A few boys stood around a huge pile of wood, the rest of the Gladers stood around hooting and hollering.

Alby lifted his touch into the air and yelled, "We Survived another month. We got another Greenie," He looked over at the girl. "FOR THE SHE -BEAN! LIGHT 'EM UP!"

He threw his flaming torch into the pile of wood, the other Keepers, as Newt explained earlier, followed suit. The pile lit up quick, throwing flames high into the air, giving the darkening Glade a warm glow. The Gladers all broke off into their own friend groups. She heard some music being played on buckets and other hand made instruments. Some guys were showing off their dance moves and tricks. Whatever teenage boys do to show off to each other. A crowd gathered by a sand pit, shouts and grunts coming from the middle of the crowd.

The girl was left alone, the few people she knew were all busy doing something and she couldn't see them. She decided to wander around, see what's what. As she shyly walked around, heads turned in her direction, watching as she walked past. Some of the guys would stand up to say hi and introduce themselves. Most of the guys were nice enough, holding a hand out to shake leaving it at that. Giving their name, asking if she remembered hers. A few of the bolder guys tried to lean in for a hug. She would awkwardly side step and give a "nice to meet you" slip away, desperately trying to find a familiar face.

One boy, who she recognized as the boy at the box who said they should use her to procreate and talked back to Alby, kept following her, he was the only one who wouldn't take a hint. She shuddered thinking back to the comments he said about wanting to touch her again. She definitely got an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of her stomach around him. Definitely not a guy you would trust to be alone with. He had caught up with her again, he threw an arm around her shoulders, and pulled her close to his side.

"Hey there, beautiful. Looks like you could use some good company." He said in a suggestive tone, winking at her.

"No thanks. I was just on my way to find Newt." She looked desperately around for him or Minho or Alby for that matter! She'd take grouchy ol' Alby over Mr Sleazy Creep.

"Aww, no need for that shank, I said GOOD company. The name is Chris, by the way." He had guided her around.

She realized he was steering her away from the Gladers, and fire. Her danger alert went off, she pushed his arm off and stepped back.

"I said No." She took another step back, his sleazy smirk dropped for a split second to anger before the smirk was back. But she saw it. She was uncomfortable before, but now she felt unsafe. Without another word she turned and ran back into the crowd, desperately trying to get away. She wasn't watching where she was going, a few shoulders bumped into her and she tripped over someone's foot. She landed on her stomach with a loud OMPH.

"Looks like the She-Bean wants a turn in the ring!"

Oh no. Oh shuck shuck shuck!

That voice, she recognized that voice. It belonged to Gally. She pushed herself up onto her feet, brushing sand off her jeans and t shirt. She looked around, realizing she was in the middle of the sand pit, Gally sanding on one side shirt off, covered in sweat. It was the wrestling ring. When Gally had yelled, it got the attention of every Glader around the fire. They excitedly gathered around, forming a tight circle around the pit.

She stood perfectly still. Scared that any movement would trigger the bull of a boy in front of her. Her eyes darted around trying to find someone, anyone for help. She finally found coffee colored eyes. Minho.

Where was he 5 minutes ago?

He was at the back of the crowd holding a clear jar with some light brown liquid inside, he took a small sip and cocked an eyebrow at her. Silently saying "well, what are ya gonna do shank?" She took a deep breath, the boys were chatting.

"SHE -BEAN! SHE-BEAN!"

She could hear the excitement and the greed in their voices. What was she going to do? One one hand, she could try stand up for herself and get her butt whooped, on the other hand, she could back out and be the weak little girl these guys thought she was. Her odds weren't in her favor. She had to at least try, if she wanted to survive in a place like this, she had to at least try. She hated this bully in front of her. She was smaller than Gally, probably meaning faster. She still hadn't moved, standing completely frozen.

