The First Glader

13

Nick was balancing a plank on his shoulder when he spotted her.

"Morning," he said, gentle as always.

Ada stepped toward them. "You two look busy."

Alby snorted. "We're pretending to be productive so George doesn't volunteer to 'help.'"

From across the Glade, George yelled, "HEY! I HEARD THAT!"

"Good," Alby muttered, rolling his eyes.

Ada bit back a smile—one she hadn't felt in days. "He means well."

Nick shrugged. "Meaning well and being helpful aren't always the same thing."

Ada let out a genuine laugh, surprising even herself. Both boys looked over, pleased in different ways.

"Sit," Alby said, patting a stump beside him. "You look like you need to."

She did. She really, truly did.

Ada sat, stretching her legs out. Nick sat beside her in the grass, leaning back on his hands. Alby remained on the stump, looking like the unofficial older brother of the group—the grounded one, the one who'd punch the Maze if it looked at them wrong.

For a while, the three of them were quiet, listening to the wind threading through the trees. It was one of those rare moments in the Glade where everything felt... almost peaceful.

Nick broke the silence first.

"You okay after yesterday?" he asked softly.

Ada hesitated. "I'm not sure."

"That's fair," Alby said. "It was... different."

Ada glanced at him. "You scared?"

Alby shook his head. "No. Concerned. There's a difference."

Nick snorted. "You were halfway to jumping into the trees."

"I was surveying," Alby corrected sharply. Then, lower: "And maybe trying to keep you idiots behind me."

Ada leaned back on her palms. "We're not idiots."

Nick pointed at her. "You kind of are, actually."

Ada shoved him with her shoulder. "Nick."

He laughed, warm and quiet.

Alby watched the two of them, expression softening. "You've changed since I came up," he said to Ada. "Not in a bad way. Just... you're starting to trust us."

Ada's chest tightened. "I'm trying."

"We know," Nick said gently.

"And we're not going anywhere," Alby added.

Ada swallowed hard—caught between wanting to believe them and wanting to protect herself.

Nick nudged her knee lightly with his. "When you isolate, we notice."

Ada looked over. "Do I?"

"Often," Nick said. "Especially when you're scared."

Alby folded his arms. "Or angry."

"Or thinking too much," Nick added.

Ada raised a brow. "So... always?"

Both boys nodded in unison.

Ada huffed a laugh. "Great."

Alby leaned his elbows on his knees, expression softening even further. "Look, you've kept us alive. Me. Nick. George. Newt. Everyone. But we're not helpless, Ada. Let us help you too."