Chapter Eight -

As the day continued on, Joanne found being in Newt's company a little uncomfortable. She was pretty sure that It couldn't be helped, considering Alby's reaction about what happened early…speaking of which, what the heck did happen!

Joanne puzzled it over in her brain, a blush forming in her cheeks every time that she came to the subject. Is that disappointment I feel?…did I want him to do something more perhaps? Had he kissed me, would I have this same feeling?

What came next, felt like a ton of bricks and she restrained herself from face palming. How can I possibly be thinking about something like that at a time like this?! I am in so much trouble already! How stupid can I be!

Joanne tried to shake the idea out of her head. It was just the lack of sleep kicking in, it was blocking her ability to think rationally. At least that was the logical conclusion that she convinced herself of.

Later that day, Alby called Newt away. It didn't surprise her that Alby didn't want her tagging along. She was dying to hear what they were saying though. She contemplated eavesdropping, the only thing standing in her way was that she didn't know where they had gone off to.

Bored and finished her task, she wondered around the Glade. Part of her hoped that she'd run into the tall blond and there fearless leader.

She found herself being drawn to a new building that was being put up. Before she'd even stopped walking, she was greeted by a boy that she hadn't seen yet. She could tell that he'd been here awhile tho, for his skin was darkly tanned like Newt's.

"So your the girl that everyone's been talking so much about". He spoke walking towards Joanne, he seemed friendly enough. "Names Gally"

"Joanne" the whole interaction felt awkward already. She couldn't tell if it was just do to her own inability to make a normal conversation. She figured it was safe to assume that. " sooo, what being built here?"

Joanne looked past the boy and to the new building. It was only a frame so far, and it wasn't particularly that big. Glancing at Gally she had assumed that he had something to do with the manufacturing of said building.

Gally didn't nothing looking back at what Joanne was talking about. He already knew.

"It's gonna be a storage shed for supply's." He seemed bored with the topic. "A better question would be, what are you doing alone, from what I've seen Newt or Minho have always by your side since you arrived here"

He had a nasty grin, one that would make you uncomfortable. However, Joanne got the feeling that he was harmless.

She shrugged, "really? I hadn't noticed"

Gally's grin dropped, he obviously wasn't amused with her sarcasm.

"Well you should be careful out here..." Gally said, but it wasn't out of concern. He took a step closer and Joanne wasn't sure whether to take a step back or stand and face him. "You never know what could happen if those two stopped watching".

Joanne raised an eyebrow and went to take a step back but Gally grabbed her wrist. " where ya goin'? Didn't you hear what I just said?"

She didn't feel threatened oddly enough. " I did and I'll thank you for your concern but you needn't worry. I have no doubt in my ability to - "

She was cut off mid sentence by a familiar voice.

"What'cha guys talkin' about?"

Minho…

Turning on her heel, Joanne could see Minho behind her. Gally released her arm at so point during this interaction and he was next to speak.

"that's none of your business." The snarl in Gally's voice was either lost on Minho or it simply had no effect on him.

"Slim it Gally, no one was askin' you're ugly face" Minho shot back

Joanne fidgeted, her shoes suddenly felt a little too tight.

"what was that! Ya shuck faced piece a klunk" Gally spat

With testosterone filling the air and Joanne's hair standing on end, she figured that this conversation was going to digress to a full out fist fight. She decided to step in, in a desperate attempt to avoid a fight.

"why don't we just forget about this and go get something to eat? Huh?" Joanne offered with a nervous chuckle, it was then that she realized that negotiating was another thing she could add to her list of things that she was terrible at.

As she figured, her attempt did nothing. Neither of the boys paid any attention to her. She could have been standing right in front of them with nothing but a paper bag on and they would still have no interaction with her.

Minho grabbed the front of Gally's shirt in his fist and jerked him forward a bit. Gally had a few inches on Minho, but she'd pick Minho to win in a fight any day.

"you listen up Gally cause I'm gonna put this plain and simple," Minho spat, "stay away from the green bean…"

Joanne's mind went back to the conversation that they had had a while ago when they were digging that grave. Before she could snap out of it, Minho had grabbed her arm and was dragging her off somewhere.

"Damn it Minho! That hurts!" She yelped, "Let go"

He complied and Joanne continued to question him, "where are we going?"

He seemed quite concentrated.

"Alby's called a meeting, he wants you there"

Joanne's eye's widened, that could either be good or bad and she wasn't sure what she was suppose to expect. Had that meant they'd found something about the Maze that was connected to her tattoo? Or was this just simply about what happened earlier with Newt in the Gardens?

"Don't suppose you're gonna tell me what it's about?" Joanne asked nervously

Minho grinned, "I'm glad you think of me so highly, but ill have to burst your bubble here cause Alby doesn't tell me nothing."

Joanne bit her lip, "I've got a feeling I know…"

Minho gave her a puzzled look but she didn't say anything more. It was a bad sign if Minho didn't know what all this was about. If it would have something to do with the Maze or the maps, he'd most likely be the first to know.

Joanne had a ill feeling when she walked into the Homestead, only Newt and Alby stood there waiting for them.

"we haven't been able to find anything productive with the maps" Alby was never one for greetings, " I've got another idea"

Joanne felt a little relived that this conversation wasn't going were she had thought that it was going to go. She let out a small breath that she hadn't known she'd been holding. A breath of fresh air rushed into her lungs.

"oh ya? And whats your big plan?" Minho boredly asked.

"Joanne's running with you tomorrow" Alby stated blankly

"What?!" Minho lurched forward, he'd previously been leaning against a wall behind Joanne with his arms crossed, looking like he might fall asleep at any second. His whole demeanour had changed significantly. "you can't be serious!"

"Alby..it's far too dangerous for her to go out there" Newt looked like he was in shock with the sudden proposal. "what's the reason for this?"

"We aren't getting information fast enough from jotting down maps everyday, sending her into the Maze might trigger something for her." Alby said "right now I can't trust her…" he always spoke like she wasn't in the room, yet he stared right at her, "The more time it takes to clear her name, the more likely I am to kick her out of the Glade."

There was a long pause in the room before Alby spoke again, "so what do you say Joanne… are you up for it?"

Joanne couldn't believe that he was asking her like she ha some choice in the matter. He'd more demanded then asked for her approval on the idea. He'd also made it quite clear that if she didn't go, she wouldn't be spending much more time in the Glade.

So with her options weighed against her she made her choice, "sure, ill go into the Maze tomorrow…I mean, whats the worst that could happen?"

She didn't realize it then, but she'd be greatly regretting those words later….

Oh my goodness! It's been awhile eh? Really sorry about the wait guys! Unfortunately, someone really close to me passed away in July and I haven't really been feeling like doing anything productive in the past while. I finally got off my ass and finished this chapter though and Its all thanks to you guys, my wonderful readers and reviewers :)

I wanna say that ill be back on track now with chapters, but I don't think I can really guarantee that at the moment. So, for now ill just say that, hopefully, more chapters with be out regularly.

I got a lot of great reviews on the last chapter, really supportive, and I just wanna thank you guys for that. Its amazing how much it really does help to get feedback from you all. So, if you don't mind, keep it up! I would really appreciate it.

Lastly, I basically wrote this chapter in a couple of hours because I had some free time. So, Ill apologize if it wasnt up to par with the other chapters because I didnt get a chance to look it over and make corrections or changes. I really wanted to upload this as soon as possible for you guys...hope you enjoyed!

Until next chapter,

Cheers :)