I woke up before everyone else. I silently moved around the Glade, getting things ready for our new Greenie.
About an hour later, the other boys started waking up. I was currently gathering the needed supplies for the new kid when Newt walked over to me.
"You ready for today?" He asked. I nodded as I glanced over my shoulder at Gally. "I know that face," he laughed. "That's your Momma Bear Worry Face."
"Of course I'm worried," I sighed turning towards him. "You know how Gally and the Builders get whenever we get a new Greenie. They are mean and they bully him. All to create dominance over the new guy."
"Well," Newt sighed as he reached over and rubbed my arm reassuringly. "Then it's a good thing you're here to protect the helpless bastard."
We sent each other knowing looks as the alarm went off, signaling the Box was on its way up.
Newt and I jogged over to the Box, making our way to the edge. We waited as it came up. When it did, two guys reached down and opened the top. I sighed, sending Newt a look, as Gally jumped down into the Box.
"Day one, Greenie." He said getting in the new kid's face. "Rise and shine."
I shook my head disapprovingly as Gally grabbed the boy and practically threw him out of the box.
"Gally," I said harshly. He just looked up at me and shrugged.
I looked over when the new kid jumped up and started running. "We got ourselves a runner!" Zart laughed.
I crossed my arms over my chest when I noticed how fast this kid was. I glanced over at Minho to see him already looking at me, the same look on his face.
I looked back at the boy when the guys laughed, him now on the ground.
"Enough," I sighed as I walked through the crowd. "Get back to work. We've still got a lot to do before tonight."
"Should we put him in the pit?" Newt asked, nodding towards the boy who was slowly standing up.
I hesitated before shaking my head. I took a step forward but stopped when he grabbed my hand.
"What if he hurts you, Y/N? We should put him in there while you talk to him, just to make sure he calms down."
I looked over, and after seeing the look on Newt's face, nodded my head in agreement.
Newt and Minho jogged over and escorted him to the pit. As they walked past me, the new Greenie and I made eye contact. He looked over his shoulder, still holding my gaze.
* * * * *
After about twenty minutes, I decided he had calmed down enough. As I walked over, I laughed when I saw him looking around.
"Hey."
I sighed when he fell back as I knelt down, casting a shadow across his face.
"Hey there, Green Bean," I said with a smirk on my face. "You're not gonna run again. Okay?"
I waited to see his reaction before nodding. "Good," I said as I stood back up and opened the door.
"My name is Y/N," I smiled, introducing myself as I knelt back down. "Can you tell me anything about yourself? Who you are? Where you came from? Anything at all."
I watched as he tried to think. He looked at the ground, his breathing slowly getting heavier.
"No," he whispered, still not looking up.
"Can you tell me your name?" I tried to ask.
I waited patiently as he struggled. He took a shaky breath and stuttered, "I can't remember anything."
He glanced up at me before quickly looking back down. "Why can't I remember anything?"
"It's okay," I said quickly, trying to calm him down. He gasped for air, something I've noticed the other boys do when they are trying to stop a panic attack. I looked over my shoulder to check and see if the guys were distracted.
When I didn't see anyone watching us, I nodded. They trusted me to do this on my own. Besides, they were more focused on getting ready for the bonfire tonight.
I made the boy jump when I climbed down into the pit. He moved back, slightly moving towards the corner. I squatted down, not getting any closer.
"Hey," I said gently. "Relax. Just breathe. It's normal. It happens to us all. You'll get your name back in a day or two. It's the one thing they let us keep."
He looked at me like he was studying me. I sent him a reassuring smile as I let him gather his thoughts.
"What is this place?" He asked glancing up at the sky. I let out a small chuckle as I stood up and reached my hand out for him to take.
"Let me show you."
* * * * *
After helping him out of the pit, I turned on my heel and started walking. After hesitating, he jogged to quickly catch up to me.
"We eat here. We sleep here. We grow our own food. We build our own shelter. Whatever we need, the Box provides. The rest is up to us."
"The box?"
"What you came up in," I said, nodding towards the Box. He looked over at it and the builders taking inventory as I explained, "It's sent up once a month with fresh supplies and a new Greenie. This month, that's you."
