Variant | Newt

6 | secrets

"Well, they're sure excited to see you," Newt mumbled to me, his face utterly close to my skin as he spoke in my ear.

I smiled down the stairs at the gaggle of boys, a few of them shouting goodbyes as Alby was doing his best to usher them out of the hallway's space.

"Didn't know a single word could rile you boys up so much," I deadpanned, trying to remain serious though a sliver pride raged in my chest. All of the guys were excited for me.

"What's all this about then?" Newt's curiosity got the best of him, and he spoke up. He began to quicken his pace behind me, pushing us further down the steps to get to the bottom faster. In doing so, he got ahead of himself and almost lost his balance, groaning a bit as his bad leg failed him. To catch himself, Newt's hands landed on my shoulders, leaning on me for support. I straightened myself and gripped the rail, making sure the two of us stayed upright.

"Well, Newt, seems like shebean here thinks that graffiti-ing the Homestead walls is okay," Alby answered, pointing at me with a lazy finger. Though his words might have made it sound like I was in trouble, a small smile was on his otherwise stern face.

"Graffiti?" Newt repeated, as we reached the bottom of the stairs. The doorway where I had scrubbed my name was only a few feet ahead of the staircase, and Newt shuffled past me to see what everyone had been eyeing.

"Take a look," Minho told Newt, clicking his tongue before heading out the front door after Ben tugged on his sleeve.

I stayed on the bottom step, waiting for Newt's reaction. His eyes settled on the enscribed words, and his forehead creased as he showed confusion. Then, the light bulb went off.

"Y/N," he said it aloud, the first glader to do so. His eyes lit up a bit more than usual as he looked back at me. "Y/N. That's your name."

I smiled, shrugging a bit. "I had to write it down, so I didn't forget."

"That's gonna be a pain to sand off," I heard a voice groan - it was Gally, who leaned against the wall with his arms crossed.

Newt sent him a glare. "No. Why would we do that?"

Gally scoffed. "What, we're just gon' let everybody draw on the walls? This ain't no kindergarten."

Frypan spoke up this time, his opinion more positive. "I like it."

"Alby?" Gally questioned, leaving the final decision to the leader.

Alby let out a sigh, keeping his eyes on the scribbled name. Then he glanced towards the organized room, his brows furrowed.

"Leave it, Gally. Don't waste energy," he finally decided.

"You're kidding—!" the builder argued, his prominent brows arched like angry catapillars. "Alby, come on—!"

"Enough, Gally," Alby shot him down quickly, waving his hand. "It's barely even noticeable. Now get to work, all of you lot."

The remaining boys filed out, and I began to follow on their heels, Newt holding the door for me, when Alby's voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Wait up, Y/N."

It was weird, hearing my name from him. It was kind of like a parent beginning to scold their child. Honestly, I was nervous.

"Go on, Newt, I'll get her back to you in a minute," Alby continued, nodding his head out the door.

Newt was also shocked that he wasn't allowed to stay, and he showed it by narrowing his eyes at Alby. Wasn't Newt the second-in-command around here? Or at least, he used to be.