A/N: Here it is, guys! Minho's ending part 2. Most of everything is blurred out because I'm basically just focusing on Andy and Minho's relationship, since that's what the ending is for.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Maze Runner.

Chapter 26: Minho's Ending #2

Ms. Paige and the rest of WICKED's employees have certainly done their best to make up for what they've done. The two hundred immunes that survived were given shelter and food while WICKED worked hard to construct a new 'civilization'. At first, most of the people were untrusting, but they slowly warmed up. It was surprising that they even accepted WICKED's presence in Paradise, but I guess that's what happens when most of humanity is gone.

Thomas, Gally and Frypan have been around. We talked often, we got jobs, and we tried to move on from our past to focus on what we had right now. Thomas and Brenda are in this situation where they act like a couple, but never really officially address or talk about it. They need time, I suppose. Mostly Thomas.

We were all located into apartments WICKED had built. The rooms in the apartment were simple—a small living room, a couch, two chairs and a coffee table, and a bedroom with one bed and one closet. There were five similar buildings flooded with empty apartments, and no one complain. They just chose a random room and moved in with no hesitation. After what happened, though, I wasn't really surprised. What was important right then were basic necessities—we had more than enough.

We even had two extra buildings that were empty. It was a majority decision that it was to be reserved for the future generations—the families that will be made.

I made sure Minho and I were neighbors.

Sure, Thomas lived on our floor as well, but Minho lived right next to me. We were only a wall apart. It became a habit of mine to wake up early—earlier than him—and bang on his door to disturb his sleep. He'd complain to me about it, still half-asleep and grumpy, but I'd just walk in and lounge in his room.

That was what we normally did those days. We'd talk, we'd laugh, we'd explore every inch of Paradise, come back to his apartment or mine, and just hang out like we used to in the Glade. We had our own jobs in erecting the community, of course—I helped Ms. Paige in designing newer facilities while Minho took part in building alongside Thomas and Gally—but every other hour outside of that, we'd be together.

Brenda—who I've grown closer to because of Thomas—told me that we were practically glued to each other's hips. I didn't deny it.

He was the only one I felt comfortable with amongst the two hundred or so survivors. Even after remembering my friendship with Thomas and Leo, Minho was still the only one I felt happy around.

Maybe it was because he was my best friend in the Glade. Maybe it was because he was the only Glader to know I didn't actually die. Maybe it was because he understood me and I understood him. Maybe it was because I was starting to feel something for him—but honestly, I didn't really care.

All that mattered was that I was with him, and he was with me.

Just him and me.

It was another morning and once again, I found myself sliding the grille he never locks open to knock on his door. Before I had the chance, however, the door opened from the inside, and a tired Minho tumbled out, his attire disheveled, one shoe on his foot while the other was in his hands, all the while fumbling with his keys.

Only his hair—like always—was perfectly in place. He was adorable.

"You're up early," I remarked, grinning. "What's the special occasion?"

Minho rolled his eyes. "Besides beating you to my own door? I have to check up on the progress at the factory site. Apparently, someone shank got hurt, and Thomas is too much of a shuckin' baby to handle it himself."

"Oh, that's awful." I tut-tutted and crossed my arms. "They ruined your beauty sleep. You look like you really need it."

His eyes narrowed as he locked his door. "What does that mean?"

"It means you look horrible." I smiled hesitantly, ticking a crumb of unidentifiable food off his shoulder. "Is this yesterday's shirt?"

He brushed my hand away as he grumbled to himself, making me laugh. "Stop being so happy, you," he said blankly, a finger to my face. I swatted his finger away, faking a louder laugh just to annoy him. "No. Stop."

Minho instantly clamped my mouth shut as my voice rose, looking around the corridor wildly. "Stop it!" he whispered, though he couldn't help the grin on his face. "We live around people now. You are embarrassing."

"Having a best friend who doesn't even know to change is embarrassing," I retorted, earning a playful nudge to my shoulder from him. Swiftly snatching his keys, I turned and walked to the elevator. "Come on, slowpoke. You're gonna be late."

I heard Minho slide the grille shut before making his way to me, snatching his keys from my fingers. While waiting for the elevator, my eyes zoned in on Minho. His shirt was the same blue t-shirt he had worn the day before—only now it was crumpled and dirty. His eyes were still half-bleary, believe it or not. He had gotten too used to waking up late in Paradise compared to the Glade, I suppose. His hair was still perfectly rigid, but tiny strands were sticking out in odd angles.

Minho snapped a finger in my face when I suddenly fell quiet. "Don't stare, babe. I know I'm gorgeous."

That evoked a roll of my eyes. "Oh, Minho. I can't-you just look so awful," I said, holding back a laugh. "Come here."