"Sent up? By who, though? Who put us here?"
I laughed at how inquisitive he was. He definitely was curious. I couldn't decide if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
"We don't know," I answered honestly.
"Hey, you alright, Y/N?"
I looked over my shoulder to see Newt limping over to us, glancing at the new kid.
"Green Bean, meet Newt," I introduced them. "When I'm not around, he's in charge."
"It's a good thing you're always around then," Newt joked. I sent him a look before laughing. "That was some dash you made earlier. For a second, I thought you had the chops to be a runner. . . Till you face-planted."
"Be nice," I hissed, gently hitting his shoulder. He just laughed as he sent me a wink.
"Wait, a runner?" The new boy asked. I sent Newt a "thanks-for-that" look before turning back towards the new kid.
"Why don't we take this one step at a time, huh? No point in dumping everything on you, all at once."
"I'll go find Chuck," Newt said as he walked by us. I sent him a nod before turning back towards the Greenie.
"Come on. Follow me."
We headed across the glade, the other guys sending us looks. Some boys laughed. Some sent winks. But the builders sent the Greenie a smirk as they nodded towards me.
"Back to work," I said as we passed them. "We need the extra firewood for the bonfire tonight."
"I got some for ya," Kyle smirked as he walked over.
"Oh yeah?" I said, flirting, well-aware of where this was going. I smiled before punching him in the gut. I pushed his shoulder, making him fall back on his ass.
"Get back to work. I'm not telling any of you again."
I started to walk away as the other builders laughed, helping Kyle to his feet. The Greenie hesitated before jogging to catch up to me.
"That was. . ."
"Something you should know, Greenie," I cut him off, stopping when we were at the bottom of the treehouse. I slowly turned towards him and crossed my arms over my chest. "I'm the only girl among roughly thirty guys. I can handle the comments, looks, and even when they try to touch me. But, I fight back."
He nodded as I started climbing the ladder.
"You coming?" I asked when I had gotten to the second level and he was still on the ground. I watched him look behind him at the Glade before sighing and following me.
I smiled and leaned on the railing, looking out over the Glade. I saw the boys walking around, getting things set up for tonight. I could feel the Greenie's eyes on me, but I didn't care.
"This is all we got," I said, not looking at him. "We've worked hard for it. If you respect this place, you and I will get along just fine."
"What's out there?" He asked, nodding towards the Maze doors.
"We only have three rules," I started, ignoring his question. "First, do your part. We don't have time for any freeloaders. Second, never harm another Glader. None of this works unless we have trust. Most importantly, rule number three, never go beyond those walls. Do you understand me, Greenie?"
I stared directly into his eyes, showing him how serious I was. Without saying anything, he nodded slightly.
"Hey, Y/N!"
I looked over the edge and smiled when I saw Chuck smiling up at me.
"Hey, Chuck! Where've you been? I feel like I haven't seen you all day."
"Newt had me helping Frypan get ready for tonight."
"Great," I smirked. "So does this mean the food won't be burnt?"
"No promises," Chuck shrugged, making me laugh.
I started climbing down, the Greenie following me. When we got to the ground, I laughed as Chuck wrapped his arms around my waist. I hugged him back, ruffling his hair.
"Hey, baby, do you think you can show the Greenie around for me? Get his hammock set up? I gotta talk to Newt about some things before tonight."
"Sure, Y/N." He said as he pulled out of the hug.
"Baby?"
We looked up to see the Greenie looking between the two of us. Chuck and I looked at each other, laughing.
"Y/N's the Glade Mom," Chuck started to explain. "And Newt's the Glade Dad. Since I'm the youngest, I'm the Glade Baby."
"The Glade Mom?" The Greenie asked, turning towards me.
"Like I said, I'm the only girl here," I shrugged. "Who else would it be?"
* * * * *
I looked over when I heard shouting. "Of course," I mumbled as Newt and I ran over to where the Greenie was telling Gally to leave him alone.
"Hey," I yelled making everyone stop. "What the hell is going on?"
"He was about to. . ." Gally started to explain. I sent him a look, instantly shutting him up.
