AN: I know...it's been forever. I wanted to write a chapter for Newt next, but I'm terrible at writing for him and I wanted to make it good. I finally decided to just skip the chapter I was working on for him in favor of updating something I already had set up that was semi-decent. I'm so sorry, but to make up for it...the first of multiple changing-induced flashbacks!

CHANGING FLASHBACK (SAM)

I was younger, maybe ten or eleven, and I was sitting in a room with another boy with dark hair who looked about the same age. Suddenly, a fire alarm rang in the air. A voice came over the intercom telling everyone that it was a drill, to please not panic, and to make their way to the designated safe room. A supposedly fire safe room was made for each group and the scientists working on them. The boy stood up, and I followed him to the door. The hallway was flooded with people. He looked at me, then at the sea of people in the corridor.

"I don't want you to get lost and not be able to ask someone where to go. Give me your hand." He said. I rolled my eyes. "Sam." Begrudgingly, I let him take my hand. It was more like my wrist, really. He's being ridiculous, I'm not a five year old. The boy dragged me through the hallway and punched in the code to open a door at the end of the passage. Still gripping my arm, he led me to the back of the room. And now practically everyone working on Group A had seen him drag me around like a kindergartener. Irritated, I yanked my arm away from him. He scowled.

"We're here, aren't we?" He mumbled. I glared at him. He looked away, and for a moment he was silent. I crossed my arms, leaning against the wall. He leaned towards me.

"Thomas, I love you, you're the best person in the world." He said quietly in an oddly high pitched voice. I frowned.

"You're mocking me."

"Hey, that impression's spot on." He defended. I went on scowling. "See, there it is."

I looked around the room. Despite the fact that we were supposed to be quiet while they made sure everyone got to the right rooms, everyone was talking. Even the scientists were talking amongst themselves. It looked like they were comparing notes or something, but they weren't really enforcing the "stand still and shut up" rule that usually went with emergency drills. Then I noticed one of the boys towards the center kept looking back at me.

He was tall, with light blonde hair, and his eyes caught mine. Instantly, he looked away and started talking to the boy standing next to him. I recognized the other (Minho, I think his name was), but I didn't recognize him. He was dressed the same as Minho and must've been placed in the same group, but he had a messenger bag slung over his shoulder and across his chest. Glancing at Thomas, who was totally zoned out, I walked over to them. Minho (probably) looked at me and I heard the last part of their conversation.

"...coming over here. I told you to stop doing that." He muttered. They both looked at me. I walked up and stood next to the first boy. They glanced at me like they were waiting for me to say something, but I just stared ahead. Finally, the first one spoke up.

"I'm Newt." He said, then gestured to the other boy. "That's Minho." Minho nodded. I nodded.

"What's your name?" Newt asked. He was British, I realized. Not knowing what to do, I stared at him. I didn't think I would get this far. He looked confused, and I looked at the ground.

"Not much of a talker, are you?" Minho muttered. I shrugged.

"You in trouble or something?" Newt asked. His tone was light, joking. "That friend of yours sort of dragged you in here." I grinned, but shook my head. Taking this as a good sign, he went on.

"Just checking. I've seen him with w.i.c.k.e.d...you too, come to think of it. I thought maybe-"

"Sam, I told you to stay with me." Thomas put his hand on my shoulder. Awesome. I glared at him.

"What, are you like, in charge of her or something?" Minho asked. Thomas ignored him.

"Okay, I didn't say it. But I thought it." Thomas corrected himself, still focused on me.

"We were in the middle of a conversation and they're really cute." I signed, irritated. "Go away."

"Actually, I don't think I will." Thomas grinned. "I don't care if you think they're cute or not." Thomas argued. I glanced back to find Newt and Minho grinning at each other. I groaned.

"Why? Why would you say that?"

"And since when did you have any interest in guys anyway?" He asked. Signed, thank god.

"Since I found out we're not the only ones in the building under age fifty." I shot back. "So if you'd shut up for a second, the two of us would actually be able to make some decent friends."

"Fine." Thomas frowned, like he knew I was right but didn't want himself to be wrong. Newt (I think) tapped me on the shoulder. I turned around slowly.

"Not to be rude or anything," he began, which is never a good sign. "but are you-"

"No." Thomas, anticipating their question, cut him off. "She's mute, not deaf."

"Oh," Minho put in. "Well, I-"

"Subjects and staff members, the drill is now complete." The intercom announced. "Please return to your previous positions."

"Come on." Thomas grumbled. He took my hand and led me out the door. I yanked it away but kept following him. He checked, making sure I was still close behind him. I glanced over and Newt and Minho had fallen in step behind us. I made eye contact with them, then slipped into a corridor that branched off from the main hallway. Thomas would live, it's not like I could get lost. Well, I didn't think I would get lost. As I'd hoped, they followed me.

"We're not being creepy, I swear." Newt held his hands up defensively. I grinned. "It's just been a while since we've had someone new to talk to."

"Besides, you're pretty cute yourself." Minho winked. I smiled.

"He said your name's Sam, right?" Newt asked. I nodded.

"Oh, here." Newt reached into his bag, rummaging around. After a moment he pulled out a pen and was about to rip a page out of a small notebook, but thought better of it. He handed me the notebook.

"So is he like your translator, or did they give you a body guard?" Minho asked. I shook my head. I opened the cover of the notebook and wrote on the first page.

I held it out and they moved to see my writing. I couldn't make out what it said, but they seemed to understand. They considered this, and studied my face. Newt was looking at me strangely.

"They...they let you...you two see each other a lot, you work on the same projects?" He asked hoarsely. Confused, I nodded. Minho seemed confused as well, but then a look of understanding crossed his features. He looked at Newt sadly.

"It's not her fault, Newt." Minho said carefully. Newt, who suddenly looked upset, nodded curtly. Then he looked angry and frustrated. I frowned, wondering what I'd done to upset him. I started to write in the notebook he'd given me, but he shook his head.

"It's not...it wasn't your fault." He said stiffly. "If you'll excuse me, I'd like to go speak with someone." He grimaced and quickly walked away and down the corridor. I sighed sadly. I had no idea what I'd done to upset him, but it must've been awful. Minho looked hurriedly between me and the hallway Newt had gone down.

"I, um," He stammered. "Okay, I swear it's not your fault and he's not mad at you...specifically, but I should...I have to go. I'm sorry."

He looked down at the notebook in my hands. I held it out for him to take, but he shook his head.

"Keep it. It'll be your excuse to come by." He smiled slightly. "We're in Group A. Can you get away tomorrow?"

He didn't wait for my answer, but reached over and took the pen, writing a room number in the notebook.

"I have to go." Minho said. "I'll see you-"

"Sam!"

Thomas rounded the corner. I rolled my eyes.

"Are you serious? You totally freaked me out. We're gonna be late, you know." Thomas told me, frustrated. He looked at Minho, who gave me a slightly apologetic look before running off. I sighed. Thomas looked a bit pleased with himself, probably thinking he was the reason Minho had gone. I rolled my eyes. Thomas sighed.

"Come on Sam, we have to go."