Oh shit!

"No, I'm fine," Ben gave a small smile. His initial shock wearing off, no longer looked confused or surprised, but a slightly guilty for spilling my drink. "Just an accident is all. I'm sorry again."

"I can see that," Jackson chuckled, looking at my shirt.

This is the kid I ran into! He's the one I almost knocked unconscious! Hes the boy who pulled me from the box! Now I've ran into him a second time, oh shit. This is Ben!

"You're Ben?," I asked, it was my turn to be surprised.

"Yeah, that's me," he held out his hand," Nice to meet you."

I shook his hand and felt even worse. "Oh... I am so sorry, I didn't mean to-..."

Ben waved his hand," Oh, please. It's alright. No harm done. There's more on you then there is on me."

"Oh, hold on, I'll go grab you a jacket or something," Jackson scurried away.

"Uhm... no I'm really sorry about... about the other day," I said quietly, watching the remainder of my drink swish around the glass. I heard him sigh deeply, he knew exactly what I was talking about.

"Yeah, don't worry about it. It's okay."

I nod," I had no idea you were right there or else I would have..."

"Would have what? Ran around me?," he joked.

I let out a small laugh," Yeah, I would have just dodged and kept going."

"Just don't tell anyone else that," he said solemnly.

"Oh believe me, I don't plan on it... Again, I really am sorry, they said you almost blacked out."

"Key word there is almost, I bounced back. I'm really okay," Ben said as Jackson jogged up to us with a thin jacket. I reached my arm out to grab it, but instead Jackson put the coat on me himself.

"Uh, thanks Jackson." I mumbled pulling my arm through the second sleeve.

"No problem, Greenie. This should warm you right up. We should find Alby, I think he wants to say a few words to everyone."

"Okay, sure. Nice to finally met you properly, Ben," I smile at him.

He returns me smile and I notice he had two deep dimples on either side of his face," Same goes to you."

Jackson steers me to Alby, who grabs me and stands up on a log with him. "Gentlemen!," he announces the Glade. "We have a new Greenie!," he lifts my hand with his and everyone cheers. "This is new for all of us," he states as the crowd settles. I look and all eyes are on me, but it's not really new. I see Jeff and Clint in the back whispering to one another, followed by giggling. Gully is standing with his arms crossed , his expression is serious as he listens to Alby. Most of the faces I scan over are in disbelief or are shocked, they must not have believed the rumors of a girl... "We have never before had a girl in the Glade, this means many things. It opens opportunities for us, but it may also cause some difficulty. I think it is a good thing she is here and I am glad to have her as a new member of the Glade. Together we can all overcome any obstacle they throw at us! WE ARE GLADERS!"

The crowd erupts into cheering and clapping, I spot Ben standing of to the side clapping and smiling. I look out at everyone, they all seem happy, uplifted by Alby's speech no doubt. I can tell that some people aren't convinced that I will be an asset, I turn to Alby who is cheering along with everyone else and smile, maybe it won't be all bad.


That's what I thought before I woke up the next morning with a throbbing headache. What the hell is in that stuff!, I thought gripping my temples.

"Good morning, Greenie," Clint greets me happily whistling.

"Don't be so loud, Clint," Jeff said, obviously feeling the same effects as I was.

"Maybe you shouldn't drink so much," he teased his friend before going back to whistling.

I sat up on the edge of my bed and felt disgusting. I smelt terrible and I bet looked just as bad, my stomach growled. Jeff must have heard it because he handed me a piece of bread," Here, it helps."

I nodded a thanks and made my way to the showers, Wait, I stopped mid step. Should I shower? I mean, what if there are people in there? Boys...Who are naked! I groaned, I need to talk to Alby.

"Hey, Greenie," a voice called out to me, I responded by turning. I'm getting to used to being called Greenie, I need to figure out my name. "Winston is looking for you."

"Yeah thanks," I tell the boy and he strides up to me," Have you seen Alby? I have a question for him."

"Alby is a tad preoccupied, but I can assist if you'd like," the boy said with a smile. His voice was different, an accent of some kind, maybe English? He was a cute with his short wavy hair and squinted eyes, he was tall and muscular but had a boyish way about him.

"I need to ask Alby a question. I'm not sure you can help?"