"He just pushed me." The Greenie said, catching his breath.
"I saved your life." Gally scoffed.
"How?" The Greenie said, getting in Gally's face. I stepped between them, instantly pushing them apart.
"Calm down," I sighed. "Both of you."
"What the hell is wrong with you guys?" Greenie asked as some of the other Gladers ran over.
"Just calm down, all right?" Newt said gently.
"No, okay? Why won't you tell me what's out there?"
"We're just trying to protect you," I answered the scared Greenie.
"It's for your own good," Newt added.
"You guys can't just keep me here," he panicked.
"I can't let you leave," I said calmly.
"Why not?"
Just as he said that, the gears that closed the doors started churning. He jumped and slowly turned around as the gears clanked and a rush of wind hit us.
"What the hell?" I heard the Greenie mumble. He jumped back as the doors started to close. I watched him as the doors shut tightly.
I took a step forward when Gally turned towards the Greenie. "Next time," he scoffed, "I'm gonna let you leave."
"Gally," I said in a warning tone as I stepped between him and the Greenie. "Head back to the bonfire. Now."
He scoffed as he turned around, the other Gladers slowly following him. Once it was just the new kid and me, I turned towards him with a smirk on my face.
"Welcome to the Glade."
* * * * * *
At the bonfire, I looked over and noticed the Greenie sitting by himself. I grabbed a jug of Gally's elixir and walked over.
"Hey," I said as I stepped over the log and sat next to him. "How you holding up? I know it's a lot."
He scoffed slightly before looking at me. "Here," I said handing him the mason jar. "Try this. It's terrible but it helps soften all of this."
I watched, slightly smirking as he took a drink. The second it touched his lips, he spit it out. I couldn't help but laugh.
"That's disgusting," he coughed.
"Now you are officially part of the Glade. It's kind of a tradition to give the new Greenie a drink. Almost all of you spit it out."
"What the hell is that?"
"I don't even know," I laughed as I took the jar from him and drank some. "It's Gally's recipe."
"Yeah, well, he's still an asshole," he sighed as he wiped his mouth.
"True," I shrugged. "Either way, he saved your life today."
We were quiet as we watched the guys mess around, drinking and eating. I smiled as Chuck was trying to take down Frypan.
"So," the Greenie said, making me look at him. "What's with this "Glade Mom" stuff?"
I sighed as I tucked my knees up to my chest, wrapping my arms around them. "You know how I said that every month they send up one Greenie?"
He nodded, not looking away from me. "Well," I shrugged. "Someone had to be first."
"You?"
"Sort of," I sighed. I looked over at Newt and nodded towards him. "Newt and I actually came up together. For some reason, they sent both of us at the same time. We thought it might have something to do with two of us getting things ready for the rest of the boys. That way, when the other boys came up one-by-one, Newt and I could work together to help them. He helped them get used to the environment and find the right place for them in the Glade. I was the one who calmed them down and showed them around. So naturally, Newt and I became like the Glade Parents. We didn't really plan on it. It just sorta happened as more and more boys came up."
"Why are you guys all the way over here?" We looked up to see Newt walking over.
"I was just explaining to him how we came up together," I said as Newt sat down, taking my drink from me.
"Yep," he smirked. "Did she tell you how she was the first one out of the Box? I was frozen in the corner for hours before she was finally able to talk me out."
I laughed, slightly shaking my head as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders.
"So are you guys. . . Like. . ." The Greenie stuttered. Newt and I sent each other knowing smirks before laughing.
"No," I said, shaking my head. "We're more like brother and sister. Besides, this isn't exactly the best place to fall in love."
"Although, every single Greenie has fallen in love with her." Newt joked, slightly shaking me.
"That's only because I'm the only option," I scoffed.
Newt just shrugged as he took a drink. "Come on, Greenie. I'll show you around, give Y/N a little break."
I smiled as they stood up and started walking around the bonfire.
* * * * *
I was talking to Minho when I heard shouting. I looked over, sighing when I watched Gally push Brent out of their stupid fight circle.
"Why do they always do this?" I mumbled, making Minho laugh.
