The Girl

Chapter Fifteen

  After my discussion with Minho, I'm reluctant to leave my spot alone on the tree branch. I spend most of the day leaning against the trunk with my eyes closed, confused and depressed. Hours pass before I'm called.

"Beth! What are you doing up there?" Newt asks laughing as he spots me up in the tree branches. I quickly swipe the back of my hands across my cheeks and hope he can't see that they're tear stained from down there.

"Oh... uh, nothing... I was just bored and it's peaceful up here," I half-lie.

"Is everything okay?" He calls up to me, his expression gaining concern.

"Oh, yeah. Totally." Totally?! When would I ever say that?!

"Beth. What happened? What's wrong?" He questions me in a demanding way. I clear my throat.

"Nothing, I just sat up here and... I had a conversation with Minho-" As soon as he hears his name Newt turns around and rushes back towards the med-tent.

"Newt, wait! Please don't go..." I call after him breathily as I attempt to quickly climb down the tree. He's already out of earshot when I reach the bottom. I run after him, but keep my distance.

I watch him go into the med-tent and I slip, unnoticed, next to the entrance to eavesdrop.

"What the bloody hell did you do?" I hear Newt shout at Minho.

"What the shuck are you talking about?" Minho retorts. I hold my breath and peek inside.

"What did you tell her?" Newt demands, a look of wicked anger on his face that I'd never seen before. I bite my lip and close the tent, leaning against the outside so I could still hear.

"You mean-"

"Answer my bloody question!"

"Calm down, calm down-"

"I won't calm down! Do you know what you could've done to her? She could take words hard, Minho! You need to watch your bloody mouth!" He sounds like he's in tears as he screams.

"I'm sorry! All I did was say you've been acting different since she got here-"

"What else?" Newt's voice drops. Minho sighs.

"I told her to be careful around you," He confesses. I don't want too, but I can't help myself and peek through the opening. I see Newt, distressed, push something over on top of a tray. If he broke something I swear to God... I think to myself. I'd been working really hard on new medications lately. But my thoughts are quickly dispersed as their conversation continues.

"You shouldn't have done that, Minho," Newt quietly states. "If there was a problem, I'd address it."

"People can't always tell what isn't good for them-"

"She's the best thing that's happened to me since I got to this bloody hell hole! Don't you dare say otherwise because you're wrong! I love her and I haven't been able to express my actual feelings to anyone except her!" I feel my own eyes well up with tears "Leave her alone!"

"I'm sorry, alright? But I won't leave her alone. She's my friend and I'm not going to avoid her." Minho asserts. I breathe heavily, deciding if I should intervene yet. I quickly take a deep breath, push the tent open, and step inside. Both boys stop and look at me. Minho's expression regretful and upset, Newt's broken and distressed. I stand there, no one saying a word. I quickly look down and brush a piece of hair behind my ear before speaking up quietly.

"Minho... your words were sort of, confusing and a little frightening-"

"I bloody knew it, I'll kill-" Newt begins, but I cut him off.

"No. His words were a little much but he was just looking out for you, Newt. He cares about you. He didn't express it in the friendliest way..." Minho looks down regretful. "But that was his intention. And I want to look out for you too-"

"Beth, you're not bad for me. I love you-"

"I know you do. And I know we help each other out in ways no one else can. Minho just doesn't quite grasp the concept. But it's alright, I'm fine." I explain to the two boys in front of me. Minho nods solemnly, his eyes glued to the ground. Newt watches as I walk over to Minho and push his chin up so his eyes meet my own.

"I'm okay," I whisper, and pull him into a hug. He accepts and hugs me back. I smile when I pull away, and his face brightens slightly. I walk over to Newt. He looks down into my eyes, embarrassed, hurt, and upset.

"I already told you I won't leave you. That's a promise I have every intention of keeping," I state. I wrap my arms around his stomach and lay my ear over his heart so I can hear the steady beat. But his heart seems to race. I pull back from our hug and look up at him.

"Are you alright?" I ask, concern growing on my face.

"I'm fine, why do you ask?" He questions, confused.

"Your heart... It's racing," I tell him, placing my hand over his heart.

"It always is when I'm with you," He smiles. I feel myself blush and look down to hide it. He tilts my chin up and kisses me gently but quickly. I hug him once more.