I pulled Minho a little closer and straightened his crumpled neckband, setting it into place around his neck properly. My fingers brushed away the food crumbs on his shoulders, smoothening the folded lines on his sleeves. Finally, I rubbed pieces of his hair back into shape, not with saliva but simply by pushing the crooked strands into hiding in the rest of his hair.

Sighing in satisfaction, I looked up at Minho to find him staring at me, his eyes unblinking and looking at me with emotions I didn't want to disturb. Realizing what I just did, I took a reluctant step back and cleared my throat.

"There," I smiled, snapping him out of whatever stupor he was in. "Now you don't look so much like a hobo."

Minho cocked an eyebrow before shaking his head in amusement. The elevator doors opened just as he slung an arm over my shoulders. Bending a little, he whispered. "You are amazing at ruining moments."

"I know." I tilted my head to grin at him.

At lunchtime, I walked to the gigantic cafeteria at the base of WICKED's building, searching around for Minho. My eyes roamed the cafeteria windows from outside, seeing people pour in and line up to take their food or sitting in groups and chattering away. I found Minho a few minutes later, standing by the end of the line after taking his tray of food, but he wasn't the only one.

There was a girl next to him—a really pretty brunette—who was grinning. Now, see, I didn't really care whenever Minho talked to girls. Well, I used to during my first few days at Paradise, but then he never really acted any different to all the girls. He'd smirk, or try a flirty smile, but then the next minute he'd forget their names and be by my side.

I knew I shouldn't really feel too uncomfortable whenever he talked to girls because…well, we weren't exactly together.

But I liked how we were.

And I didn't like what I saw.

What made me stop in my steps to stare was Minho's face. The charming smile or smirk he usually had around people was gone—replaced by an interested gaze. I hid behind the wall, my eyebrows scrunching together as I studied Minho and the girl talking by the food line from the window.

The girl laughed, flipping her dark hair over her shoulder. She continued talking, with Minho listening with a puzzled look on his face. After a few more words, the girl raised her eyebrows slyly, smirking at Minho. He blinked for a moment before realizing whatever she said, shook his head, and smiled almost…shyly.

I didn't register the frown on my face until it deepened.

I could handle Minho being flirty but shy? Shy is not Minho. Minho is not shy. The two didn't go together at all. I subconsciously balled my fingers into a fist, glaring at the poor girl for whatever she did to make him flustered.

Minho timidly shuffled in his spot, lifting his shoulders bashfully when the girl asked a question I couldn't hear. The girl smirked, inching closer to him to whisper something in his ear.

My grip on my shirt tightened a littl-no. It tightened a lot. What made me let out an audible—but not loud enough for them to hear—gasp was Minho's face afterwards.

He blushed.

Minho; sass master extraordinaire; sarcasm king; the cool and charming one…freaking blushed. Because of a girl.

"No way," I whispered, my eyes wide in disbelief.

The resentment in me for the girl only grew as I saw him stumble back, stuttering nervously—still blushing—and almost losing his grip on his food. The girl winked, before turning away and sashaying to wherever she came from. Minho blinked, quickly walking away from the scene…his cheeks still flaming.

"Impossible," I muttered, my eyes still trailing his in shock. I leaned against the wall, my brows meeting in both bewilderment and frustration.

Minho was never flustered or shy or bashful or stuttering in front of any girl before. Not even me. And now that I thought about it, it left me dispirited. My shoulders slumped as I turned away from the scene, my eyebrows knitted together dejectedly.

"What?" a voice snapped me out of my state. Brenda munched on an apple, raising her eyebrows as she stood in front of me. "Minho can't talk to a girl?"

I blinked at her sudden appearance before frowning slightly. "N-no. He can talk to girls," I said hesitantly. "He can talk to whoever he wants."

"So then what's the problem here?" she asked, nodding towards the scene where Minho and the girl happened. "I saw you scowling at them."

I bit my lips, not knowing how to reply. "I-he was, um…she…" I trailed off, lost for words. Brenda cocked an eyebrow, making me sigh. "It's just…he…blushed. And stumbled over his feet and…he was shy. And it's just so weird. Minho never blushes. It's out of character for him," I breathed out, my face contorted into an extremely puzzled expression.

Brenda hummed and nodded, and then shrugged. "So the boy has hormones. That's normal around girls."

"Yeah, but…but Minho isn't Thomas," I shot back, throwing my hands in the air. I knew all about how Thomas acted whenever Brenda flirted with him. "He doesn't turn into a stammering mess just by talking to a girl."

"Well, you never know until you see it. And you just did. Maybe this girl is special," she said straightforwardly. "Maybe he's interested in her."

