Disclaimer: please know that I am not James Dasher I was never him nor will I ever be him

this said I do not own any of the characters, except Billie and of course Skylar. George was the name of a dead Glader so even he is not mine.

And the story continues...

Chapter 9 - Awkward

Three months passed and we set up a new tradition: bonfires.

Every month we'd have a great bonfire to welcome the greenie and relax. Gally's infamous drink always made an appearance as did his fight circle. He was an undefeated champ so far.

I was sitting by the fire, watching the flames when Newt came over. "Ya know, you should enjoy the bonfire. It always cheers me up to watch the greenie take on Gally."

I smiled slightly, "I'm just not in the mood this month. Just not feelin' it."

Newt nodded in understanding, "I know how ya feel. I wasn't up to last month's fire. Being in the maze can do that. Just don't hold in all your emotions, you'll burst."

I smiled gratefully. Talking to Newt always cheered me up. "Thanks, Newt."

He looked confused, "for what?"

I giggled. He was so adorable when he was confused. Especially when his accent shown through. "For understanding." I stood up and brushed some dust off my dress. "Come on, let's dance." I offered him my hand.

"Dance?" His voice went up a pitch. He cleared his throat, blushing.

"Yes, dance. I'm pretty sure I can get some of the guys to play along. We have the music."

Newt shook his head, "I don't dance." He stated adamantly.

I laughed, spying a loophole in his words, "doesn't mean you can't" I dragged him along while getting other Gladers involved.

It was quite fun, Billie and George even played along. We couldn't professionally dance but we did our best.

...

When we stumbled to bed I accidentally banged into Newt. We were so close we were practically touching.

His breath hitched and my heart raced.

I was so sure he was about to lean in when Alby called out, "Alright, time for bed ya shanks!"

We moved away from each other blushing madly.

We mumbled good nights, still embarrassed when I realized something. 'I like Newt. I really like him' I thought of the almost kiss and couldn't help but resent that we were interrupted. I fell asleep with a smile on my face, completely oblivious to my roommates matching smile as he slept

...

The next week was slightly awkward but not overly so, yet.

Newt and I would catch each other's eye but turn away quickly, a small blush creeping its way onto our faces.

George didn't notice anything which was my salvation. He spent most of his time with Billie. They had hit it off really well. They were inseparable. Billie even joined George as a Track-hoe. They seemed to annoy Newt most of the time though.

Minho kept making snide comments, teasing Newt and I. One night I got fed up and walked away.

I climbed a tree and looked out at the glade. The glade was quite peaceful during the later hours of the day.

I heard Newt's voice call up to me. "Sky? Can I come up?"

I looked down, "fine." I wasn't mad at Newt. It wasn't his fault that Minho was so annoying. But I just wanted to be alone right now. But a part of me wanted Newt to come up.

Newt climbed up and I met him halfway. We sat in silence before Newt spoke up. "Ya know Minho's just teasing right?"

I sighed, playing with my hands. "I know but I don't want him to mess up our friendship."

Newt looked into my eyes, "how would his teasing mess up our friendship?"

I didn't meet his gaze. "Because... " I blew out a frustrated breath. One part of me wanted to figure out my feelings and another part wanted Newt to just kiss me. My head felt like exploding. "He could pressure you to do something you don't want. Or something you feel obligated to be in."

Newt tilted my head up so I was looking into his warm brown eyes. "You're talking about that almost kiss aren't you?"

I nodded slightly, not looking away from his warm gaze.

"He isn't pressuring me into anything. He never could and never will."

Newt's voice was rich and warm, filling me with hope and dread at the same time. I stared at him for a moment longer than necessary. "Good that." I finally managed to get out.

I looked away, 'he'll never like me that way' I thought before stretching. "I think I'll see what George is up to before hitting the hay."

I turned to jump down when Newt grabbed my arm. "You know you can tell me anything right? It's what friends do."

I nodded, my face not betraying the mess of emotions going through my head. The word friend surfaced a lot though. "I know."

...

I climbed out of the tree and went to find George. He immediately asked a question I didn't want to answer. "What's with you and Newt? You've been odd lately."

I blushed, "there's nothing going on."

He looked at me strangely, "you sure? You're not secretly dating are ya?"

I shook my head. "It'd never happen." I blurted out before I could stop it.

George sat next to me. "Whys that?" He asked kindly.

I played with the grass, "because he sees me as a friend. Nothing more...nothing less."

George shook his head. "You really don't see the looks he gives you? The whole shucking glade knows except you two shanks."

I shook my head. "I don't like Newt..." I denied.

George persisted, "not even a tiny little bit? Just a smidge more than a friend?"

I groaned, "fine. I bloody like him. Happy?" He laughed. "very" I glared, "slinthead."

He continued to laugh, "you gonna tell him?"

I looked sharply at him. "Heavens no! He doesn't like me that way."

George stopped laughing, "whatever you say. So, if you aren't gonna date Newt, who are ya gonna date? Ben? Gally? Alby? Wait, that's just a bad mental image. Minho? Me?" He chuckled at the end.

I stuck my tongue out. "No, Ben's just a friend." I shuddered. "If I ever date Gally lock me up. He's nice and all but not my type.." I trailed off before a mental image made me want to gag. "Dating Alby just scares me. I think I'm scarred from that mental image!" I chuckled with my next thought. "And Minho is like a brother. An extremely annoying brother." I poked George gently in the ribs, getting a laugh. "You though, are my kid brother. I take care of you so that's a no for all of the names you named."

It was George's turn to stick his tongue out. "Fine but is your type a tall, dirty blonde haired boy with a British accent?"

I blushed madly before getting up and tickling him. I had him begging for mercy before I let him go. "You can't tell him I like him though. It could ruin our friendship."

George shook his head in a way that made me nervous. "Fine, I'll promise not to tell him. But I'm telling you he really shucking likes you." He got up yelling. "Night Sky." He walked off, leaving me to my thoughts.

Thank you for all the wonderful reviews. They mean a lot to me. Especially since this is one of my first stories.

I have another story posted so any comment on that would help.

later Gladers...