Jackson came by and apologized for what happened with the new Greenie, he said that new Greenie is calmer and Alby is giving him the grand tour. He stayed for a while and talked to me, I didn't tell him about my leaf letter, it was a huge mistake and I regretted it so much. I was lucky that he didn't ask me about my name either, that would have ended badly.

"Are you excited for your date with Newt? You're welcome by the way," he smiled giddily.

"This isn't a date, Jackson," I said it like a joke but my heart raced at the thought.

"So you're not excited?"

"Oh, I just... I'm just tired, you know? I didn't sleep well last night," I looked to my lap.

"Tired or not, you're going," he said like there was no other option. "You're going, you're going to have a good time and it's going to be great."

I sighed," I hope you're right."

"I know I'm right. It'll be starting soon, I thought you'd be happier," he was now worried.

"I am, thank you Jackson," I flashed a bright smile and he seemed convinced.

"Good. You'll have to tell me everything later," he stood up. "I have to go watch all of you party from a tower," he faked his enthusiasm.

"Have fun."

"I won't," he laughed as he left.

Date? No, this isn't a date. Is it?

I went and took a quick shower, luckily no one was in there, so that I didn't smell like the kitchen all night long. When I was walking back, I saw them light the fire, It's almost time. I ran back to my room and put on my cleanest outfit. I need to wash my clothes. I was combing my hair when Newt knocked on my door and my heart jumped.

"Hey," he smiled and I felt weak.

"Hey...," I put down my brush.

"Are you ready?"

"Uhm, yeah," I smiled as we walked towards the light of the bonfire.

I was so nervous, I bit my lip and tried to think of a topic, What do I say to him?

"Uhm... how's the new Greenie?" I already knew he answer.

"He's doing okay, still really jumpy. He hasn't tried to run yet, so that's a bonus," Newt nudged me.

I rolled my eyes and felt a blush rise to my cheeks, "I'm not the only one to run."

"That's true, we've had a lot. But you're the most recent. Hey Gally," Newt greeted Gally with a head nod. We were now at the bonfire, it was just like I had remembered. Loud voices, banging music and that weird shoving game.

"You want a drink?," Newt offered me a cup.

"Yeah, sure," I take a sip, it was strong and left a harsh taste in my mouth.

Newt laughed at my face," I thought you could handle it?"

"Apparently not," I laughed.

"How are you and Jackson doing?," Newt sipped his own drink. He asked the question so casually, I almost answered 'good' until I realized what he had meant. He does think Jackson and I are are dating! I knew! Okay... I have to answer this just right...

"Jackson is my best friend." Newt looked to the ground, he was now uncomfortable with where the conversation had gone and I was about to make it worse. "So you think we're dating too, huh?"

His head snapped up, his eyes wide and his mouth open. Look at how cute he is, so nervous and adorable.

"Uh... I-I-I... I-I had heard... something like... t-that," he stammered.

"Well, it's not true. Jackson is just my friend," I said more confidently that I felt.

"Oh, that's good to know...," he eyes darted behind me. "Hey Alby," he smiled.

I turned and saw Alby walking up to us with the new Greenie beside him, the little kid looked really on edge.

"Newt," he smiled and then turned to me and nodded. He doesn't want to call me Greenie in front of the new Greenie, I bowed my head. "Greenbean, this is who you wanted to meet," he gestured to me and I was confused. Me? He wants to meet me?

The kid looked to me, his eyes still wide, but they weren't fearful, they were nervous and a little confused. "I just wanted to meet you properly," he held out his hand.

"Oh," I took it and shook it.

"Nice to meet you," his mouth twitched into a half smile.

"Like wise," I took a long drink.

"I also want to apologize, I feel just awful about my actions earlier," his fidgeted with his hands.

"It's alright," I smiled. "You still had a better first day than me."

"That's hard to believe," he murmured.

"A lot people are put into the Slammer their first day, it's just a way to keep you confined and calm," Newt explained.

"We try to do it so you won't do something dumb," Alby's eyes flickered toward me. I roll my eyes and take another drink, it's taste started t dull my mouth.

The kid nodded, he seemed like he still didn't understand.

"It'll get better," Newt smiled.

"Have you had any luck with your name?," Alby asked.

A chill ran through my entire body. Could it be possible that this kid had found his name so soon? Could he already be doing better than I was when only hours ago he had been a mess of sobbing and snot. I held my breath as the kid shook his head, and sighed. Is it bad that I am happy?

