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Chapter XXXVI

Old Friends, New Friends

"You're not going to tell anyone, are you?" I asked, my tone hushed but still serious. Maybe slightly panicked as well, but I tried my best not to let that shine through too much, even though it wasn't like I was the only one feeling that way; Dean's cheeks had turned red as Zart's tomatoes upon seeing Minho and I together, and hadn't returned to their original colour since. Everything he said to me came out as a stammer, and I couldn't blame him. My lips couldn't form words either. How could they, after having been kissed by Minho? The Runner had been smart - for once in his life, thank God - to not sit at our usual table today. Instead he sat with the other Keepers, laughing and joking as if nothing interesting had happened today. We couldn't help but sneak glances at each other though, and I really hoped no one noticed.

"Tell anyone what?" Lennon piped in, immediately shaking me out of my daze. He sat down next to me, while Christian sat down on the opposite side, next to Dean, looking just as interested as his friend.

"That I kissed Min-" It was out before I could stop myself. "Klunk."

"YOU KISSED MINHO?!" Lennon nearly shrieked, and I quickly dove at him to put my hand over his mouth, shooting him a frantic look. Lennon had never really been the type to pass up the opportunity to learn about any new gossip, so this was no exception. Hopefully from the look in my eyes he could tell that this wasn't just something he could shout around the Glade.

"Could you say that any louder?" I hissed, quickly looking around to see if anyone had heard. "Besides, he kissed me, I didn't kiss him!

"Harper, this is the miracle of the century. Nothing interesting ever happens here," Lennon said, after having pried my fingers from his face. "To be honest, I am disappointed that you didn't tell me any sooner about all of this. Have you forgotten about us now that you're friends with all the Keepers?" He added with a slight pout.

"Or more than friends," Christian said while trying to force down a smile.

"Guys, you know I haven't forgotten about you!" I said, feigning offence. "But things have been confusing the last couple of days ..."

"Well, that's what were here for," Christian said, looking at the others. They nodded in agreement. "We can help you fit together the puzzle pieces."

I smiled, looking down at my mostly untouched plate. That was what I had been needing to hear all this time. Of course I had always known that I could tell them anything, but still. At least these boys weren't the kind to over-worry, or directly report to Alby, or look at me like I was some kind of charity case. They weren't one of the big guys, which made talking to them much more comfortable.

I clapped my hands, announcing my first puzzle piece. "So. I told you about the whole Rich being a creeper thing, right? Well apparently, it was Minho who followed me in to the woods!"

Well, telling them didn't help at all. The three boys surrounding me looked just as puzzled as I was. I continued, "He followed me, found the bottle, than gave it to Rich to frame him as the creeper, who was all to eager to do it according to Minho, because "that klunkhead" was obviously "head over shucking heels in forever love" with me, which I still find a little hard to believe, I mean, it was just a kiss, but-"

"And that shank is Keeper of the Runners?" Lennon said, scrunching his eyebrows together in amused disbelief.

"Well, I guess he's smart." I shrugged. "But I don't get why he would put in all that effort."

"Because he didn't want to come off as some pervy stalker," Dean said, pausing mid-bite. "Duh."

Lennon rolled his eyes - apparently I was missing something. "Because he likes you, Harper. If he had just walked up to you and gave you that bottle, how would you have felt?"

"A little freaked out I guess, but it's Minho."

"Yeah, but you were already freaked out by Rich, right? And Minho doesn't like him."

"He's such an asshat sometimes," I said, leaning my head on my hand as I stared into the distance, thinking of what an asshat he actually really was.

Another eyeroll. "Just say shuckface."

"Yeah, that."

- # -

The rest of dinner was just like always, except for Lennon gushing about Minho and I. I wasn't sure for how long this was going to be a secret, especially with Minho who kept shooting me looks, but I really hoped my friends could keep this one thing quiet. Soon enough something else would happen, right? Being the center of attention, even if it was just among friends, wasn't really something I enjoyed.

When Gally came to sit by me after everyone had left to spend their last bit of free time for the day, I didn't send him away. Since our awkward encounter when I had only been a newbie, we hadn't spoken much one-on-one. He sat with us sometimes to eat and we often send smiles and waves each other's way. It didn't seem like he had a lot of friends in the Glade, and when moments like these occurred, I always wondered why I had never tried to befriend him.

"Hey," he said, a little unsure where to start maybe. There wasn't much to talk about, but I enjoyed his effort all the same.

"Hey Gally." I turned to look at him, really acknowledging his presence. "What have you been up to?"

"Building," he said with a chuckle, shrugging like it wasn't a big deal. "You?"

"Cooking, of course," I said, "Frypan is very happy with his new storage shed."

"I'm glad he is." The smile on his face told me he was being genuine. "It's not really anything special."

I tilted my head to look at him, frowning. "What are you talking about?"

"Anyone could build a shed."

I couldn't help but burst out laughing at the image of Alby or Lennon trying to build a shed. Gally, on the other hand, looked worried, as if I was laughing at him, so I quickly comforted him. "Do you really believe that? Can you imagine a cook trying to build a shed? Or Clint?"

"I guess you have a point," he said with a snort, also forming such an image in his mind.

"You're Keeper for a reason." I gently poked him in the ribs with my elbow, wiggling my eyebrows.