Gally was smirking, "Aww looks like the little girl is too scared, gonna go cry to Newt? Go find Alby? Or that Shank Minho? Getting awfully cozy with them boys! You need your babysitter, little girl? Too weak to do anything more than be a slopper. What do ya think boys? She'll be a slopper for sure, cleaning up after all the boys!" He mocked her.

That last statement got the boys wild. She could feel her face heating up. Anger bubbled inside of her. Anger and embarrassment. There was no shucking way this idiot was going to keep talking to her like that. He was nothing but a bully, and she hated it! She clenched her jaw, hands clenched into fists. Her eyes found Minho again. He cocked his eyebrow again, folding his muscular arms. This was her choice, he wasn't going to step in, she had to prove herself, just like everyone else. Did he believed in her, she stood up to Gally once, she could do it again. He gave her a slight nod. Her eyes finally found Newt, he was pushing his way to the front, Chuck right behind him. They were the only 2 who seemed to not want this fight to happen. Or at least trying to stop it.

"Gally!" Newt called, "stop! This is stupid, how is this a fair fight?"

"Look little girl, your babysitter's here!" Gally taunted her.

Her fists clenched and unclenched. She was fuming now, the anger was simmering right at the surface, waiting to be released. If she got her butt handed to her, at least she was determined to get at least one good hit in. She hoped.

With her heart beating so loud it blocked out all other noise, the jeering sounds of the crowd, Gally's taunting, and Newt's pleas to stop. Everything was silent. She took a deep breath.

She turned to the side, making herself a smaller target. She placed her left foot in front of her right, bending her knees a bit, getting into a fight ready stance, her weight on her back leg, she brought her left arm up to guard her face, hand in a loose fist- ready to block, grab or punch. Her right arm came up to guard her abdomen. This ready stance, it felt naturel, easy, like she's done it before. It felt like muscle memory.

She didn't have much time to think about it, because Gally was coming at her, like a giant angry bear. He was big, but kind of slow. And just like that she had her hearing back, the jeering noise of the crowd of wild boys came crashing back. Gally swung his big bear paw at her, she ducked and stepped to the side, just in time. He lumbered past for a second before gaining his balance.

The boys all cheered.

"Oh little girl wants to play" he taunted.

He came at her again, this time with the other arm swinging down, she tried to step back, but she didn't see his other hand swing from the other side. His open palm smacked her right in the ear. She crumpled to the sand with a grown, holding the side of her head.

"Stay down girl." Gally bellowed. She shook her head, trying to make the ringing stop. She stood up shaking her head and hands out. She got into her ready stance again.

He's not going to pull that on me again, gotta keep my eyes open.

Gally laughing looked at her and shrugged, "not done getting smacked around? Your death wish."

He charged, bending down slightly, both hands out, as if he meant to grab her. She held her position until the last possible second, and then side stepped to the left, at the same time driving her back leg up, slamming her knee right into Gally's sternum.

There was an instant "ooooooooh!" from the boys as Gally face planted into the sand, the wind knocked out of him for a second.

Then the boys were screaming, absolutely wild, watching the fight. Minho was smirking.

Ha, that actually worked!

She was impressed with herself. Gally was panting and growling like an angry bull, he didn't like to be humiliated, especially by a tiny little girl. He lashed out with his leg and swooped her legs out from under her, she landed hard on her back, smacking her head for a second time that day. The wind was knocked out of her.

"Gally! That's enough!" Yelled Newt.

"No."

"What?" Said Gally and Newt at the same time. Both boys looked down at her in disbelief, as she sat up, rubbing her head.

"I said. No." She raised her shaking voice so they could hear her.

She got to her feet. Turned to face Gally again, ready stance. He had an awful gleeful look on his face, his ridiculous eyebrows doing some kind of weird caterpillar dance on his forehead. She took a step forward, both hands now closed tight into fists. There was a fire in her eyes now, pure determination, and stubbornness not to stay down. She would get back up again and again if it meant fighting against a bully.

"I could do this all day," she panted.