The envy in me abruptly flared as the words came out of her mouth. My eyebrows frowned on their own accord, and all I suddenly wanted to do was just hit the said girl. Obviously, I'd never do that, but I felt like it. How could Minho actually-I mean-I know she's pretty and all but—what was so amazingly special about her?

"Don't you think it's kind of selfish for you to be jealous?" Brenda suddenly asked.

I looked at her. "What?"

"Think about it," she said, throwing her apple into the trashcan. "He's been pining after you since you guys were in the Maze. Back then, he had no choice but to watch you and your ex-boyfriend be all affectionate and probably kiss each other—daily!" Brenda crossed her arms and leant against the wall, shooting me a look. "And now, when your boyfriend's gone, you want Minho?"

I opened my mouth to retort, but nothing came out. What she said—no matter how bad I wanted to deny—was true.

"That's seriously messed up."

Brenda's statement earned her a scowl from me. I tried finding reasons in my head to contradict her, but found nothing. With a defeated sigh, I slumped against the concrete. "I…I guess so."

She blinked. "Wait, so you really do like Minho?" Brenda asked.

I looked at her, my expression giving her a clear answer. A moment of utter silence passed between us until I asked, "What do I do?"

"I guess you just…" she studied me before shrugging. "Be worried."

I spent days thinking about what Brenda said.

It was right. Everything she said was true.

It was unfair to Minho—and so messed up—that I only just felt something for him in Paradise. When Newt was dead. I knew him for months and he even admitted his feelings for me in the Glade—one that I shot down. Now, that he was all I had left, I start thinking he's mine?

It was wrong.

But…but it wasn't just that. Even when we were in the Glade, Minho was always the one I turned to whenever I had problems and needed to vent. He was the first person I looked for whenever I needed help. He was the one I missed the most when I was back with WICKED. He was the one I worried about the most—the one I couldn't bare to think might be dead.

So maybe what I felt for him didn't start in Paradise. Maybe it had always been there since the Maze but never pondered about because of my…well, because of my obligation to Newt back then.

Maybe I just stupidly got used to thinking Minho would always be around for me even after all the hardships and me pushing his feelings away in the Glade for Newt.

It blew up in my face and I was so, so ashamed after realizing it.

So I resorted to avoiding him. I didn't know why, I just did.

Minho would try to talk to me, but I'd always muster a smile and give him a reason to leave. For the first few days, I think Minho did believe all my excuses, but once I started to avoid him completely, he knew something was up. I could see it in how his eyes widened whenever he'd try to catch up to me. I always walked away quickly whenever that happened, though, finding crowds so that I could elude him.

Even when I would see him in crowds, and he'd shout out my name, I'd turn away and bolt as fast as I could until I could no longer hear him. I suppose that made it all the more clear that I was purposely avoiding him, but what else could I do?

Brenda, apparently, disagreed with me fully after finding out.

"So you just flat out avoided him?" she asked incredulously.

I nodded. She then called me insane. "That's not how you handle this!" she yelled. "You have to fight for your man. Show that girl who's boss!"

I wanted to do that. God, I wanted to do that so much. But what was the use if what Brenda said before was true? Minho liked that girl. Maybe more than he ever liked me. She made him blush and act like a fool. A fool in love, I thought bitterly.

"It's easier to get over someone when we don't spend time together anymore, right?" I asked, secretly trying to convince myself too. "I remember movies doing that."

"You're gonna take advice from a stupid movie whose stupid moviemaker might already be dead?" she asked, shaking her head at my timid gesture. "You handle jealousy horribly."

"But, well, one can only wait for so long, right?" I shrugged uncertainly, biting my lips as every word made me wince. "Maybe he's moved on? We're not in the Glade anymore. There's a whole world out here."

Brenda gave me a frustrated stare. "You-ugh. You're so impossible right now, I feel like punching you."

I nodded solemnly, thinking that maybe that was what I'd do to myself as well. I was honestly repulsing myself. I despised being all bitter and envious over a girl who made the boy I liked blush. Jealousy was so incredibly horrible and ugly but I just couldn't help it! Minho was just…damn it. Why couldn't I just hate him?

With a defeated sigh, I said, "Guess I just realized too late."

"Oh. My. God." Brenda glared. "Another pitiful word out of you, young lady, and I will personally choke you."

When I got home—after cautiously looking at the apartment to my left for any signs of Minho—I threw open my door, the dim room greeting me. Before I could even reach for the light switches, the lamp by the coffee table switched on abruptly, making me jump and turn around. My keys fell out of my hand as I gaped at the person in my living room.

"What?" Minho smirked, slouching lazily on my couch. "Not excited to see me?"

I blinked, bending to pick up my keys before stepping back. My confusion must've been clear on my face since he chuckled and motioned for me to close the door. I did so, and narrowed my eyes slightly.

A few seconds passed, and I asked, "W-what are you doing here?"

"Ah, she speaks," he gasped in fake astonishment. "I thought you went mute."

Inhaling deeply, I pushed my nerves away and hung my keys, took of my jacket and threw it on the table. "How did you get in?"

Minho shrugged, sitting up properly. "I have my ways. Might've involved a bit of lying to the other residents of the building-"

"You're a resident of this building."

"Exactly! We all have the same shuckin' key and keyhole." He grinned, holding up a key similar to mine. "And you forgot to put on your padlock—that's dangerous, by the way."

"Okay, then," I said, blowing some hair out of my face awkwardly. Avoid Minho. Right. Seemed impossible right about then. "Um…I'm really tired so I'm just gonna sleep-"

"You did nothing but draw the whole day," he interjected quickly, raising a calculating eyebrow. "And had lunch with Brenda, but that's it. Doesn't seem tiring."

I crossed my arms and narrowed my eyes. "What? You're stalking me now?"

"It's called collecting information," he replied, standing up from the couch and mirroring my stance. He took a few steps closer to me and sternly said, "People do that when their best friend is acting weird."

Licking my lips, I shuffled on my feet, the ceiling of the apartment suddenly ten times more interesting than usual. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

He cocked his eyebrows questioningly. I shrugged. He took another step forward. I took another step closer to my bedroom. A few moments passed by. I played with my fingers, not looking at Minho, and counted to ten—then immediately ran from my spot to my room door, only for Minho to catch my wrist.

"You're not running away from me this time, Andy-" he tried saying, but I yanked my hand out of his grip. "It's no use."

I swiftly spun away from him, making a dash for my bedroom. "Look, I just want to go to bed-" click. I frowned, twisting my doorknob another time, only for it to be blocked. "What in the-"

It was locked.

"Minho?" I gasped in disbelief. "Did you-oh my god." He only stood in the living room, smiling. "Minho! Why would you do that? No one sane does that!"

"Are you going to talk to me now?"

"What? You're crazy! What the hell, Minho?" I released a sharp breath as I tried turning the knob again only for it to still be stuck. I spun around, facing him angrily. "H-how did you lock my door?"

He shrugged nonchalantly. "Everyone in the building has the same key."

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, thank you. I feel extremely safe right now."

"Okay, okay. I'm not a shuck serial killer, don't worry." He chuckled, lifting his hands in defense. "I'll give you the key back…only after you tell me what's been going on."

I glared at him, my hands twitching. "Let's see…how about no?" Before he could answer, I bolted from beside him, running to the main door, but Minho was too fast—Keeper of the Runners and all that—and managed to snatch my keys from their hanging place. I then turned directions and speeded behind the couch.

We were then basically running around the apartment, going everywhere and destroying everything.

Minho shouted after me. "I just wanna talk!"

"You locked me in my own house and resort to chasing me!" I yelled, chucking a cushion at him. "You're like a crazed murderer!"

I heard Minho laugh, and I rolled my eyes. Despite being angry with him for locking my doors and forcing me to talk, I couldn't help but feel a little bit amused by our immature situation. He was chasing me around my small apartment just to talk and I was running regardless of knowing that it wouldn't do any good since he had the keys to everything in my abode.

I was wrong to assume that he'd stop chasing me, because as soon as I skidded to a halt, he was back to running at me. I swerved the chairs and the coffee table, jumping over the couch and running into the kitchen. I couldn't grab anything in time because Minho was just too fast.

Not long afterwards, we were both laughing like kids playing 'tag', throwing whatever cushions, dishcloths or papers at each other.

"Minho, stop!" I laughed, dodging a cushion from him. "This is childish!"

"You're the running!" he said, bending down to grab a cushion only to stand and get hit in the face by one of mine. "Hey!"

I didn't know how many times I circled the living room, and when I slowed down for a breather, I found my self in front of my locked bedroom door. I spun when I heard Minho snicker, to find him towering over me, a victorious grin stretching over his face.

We were both breathing heavily from the chase, but trying to reduce our laughter as well. I took a step back when he advanced, lifting an amused brow in his direction. Continuing to corner me, he suddenly grinned mischievously, looking smug for a moment.

I found out why when I took another step backwards.

My back hit the door gently, making my smile drop as I mentally groan in annoyance. Minho quickly rested both his hands against the wall when I tried escaping, trapping me with a predatory smirk. I fidgeted in my spot, looking everywhere but at him. He was so close that I could feel his warm breath against mine.

"Why are you avoiding me?" he asked lowly.

"I'm not," I answered—a little bit too quickly. "I've just been busy."

Minho cocked an eyebrow. "Really? That's why you ran off when I saw you?"

I rolled my eyes, playing my lie off quite well. "Well, I just then remembered that I had to give Ms. Paige my drawings for the clinic."

