look at me," I flap my arms around, "I have spaghetti arms! I can do squats, lunges, leg lifts, stretches or anything else for days! Just please no arm workouts, please Min!" I plead with him knowing I'm being just a bit over dramatic but I really hate push ups.
"You need upper body strength El! You were a dancer; I know you can handle a couple push ups." He points to the ground and I sigh again and get into plank position.
The rest of our hour of workouts flies by. I continue to complain about it being too early to workout and exercise. Soon enough it's over and I flop down into the grass.
"Finally!" I say and lie out extending all my limbs which are now sore and tired.
"Oh don't be so dramatic. That was an easy set." Minho says sitting next to me.
I move my head to look at him, "What about those push ups, burpees, and those things where I had to go down to my elbows and then up to my hands was easy?!"
He shrugs, "I didn't have a problem."
"That's because you have amazingly sculpted muscular arms!" I say exasperated, "I won't be able to move my arms. I'm dying."
Minho turns to Newt, "And you say I'm dramatic."
Newt chuckles, "Yeah, Ellie beats you in the drama department."
I sit up and go to reply but then groan at the soreness, "I hate you both."
"No you don't" Newt says cheerfully.
"Oh, but I do." I say and struggle to stand up. Minho extends a hand which I gratefully take. I end up giving him my deadweight to pick up.
"You're not going to try are you? I'm going to have to pick you up aren't I?" Minho asks after feeling my zero effort to stand.
"It looks that way mate." Newt says patting Minho on the back.
Minho sighs and crouches down and scoops me up into his arms.
"See! You did all those workouts with us today and can still pick me up. Superhuman strength I tell ya!" I say and rest my head in the crook of his neck causing him to shiver slightly.
Minho and Newt just chuckle and we all head towards the bathrooms so I can quickly shower before we eat breakfast.
After I clean up we go to the Kitchens and I realize how hungry I am, "Man have I worked up quite the appetite." Nick and Alby walk up to us.
"Morning guys." Nick says and Alby just nods.
"Goodmorning," I say cheerfully and Minho squeezes my hand.
"So we just wanted to give Ellie an update. I guess you'll hear in the Gathering we have with everyone later today but you are going to be trying out for Runners. We are desperate for someone to fill a spot and you are highly qualified, probably the best candidate. Luckily everyone has today off since it's the end of the week and the Box comes up so we can hold a meeting with everyone after the Keepers and Leaders discuss who else will participate. Minho, we need you to get her running shoes. I think we have a pair for girls in the Map Room? Not too sure, that's your territory. Alright, well see you shanks at the meeting! See you afterwards Ellie." Nick says all business and Alby just follows him to a table to eat breakfast.
"He doesn't know you already gave me the shoes does he?" I ask smiling at Minho.
He smiles back and kisses my cheek, "Nope. Like he said, Map Room is my territory."
We laugh and then grab our breakfast and sit down. Afterwards Minho and Newt head into the meeting of Keepers and Leaders. They let Newt sit in as third in command now. I decide to check up on Jack who has become friends with WIll and Dmitri as well.
"Morning boys!" I say and take a seat next to them in the grass.
"Hey Ellie! How's it going?" Will asks.
"Pretty good. I've been getting to work in the Kitchens a bit more which is always nice."
"That's good. Always love when you bake dessert for us! It's always delicious." Dmitri says and Jack and Will nod in agreement.
"Thanks guys! How about you Jack? Think you know where you're ending up?" I ask because he's been awfully quiet all week.
"I don't know." He says in whisper.
"I think you'll end up with the Track Hoes. You were able to keep up just fine Greenie!" Dmitri says slapping Jack on the back.
"Yeah, you blend in with us slintheads in the Gardens." Will adds in flashing Jack an encouraging smile.
"See that, I'm sure you'll be just fine Jack." I say trying to cheer him up. He's definitely a quiet one that's for sure.
"Thanks guys. Just still trying to adjust is all." Jack says and shrugs.
