The healer [Maze runner Newt x OC]

Chapter four

Jeff grinned. "Looks like Clint owes you one. Or maybe ten."

Clint raised his hands in mock protest. "Hey, don't pin this all on me. Jeff's just as messy."

"Not true!" Jeff shot back, though his guilty grin said otherwise.

"Oh, please," Grace chimed in, tossing a scrap of bacon at him. "I've seen the hut after your shift. It's like a tornado went through."

Jeff caught the bacon and popped it into his mouth. "Thanks for the extra snack."

Alby, sitting across from them, gave Newt an approving wink. Grace, too distracted by her mock argument with Jeff, didn't notice the extra bacon until much later.

''Well, yeah, but I've got an extra piece of bacon now.'' He quickly pushed in into his mouth as Grace tried to get it back, that while Newt sneaked a piece of his own onto her plate, a small smirk on his face as Alby gave him a wink, the girl too busy to pay attention to the extra piece.

Alby, sitting across from them, gave Newt an approving wink. Grace, too distracted by her mock argument with Jeff, didn't notice the extra bacon until much later.

As the group settled into easy conversation, Nick turned to Newt. "How's the gardening treating you?"

"It's... different," Newt admitted, his tone thoughtful. "Not as bad as I thought it'd be, though. Peaceful, even."

Grace squeezed his hand, offering him an encouraging smile. Newt glanced down at their intertwined fingers, a flicker of warmth softening his expression. Without a word, he lifted their hands and pressed a gentle kiss to her knuckles.

Grace's cheeks turned a deep shade of red, and she ducked her head to hide her flustered smile. Minho, ever the troublemaker, let out a loud wolf whistle.

"Minho!" Grace hissed, shooting him a glare.

"What? I'm just admiring the lovebirds!" Minho grinned, unrepentant.

"Cut it out," Alby scolded, though his smile betrayed his amusement.

The group burst into laughter, the easy camaraderie dispelling any tension. Grace leaned closer to Newt, letting herself enjoy the moment. For the first time in a long while, the world felt lighter, and she silently hoped this peace would last.

The Medjack hut buzzed with activity as Grace finished organizing supplies with Clint and Jeff. The air was thick with the usual afternoon heat, but the moment the shrill blare of the Greenie alarm echoed through the Glade, everything froze.

"Well, guess that's my cue," Clint said, wiping his hands on a rag. "It's my shift to stay, so you two can head out."

"Alright," Grace replied, giving him a quick wave. "See you at dinner, Clint."

Jeff followed her out as they joined the crowd gathering at the Box. The Gladers formed their usual loose ring around the metal shaft, their faces a mix of curiosity and routine expectation. Grace squeezed into the group, standing between Nick and Zart, peering down into the shadowy interior of the Box.