/////

Still, nothing has changed inside the Glade. They still continue about their lives every day as if they are not facing any major problems. It's been 3 years since Alby came here, and Zelia is about to turn 6 months.

Ever since Minho returned to them, the other Gladers had hope because there's a chance that they can still escape to the Maze. After all, it's not really scary like the Runners' stories, especially since they can defend themselves right now, so it's easy for them to attack the Grievers.

There are also others who think that the only way the man survived was because he was a Runner, or, let's just say, a former Keeper. Of course, he knows all about the Maze. There is a really big chance that he will survive. It has been running inside for three years, so it can be said that it is easy for the man to survive. For sure, he didn't feel scared and afraid just by looking at them at night, chasing him.

Speaking of Minho, it's been three days since he got out of the Slammers, so his punishment has started that he can't run inside the Maze yet. Nothing has changed in him, and his wounds and his left foot have also healed.

Zelia was now in the tree, where she could see the entire Glade. Standing while leaning forward on wooden railings. She had just finished teaching, so she was just waiting for the evening to eat her dinner and sleep in her room.

The girl accidentally looked at Minho, who was now talking to Newt in the garden. After what happened in Slammers that night, she can say that somehow, they greet each other every time they meet their eyes but still don't talk much. She also doesn't understand why they're back as if they're invisible to each other, not totally since they have improved since they started to great to each other in a simple way.

I mean, that's not a big deal to me, but I guess it's okay that we just nodded our head to each other instead of he's ignoring me or rolling his eyes on me every time he see me. I didn't even try to bring up the topic of what happened that night. Well, of course, there are no no other meaning on that because I really wanted to help him.

Newt and Ben didn't expect Zelia to be seen by Slammers inside with Minho. Because of the noise of the two, the two who were sleeping woke up and looked at the newcomers.

"Sorry to us if we woke you up. If we remember, Minho was the only one inside the Slammers before we went to bed," Newt said when he saw that the two were already awake as he sat in front of them. He even saw them rubbing their eyes; obviously they woke up when they're approaching.

"When I tell you, you won't say anything about what you saw?" Zelia asked now that she was staring at Newt and Ben carefully. The two stared at each other before nodding.

"Your secret is safe to us; don't worry," Ben said and winked at the two, so Minho just scoffed and leaned his head against the wall before explaining his side—that he really can't sleep and Zelia is the one who volunteered to help him.

"Her reason is valid, that's why," Newt said after Zelia spoke up to tell them what she was doing here.

"That's what it's like when there's a patient who really needs help," Ben said, as if Zelia and Minho were not in front of them.

"We can't blame her. We both know that Zel loves her job as a Med-jack very much," Newt added, and the girl just rolled her eyes. Too early to deal with their teasing, Zelia just wanted to go back to her room.

"It's a good thing; we woke up early, and you need to go out, Zel, so no one else sees that you're here," Ben said as if he read her mind. The girl nodded before leaving the Slammer when Newt opened the door for her. Before he could walk away, she heard Minho speak.

"Thank you, Zelia. You don't have to do that, but you still let me sleep." She looked at the man and gave him a smile before returning to her room.

She admitted it; it didn't just happen once in almost 2 weeks. Several times she couldn't really sleep at night, so she didn't realize that she was walking towards where Minho was. He also admitted that his sleep is still not getting back to normal, so he let Zelia stay inside his Slammer several times to stroke his hair and listen to her voice. They were both thankful that Newt and Ben were always the ones who caught them.

After all, it's not bad to sleep with him in Slammers. 4 days before his punishment was done, I stayed in front of him for a few hours to make sure he was sleeping properly, and he did. I was just thankful that he didn't wake up when I watched him sleeping peacefully. Newt and Ben ask why they didn't see me there, but I tell them that Minho doesn't need me anymore to help him.

Suddenly, Zelia heard a knock at the door, so she looked to see who it was. She made him climb the tree all the way to find out who the person was behind the door.

"Hey, I'm sorry if I'm late. I didn't mean to wait for you for too long," Gally said as he finally got close to Zelia's place. "It's just because some builders make so many mistakes; that's why I'm late."

The girl laughed softly. "It's fine; I really meant to come here early because I don't have anything else to do after teaching."

Silence engulfed them while looking at the entire Glade. It seems that the Gladers are gradually disappearing from Gally's sight so that he can feel the nervousness even more. Anytime, he just wants to run away, but he needs to say it right away because if he doesn't, he'll be the only one who will be in trouble in the end if he makes it last longer.

"What exactly do you want to say, and why did you call me here?" Cutting the girl in silence. She was now looking at Gally, but the man was still looking straight ahead. He took a deep breath first, then exhaled slowly.

"Look, Zelia...I know this is probably going to sound strange, and I don't expect anything to feel you the same way as I did since it's pretty obvious. But I just wanted to say I've had feelings for you for a while now. I don't know how, when, maybe I gave you those fake human bodies." He said that he was almost stuttering because his heart was pounding so hard.