For a brief second Gally's mask slipped into one of mild respect. It disappeared and Gally charged for the third time. As he came at her he swung his left arm from the side trying to hit her ear again. She was ready, she ducked. At the same time grabbed his arm from underneath and twisting it down and around making him lose his balance. She twisted around, still holding his arm so she was now facing his back, she released his arm and slammed both her clenched fists down into his unprotected back. He landed in the sand with a moan.

And another "OOOOOHHHHHH!" from the crowd.

He got up right away, twisting around as he did, he got ahold of her shirt, and pulled. She lost her footing and stumbled forward. Gally got a better hold on her small shoulders, picked her up and slammed her down into the sand.

This time the CRACK sound of her head hitting the ground was heard over the crowd of whooping boys.

It went silent.

The girl didn't move. The Gladers didn't move, Gally was panting standing over her, watching. Her eyes were closed. She was breathing, but not moving. Something happened when her head smacked the earth. Something came loose. A small slip of fog slipped through the wall around her memories and formed into something solid. Pain shot from behind her eyes to the back of her head. A word. A name. Her name...then two words.

Two names? One is mine. But who did the other belong to? It was definitely another girl's name, but there were no other girls in the Glade. But I remembered MY name! Alexandria. That's MY name!

She finally remembered a small part of who she was! She breathed her name out loud, the crowd of boys were still silent, almost afraid to move closer. She said it again a little louder this time, she heard a small intake of breath beside her She opened her eyes, Newt was crouched beside her.

"I remember my name! Alexandria. My name is Alexandra!" She stood up and looked at the boys around her, a huge smile on her sweaty face.

"Guys, I remembered my name! I'm Alexandria!"

Alby lifted his drink into the air from the back of the crowd and shouted "ALEXANDRIA!"

All the boys started chanting her name over and over. She laughed. Alby gave her a nod of approval, of respect, she nodded back. She was one of them. She was a Glader now. Finally she had a small piece of who she was. But who did the other name belong to? She didn't have much time to ponder it.

Gally had come up to her, muttered begrudgingly, "That was actually...surprising. You surprised me, Shank." He gave her the smallest of nods, one would think it was a twitch, and walked away. Newt was standing there staring at her, with a goofy grin and his hands on his hips. Chuck came running to her and slammed her in a hug around the waist.

"HOLLY SHUCKIN' MOLLY SHE-BEAN! I mean Alexandria! I didn't know you knew how to fight! That was so AWESOME! You totally humiliated Gally! Hahaha! He totally thought you would chicken out, like most Greenies. Haha! So SHUCKIN' amazing!"

He couldn't stop laughing and had a big goofy grin on his face. It was contagious, it made Alexandria smile and then she was laughing too. She really surprised herself. And to be perfectly honest, she was proud of herself! She held her own. Not for long, but enough to have impressed the boys. And that was enough.

"Told ya not to mess with the She-Bean. She's a feisty one!" Said Minho coming up behind the group, holding a cup of water, and handing it to her as he swung this other arm around her shoulders. Alexandria took it gratefully with a smile of thanks. She was very aware of his arm around her shoulders.

He grinned back, "Seriously. Impressed. Knew you wouldn't back down, but didn't know you would hold out that long. Only a handful of shanks ever last that long. Me. Obviously. I lasted way longer than everyone. Beat him actually. Cuz I'm the best. I beat him every time I get in The Sand Pit." smirked Minho. He was so cocky. Her stomach did some weird twist.

"Really? Why didn't you do it tonight, Mr Braggy pants? Just leaving me hanging out there alone! You're all talk. I don't believe it." Alexandria shot back, elbowing him in the ribs.

"It doesn't interest me, if you really must know. I got nothing to prove" Minho said nonchalantly. "Everyone here fears and respects me!"

Chuck snorted "Sure man. Or you don't want to mess up your perfectly swooped hair or your pretty face!"