"Hm. You're getting better at lying," he acknowledged after studying me for a minute. I still refused to look at him—that was, until he tilted my chin up with his finger and smirked. "Luckily, I'm also getting better at seeing through them."

I tried pushing his hands out of my way, but they were a teeny bit stronger than me. I huffed, looking at the ceiling lights instead of Minho's eyes—which was hard since he was right in front of me. Minho chuckled huskily, his head tilting slightly with mirth as he looked at my flustered state. His fingers once again guided my chin to meet his gaze. He was so near then—his nose and mine only inches apart—that he didn't even have to whisper for me to hear him.

"Why. Are. You. Avoiding. Me?"

I found it hard to breathe all of a sudden. My eyes uncomfortably darted away from his for a fleet moment before being drawn back. "It wasn't intentional," I tried excusing quite poorly. "I-I mean-why would I do that?"

His face rested in front of mine, closer, as he narrowed his eyes intensely. "You're hiding something," he concluded.

"I'm not, I just-" I shrugged helplessly. "I'm not…hiding anything."

Minho cocked his eyebrows, clearly knowing that I was lying. I tried to play it off, ignoring him completely, but he didn't budge even a bit. Instinctively, I bit my lip to cover my nervousness, making Minho sigh and mumble out a quiet, "Don't do that."

My eyebrows knitted in confusion. "Do what-"

"You know what? I think I know what it is," he suddenly spoke, a gradual grin growing slyly on his face. My mind blanked for a moment in panic, before he continued with: "You want to kiss me."

My apprehension immediately dissolved from incredulity to annoyance. I scoffed. "You-you are unbelievable, Minho." I shoved him away from me, earning a chuckle out of him.

"What? You seemed like it." I frowned and shook my head. His grin only sparked more of the annoyance in me. I tried ignoring him, walking to the couch, but he caught my arm, tugging on it lightly. In an exasperated voice, he said, "Come on. Andy, just tell me. Did I do something?"

"You did nothing-"

"Then what is it?" he asked, throwing his hands up in frustration.

"It's nothing, Minho! Nothing, alright?" I snapped, shaking my head. "Can't you just leave it at that?"

Minho blinked at my tone, before frowning. "That's not really fair is it," he suddenly spoke, with a tiny hint or irritation in his voice. "I tell you everything."

"What? What are you talking about?" I asked indignantly.

"I told you everything about the Scorch and our journey! Everything I could remember, I told you," he said, before sighing dejectedly. "And then I had to know about your past and Leo from Thomas and Aris. And now?"

I paused in my steps and frowned. "Whoa-wait. Why would I tell you about me and Leo? He's just my counterpart in Group B, that's it!"

"He's been your best friend for years before the Maze!" Minho said, his hands flying in exasperation. "You said you'd tell me everything that day, but you held back quite a lot."

I released a disbelieving gasp. "Well, I don't see his relevance to you!"

Maybe that hit a nerve, because his eyes flashed indignantly. "I don't see the relevance of telling you those shuckin' bulb monsters, but I did anyways!" he retorted. "You wouldn't have ever known or asked if I hadn't told you!"

Then, we were suddenly screaming at each other.

"Then why did you tell me? I don't even see your point-"

"You wanted to know everything! You told me to tell you everything and don't miss anything out-"

"Why'd you listen to me? You didn't have to!"

Words were just flowing out of our mouths, even ones that made no sense. Our loud, mashed up voices were the only sound echoing inside the room, and it was hard to even comprehend what the other was saying. Angry shouts were thrown as Minho and I stood facing each other.

"I just want to know what's the matter with you! I'm trying to find out why you've been avoiding me, that's-"

"Then why are you screaming at me?"

"You started screaming first!"

"You accused me of hiding something! Of c-"

"You are! I'm your friend, you're supposed to tell me when something's wrong!"

"Oh, what, like you always do?" I spat sardonically.

Minho frowned deeply. "What does that mean?"

"You can stop being a hypocrite! You don't tell me everything either!"

"You're just turning the blame on me now!" he yelled in disbelief. "I've been nothing but open to you since you met me in the Glade! Now, you're just cutting me off-"

"I'm not cutting you off!" I replied incredulously. "It's just been hectic-"

"You avoided me for a reason I don't even know for days! I'm trying to find out what I've done wrong but you won't even let me try!"

I struggled for more lame excuses, feeling caved for some reason. "I just don't want to talk-"

"You do this and you don't even realize it!" he shouted angrily, his seething face in mine. "You pull people in and then just push them away when you feel like it! No one—nobody in the world—does that so why do you?"

And then I exploded.

"I don't know!" I screamed back at him, my voice coarse from our argument. My legs instantly slammed down on my couch as I sat and hunched over, feeling something wet on my face.

