ASUNDER (I) : tmr newt

39: I'm Joking

Right, this is how I know I can't trust Leo. She talked big to try to help me, but she stood still and did nothing. If it weren't for Gally, I would be dead.

"Right," I can't admit that I feel sorry, but Gally can read it off my face. Somehow, he understands me. We are not made of the same material, but carved by the same hands. The tools of betrayal, or hard-work and loneliness have chipped away at our souls, until he and I look the same.

We were not born the same, but we have come to be no different from each other.

It's weird, to realise in some backwards way we care about each other. Even if it is simply as an ends to a means. We have a weird way of showing that we matter to one another. It's hard for me to even think it, but Gally is one of my only allies. Screw the coalition; I choose to fight for what I have been made into.

"What's your problem with David anyway?" I mean it as more of a joke, but I don't think I am the kind of person who knows how to joke.

Gally shrugs. "Nothing, David is a good guy."

"He lied to your face," I tell him, "remember? He said he stole the screwdriver, when I did."

"Exactly," Gally affirms, "he's a good guy, but just because he saved your life doesn't mean either us have to like him, and it certainly doesn't mean it is a good idea for you to be, shucking, I don't know..."

"Sleeping with him," I finish.

I don't have to say I agree with him for him to know I think he is right. Besides, I am not even interested in David, like I previously said. Although I am glad to know Gally isn't just jealous. Dear God, the thought of even sleeping with Gally makes me want to vomit.

He nods, but doesn't smile, instead he stares up at the ceiling. "We're going to have to spend all day fixing the ceiling, aren't we?"

I nod in agreement.

He sighs, shrugging his shoulders. "I will halt all construction up top then, until tomorrow. You me and David will fix the ceiling by lunch."

"You're giving the Builders the day off?" I turn to face him, wearing the puzzle I am trying to solve on my face. Gally is all about hard-work. What's with the sudden change?

"We need to give the drywall a chance to dry before we go stamping around up there," he tells me. "And if Alby has a problem with it, he can stick it wear the sun don't shine."

If I have the afternoon off, I will have the perfect chance to cozy up to Leo and figured out what exactly her plan is with Dawn, Newt and Minho, and if there is an easy way for me to take it down.

"Right, well I am going to get David," Gally notes, moving to walk out the room.

"He'll probably be helping with breakfast in the kitchen," I call over my shoulder, moving towards a bucket in the corner.

Inside is drywall that has had the pleasure of drying overnight. I manage to lug up the heavy bucket, staring down at the tools cemented inside the bucket. Great, which shuck-head left the mud uncovered? I drop it down to the ground, and it lands with a heavy thud. Now I am going to have to go find the Bricknicks, and explain the situation again. Who knows, maybe the construction of this room will be entirely halted for the week until we can get more supplies.

There are two days until the next shipment, and about one day after that before the Bricknicks get their klunk together, and manage to get the mud ready for us to use. Because if there is one thing I have noticed in my short time here: Bricknicks are dumb shucking Builders, and Builders are slintheads to begin with.

Honestly, you'd think they were the Greenies and not me.

I look out the window, staring out into the early morning light. The wood on the window sill is moist to the touch, but I don't mind the water sinking into my stained and dirty flannel. Thankfully we didn't put in glass pane to help with airflow, so I can completely stare out into the damp morning.

The Walls rumble and move to the side, and I watch as Runners slip out through the cracks in the door just forming. I recognise Minho, slipping away and glancing back at the Map-room. Probably looking for Leo. Is she sleeping with just Alby, or is it everybody else in this shuck Glade as well?

I scan around, looking for her, but she sits far away from where Minho casted a glance. On the porch, with an apple in her hand. She takes a carefully bite at it, staring down at the red fruit.

Besides Leo, I don't see any other Med-jacks around, and I should recognise them from the Builders constantly getting injured. I watch as the Keeper of the Gardens, What's-his-Nuts, begins to move over to his precious tomato plants. For some reason I see him pouring over them every day. I'm not sure why I watch him; I don't even like tomatoes.

And in the garden, is Pipsqueak. Curly or Ella or whatever. She is up awfully early, or maybe she didn't sleep at all last night. Now, I need to keep my eye on her. She is prone to seizures and whatever, and knows way too much for my liking. Or, really, for anyone's liking. I hear people whispering about her more than I hear them whispering about Leo. Not as much as Dawn though, since no Builder knows how to keep it in their own pants.

Maybe I should spy on her too. I'll see what Gally thinks when he comes back. After we finish the ceiling.

"Looking for me?" I turn around, to see Gally walking in the room, with David slowly falling behind. Is Gally trying to make a joke?

"Please," I roll my eyes. "Who would want to look at you?"

David cocks his eyebrow at me, and I can see the smirk on his cheek. When my eyes meet his, he stares at me for a few seconds before he looks down. Fiddling with something in his hands, something I can't see, and don't really care to see.

"You're funny," Gally's lips are pressed tightly together, and his eyes stare dead at me.

I shrug my shoulders, and I hear David snort.

Gally frowns, so to avoid the upcoming brawl between him and David, I kick forward the bucket of drywall. The plastic creaks as it struggles around the weight of the dried substance inside.

"Some shank left the bucket uncovered." I let my eyes glance down to it.

Gally crosses his arms, and David crosses the room to pick it up. He takes it in his hands, winking at me as he does. Who does he think he is?

"I'll go see if the Bricknicks have any more," he picks up the bucket as if it weighs nothing as he leaves the room.

Gally looks at me for a second, and as soon as I hear the front door to the Homestead slam, I return Gally's glare.

"Ella," I begin. "What are we going to do about her?"

~~~~~

This chapter makes me laugh. Like a lot. Like, really a lot actually. If only they could see the future (like me).

Shit is about to go down for Michelle.