"That too little Shank. That too. It takes a lot to get this hair perfect." smirk Minho, messing up Chuck's hair giving the kid a wink.

Everyone rolled their eyes.

"How did you know you could do that?" Asked Newt.

Alexandria shrugged her shoulders, "I didn't. I was sick of him being a bully. Definitely thought I was going down in two seconds. But once I got set, it was like my muscles took over and knew what to do. I don't know. Maybe it's because I'm smaller and I'm faster? And a lot of luck? He's done a lot of wrestling already this evening, he was probably tired." She shrugged her sore shoulders again.

Minho smirked down at the petit athletic girl beside him. "Let's get you some more water and some bacon She-Bean, bet your hungry".

"I have a name now, ya know" she sassed and then added "you...shank." Minho chuckled "Ok Al-ex-and-r-ia" he said, drawing out every syllable.

"Know what? You're a MEAN-Ho!" She said with all the sarcasm she could muster, Minho gasped and clutched his chest and out a hand to his forehead like he was going to faint.

"Man your dramatic!" Alex rolled her eyes, giggling a little. "Call me Alex. I like Alex better."

The boys smiled at that. It suited her better. "Ok Alex. Let's get you to Fry's." He guided her towards the cook.

" .goodness!" She said with a mouth full of hot greasy bacon. "Fry! THIS is gourmet cooking!" She swallowed hard and grabbed another piece.

He laughed and pointed his BBQ tongs at her "Darn tooten' lil Lady-Bean! And don't you forget it! This is the good stuff. Don't get it often, but when we do.." *Mmmwwuh* he put his hand to his mouth and made a kiss noise and opened his hand into the air. "chef's kiss! Kiss the chef!"

"Sorry, Fry, I love this bacon, but I don't think I'm gonna kiss the chef anytime soon." She laughed, grabbing another piece.

"Oh just you wait, She-Bean, sorry, Alex- suits you, your name- you'll eventually kiss the chef. One day, at some point." He teased flipping bacon over.

They both laughed, Fry was a good guy. He was a Glader Alex felt the bonds of friendship forming. She tried to take a fourth strip of bacon but he smacked the top of her hand with his tongs, "HEY! Save some for the rest of us!" She snatched her stinging hand away.

"Ouch Fry, that was so mean" she pouted "I'm hungry!"

He huffed. Alex looked at him, making her eyes big and sad, sticking out her bottom lip just a little into a pout, puppy dog face. "pleeeeeaasse Frypan? Just one more?" She said it as sweetly and innocently as she possibly could, batting her eyelashes. He huffed again. Then sighed, he caved.

"Fiiine! One. one more. And that's it!" He handed her one more piece of the gourmet bacon. Alex jumped up and down

"Thank you Fry! You're the best!" She couldn't believe that worked. She took it and started to walk away backwards.

Fry yelled after her "Don't you forget it! And do not make this a habit! That face won't work next time!" She laughed.

"We'll see! Hey Fry?" she called, "have you seen Chuck, Newt, Minho or Alby?"

"Chuck went to bed, Newt and Alby had some important Glade Leader thing to do and Minho went to get another jar of Gally's drink. Check by the fire, he's probably with the other Runners" He hollered back, and turned back to his bacon with a shriek, his bacon was burning.

Alex signed, she was tired, and she still didn't know where she was sleeping. And what was a runner? No sign of Newt or Alby anywhere. She spotted Minho sitting with a few other guys, they all had a jar in their hands. This must be the group of 'runners' Fry mentioned, Runners...whatever that was. She had to remember to ask Alby tomorrow. She walked over, suddenly nervous, and aware of her body again.

"Uhh, Minho?" She asked quieter than she intended. She had grabbed a piece of hair, fiddling with it. All the guys looked at her, then eyebrows raised at Minho, smirks on their faces. One guy elbowed him in the ribs.

