RECKLESS [The Maze Runner || Newt || Book 1]

31 - The truth comes out

Clara stood in front of what used to be her home, now filled with half-destroyed buildings and the bodies of the Gladers, which had old sheets covering them. She didn't know what to feel anymore, in the span of a few days she'd lost everything she'd ever known. The glade was basically completely destroyed, and half the boys had gone with it. 

She had watched Alby, one of her closest friends, sacrifice himself to save her and she'd watched as Gally threw a punch at Thomas, screaming that it was all his fault. She hadn't even realized she was crying until she tasted the salty tears that had run into her mouth, but she didn't bother trying to stop them from coming, she wanted to cry. For her friends, and for the Glade, and for every other shucking sad thing that had ever happened. She wanted to cry for days, maybe even weeks without stopping, but all that came out were a few stray tears. An accented voice behind her pulled her out of her thoughts,

"Clara?"

She sniffled slightly as she turned around to face the blonde boy who called her, he was smiling slightly but his face fell when he saw the tears rolling down her face,

"You alright?" He asked as he stepped closer to me, concern lacing his voice.

"I'm fine, is there something you needed?" She responded, almost emotionless, as she wiped away the tears with her sleeve.

"Could we talk?"

"About what?"

"About what happened the other night?"

"You're gonna have to be a lot more specific Newt, in case you hadn't noticed a lot of klunk has happened over the last few days."

"I meant what happened between us. Or what almost happened I guess..." He trailed off, waiting for her response. Her eyebrows furrowed as she felt a wave of anger wash over her,

"Are you kidding me Newt? The glade is completely destroyed, Thomas stabbed himself with the damn griever needle, Alby and Zart are dead, and you're trying to get into my shucking pants right now?" She spat at him, crossing her arms over her chest. Newt stood completely still before he sighed, running a hand through his hair as he took in what the girl had said.

"You're right Clara, I'm sorry." When she didn't respond he said her name again. She suddenly snapped her head up, her heart dropping slightly when she saw the hurt expression on his face, realizing his apology was sincere.

"No, no, I- I'm sorry Newt I didn't mean to snap at you like that, I just..." – she paused for a moment, taking a deep breath, and rummaging inside her mind, trying to find the right words – "I have a lot on my mind right now, okay?"

Newt stepped closer to her, hesitating slightly before he asked,

"Do you – do you want to talk about it?"

"Not really. What I really want is to forget about it, but I can't even do that. Ironic considering I've forgotten everything else in my damn life." She said, a sad laugh escaping her throat. She looked down again quickly, fiddling with the hem of her shirt before looking back up at the blonde, "Newt can you just – could you hug me please?"

Newt obliged quickly, closing the gap between them, and wrapping his arms around her waist. Clara pushed herself up on her tiptoes so she could comfortably rest her head on his shoulder. She clasped her arms around his neck, linking her hands behind his head and closing her eyes, letting herself relax in his grip. Newt had one of his hands on her back, supporting her and taking some of the weight off her toes as his other hand gently brushed her hair, softly running his fingers through it. 

They stood like that for a few minutes as a comfortable silence settled over them. Newt pulled back slowly, dropping his head as she lifted hers, so he was looking directly into her eyes. Clara pressed her forehead against his, feeling his breath on her lips. She dropped her gaze to his lips for a split second before looking back up to meet his eyes. Newt pulled back slightly, his brain was itching with a question, he knew it was a risk to ask, but he already had enough regrets, and he didn't feel like adding another one to the list. He looked at the ground and back at Clara before he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper.