TW and TMR - Newtmas

Part 12

Thomas' POV

If you'd told me a few months ago I'd be standing in front of a high school with Minho, Newt, Aris, Gally, Frypan, Sonya, and Harriet—backpacks slung over our shoulders and nerves in our throats—I would've laughed.

But here we are.

Beacon Hills High.

The place I apparently spent most of my childhood in... before everything changed.

Scott and Lydia helped us get enrolled. My dad pulled strings. Some "paperwork magic" and a few government favors from the FBI later, and we were officially students.

Again.

New identities. New records. New chances.

Newt's POV

Thomas gripped his backpack strap like it was the only thing keeping him from running back to the Jeep.

I bumped his shoulder with mine.

"You've faced death, demons, and an identity crisis," I said. "You can handle biology class."

He gave me a crooked smile. "Biology might be scarier."

Gally groaned behind us. "If someone asks me what my favorite subject is, I'm saying 'survival.'"

"Not 'lunch'?" Frypan added.

"'Lunch' is sacred," Gally replied seriously.

Scene – Inside Beacon Hills High

The halls were chaotic, as expected. Kids brushing past, bells ringing, announcements crackling from overhead. The normalcy of it all felt almost surreal.

But the Gladers took it in stride—sort of.

Minho leaned into Aris. "I swear, if I have to explain again that the Maze was not some immersive wilderness therapy program—"

"Just say it was a rural STEM camp," Lydia whispered as she passed us, smirking. "Less traumatic."

Scott and Isaac showed us around between classes. Malia offered to help Gally with gym. Lydia invited Sonya and Harriet to join the lacrosse team's new support crew. Even Cora waved at Frypan across the lunchroom.

People stared, sure.

But no one asked too many questions.

It was Beacon Hills, after all.

Thomas' POV

During free period, I stood by the lockers with Newt, watching the others settle in. Minho was already challenging Jackson to a sprint down the track. Frypan had found a culinary elective. Harriet and Sonya disappeared into the library.

And for the first time in a long time... I didn't feel like I was on the outside looking in.

I leaned against the lockers, brushing fingers with Newt.

"Feels weird," I said. "But... good."

He nodded. "A bit too quiet, though."

I smiled. "Give it a week."

Scott's POV

Watching the Gladers walk these halls like they belonged—it reminded me of how things used to be. The beginning, before everything turned dark.

They've been through hell.

But they're still standing.

And now? They're learning how to live again. To laugh again. To fall asleep to boring lectures and dodge cafeteria pizza.

They're not just survivors anymore.

They're ours.

They're part of the pack.

Scene – End of the Day

We all met at the front steps after school. Gally looked surprisingly smug about acing his placement test. Aris had joined the chess club. Newt had already made a math teacher cry (by correcting her politely). Minho had detention—of course.

Thomas looked at me as we walked to the Jeep.

"This place feels... almost like home," he said.

I grinned. "Good. Because we've got history class tomorrow."

He groaned. "The supernatural kind or the boring kind?"

"Both," I said. "Welcome to Beacon Hills."