"OOOOHHH looks like Sheee-Bean needs a Keeper! Ha! She NEEEDS a KEEPER! Ifff ya know what I mean" And he burst into giggles along with the rest of the guys. Minho rolled his eyes, the cocky smirk never leaving his face either, but there was a little bit of pink in his cheeks. He stood up and walked her away from the group of teasing tipsy guys.

"What's up Buttercup?"

"Well...ummm, I can't find Newt or Alby. I'm exhausted and I have no idea where I'm supposed to sleep. What usually happens with the new kids? Do you happen to know anything?" she asked hopefully, looking up at him. She really was exhausted, the whole Box situation, passing out, smacking her head a bunch of times, not to mention all the bruises and sore limbs from fighting Gally.

"Oh! Umm, ya sleeping. I guess you shouldn't be sleeping with a bunch of hormonal teenage guys." He suddenly seemed a bit nervous, she could see red creeping across his checks. He scratched the back of his neck and looked away and then back at the girl in front of him.

Is he nervous? Aww, he's so cute when he's nervous! Shuck it Alex, get it together!

He cleared his throat. His smirk and confidence back in a flash. He put his hand on the small of her back. She could feel the warmth from the spot his hand touched, and it radiated through her body. She could feel her whole body tingle.

He leaned in and said quietly "Follow me Shanket. I'll make sure you're safe."

He led the way back to the homestead, Alex could hear snoring from beside the Homestead, under what looked like a very large lean-to. Minho led her through the front door and up the creaky steps, and into his room.

Wait. His room?

The heat rising up her neck into her cheeks, she couldn't look him in the eye, instead opted to study the nails in the floor.

Dose he really expect me to sleep with him? In the same bed? I just met this guy not even 12 hours ago! No! I'm wasn't going to do that! Maybe on the floor. Yes he's attractive, very very attractive. STOP! Did I misjudged him.

She thought he was different, flirty and sassy, overly dramatic, yes, but not gross and creepy like that Chris guy! A small bubble of panic rose up inside her. She took a step back.

"Just let me grab my stuff for tomorrow, and you can stay here, I'll crash in Newt's room until we figure something more permanent out." She looked up at him startled. The panic bubble popped and let out some butterflies, she sighed with relief. He was a good guy. So far she had made a few friends she could trust, Newt, Chuck, Frypan, Minho and Alby- even though he was always grouchy.

"Are you sure? This is your room! I could crash in the Med..Jack? Medjack room!" She said, a little unsure, glancing at him, feeling guilty, even though she really did want to sleep away from all the guys.

"Yes. I said so, so it's fine. No take backs." He crossed his arms, a frown line forming between his eyebrows.

"But..!"

"Nope, " he said, popping the p.

"Minho! I can't!"

"Can"

"can't "

"can"

"can't"

"Can can CAN! Shuck it She-Bean, you can't sleep outside alone." He ran a hand through his hair. She could tell he was getting frustrated, his face was set, a frown on his face and forehead was creased and his arm gestures were more wild.

"I'm fine in Newt's room. We can snuggle and paint our nails and play truth or dare!" He said exasperated, throwing his hands into the air.

Alex's lip twitched into a small smile. She started giggling at the thought of Newt and Minho in green facemasks with matching hot pink pj's paint each other's nails, gossiping. Minho was now looking at her in amusement. He liked her laugh. It was sweet and bright. It made something in the pit of his stomach tingle, it made him feel warm and happy- and it had been a long long time since he felt that way. She was laughing so hard now at the mental picture, she snorted. And then laughed harder.

"Did you just snort?"

"Nope" Alex said, mimicking Minho and popped the p.

He just smirked at her, chuckling to himself. "Ok She-Bean, whatever you say!"

"Yup, what I say goes! Ok, seriously though, this is not permanent, right? Cuz you and Newt could not fit in a bed together for long, and this floor does not look safe."

"Right. That shank snores and is probably cling in his sleep, no way am I sharing a bed with him!" he agreed, grabbing his water bottle and throwing it into the backpack from the hook, he grabbed his belt with the knives, his shoes and a change of clothes from the dresser drawers.