"No problem Greenie" I smile at him.
"Ellie!" Someone shouts across the Glade. I look around trying to find where it came from and see Newt waving me over.
I stand up, "Well looks like I'm needed. See you guys later." They all wave as I jog towards Newt.
"What's up Newtie?"
"What did I bloody say about that horrific name?" He groans and motions for me to follow him.
"I can't seem to remember." I smile innocently and he rolls his eyes.
"Oh bug off."
"So I should leave?" I start to walk away from him knowing I can't actually leave but enjoying pushing his buttons.
"Get back here! Come on you pain in my arse." He walks away and we go towards the Homestead and into the large room for Gatherings and meetings.
"Who else was selected?" I ask Newt.
"You'll find out in a minute, now won't ya?" He says cheekily.
"Well alright then," I sass right back at him.
As we enter the large room I notice the Keepers all sitting in seats and Nick and Alby are standing towards the side near a podium. I see a few empty seats and take one. I look around for Minho and find him directly opposite me; I smile at him and he winks back causing me to blush.
I get up to walk over to Minho to talk to him but I feel a hand on my shoulder and turn around. Newt is staring at me and shakes his head.
I blink innocently, "What?"
"No talking to him until after this meeting. I want this to be over as soon as bloody possible." Newt says and gestures towards my chair.
I sigh and sit down, he sits next to me.
"Where are all the other candidates?" I ask him noticing only two other boys, both of which I haven't met yet.
"Well, we had a problem coming up with people, so it's you, and those two Builders plus one TrackHoe and Bagger who Zart went to get."
"A Bagger?" I ask a little hesitantly.
"Don't ask." Newt says and sighs in frustration.
A few minutes later the other two guys come in following Zart. They sit down next to the two Builders and the meeting begins.
"Alright so you five have been selected by the Keepers to try out for Runners. That's all I'm going to say. I now turn it over to Minho. Keeper of the Runners." Nick says and Minho stands looking all business.
"Listen up shanks, the next few days you belong to me. You do what I say when I say it and you don't whine like a bunch of slintheads, good that?" Minho says very intimidatingly.
I notice all the other boys just nod and look terrified at Minho. I'm a little terrified myself and try to smile at him but he doesn't smile back.
Newt leans in and whispers, "He's always this terrifying at meetings. You're literally the only one I've seen that has been able to soften his shell."
I look to Newt shocked, "Really?"
"You two done?" Alby calls to us and I look at him and blush suddenly embarrassed. I put my head down and nod while stuttering an apology.
"Good, so you five will be with Minho the rest of today and for the following 5 days. On this date next week we will meet back up and it will be decided who becomes the Runner." Alby says and Nick quickly dismisses the meeting after that.
I quickly rush out of the Homestead and wait outside for Minho and the others assuming we will start training immediately. The other four boys seem to think I know what I'm doing and stand by me. The two Builders start looking at me and whispering. I get very self conscious.
"I bet she's only here because Minho thinks she's hot," One says smirking in my direction.
I blush and look away not wanting to hear their conversation but they grow louder.
The other one chuckles and I hear them hi-five, "Well he's right, she certainly is hot. I'd like to see her running and sweating that's for shucking sure."
Before the other gets a chance to respond Minho comes out of the meeting room looking furious. He walks right up to the two Builders and grabs them both by the collars of their shirts.
"You insult Ellie again and I will hurt you both. I don't care about the shucking rules. Nick and Alby will easily back me up if they find out how disgusting you two slintheads are. Not a word more about anyone ever, good that?" Minho growls at them and I find it both intimidating and attractive.
I look to the Trackhoe and Bagger and see them looking pale at Minho. He has quite the hold over people. At least everyone respects him, well except the Builders it seems. Makes sense though, after Gally's changing he's become a total jerk to everyone, especially me.