"Well go ahead. Ask away," he crossed his arms.

"I need to know if I can use the shower or not?," I look him dead in the eye and watched and him grow uncomfortable.

"Uhmm, well... I'll check it for you, if you like? And I can stand guard if you need..." I raised and eyebrow," Outside, of course!" he added quickly.

"What about Winston, will he be mad I'm late?"

"Just don't take too long," the boy said strolling towards the showers, he was walking so quickly I almost didn't notice his limp. He disappeared inside and I heard him talk to some people," Hurry up, you bloody shanks!" He returned shortly after," It'll be open in a few."

I smiled," What's your name?"

"I'm Newt. Nice to meet ya," he paused," Have you remembered your name yet?" I shook my head and looked away from him. "Well it's your third day here, I suppose it'll come soon enough."

"You think so?"

"Yeah, makes sense. Sorry lads," he says to the boys who scurry from the shower rooms.

Newt goes in once more to check and then lets me enter. I quickly wash my body and hair, at least I thought it was quick, Newt said I was taking too long. I put on a new shirt and new pants and walked out feeling fresh.

"Thanks, Newt. I owe you," I smile before making my way towards the Blood House.

I find Winston and explain why I was tardy. He shrugs it off and starts explaining how to care for the animals and then how to kill them. He didn't even let me touch a knife, let alone use one. The days go by fast, but I don't think I would like to be a Slicer, too much blood. On the way back to the Med hut, I find myself drawn back to the wall. The day is over and I have nothing to do but wait until I'm tired enough to sleep, there's no point in going back and bother Clint and Jeff. I leaned against the cool gray wall, Why haven't I remembered my name? What is it! What is it! I hear running and see Ben and some other emerge from the maze, I'm glad they made it back in time. Ben sees me and waves before running after his friends I wave back, but he doesn't see. I'm glad I ran into him and not someone who wants to see me get in trouble. I'm lucky he forgave me. This place isn't too bad. Everyone is fairly kind and I'm sure that soon it wont be a big deal that I'm a girl... A girl without a name. Nameless... What is it? What could it be?

"What you doing, Greenie?," I watch Newt walk closer to me.

"Nothing, enjoying my free time after slaughtering animals."

Newt chuckles,"Well Alby wants a word with ya."

"Sure," I stand and follow Newt to a tall tower.

"He's up at the top," Newt says, following me up the stairs. I see Alby sitting, looking out at the Glade, his back is to me. "I found her Alby."

Alby turns towards us and crosses his legs. "Hey Greenie," hey greets me without a smile, but his voice is indifferent. I hope I'm not in trouble... "I wanted tot alk to you about the Glade." Crap, I'm in trouble. "I know this place isn't quite... uhm... well, it's not exactly girl friendly as it is. If you have any suggestions on how to make it a more inclsive place, just let myself of Newt know." Thank goodness.

I sat across from Alby," The Showers would be a good place to start. Maybe there should be one just for girls?"

Newt leaned on the corner of the post," I'm not sure we can build another shower room."

Alby nodded," Resources are tight for luxury items like that."

"What happens when the box thing comes up and there is another girl," I say," then the next month, and then the next month."

I could tell that Alby had not yet thought of this, he cleared his throat and answered," If that is the case, we will find a way to divide things more equally, but for now, maybe things that are a little less extreme."

I rolled my eyes, less extreme! "Well... maybe I could only shower at night, so that way everyone will be done and I wont have to kick people out."

"That's not bad, we can work on that. Right Newt?"

"Yeah, thats not so bad."

"As for sleeping," I continue," I actually like sleeping the Med hut, if that's okay. I don't really want to sleep with... with all the boys," I looked in my lap as I finished. "Zart said that you thought it best for me to stay there too."

"Yes, I do" Alby agreed. "But it is temporary, we cant have someone living there."

"Okay, sure," I nod. I just wish there was a way to stop everyone from staring.

My face must have given something away because Alby's eyes darted between Newt and myself," What? What is it?"

I brush the hair behind ears," Nothing. It's nothing," I stand up," Thanks, it means a lot that you guys care this much. I guess you don't want to kill me," I laughed, trying to lighten the mood. Newt cracked a small smile, but Alby's face didn't change, "Okay," I mutter before climbing down the stairs of the tower.