"All yours Alex." He said backing out of the room with an overly dramatic bow, and wave of his arm, as he was closing the door, he poked his head back in. "Hey Alex?"

She liked when he said her name.

"Ya Minho?"

He grinned at her for a second before he answered, "That was some fight tonight...G'night She-Bean."

Alex smiled at him. "Night Minho."

And with a click, the door closed and she could hear his footsteps leave down the hall. She sighed looking around. She took off her black combat boots, running her fingers through her tangled hair, trying to brush out the knots, she sat down on the bed. She didn't really want to wear dirty sweaty stinky clothes to bed, but no way was she going to sleep without something on; boys and no locks...she got back up and went to the dresser.

Minho wouldn't mind, would he? Probably not...

She decided she would just wash it in the morning and put it back. She opened the drawer and found a bunch of t shirts, and a few button up shirts, all in neutral colours. The next draw had a few cargo pants and a few exercise shorts, and the next drawer had a hoodie. Bingo! She grabbed it, kind of curious about what was in the last drawer, she opened it, but closed it immediately, her face heating up. "Uhg" she groaned.

Living in a place full of guys, I guess I'll have to get used to guys' underwear..

She slipped out of her dirty clothes, folded them and put them beside her boots, slipped on the black hoodie, it went down past her butt, the sleeves went past her hands. Alex bunched up the extra length in her hands, lifting them to her face, nuzzling her face into the fabric. It had a comforting smell. Like a smell her brain recognized, but couldn't remember where. But the smell made her feel calm, and a wave of exhaustion hit her. She climbed into Minho's borrowed bed and lay down. Snuggling into the blankets. Alex was asleep within minutes. It was a long day.

10 minutes later there was a soft knock on the door, there was no answer.

"She-Bean? Alex?" Minho called quietly, still no answer, he slowly opened his bedroom door, and he saw the small girl curled up in one of his hoodies, wrapped up in the blanket, sound asleep. Her red hair fanned out behind her. Her long eyelashes fluttered in her sleep. He smiled to himself. He was gonna like having her around. He quietly placed the crat labeled "for the female'' on the floor beside his dresser. It was the crate that had come up in The Box with her. He was just backing out of the room when he bumped into Newt.

"Hey, Have you seen Alex, I can't find her!" He asked, his voice strained.

"Ya, she's asleep already" Minho opened the door a little bit.

Newt poked his head in and saw Alex curled up sleeping soundly. She looked so small, and so peaceful. He leaned back and closed the door. He had a puzzled look on his face, was Minho going to sleep with her? No way Alby would allow that! No way he would allow that! These weird feelings sprang to life, like he had to protect her, do anything in his power to keep her safe, not because she was a small girl, not because he found her attractive, there was something else, something deeply hidden inside him. Like instinct, but more intense then when he thought of protecting the other Gladers. He felt like punching his best friend, right in his pretty face.

"Looks like we're roomies Newtie Pattotie!" Minho said clapping his hands and bouncing on his toes, like an exited two year old. "We can paint each other's nails and play truth or dare!"

"What the Shuck? Not on your life!" Newt looked bewildered, "also, do not ever call me that again!" But the relief flooded him, Minho also wanted to keep Alex safe. He should have known better, Minho was cocky, and apparently quite flirty, but he was a good guy, his best friend. Newt looked back at the door, where Alex was sleeping.

"Can I tell you something Min? She doesn't look familiar, but there is something about her that feels...I don't know...safe, like... like something from home, maybe? ...from before all this bloody klunk. Does that make any sense? There's something. Almost like a little piece of what I was missing is back. When I felt like it was the end and I couldn't hold on anymore... feels like maybe..I don't know, I found it? Something...I don't know, Man."

He looked at his best friend, hoping his jumbled words made sense. Minho nodded, folding his arms over his chest. Feeling the exact same way.