"What's it to you? Gally hates her and he's our Keeper. Not you." The second Builder growls back, I think his name was Ethan, and I see Minho grit his teeth. I quickly walk over to Minho and l put a hand on his arm. It has the desired effect and he releases them.
Minho points at Ethan, "You're done."
"Excuse me?"
"Did you need me to spell it out? You are done with try outs. You don't have what it takes. Leave." Minho says and starts to walk away. I've never seen him get this angry.
There's a moment of suspense in the air where no one moves or says anything and next thing I know Ethan walks right up to Minho, who has his back turned to him, and punches him in the face.
Minho whips his head around and there's an anger in his eyes I've never seen before and I need to stop him before he does something I know he will regret. I quickly try to run up to Minho but Ethan grabs my waist and digs his fingers into my sides. I grit my teeth and know I need to get Minho's attention because I remember being told punishment for harming another Glader is the worst thing imaginable.
"Min, look at me, please. You know what happens if you hit back,." I plead with him and he keeps his eyes staring forward.
"Get. Your. Hands. Off. Her." Minho says glaring at Ethan.
Ethan just pulls me close to him and grits his teeth. I noticed the other 3 have left.
"Or what?" Ethan says and leans in close to my face making me uncomfortable.
I see Newt and Nick making their way towards us being lead by the other two trying out. Gally is following the other Builder.
Newt comes hobbling over, "What in bloody hell is going on over here?"
I've never been so relieved to see Newt. Nick looks furious but Gally is smirking and I've never wanted to hit someone more than I wanted to hit him.
"Ethan. Enough." Nick says with intense authority in his voice and I feel Ethan's hands release me but not before he tightens his grip even more. I know there are going to be bruises where his hands were. I sigh in relief and Newt is standing next to me in an instant.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, it's Minho I'm worried about. Ethan punched him in the eye. It's swelling up but he didn't punch back. I swear. He didn't do anything wrong. Please Newt don't let them do anything to Min. I know there's horrible punishment for harming another Glader and Minho did nothing." I beg Newt.
"Relax Ellie. We know Minho didn't do anything. Ethan though will be punished." Newt says and pulls me into a quick hug.
I look over and see Nick, Ethan and Gally having a very animated conversation.
Gally gets loud enough for me to hear, "Come one Nick you can't be serious? A banishing? I know Ellie must have started it. I've been trying to tell you that ever since my Changing she doesn't belong here. Something's up with her and she's dragged Minho and Newt under her spell and charm. She even seduced Minho. Ethan doesn't deserve to be banished because of the shucking whore messing with everything."
I rush forwards in anger and embarrassment on the verge of tears. I don't even want to talk to anyone.
I hear Gally call out, "See. Girls are too shucking emotional. She's not cut out to be a Runner."
"Shut it Gally" Minho says and grabs my arm before I can get too far away.
"You're not leaving. We have training to do." Minho says and with a nod I follow him and the other three remaining boys to the Map Room.
Once inside the other Builder is the first to break the silence, "So she gets to stay and train?"
Minho turns and stands incredibly close to his face, "Yes, Ellie is training. Problem?"
The Builder visibly swallows and shakes his head 'no.'
"Good. Now, you all need some running sneakers so find a box with your size and put the shoes on like a good little Runner in training." Minho says and gestures to a pile of boxes.
While the boys rush over to the boxes I hold back. Minho comes over and whispers, "You okay El?"
"I'm fine," I say avoiding eye contact because I know he will see right through my lie.
"We'll talk later." He says and quickly kisses my forehead while the others aren't looking.
I smile briefly at him and then move away so as not to cause anymore unwarranted comments from the boys. I knew the discrimination would show up eventually but I was hoping to avoid it as long as possible. I know I don't want to be a Runner but the competitive side of me is making me change my mind. If I can train as hard as possible and show them all I'm the best candidate they will all finally shut up about girls being inferior to them. I'm determined now to be the best out of all the candidates. Who knows, maybe I can convince myself to like running. How bad can it be?