ASUNDER (I) : tmr newt

45: I'm Open

"Fry said she was quiet in the kitchen yesterday. I showed up in the morning to find her, but she was gone."

I cross my arms over my chest. I knew this would happen. I just knew it. Minho and I may barely know each other, but he isn't that difficult to figure out. Just another cocky boy who thinks Dawn is beautiful. Of course everything about her is wonderful, but I don't know what she sees in him.

Some part of me hates him, even though I know he is nothing but kind and funny. We barely knew each other, and he brought me into his room when I forgot how to breathe. He was there for me while I cried, and I know he is nothing but the best for her.

Maybe that's why I hate him. Perhaps I wish I was as wonderful as he is.

"Minho, what did you do?"

He leans against the wooden table, rolling up the blue sleeves of his shirt. I hate that the colour matches her clothes.

"She didn't tell me that Newt knew about us."

"He doesn't know about you." I correct quickly, without thinking. "He knows about two Gladers breaking the rule. One of which I'm sure he assumes is Dawn, but that doesn't mean he knows for sure. He certainly doesn't know its you."

"She still didn't tell me." He continues, "which is a big deal."

"I told her not to." Klunk. I shouldn't lie. I don't lie very much, or at least I didn't think I did. From the way Minho looks at me though, I can tell he believes me.

"You told her not to?" He continues on. "Why?"

"Newt was really shaken about it." I tell Minho. "I told her he wouldn't say anything, and that it wasn't a big deal, and not to tip you off. No offense Minho, but you are kind of an open book. Really easy to read, actually. Newt would've caught on after a shift in your behaviour."

"She kept talking about how we are just friends." He ignores me, though I know he heard my words. "Claimed I didn't care about her, or some other klunk."

"Well, do you?"

He doesn't answer me. It's too dark in this room to tell what he really believes. If he doesn't love her, he is an idiot. Anyone could love her easily. He runs a hand through his hair before he looks at me.

"It doesn't matter that I love her if she's dead," Minho answers but also doesn't answer. "If we get caught, I'll die, which would suck, but I know what I'm getting into. She doesn't though. You know her, you can't tell her no. She thinks she's indestructible. If she dies, it would be my fault. It's crazy, for her to die for me. She doesn't get what that means."

I don't either. I could not imagine having so much love in me I would sacrifice my life for someone else. Out of all the things I am, a coward is the largest. Minho doesn't seem fearful though.

"Maybe she doesn't," I lean out the door, "or maybe she does. Are you two done?"

"Oh shuck I hope not." He buries himself in his hands, as he sinks down to the ground. I move around the counter, next to him. My arms find themselves at his sides, before I can hold onto him tightly. I barely know him, but I feel compelled to do this.

I don't know what to say, since as far as I know, I've never lost anyone. At least, not like Minho has.

"She's amazing," he speaks slowly, and like every word shocks him. "She is so funny, and clever, and feisty, and independent. When I met her, I didn't think girls like that could exist. You know, perfect ones. Ones that make your heart stop beating. One's that made you feel things in your chest. I imagine she feels like the ocean. Vast and strong and freeing. She is every word that I've ever known Leo, and I think I've shucked this up."