Once In A Blue Moon

Three

A boy named Nick had introduced himself as the leader of the Glade. You recognized him as the boy who had tried to approach you before Newt just a few hours prior. He showed you to where you would sleep every night. Luckily, it was towards the outside of the area where everyone had laid their sleeping bags. You were grateful for the privacy that would be provided. Now, the sun was beginning to set. 

Most of the Gladers -- as you had learned to call them -- were gathered around in one spot, where some were holding torches. Nick walked over to you.

"You up for a night of partying?" he asked. "I'd take no for an answer, but you're supposed to be the-"

"The guest of honor, yeah. Alby told me," you told him.

"Yeah, the guest of honor," Nick repeated. You got up from the sleeping bag you had laid down earlier.

"So where's everyone gathering?" you asked him, brushing stale dirt from your pants.

"Right where they are now," Nick answered your question, pointing to the group of Gladers with the torches.

"Might as well get this over with, huh?" you ask, walking past him and towards the group. You hear him run after you.

"They're not gonna go easy on you. Just so you know," he noted. "They're pretty pissed that there's a girl here."

"Understandable," you said, not looking back at him. "I would be, too."

"Okay, if you insist on not talking, that's fine," he told you. You nodded your head and ran the rest of the way to the Gladers, who greeted you as nicely as someone could greet a person who just walked in and changed the way by which everyone lived.

"So, Greenie," one of the boys said, walking up to you. He was tall and muscular, one of the most intimidating people you had met, but you didn't let it show.

"Hold it," you interrupted, holding out your hand like a stop sign. The stance was awkward, and you lowered your arm slowly. He tried to keep his smirk subtle, but it wasn't successful. "Greenie. Greenbean. Why do people keep calling me this?"

"Unless you'd rather I call you shank, I suggest you just deal with it," he replied. He offered you his hand, which you didn't take. "I'm Gally."

"And I'm done with this conversation," you reply, walking past him. Laughs and cat-calls echo from behind you, but you don't smile. Instead, you walk towards where you see Alby standing. He's with Newt and an Asian kid you hadn't met yet. Alby glanced in your direction but looked away quickly, probably not wanting to draw attention. It doesn't look like he wants to be seen by you, but you walk over to him anyway.

When you reach Alby and Newt, the three of them turn to you with welcoming looks. You can tell they're a bit forced.

"Hey, what's up with Gally?" you asked, looking back at him. He seemed to have forgotten about the conversation you just had, laughing with another group of boys you hadn't met.

"Ahh, don't worry about him. A slinthead if I ever saw one," the Asian kid replied. He held out his hand just like Gally had. For the first time, you took it. His grip was stronger than you expected. "Minho."

"Nice to meet you," you told him, and he nodded in return.

"So, I hear you threatened everyone with a knife today?" he asked. "I wish I hadn't missed the show."

"Where were you?" you asked him, wondering where anybody could be but inside the Glade. Minho looked to Alby, who shook his head. 

"I was... out," he replied.

You nodded awkwardly , wanting to be let in on their secret but knowing they never would let that happen. How was he out? It's not like anybody leaves.