"Ugh, we'll see you around," Newt steered me away and towards the fire. "I'm sorry," he said once we we were away.

"What for?," my voice squeaked.

"I didn't think Alby would bring up the whole name thing. I don't think he thought about what it might mean to you. Are you okay?"

I smiled weakly," Yeah, I'm fine." Am I? I could feel a pit in my stomach and there was a lump in the back of my throat. I wasn't going to cry, but I was not in the mood I had been in.

"Come on, let's watch Adam and Hank push each other," we were drawn to edge of the circle. Hank and Adam circled one another, until Hank ran at him, he was so quick. Adam was not expecting it and was pushed out of the circle, the crowd cheered. Adam went back with determination, this time he was the one to charge and hank dodged it swiftly. They did this a couple more times until Hank was declared the winner. Newt and I strolled away from them and ran into Gally.

"Hey Greenie," he smiled.

"Oh, hey Gally."

"Newt."

"Gally," Newt nodded.

"You like the hooch?," Gally gestured to my glass.

"Um, yeah. It's stronger than I remember."

"You noticed," he was impressed. "I've been playing around with the recipe."

"It's good," Newt took a drink.

"Happy to please," he laughed. "How do you like your living space?"

I swallowed my mouthful of hooch. "It's great, Gally. I can't thank you enough, I love it." At least he's not acting weird anymore.

"Hopefully soon, you'll have some new roommates," he snickered.

"Yeah...," I rolled onto the balls of my feet. "Maybe..."

"Gally, you have to go challenge Hank," Newt pointed to the ring. "He just beat Adam and now thinks he's the king."

Gally smirked cockily," Not for long" he marched towards the circle.

I hugged myself, wow... what a great reminder of how people think I'm dating Jackson, I have no name, and I'm the only girl. Tonight has been great.

"Want to go for a walk?," Newt suggested.

I nodded and set my drink down, Newt lead me away from the fire and we began to walk alongside the wall of the Glade. I let my hand drag behind me against the coarse texture of the wall, we walked for minute without speaking before Newt talked.

"I'm really sorry about tonight."

"It's not your fault," I gave a small smile.

"I feel pretty guilty..."

"Don't. It's not your fault, it's not even your problem."

"I know... but if you ever need to talk about it, I'm here," he put his hands in his pockets.

"Thanks Newt... but talking doesn't help," I chuckled sadly.

"Don't say that. Talking can be very helpful."

"Not for this...," we walked into the Deadhead.

"I guess I wouldn't know," he shuffled his feet through the leaves.

"Thanks anyway, Newt. It's sweet to offer," I give a genuine smile and he returns it.

"I should just say sorry about the whole Jackson thing," he looked away.

I smirked," It's alright, the whole Glade thinks we're together. It's so stupid."

"You guys are really close," Newt points out.

"Yeah, because he's my best friend," I defended.

"And Ben...?"

"What about Ben?" What is he talking about?

"He's a friend too?"

"Yeah, Ben and I are friends." I turned to look at him and my tree caught my eye. I steered towards it. The Deadhead was illuminated in a soft glow of white light from the moon seeping in through the leafless treetops. It looked really beautiful and strangely romantic but also kind of spooky. I gently touched the final leaf lingering on my tree, before Newt spoke.

"What about me?"

I turned to him, he was standing few feet way with his hands in pockets and his shoulders slouched forward. His eyes were shining in the moonlight, which seemed to project upon him like a spotlight. His face was hard to read, What is he thinking? What is asking me? Is he my friend... what?

"W-What?," I asked him.

"What about me?," he repeated, looking at me intensely.

"W-We're friends... r-right?"

Newt took a step closer to me," Yes."

"Good. I'm glad we're friends," you could hear the nerves in my voice.

Newt looked at me, his eyes were dark and his face was drowned in the shadows of the trees. I couldn't make out his expression, but I could feel his gaze, I knew he was watching me even though I couldn't see him. I felt a tingle in my fingers and held my breath for a moment, What is he doing? Why is he just staring at me... Does he want to say something... or... kiss me?

Then his face changed and I saw his teeth, he was smiling now and I heard his faint chuckle. He's laughing? Why?

"Me too! I think you're a great friend."

My heart sank at his words... Great friend? Why... Oh damn...

"Yeah... you too," I brushed my hair behind my ears.