A/N: Another chapter... Here comes the good stuff! Hopefully... Maybe... we'll see... just read... and review... definitely review. Yeah that'd be nice...

"Shut up!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. Every stopped mid-sentence and turned their heads to look at me, each a different variation of, "What does this shank want?" or "Did she seriously do what I think she just did?" Yes, yes I did.

I cleared my throat, "All yours." I said surrendering the attention to Minho.

"Thanks," I heard him mumble sarcastically (don't ask how, but we all know he's capable of it) before clearing his throat and beginning. "First of all, I have no idea who half you shanks are..." They all began looking at each other whispering loudly about who this was and who that was. It took all my willpower not to smirk snort at the exasperated groan that left Minho as they all began speaking once more.

I stepped next to him, "Eh-hem-hem" they turned. I mocked a sweet smile, "Now then, Builders... there" I motioned to a section of green bushes a few feet away, "Cooks... there" a few began shuffling in the direction of my hand, "Track-hoes... there, Slashes over there. Section Leaders ...right here."

People began shuffling in every direction until there were three in each section ecept the middle, where there were seven. Two Group A leaders (Minho and Myself) , two Group B leaders (Harriet and Sonya), and two 'regular people' leaders. And then Thomas. Minho and I had forced him to come... "to represent the Runners" we had said. Maisie, a girl I decided was actually pretty cool, took that job for Group B.

Each group began talking amongst themselves... Minho and I allowed that. They'd be seeing a lot of each other. Harrit and Sonya began talking with us about the progress we had made... I contributed to the conversation, then took my leave, allowing Minho to handle the girls. Thomas had slipped away while I was distracted. I cursed silently to myself and looked around, following the tracks his shoes left in the dirt. He had entered the woods... I bit my lip and turned back to Minho, who seemed to be looking fo me... or Thomas... Probably Thomas. I waited until his eyes met mine. He automatically knew what I was thinking... I saw the way his eyes lit up with understanding and a longing to follow. To find his friend and get away from all those people. He nodded, sending me after Thomas... I nodded back, sending him a sympathetic look and mouthed encouragement.

Minho:

She slipped away from the girls and I while we were talking about possible improvements ands changes to make... I only half-listened after that, searching for her in every "yes" and "uh-hu". Then I found her. She was looking at me, mouthing "He's gone" and motioning to the forest, my eyes widened slightly and I had a strange urge to rush to her side and follow a step behind, just to make sure she didn't get hurt... But that was ridiculous. She could take care of herself, she proved that time and again... and yet, I couldn't help myself... I nodded, defeated. And the look she gave me... So full of kindness and warm... I felt my heart lurch in my chest.

I remembered how freaked out I was when that first happened. Calm, cool, collected, sarcastic Minho had blown his top and fled to the Deadheads trying to find out what had just happened. I sat in that tree for who-knows-how-long just waiting. I finally decided it was a trick of the mind and rejoined the others. Then it happened again... I avoided her, convinced that the girl I... I realized I didn't know what to call her, I didn't know how i felt towards her and I didn't want to be "just friends".

I started to talk to her more often. One day, she clung to my arm as we walked around laughing, talking, just... hanging out. I remembered trying to calm down, play it cool, not show her the excitement her touch caused.

... The one day, she kissed me one the cheek. I remember the heat running into my cheeks and the curt goodbye.

Then, I found I was in the friend zone. The awful, terrible, half-way point. The rut. The so-close-but-yet-so-far. The watching from a distance, figuring it was better to have her as a friend then not at all.

Newt... that slintheaded shuck-faced piece of klunk... My best friend... He deserved her... he needed her... I could respect that. So I kept my distance. I stayed the "bloody" (I never understood that expression) friend zone. Everynow and then I'd see them together, and I'd feel this thing in my chest, sink... I was my heart, and it was breaking.

Caught by the sudden movement of her lips, I was jerked back to reality... "I'll be right back," she mouthed, then she turned, but didn't move... I watched for a moment longer. My patience rewarded with a smile and look back from yours truly.

"Hello? Loverboy, wake up!" Whoa, wait a second... What did she just call me!?

A/N: Oooooh cliffhanger-ish... Anyways this one had to be short... other wise it'd be stupidly long. Plus, that was just a good spot to end. Anyways, review!

Oh and... PS to sparkles and glitter: Sarah will be used in the Story. Thank you!

Again, REVIEW!