Lover || Newt x reader

1.5 - Unfair

"Bullshit," I muttered before storming out of the Homestead, catching a glimpse of Newt's face as he watched me leave.

I entered the kitchen, trying to steady my breathing. I hadn't been in here before, and everything about the situation felt ridiculous. Frypan greeted me with a smile.

"Hey! We'll make this work. We'll have fun with it," he said, trying to cheer me up.

"I'm glad it's you. I'm just annoyed," I admitted.

"If it helps, I had nothing to do with this. Alby just told me right before you came in," he said, clearly trying to make me feel better.

At least Frypan didn't think I belonged in the kitchen.

He gave me a quick tour of the kitchen,
explaining where everything was. "Be careful with the knives—they're like smaller machetes, cut myself on those things multiple times" he warned. "We get meat from the blood house, and vegetables from the Track-Hoes."

The job wasn't as bad as I had thought. It wasn't that I had a problem with the kitchen, but the circumstances left me feeling boxed in.

The first day, I mostly peeled potatoes and carrots, barely feeling like I was helping. At lunchtime, all the gladers stood in line for their meals, and I took up my new position handing out plates. As I was serving, I noticed Alby and Newt near the front of the line. Without thinking, I quickly swapped positions with Frypan, handing him a plate.

"Eyo, how's everything?" Alby asked, a grin on his face.

"We're good," Frypan answered, passing them their plates.

"Is that so? Maya, how are you?" Alby asked, his eyes narrowing as he caught the sarcastic edge in my tone.

I turned to face them, barely masking my annoyance. "Oh, I'm great," I said, voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Good that" Alby said, but I could tell he wasn't buying it. After a brief pause, he gave Frypan a quick smile before heading to the table.

Newt stood there, still waiting.

"Maya, could we please talk?" he asked.

"I'm really busy cutting tomatoes," I replied with just the right amount of sarcasm, turning back to my task. My knife moved a little more aggressively than necessary as I chopped the tomatoes. I could feel Newt's gaze on my back as he left the kitchen.

"Don't be so hard on him," Frypan said, his voice gentle. "Newt didn't have much say in this. When Alby wanted you as a slopper, Newt did everything he could to make sure you weren't."

Maybe Frypan was right, but I was still disappointed in Newt. Didn't he believe in me at all?

I sighed loudly. "Alright, I'll talk to him later."

"Good," Frypan smiled, clearly pleased with my decision.

After lunch, everyone returned to work, and I followed Frypan as we prepared to make tomato soup. He handed me a basket. "Go ahead and fill this up with tomatoes. Newt's over with the Track-Hoes today; he'll help you."

I didn't want to, but I knew Frypan was right. It was time to make up with Newt.

I walked slowly toward the Track-Hoes. Newt had his back to me, speaking with a guy named Zard.

"Speaking of the sun," Zard said, noticing me.

Newt turned around, and for the first time, I saw the exhaustion in his eyes. I didn't know where to start.

"Still speaking of me?" I said, trying to break the ice.

Newt rolled his eyes, clearly frustrated with my attitude. Zard read the room and decided to return to digging potatoes, leaving us alone.

I took a deep breath. "I just want you to know I'm disappointed. I thought you believed in me."

"Maya..." Newt shook his head, his voice low. "I do believe in you. More than anyone else here. But you're a stubborn little one."

His words made me chuckle despite myself. "Yeah... I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize. I'm sorry you feel misplaced," he said, his tone softening. "I'll talk to Alby again and get you another job."

"No, don't," I smiled. "I like working with Frypan."

He smiled back at me, and I tossed the basket toward him. He caught it easily.

"Help me fill it up?" I asked.

"Of course," he said with a grin, and we sat together picking tomatoes.

Once the basket was full, we returned to the kitchen, and Frypan gave us both a big smile when we arrived.

"Stop that," I smiled back, feeling a little lighter.

The rest of the day passed by in a blur of chopping, stirring, and laughter. When dinner was ready, I sat at the table next to Chuck, Minho, and Thomas.

"How's kitchen duty?" Thomas asked through a mouthful of food.

"It's alright. Frypan's a lot of fun," I replied, keeping it simple and not wanting to share too much.

As Newt sat down beside me, I gave him a small smile. After everything, he was the only one who believed in me.