1. FIGHTER - the maze runner, newt

Chapter 10

I took a shaky breath, feeling the world collapse on my shoulders, pushing me further into the ground.

"I'll be fine." I muttered, trying to steady my air. I looked up at Newt, watching his worried eyes flicker across my unease face.

"You...you know you can tell me anythin'...right? If anythin' was wrong? I know that might seem weird, and I know you don't quite trust me yet but you can talk t'me. Even if you think it's bloody insane, I won't judge you, o-or tell anyone. I just...I just—" Newt stuttered before stopping himself.

Bashfully running a hand shaggy blonde hair, he took a deep breath. He gazed back at me with eyes full of compassion before glancing down at my hand.

Following his eyes, I looked down to my hands which laid limply on my knees. Nothing seemed to be wrong with them. Not even a spec of grass laid upon them.

Why was Newt looking at my hand if- My thoughts were interrupted when Newt grabbed my hand, gently.

I bit the sides of my mouth to keep myself from blushing. It worked for a few seconds.

His hand was soft and warm. I literally was inwardly fangirling at that moment. Butterflies erupted through my stomach, I felt chills run up my arms, and I felt like I was going to float away on a cloud. Newt intertwined our fingers, and I couldn't help but think that our hands molded perfectly together.

"I just want you t'know that I'm here for you." Newt said, quietly. He looked at his feet, trying to avoid my curious stare.

I smiled down to my knees, feeling my heart melt from inside my chest at his bashfulness and kindness.

"Thank you." I whispered, biting my lower lip to hide my flustered smile.

Newt looked up at me surprised. Did he expect me to just push him away? A goofy smile stretched across his face, and I couldn't help but replicate it.

"Oh...uh...y-yeah! Anytime! No problem. You are welcome." Newt smiled, awkwardly, helping me rise to my feet.

Once we were standing, he pulled his hand away, disappointment coursing through me for a moment before he delicately grasped my hand once again.

My chest burned and my stomach erupted into a giddy mess as my ears began to heat up.

A nervous chuckle left me as I immediately grew awkward.

I felt absolutely thrilled that I had this handsome boy's attention and he was holding my hand. However, I didn't know how to deal with it.

Not to mention, my palms began to sweat.

"Don't you have a Gathering to get to?" I smirked playfully—hiding my awkwardness.

Newt's eyes widened as realization hit him. "R-right! So I should probably...yeah," Newt stuttered awkwardly, "So, uh...bye."

He smiled sheepishly before turning to walk away. However, his turn was so sudden that when he squeezed my hand as a farewell, our interlocked fingers didn't separate immediately.

It resulted with my small form being yanked forwards, stumbling right into Newt's chest.

Gripping onto his shoulder to stabilize myself, I felt his hand grasp my waist in order to keep me from tripping over his feet and eating shit.

The amount of times I've been yanked around today. I thought bitterly before gazing up.

My bitterness disappeared immediately as my eyes locked with his.

Newt was so close. His face centimeters from mine, his breath fanning my flushed face as our gazes melted into one another—openly staring at one another, despite our stupefied expressions.