We walked over right as Gally pushed Brent out again, making him fall into the Greenie. I jogged over when they both fell to the ground.
Newt grabbed my arm, stopping me from helping them. "He's fine," he whispered. "Calm down, Mamma Bear."
I sent him a glare before pulling my arm out of his hold.
"What do you say, Greenie?" Gally challenged. I sent him a warning look that he ignored. "Wanna see what you're made of?"
I clenched my jaw as Clint started chanting, the other Gladers slowly joining as they tried to egg the Greenie on. I looked over to see Newt already watching me. He shook his head, instantly seeing that I was thinking about stopping this. I closed my eyes, knowing this was a bad idea as Gally started explaining the rules.
"Okay," Gally sighed. "Alright. Rules are simple, Greenie. I try to push you out of the circle, you try to last more than five seconds."
"Take it easy on the Greenie, Gally." Someone laughed.
I held my breath as Gally charged the Greenie, instantly grabbing him and pushing him out of the circle. A few boys caught him, throwing him back in. Gally stepped aside and put his foot out, making the Greenie face-plant in the sand.
Ignoring Newt's warning looks, I walked over and helped him up. I gently pushed him aside before turning towards Gally.
"Let me show you shanks how it's done," I smirked.
Gally looked around the circle as the boys laughed, warning him. "You sure you want to do this, Y/N?" Gally asked. "Don't want you getting hurt or breaking a nail."
I crossed my arms over my chest, my facial expression not changing as I shrugged, "Sure. Unless you're too scared you'll get your ass kicked by a girl."
He rolled his shoulders, trying to bring his tough-guy facade back. "I ain't scared of nothing."
"Except speaking properly," I joked. He glared as the guys laughed. I looked over my shoulder and winked at the Greenie.
As I turned back around, Gally charged me. I quickly leaned down, making him tumble over me. I smirked as I stood back up, making a show of fixing my shirt. Gally grunted as he angrily stood up.
He ran towards me with his hands extended, ready to push me out of the circle. I grabbed his wrist and elbow, turned slightly, and tossed him over my shoulder.
"Give up yet?" I teased.
Gally let out a frustrated yell as he ran up, grabbed my arm, and roughly pulling my back into his chest. He wrapped his arm around my neck, starting to drag me across the circle.
"Gally," Newt warned. "Easy."
Before Gally could throw me out of the circle, I elbowed his stomach, grabbed his arm, and tossed him over my shoulder, making him roll out of the circle.
I smiled as I looked up, the guys cheering. I turned towards the Greenie and sent him a wink.
"Your turn."
Gally stood up, quickly recomposing himself. "Come on, Greenie," he taunted. "We're not done yet."
"Stop calling me Greenie," the new kid shot back.
"Stop calling you that? What do you wanna be called? Shank?"
I shook my head as the boys laughed. "What do you think, boys?" Gally asked as he looked around the circle. "Does he look like a shank?"
I smirked at the new kid charged Gally. They grabbed each other's shoulders, pushing against each other before Gally finally threw the Greenie down.
"You know what?" Gally said, jumping up and down. "I think I've settled on Shank."
Greenie charged Gally, wrapping his arms around Gally's stomach. As much as Gally tried not to be, the Greenie pushed him back. I laughed as the Greenie was able to throw Gally down.
The Greenie stood up and smirked, slightly looking at me. "Not bad for a Greenie, huh?"
I shook my head at him, glancing down at Gally still on the ground. Before the Greenie could do anything, Gally kicked out his legs. I cringed when Greenie went down hard, hitting his head.
I held my breath, waiting for him to get up. As I was about to step forward and help him, he mumbled something.
"Thomas," I thought he mumbled as I looked around. He scrambled to his feet, his eyes wide. "Hey! Thomas!"
We watched him as he looked at us, laughing. "Thomas," the Greenie repeated. He looked at me, his eyes wide. "I remember my name. I'm Thomas."
I lifted my mason jar and pointed at him as I cheered, "Thomas!"
I smiled as everyone cheered and patted him on the back. Once everyone had gone back to what they were doing, I walked over to him and handed him a drink.
"Welcome to the Glade, Thomas."