"I don't know, okay? I don't know why I do that…I just-I just do it! I don't know why so stop asking! I-shit…goddamit…I don't even know why I'm crying right now," I choked out, realizing that I had streams of tears rolling down my cheeks. Furiously wiping them away, I turned away from Minho and shook my head. "What the hell," I hissed to myself, sniffling angrily as my sleeves became my tear cloth. "Just-just go, Minho. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

I squeezed my eyes, trying to shut off my tears that came out of nowhere. I didn't hear Minho move. I gave it a few minutes, but he still didn't go away. With my eyes still fisted by my hands, I scratchily croaked out, "Min, can you please leave?"

Still nothing. Suddenly, I heard something being dragged across the floor before a gentle hand rested on my shoulder. My head was still casted down, but I managed to peek a sight of Minho sitting on my chair facing me.

"Hey, come on. Stop this," he said softly. "Andy."

I shook my head, refusing to look up at him as I sniffled against my sleeves. It was embarrassing—I finally realized—that I was crying while he was here because of a stupid argument.

Minho sighed and tried prying my arms away from my face, but I stubbornly held them in place. I heard an amused chuckle from him before he firmly took my wrists and forced my hands down, sending me a sharp look when I tried lifting them again. His hands replaced mine, stroking the wet tracks until they disappeared. I scowled, biting my lips to keep them from trembling pitifully.

"Stop crying," he said, his thumb wiping my tears away. "Seriously, you look ridiculous."

A mangled laugh escaped my lips for a second before I sniffed pathetically and cleared my throat. "Sorry, I don't know where this,"—I cleared my scratchy throat again—"um, this came from."

Minho's hand was still warm on my cheek, his intense gaze set only on me. But then something warm hit my lips. It took all I had in me not to gasp.

His lips were gentle, soft, and warm—the same lips I remembered touching back in the Glade. He moved against my lips slowly, with such a tenderness I never once expected could come from him. His touch was light, not forceful, but careful—like I was going to pull away and slap him or something.

But that was just it. His tentativeness was what made me unable to move. My stomach churned with something unexplainable. I felt sick but…in a really fluttery way? I can't even think to be honest. I knew that I just wanted him to do it always. Just as my senses snapped back in motion, though, he pulled away, resting his forehead against mine.

Our noses touching, and his warm breath on mine, I looked up into his eyes. "What was that for?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

Minho gazed at me, before simply shrugging. "You seemed like you wanted it."

My brows knitted as I studied the slow grin forming on his face. I jerked back, my mouth opening and closing as I tried to reply, but couldn't. He chuckled lowly as I slapped his shoulder, my mouth releasing a disbelieving laugh. "You absolute jerk."

He snickered, shaking his head as I stared at him. His head came back to rest against me, however, and I welcomed it with my eyes zooming in on his lips. He smirked when he saw that, and I rolled my eyes in to cover my embarrassment and shoved him. A few seconds passed as I searched for what to say.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled. "I don't know why I don't tell people things, I just wait for them to ask."

Minho raised an eyebrow. "I asked."

"That…was a little different," I said, smiling hesitantly. "Um, I didn't answer you because…the answer was just stupid." Shaking my head, I laughed at what my actual reason for avoiding him was—it was preposterous.

"Just tell me," he said. "It can't be that stupid."

"It is," I pressed, but Minho pretended to smile pleadingly, whispering out a 'please…?'. "No, Min! It's…it's insane. It's completely childish."

"Well, now I really want to know," he laughed. "Come on. Tell me. Please? Pretty please? With a—what do they say—cherry on top? Is that it? I won't stop annoying you until you tell me. " I shook my head, earning a playful tug on my arms. Then, in a serious voice, he leaned in and said, "Babe, spare me my pride. Please don't make me resort to begging."

"Oh my god…fine. Fine. I'll tell you!" I burst out giggling, pushing his face away from me. "I'll spare you your pride." Rolling my eyes, I bit my lips as I opened my mouth to tell him about the girl. I hesitated halfway, only for Minho to narrow his eyes, and I sighed in defeat.

"It was the…girl."

A pause. "What girl?"

"You know," I shrugged uncomfortably. "The girl you like."

His eyebrows scrunched in confusion. "You?"

"No," I said, but smiled at his candid answer. "The girl that made you blush that day. In the cafeteria, remember? Tall girl, tan, brown hair, the pretty one." I rolled my eyes and wrung my fingers, the bitter feeling creeping back. "Her."

Minho frowned, mentally searching for who I meant, before his eyes lit up.

"Wait—that's what this is about?" he asked, blinking in surprise. "Daphne?"

"Oh, she has a name," I muttered dryly.

