Lover || Newt x reader

DONT BE A SILENT READER ♥️
Maya's POV

I woke up when the sun burned my eyes, my body stiff from sleeping in an awkward position. I blinked, confused about why I was out here instead of in my hut.

A light snoring next to me made me jump.

That's when I realized—I wasn't alone.

Newt and I had fallen asleep against the tree, my head resting on his shoulder, his hand placed gently on my knee.

I glanced at him, taking in the peaceful expression on his face. The usual lines of exhaustion and stress were gone, his breathing slow and steady. He looked so... relaxed. He really needed that sleep. And apparently, so did I.

Surprisingly, I felt well-rested, despite sleeping on the hard ground. But this... this was a mistake. I hadn't planned on falling asleep with him—it just happened.

I only hoped no one had seen us.

Carefully, I slipped out from under his touch, doing my best not to wake him. Before leaving, I hesitated and gently adjusted his hair, a small, involuntary smile forming on my lips. Then, without another glance, I turned and headed back to my hut.

Inside, I washed my face in the small sink, trying to shake off the lingering warmth of the moment. I brushed my hair and tied it up into a bun, letting out a slow breath.

It was nothing. Just an accident.

By the time I stepped outside again, a few Gladers had already woken up—including Newt.

"Morning, Maya," Thomas greeted me as soon as he spotted me, drawing the attention of the others.

"Morning," I replied with a small smile.

But then I noticed Minho.

He was watching me and Newt with a knowing smirk, eyes flicking between us.

"So..." Minho drawled, crossing his arms. "How'd you guys sleep?"

It was an innocent question, but the way he asked it—his smirk said everything.

Newt stretched his neck, his voice light as he answered, "Apparently, I fell asleep over by the tree."

His tone was casual—too casual.

Nothing in his response indicated that he remembered I had been there with him.

"Really?" Minho's smirk widened as he turned to me. "What about you, Maya?"

I shot him a glare before answering, keeping my voice neutral.

"Just fine, thank you."

There was no need to tell them anything.

But when I glanced at Newt, his warm brown eyes met mine, and I could tell... He did remember. He was just playing it off—just like me.

Minho nudged Newt with his shoulder, laughing under his breath.

Newt bit the inside of his cheek, avoiding my gaze.

Shucking Minho...

Later That Day

The heat was unbearable.

The runners had been given the day off since it was too hot to safely run in the Maze, and the rest of us were struggling through our work in the sun.

I was in the garden with Newt, Thomas, and Zart, trying to dig up potatoes, but I was a sweaty mess. The sun burned against my skin, leaving my arms red, and I could feel my energy draining with every passing minute.