Variant | Newt

6 | secrets

Suddenly Alby wanted to talk to me alone? Maybe this was about Newt - that's why Alby wanted him gone.

"I'll catch up in a second," I assured Newt, patting the side of his shoulder. Warily, Newt glanced between Alby and I before shutting the Homestead's front door.

I leaned back on my heels, looking at Alby anxiously as I watched him analyze my name on the wall. He seemed to be in deep thought, for whatever reason I wasn't sure. Surely he hasn't too upset over my small graffiti work, was he?

"So, I'm guessing you did this after you cleaned the storage room?" He mused, meeting my eyes with an unreadable expression.

I pursed my lips. "Um, I actually wrote my name first. I remembered it, in a dream and I didn't want to forget but I couldn't find paper, so I looked around but the room was a mess, until I organized it—"

"You're rambling," Alby stopped me, resting his hands on his hips. "I'm not mad about your name. In fact, congratulations. I'm more focused on what you turned the storage room into."

"Oh," was all I could mutter out. I didn't want to ramble again. Was he mad that I cleaned it up? Honestly, I felt like I had done them a favor.

Alby's expression softened a bit as he unclenched his jaw. He began to wander around the storage room, eyeing each of the organized boxes and piles. Glancing up at me suddenly, he said, "It's phenomenal. I mean, not to be stereotypical, but a woman's touch is what we've been needing, I guess."

He squatted, leaning his elbows on his knees as he looked over the clothing bins. With an impressed expression, he continued, "Organized by size, type... how long did this take you?"

"An hour or so," I replied, trying to hold in the air of pride setting in. I was glad he approved, I just didn't think it would be that big of a deal. "I just couldn't sleep, that's all."

Alby let out a small laugh. "Well, I'd love to see the work you could do when you're wide awake."

I remained quiet as Alby stood back up, approaching me again. I was sure he had something up his sleeve, something more to say, so I gave him the space to continue.

"The boys can get messy. But I like your style," Alby spoke casually, gesturing to the room, "so, if you'll accept it, I'd like to make you the official Keeper of Supplies. You'd keep track of inventory and everything that comes up outta the Box."

My eyes almost bugged out of my head, and I felt my mouth drop open a bit. "A Keeper? You're kidding."

Alby stifled a laugh. "Well, I guess that's a no."

"No, no I don't mean that—" I caught myself spitting out, "I accept, I just— I'm just surprised."

"Why?" Alby's tone was light and casual, like he was daring me to self-sabotage.

I sighed, thinking back on my small spat with Gally last night. "I'm so new, Alby, and I don't want the others thinking I'm... intruding."

Alby sent me a supportive, stoney look. "The boys love you. Well, most of em. And, hell, the ones that don't, they'll come around." He paused, glancing over my shoulder and out the window onto the fields. "Don't say anything about this, alright, shebean? I gotta bring it up to the other Keepers, and then it'll be voted on. But I think you're a better fit here than you give yourself credit for."

I kept my eyes on the floor, almost feeling overwhelmed. I knew Alby was right - most of the boys liked me already, but there was still a piece of me that was incredibly insecure. What if I failed to meet Alby's expectations? Or the other Keepers denied his ideas? That'd be embarrassing.