Minho's lips slowly curved into a ridiculous smile. His eyes crinkled at the edges as he squinted his amused eyes playfully, holding back a laugh. "Are you shucking kidding me? That is why you were avoiding me?"

I refused to answer, tilting my head the other way from his pleased gaze.

"You were jealous?"

"I wasn't!" I retorted, scowling. "I was just…"

I trailed off when Minho raised his eyebrows expectantly, the absurd grin on his face visibly widening with every word I said. I narrowed my eyes as he motioned for me to continue talking, excitedly shaking my hand. He looked like a child being given candy for the first time. His face was so bright—like it was about to explode.

"Maybe I was a little," I didn't want to say it, but Minho's impatient smile had me caving. "…jealous."

He instantly burst out laughing. Like—a full on guffaw. His eyes scrunched together as his loud laugh rang throughout the room. He couldn't even stay still. He leaned backwards, shook his head sideways, then bent forward, and then leaned backwards again—never stopping his howls. It was as if he was choking on air. He then bent over, his hands on his stomach as it finally ached from his continuous cackle.

Then his laughs became so hard they went mute. All I could see was his shoulders shaking.

I blew some hair from my face. "If you're just going to laugh at me, you can go."

"No, no, no," he said quickly, clutching his chest to stop his laughter. "No, wait. This is too good."

"Minho."

At my warning tone, Minho finally stopped snickering—with a bit of difficulty—but he couldn't stop grinning. I raised an eyebrow at his eager face. "I can't believe you were jealous," he giggled.

He actually giggled.

"Minho, enough!" I hissed, slapping his shoulder. I couldn't help the tiny curve of my mouth, however, when Minho started cracking up again. His giddiness was contagious. "Minho!"

"Okay, okay," he breathed out heavily, smiling as he tried to contain his laugh. "I can't…okay. Wait-sorry, it's just…it's just,"—he laughed again but I shot him a look—"Okay, I'm fine now, I think…I just-wow."

"You done?" I asked sarcastically.

Minho nodded enthusiastically. "I think so." Even so, his reply held stifling chuckles.

I rolled my eyes, despite the small smile on my lips. He was so animated by me being jealous, it was almost funny. "Now what was so hilarious, huh?"

"It's normally me on that side," he replied happily, making me glare. Minho, unfazed, only continued beaming. "And you're adorable when you're jealous, by the way."

A few seconds ticked by until I cleared my throat. "So?"

"So what?" he asked, clueless. I raised an eyebrow. "Oh, right. Daphne."

"Daphne," I nodded, biting the words out.

Minho chuckled and leaned his elbows on his knees, facing me properly. "Okay, so, Daphne." You can stop saying her name, I thought sulkily. Seeing my broodiness, Minho smiled and grabbed my hands, cupping both of them in his. "She's a girl from Group B."

I nodded. "Okay."

"And she's really pretty, yeah," he started, grinning at my reaction. "But not really my kind of pretty. I like your pretty. You know, the gorgeous type of pretty," he said, so straightforwardly, that I didn't even have time to blush before he continued. "And sure, she's nice and all. She's funny, easy to talk to, she was one of the lead Runners in their Maze just like I was the lead Runner in our Maze…we have a lot in common."

I frowned slightly, but nodded. Minho smirked.

"You know what else we both have in common…what made me blush and act shucking bashful?" he asked, his eyes twinkling in amusement when I scowled. I tried to pull my hands away from his grip, but he kept me in place and said:

"We both like girls."

A moment of utter silence filled the room.

And then my hands went to my mouth to hide my gape.

"No way."

Minho nodded, a smirk stretching over his lips. "It's true."

I blinked once. Twice. Then countless of times.

"I-I feel ridiculous now," I mumbled into my palm, despite the bright smile spreading across my lips. "This is…oh god. I'm so embarrassed right now."

"Well, I feel really flattered." He smiled in satisfaction. "Very flattered. This just might be the best shuckin' day of my life."

I shoved his shoulder as he snickered, my hands retreating back to my face immediately to shield my embarrassment. My head was shaking as I stared at him with…surprise? Shame? Glee? I don't even know. A mixture of everything, I suppose. I was glad at the revelation but also incredibly humiliated at my assumption. My lips were stretched in a wide smile, nonetheless.

"I can't believe this. Oh, I was so stupid!" I laughed, shaking my head. "I should've asked or…something!" The silly grin on Minho's face continued showing. "God, I can't even explain how I feel right now."

"It's okay. It's natural, I should know," he smirked. "I've been through it."

I shook my head. "But you didn't pull a…an idiotic act like I did!"

"Sure I did. Remember the first day you got together with Newt?" As he said it, he hesitated at Newt's name. I, unsurprisingly, found that I wasn't bothered by it.