He pulled a hand through his hair, giving me his best seducing look. "It must be my irresistible physique."

"God, Gally, one Minho is more than enough!" Gally laughed and rolled his eyes, not nearly as amused as I was. From what I had seen, he and Minho weren't exactly on the best terms.

"He's a slinthead, yeah," he said, confirming my thoughts.

"I know. But he often doesn't intend to be one," I said, putting a hand on his knee. I really hoped Gally didn't take Minho too seriously, because as sensitive as he could be, he was an easy prey for Minho when he was in for a little fun.

"Are all girls like this?" He asked, leaning his head in his hands.

"Ehr, what? Like what?"

"No offense, Harper, but do you know how ignorant you are when it comes to him?" He looked at me, maybe afraid he had offended me, but I could only agree with him. All my friends had seen it coming, and I hadn't. Somehow, everyone knew how to read me, and I didn't even know my story myself. He continued, "It's obvious you're his soft spot. He isn't mean to you."

"He beat Rich," I whispered, but it dawned on me that that too had been something to protect me. "And we argue so, so much."

"Remember when you were stuck up that tree? When he already had you out of there before I was back?" Minho had been so rude to him. I remember feeling incredibly guilty, though grateful that Minho found me. "And his hostility towards Robin and Rich?"

"They're assholes."

"To you, maybe once or twice. But Minho's blood begins to boil when any of those two walks into sight." Robin and Rich didn't even bother me that much any more, and Gally was right; it had bothered Minho much more than the others. And he never really got involved in fights.

"How come people always seem to be able to look right into my head?" I asked with a sigh, resting my head on my knees as I looked out over the Glade. Some boys were already getting ready for bed; Cooks and Runners had to wake up early. Others were chatting away in clusters, sitting in the grass or walking around, jumping from group to group.

"It's the eyes," someone said, startling both Gally and I. I turned my head, and Newt was looking right back at me with a cheeky smile plastered on his face. "They're a gateway to your brain, really," he continues, popping a peanut into his mouth. "And you're horrible at keeping secrets. Or lying."

"Truth," Gally agreed.

Newt and I hadn't really spoken much the past week. He had to sit a lot, still recovering. Either he worked inside in Alby's office, or he sat around the Gardens, keeping the Track-hoes company. I had been so busy trying to figure everything out with Rich and Minho, I had kind of neglected Newt.

"Hello to you, too, Newt," I greeted him, patting the grass next to me. While he could walk by himself now using a cane, he still had a hard time sitting down and standing up, so I offered him my hand for support, which he gladly took.

Moments later, a Builder I didn't recognize waved Gally over for small-talk, which left the two of us alone. While I felt wholly comfortable with Newt, it felt awkward to sit with each other like this after we hadn't talked in so long. But I guess that was my fault, and I intended on making up for it.

"How have you been doing?" I asked, my voice careful. I was so scared to interact with him, scared that just one wrong word could break him all over again.

"I'm okay," he said, reading that exact worry on my face. "I'm not made of glass, Harper. Not anymore at least."

"You scared me a lot, okay? I can't really help it." I pursed my lips together, trying to keep my emotions at bay. Newt wrapped an arm around my waist and I leaned in, resting my head on his shoulder.

"Well, it's not like I'm going anywhere with this bloody limp." He chuckled, and I couldn't help but smile a little. "There's no way I'll ever be a Runner again."

"Alby and Minho wouldn't let you."

"Oh, definitely not. If I would even ask, they would throw me right off the shucking Cliff themselves," he said. I could already picture Alby and Minho tossing Newt into nothingness.

With a laugh, I added, "It would be a spectacle, honestly."

"We haven't had anything spectacular happen in a while in the Glade, so it would be a good way of lifting the mood."

Well, if you didn't count my little interaction with Minho a spectacle, which Lennon totally did. I had already thought about how I was going to tell Newt, but in the end, I had decided against telling him anything. He would have known by now already, because Minho would have told him if he thought it was worth sharing. Even though Newt was one of my best friends, I wanted to keep it between as less people as possible.

"I really hope your death won't be the next interesting thing to happen, though," I whispered, looking up at Newt. He smiled back at me, softly squeezing my arm.

"'Course not."

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At least it wasn't three months this time! This is kinda short and ended kind of abruptly, but I really really wanted you guys to read this. I was dying for some Gally - Harper interaction, then I remembered Newt, and Narper/Hewt (?) and I had to write something for those two as well because they're cute together. Autumn Rabbit, cliffhanger! Dean is probably scarred for life. Overprotective Minho is the best Minho! percabeth9349 HOW DID I NOT SEE THE TRAILER WHAT THE HELL I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOREVER THANK YOU FOR ASKING I HAVE SEEN IT NOW AND IM HYPEDDDD. Thomas & Thomas lookin' gooooood. I didn't leave! I'm back, better than ever! Guest1, hoped this lived up to your expectations. Animecrzygrl99, thank you for the love dearie! And thank you too, Annie. Guest2, WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT. Tbh I ship Lennon and Christian even more than Minho and Harper. purplepandee, you don't have to wait any longer! LavenderGirlWrites, damn Dean. I totally get what you mean. Minho always has this kind of attitude thing going on.. I can't even explain it. Guys. By. The. Way. WE HIT 40000 VIEWS. Thanks.

- paperkite