Memory Games - Newt TMR

*Newt*

That night at dinner, I took the Greenie to my usual table where Minho, Ben, Zart, Nick, Clint, Jeff and Chuck sat, later joined by Frypan after all the meals had been cooked and Nick once he'd finished mapping. No one had really invited Chuck to come sit with us, but his innocent presence could be quite refreshing sometimes, as could the endless jokes we were able to fire at him. Greenie didn't make fun of him at all though, in fact she got slightly protective of him when when Ben started to throw some shade, which for some reason I enjoyed watching. She had been generally quite reserved, but she had sudden moments of confidence and whit that I found to be a quite amusing, maybe even endearing. I had to remember Alby's words though - crushing would not be acceptable - and so I tried my hardest to squash the excitement when it came.

"You're funny, greenie." Minho had complimented with a chuckle after she told the story of the pig she'd tried to slaughter that day, clearly mildly traumatised from the experience. "Can't imagine Winston was too impressed."

"No I don't think he was. It's hard to tell though, he's kind of quiet."

"Quiet until he's drunk. Then he won't shut up. Shuckin' blabber." Zart grinned.

"You're not one to talk. You know no one has forgotten about the time you passed out in that clunk pile, right?" Frypan teased and Zart's cheeks went red.

"It was one time! And do you want me to tell the Greenie about all your drunken shenanigans, because some of you have done a lot worse!"

"Oooh tell me." She grinned to which Minho, Ben, Frypan and I quickly turned to Zart and firmly said "Don't."

We'd all done so many embarrassing things, I didn't have any idea where he might start. They were never that embarrassing before, but now that there was a girl here - a beautiful girl - I sensed it meant that we were all (in this group at least) going to be on our best behaviour for a little while.

"Boo. Boring." She said and then turned to Chuck "It can't be more embarrassing than falling into a pile of manure, right?"

Zart's face got redder and I saw what she was doing, fishing for a reaction to get the truth out of him. It was smart, manipulative, but smart, and I couldn't help but chuckle. Maybe she wasn't such a mouse, but more of a cat.

"Chuck clunked himself three times before we could get him out of the box! And one time Minho chundered everywhere, all over himself, all over Ben! And then they fell asleep in the sick! And they didn't even change before running the next day!" Zart spoke quickly, defensive, bringing a deep laugh from the girls chest.

It was a real laugh, not a polite one or a little giggle, and I found myself joining in, her joy somewhat contagious. All of the boys started to laugh too, seemingly relieved by her lack of judgement.

"Well that doesn't surprise me from Minho." She said looking at him before turning to Chuck in a softer voice "But aw, Chuck. I bet they were so nasty about that" and his face reddened considerably.

"Yeah. They were. Still are." He grumbled and she patted his back.

"It's okay. I almost klunked myself too."

"You almost stabbed someone." Ben corrected and everyone laughed again, though the Greenie looked slightly pink now too.

"Can you blame me? You guys are scary."

"Gally is scary you mean." Jeff chuckled and she nodded.

"He is a little bit. But I apologised to him. I think it's okay now."

"You apologised to him?" Minho questioned, clearly surprised. Everyone else seemed to be surprised too, and I had to shoot around a quick, thin eyed look so as to say "don't bring up what he said in the meeting" to those who were present. Though I had the feeling that what he'd said had already escaped the walls of the gathering, as everyone looked equally uncomfortable.