"That didn't even last for half a day!" I gasped. "I avoided you for days! What was I…whoa. I still can't process this. She's-wow, okay. Should've expected someone like Jeff and Winston, right? It's kinda weird cause I'm a girl as well, but, i-it was bound to happen for her…right? And you don't-cause she's…god, my mind is everywhere-"

"-You're thinking too much." Minho interjected.

"Wait, wait…I just need a moment," I said, holding a finger up. "I need to comprehend everything." Minho waited, beaming, as I blinked for a few more seconds. "Wow. I-I still don't how to feel right now."

He grinned. "Well, I have an idea for that. Now that we've established that you were jealous because you couldn't even-for-a-shuckin'-moment stand the thought of me being with another girl,"—I cocked an eyebrow at his dramatic exaggeration—"that must mean you like me. Meaning: you should probably kiss me."

An expression of amusement passed on my face. "Really? That's your idea?"

"Yup." He nodded eagerly.

I gave him a tiny smirk as I thought of something. Leaning forward, I paused just as I neared his smug lips, and retreated back. "What if I don't want to?"

Minho rolled his eyes before yanking me playfully by my hand, my lips immediately crashing against his. I couldn't help the grin on my face as I responded keenly; my hands crawling up his arms to the back of his neck. His lips were so warm and soft—and I was sure I've said that many times now—but I couldn't help it. It was a stark contrast to everything else about him. And I loved it. I loved every moment of his lips meeting mine.

The kiss was a tiny bit messy yet full of vigor—months worthy of kisses rolled into one stolen embrace. His fingers lightly travelled down my shoulders to my sides, tugging me closer until I was flushed against him. I pressed my lips harder against him in response, stealing a few quick breaths between partings as we explored.

His fingers then playfully dragged down my collarbones, lingering on the buttons on my shirt. I felt his mischievous grin spread as I gently pulled his hand down. "No," I whispered in amusement against his lips, hearing a low laugh rumble.

I couldn't keep track of time—I couldn't keep track of anything really—when he started nibbling on my bottom lip, a slow sigh escaping me as my fingers laced around his collared shirt. My lips molded against his perfectly and I really didn't want to pull away any time soon. Unfortunately, humans needed air.

I half-heartedly pulled back, breathing heavily, only for Minho to keep following my lips. "Hold up," I laughed shakily, placing a gentle yet firm finger on his chest. Catching my breath, I said, "I need to breathe, you know."

Minho blinked and took a deep breath, nodding almost mindlessly. "Right." I couldn't help but giggle at his stunned expression. Hearing my laughter, he snapped out of his stupor and grinned lazily. "Maybe I should just stay over tonight."

Biting my lips to prevent a laugh, I cocked an eyebrow slyly. "You know what you need for that?" I asked, tilting my head and smiling, Minho doing the same. "The keys to my room."

He frowned, leaning in again to capture my lips, only for me to duck away. "But it's in my apartment. And that's sooo far."

I rolled my eyes in amusement at his childish whine. "It's right next door. And the faster you go get it…" I smiled, wrapping my arms around his neck and brushing my lips against his. Minho feigned a look of misery as he looked at the door, earning a sigh out of me. "Fine, I'll get it. Give me your keys."

Minho opened his mouth to speak, but I beat him to it. "And no, I won't try revenge. Cross my heart."

Even as I said, it though, I was grinning.

Minho squinted his eyes, pondering over my words, before smirking. Pulling me close once again, he whispered, "Maybe after this."

And then we were kissing again.

I then found out why I was so emotional earlier that night. WICKED didn't store any menstruation negation pills in Paradise, apparently. The other girls from Group B and I were vexed to say the least.

So, there's the second part! And...the next chapter might just be the last. Wow. Hopefully, Andy wasn't too unbearable in this. Jealousy, you know. It's not pretty. xD The next one will be up soon! And expect it to be a little more...intimate?

radposey: I'm still asking myself that 😂

lottielue1: Yes, Minho and Andy! :3 And thanks for reviewing again! You never fail to review and I love seeing your name pop up in my notifications :D

Elena (Guest): Thanks for saying that! You're so nice :D I hope, maybe, one day! Thank you again!

Izzy (Guest) : Thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you love it! :D And for thinking so!

AwesomeGirl909: Thanks for saying that! :D And go see if you still haven't. And you'll be heartbroken nontheless by the end of it, i think. It was hard. But thanks again!

gms14: Thanks for the sincere review! I hope this chapter was okay and satisfying enough. And I'm glad you understood the throwing popcorn thing 😂!

Guest: It's never late to review! I love getting them, late or early! And your english is great! I didn't think you weren't an english speaker by your review. :D

Other Guest: Good thing Andy is alive then! Thanks for the review! :)

And as always, thanks for reading! :D