The Key to it All (Newt)

First Newbie

"I'll kill him." Minho said, sitting down across from Newt and Artemis. 

"There's no need for killing. yet, anyways." Artemis said. "He could've just tried to be tough and impressive."

"Yeah, given that he's sitting with Jackson over there, I'd say his earlier comments weren't just a one time thing." Newt pointed two tables over, where Jackson sat with his crew and its newest member: Stan. Most of them were too scared to try anything; Artemis knew that. But Jackson and Stan were talking animatedly, and Artemis had never seen Jackson so thrilled about anything before. Maybe they thought of a new fun game that didn't involve her and was very safe and didn't involve her and very appropriate and didn't involve her at all in any way. 

Minho reached across the table and patted Artemis' hand, causing her to jerk away and give him a "what the hell do you think you're doing" look. "What the hell do you think you're doing, Minho?" She said. 

"Comforting you. My natural charisma can be a lot, but I can be a sweetheart at times." Minho smiled. Newt choked on his zucchini. 

Artemis just side eyed him and went back to eating her food. Minho is a strange man. "I appreciate it, Minho"

"I know. Heard there was a party tonight. Any details?" Minho said, changing the conversation from depressing to annoying. 

Artemis groaned and slammed her head on the table. "What for? To celebrate the new idiot?"

"Hey! It's also to celebrate one month of knowing me, which is something that you keep forgetting. It's our one month anniversary, Artemis." Newt said, acting exasperated even though the sly smile on his face was evidence that he was just trying to cheer her up. 

"Artemis! How could you forget. Newt and I, emphasis on I, are the best things to ever happen to you. Remember how drab the Glade was before us?" Minho said, pressing his hand to his heart. He might have been trying to cheer Artemis up, but he was also just like this. 

Artemis did laugh. "You mean how peaceful it was? How well I slept every night? How much I got done without you two pestering me all day? It was just Bark and I and it was glorious." Artemis reached down to pet Bark, who was usually by her side and always there for every meal, getting the wonderful scraps and inedible parts of the meal. Bark is the only one who didn't like Siggy, sorry, Frypan, as the chef since it meant less food for her. 

"I am better company than a dog." Minho said, crossing his arms. 

Newt reached out to pat Minho's arms like Minho did with Artemis earlier. "Trust me, mate. This is a battle that we'd both lose. No matter how much she secretly likes us." He turned and winked at her. 

"Newt! I need you to come with me. We got some preparations to do." Nick came over. "Artemis, of course. Want to help us?"

Artemis laughed. "No thanks. I'm perfectly fine not setting up for a party that I won't attend." 

"Come on, Artemis. It'll be so fun with you there, and so not fun without you." Newt begged. He held his hands up in a pleading manner. "I heard Gally is making something to drink."

"Fine. I'll see you in two hours, and I'm not staying for very long."

Two hours passed fairly quickly. Most people were busy running around the Glade trying to get whatever supplies they thought of for the party. Artemis just played with Bark, letting her chase after sticks and chickens. It wasn't her party, so it wasn't her problem. 

Minho came to gather her for the party, slinging an arm over her shoulder and forcefully taking her to an area close to the supply cage. It was an open meadow that now held a huge dirt clearing and a pile of wood in it. All around it were the Gladers.