TW and TMR - Newtmas

Part 13

Thomas' POV

I didn't think I'd try out for lacrosse.

But after Coach Finstock saw Minho bench press a vending machine that was blocking the hallway (long story), he basically demanded we come to tryouts.

So now here we are.

Me, Minho, Gally, and Sonya standing on the field while half the team—including Jackson and a very competitive Danny—watch us like we're aliens.

To be fair... we kind of are.

Coach Finstock

"Alright, Maze Runners," Finstock barked, sunglasses perched like he was judging a crime scene. "Let's see what you've got. I don't care if you survived deathtraps and dystopias. This is lacrosse."

Minho smirked. "So... easier?"

Scott choked on a laugh.

Scott's POV

I was expecting them to be fast.

What I didn't expect was Thomas.

He moved like Stiles never did. Quick feet, sharp turns, brutal acceleration. The way he passed the ball, caught it mid-sprint, dodged three defenders and scored like it was nothing—

I just stared.

Lydia blinked. "Is that... Thomas?"

Derek raised an eyebrow. "That's not just muscle memory. That's... instinct."

Coach Finstock dropped his whistle. "What in the fresh hell—"

Newt's POV

Watching from the bleachers, I couldn't stop smiling.

Thomas looked so alive. Not like he was performing for anyone. Just... playing. Laughing when Minho slammed into Gally. Grinning when he passed to Sonya and she scored effortlessly.

They were having fun.

Something we rarely had in the Maze.

Lydia's POV

Let's break it down:

Minho: Blazing fast, cocky, impossible to catch. No shock there.

Gally: Bulldozer. Crashed through three defenders and didn't blink.

Sonya: Clean, calculated, and better than half the boys without breaking a sweat.

Thomas: Surprisingly... balanced. Like he was born to play this.

Even Coach Finstock couldn't deny it.

"Alright!" he shouted. "You're all on the team. Practice starts Monday. Try not to be better than my starters."

Thomas wiped sweat off his forehead, tossing me a grin as he jogged off the field with the others.

Scott just stared.

"That... was not how Stiles played."

Thomas' POV

After tryouts, Scott walked up to me slowly, Isaac trailing behind.

"You've... improved," Scott said.

I shrugged. "Guess I've had a bit of survival training."

Isaac smirked. "You just scored more in 20 minutes than Stiles did in two seasons."

I laughed. "No offense to him, but... I think I'm built a little different now."

"Clearly," Scott muttered.

Coach Finstock (muttering to himself):
"They're all freaks. Beautiful, terrifying freaks."

Scene – Later That Night

We got home to my dad grilling outside. Newt handed me a cold bottle of water and sat on the porch railing, watching me stretch.

"You were brilliant out there," he said softly.

I smiled, brushing a hand over his. "Felt good. Not just... being good at something. But doing it with them. With you watching."

He leaned forward and kissed my forehead. "You're building a new life, Thomas. You deserve it."

Gally's POV (texting the group chat):

we're all officially on the team
thomas is a damn lacrosse god
coach called us 'terrifying'
i'm putting that on a shirt