The Key to it All (Newt)

First Newbie

"Call me Frypan, greenbean. I can cook you up real nice" Siggy said. He was trying to get the nickname started, but so far no one was calling him that except for the few people that worked in the kitchen with him. He had originally started out on the cleaning crew, but he was the only one who hadn't a) caused mass food poisoning, b) burnt a meal to the point where it was inedible, and c) actually could make Artemis' sucky vegetables taste decent. 

Siggy tried to lead the new kid off towards the kitchen, but he stayed put and pointed at Artemis. "Hey, who's that?" 

"I'm Artemis." She replied. She would not give this kid more information. If she came off as cold, then hopefully the boy would see that she's not to be fucked, sorry, messed with. 

"You're pretty." He smiled at her. Newt, who had been standing next to Artemis the entire time, took a step forward. 

"You're skinny." She said back. 

"Do you like that?" At this, Jackson's crew chuckled. Artemis knew that this boy would be dangerous and join Jackson's gang. She couldn't handle another one of them, despite knowing that a lot of the boys were on her side. Some of them were only because they were more scared of Nick or Newt instead of actually respecting Artemis. 

"Rule number one: Don't touch or mess with her in any way." Newt said. He was fully in front of Artemis now, arms crossed, all leader. "There's a few more that you'll have to learn, and you'll be on the cleaning crew to begin with. Why don't you go with Nick and Siggy-"

"Frypan" 

Newt glared at Siggy. "Frypan, and they'll get you some food and tell you all about life here while we get these boxes out. Understand?"

The boy glanced at Artemis and smiled before replying. "Yes sir." 

Out of the corner of her eye, Artemis saw Jackson whisper to his posse, no doubt planning how to approach this new idiot. There was nothing that she could do about it, however. So she just got back to work, hoping the mundane tasks would distract her from what a dick this guy is. 

She jumped into the box to start tying up some ropes, and Newt jumped in right beside her. "Hey, Artemis. Are you okay? That guy is a little messed up" 

Artemis smiled at Newt. If only the new guy was like him. "Don't worry, Newt. I'm sure Nick will scare him straight. Worked with Jackson."

"I think you scared Jackson straight. You got close to killing him multiple times. Besides, you didn't answer my question. Are. you. okay?" Newt said. 

Artemis sighed. "I'm scared, but I know it'll be fine. It's probably just me being overly cautious." Artemis wasn't sure about that, but sometimes she did find it hard to tell when her brain was working against her or with her. She knows she should listen to her gut, but sometimes it seems like her gut and brain are getting confused and working against her. So yeah, she's scared. Absolutely terrified. But it could be all for nothing. 

Newt just looked at her like he didn't believe her, which he probably didn't. But there was nothing he could do about it, so like a wise man he shut up and started helping Artemis tie boxes to ropes to be lifted out of the cage. 

-----

Minho joined them at dinner later, sweaty as always since he still hasn't given up running in the Maze. He was his usual boisterous self, never caring about personal space no matter how bad he smelled and always talking up a storm. Artemis took pity on him for that, however, because being alone out in the Maze is not fun. "heard there's a new kid today. Name's Stan."

"Yup. Looks like a greenbean, that's how skinny he is. Bit of an arse to Artemis though." Newt replied, picking at the what would best be described as mac and cheese with some zucchini on his plate.