Zelia blinked, clearly surprised. “Gally...”

“No, let me finish,” he said quickly, holding up a hand. “I know you really don’t feel the same way. I’ve known for a long time that whatever I feel for you, it’s not mutual; it's never been mutual. You just saw me as a friend. And that’s okay. I can't force myself on you to make you like me back. I’m not saying this because I want you to feel guilty or anything like that. I'm saying this because I just wanted to let you know that I care for you.”

Gally looked at Zelia, who was clearly feeling mixed emotions right now. The man gave him a short smile to say that he accepted him as just a friend of her.

"I just want you to know so that there is no awkwardness between of us. I know that you know what the rumour is that is spreading within the Glade. I don't want what you think that I'll take that as an advantage. I know we've only been talking for a few weeks since you came here, but maybe if I don't tell you right away, I'll be the only one who will be in trouble and hurt at the end."

For a moment, there was silence again between them. Zelia looked at him, her eyes soft with understanding and something like sadness.

“Gally,” she said quietly, stepping closer to him, “I had no idea. I’m so sorry if I ever made you feel like—"

“No, don’t apologize,” Gally interrupted, his voice firm but gentle. “It’s not your fault; it's never been your fault. You’ve always been a great friend, and that’s enough for me.”

It was obvious to Zelia that she hesitated to touch Gally's arm, but in the end, she held him anyway. She took a deep breath before continuing what she had to say.

"Thank you for being honest with me. But I swear to you that there will be no awkwardness between the two of us after this. I really enjoy your company, and I consider you one of my closest friends." Gally gave him a smile, a smile that was obviously genuine.

"That's better because I'm getting used to it after you teach them; I'll immediately go to the Armoury to help you something or talk to you about random topics if I'm not doing anything." Zelia laughed softly.

"I'm used to it with you messing with me. That's why your Builders are jealous of me." The young man rolled his eyes because of what the girl said.

"Let them be; they're still full of shanks who have nothing else to do but complain about the hardships I'm making them do, but in reality, it's not that hard," he said while shaking his head.

"You know, maybe they just need a forehead kiss to know that you really care for them." Zelia saw how Gally made a disgusting face, so she laughed even more at his reaction.

"Yuck. No way. Never. Especially your friend Kendrix. Maybe soon Fry will hit me with his pan. Thank you for everything."

"Come on, just admit it that you still care for them somehow. Only I will know if you admit it."

"No, thank you so much, I'm good. Even though I like you, you're not making me easily admit like that."

Zelia smiled because of what Gally said, and they both looked at the Glade, and right now, they realize that the sky was almost dark.

"Too bad, I can't take advantage of your feelings in this matter." She heard him the way he scoffed.

"If it turns out like this, I wish I hadn't told you my feelings."

-----

As Newt walked towards the kitchen, he looked at a person leaning against a tree while looking at the two talking. He followed with his gaze, and he did not expect what he saw.

Minho was unusually quiet, arms crossed over his chest as he stared intently toward the two. Newt smirked when he saw Zelia and Gally laughing at each other.

With a knowing smile, Newt walks towards the tree where Minho is and stands beside him in silence for a moment. Minho didn’t even notice his presence, too absorbed in watching Zelia laugh at something Gally said.

"You're going to burn a hole through them if you keep staring like that.” Minho startled when he heard a voice coming from his side. He looked to see who it was and saw Newt leaning against the tree where he was also leaning.

“I’m not staring,” he muttered, though the slight flush on his face said otherwise.

Newt chuckled and crossed his arms while looking at Minho. "Uh-huh, right. That's why you gave Gally a deadly stare; anytime you'll rip his head off."

Minho just rolled his eyes. "I'm not. I just looked at them for a moment because they were too obvious."

"Does it bother you?" Minho couldn't speak immediately and unconsciously looked at the two who were still talking. "Stop staring and answer my simple damn question." Minho rolled his eyes and stared at Newt.

"No." It was a short answer that was obviously emphasized so Newt just shook his head.

The young man wants to tell his friend that it hurts him every time he sees the two together, but he is afraid of what he will say to him. Besides, he doesn't know what he feels for; as possible, he needs to confirm what this is first. He has no reason to get angry when Zelia is with someone else and talking.

"I really don't understand you; your eyes say it all, but you're still trying to deny it. Don't tell me you didn't feel something when Zelia went to Slammers just so you could sleep well? Not once but almost 2 weeks."

Minho was like a statue where he was standing—didn't dare to move—and thought about the times when he had trouble sleeping. Is it really nothing or is he deliberately forcing himself not to think too much just to avoid something else that he can't explain what or why or whatever?

He couldn't really understand himself anymore because there was a part of him that wanted to talk to Zelia but he was afraid of what might happen.

"Peace of an advice, Minho. If I'm the one who's confused about your behaviour, what about Zelia? Ever since you got out, you two haven't talked. Again. Make up your mind. Maybe later, you just really repent in the end because who knows what might happen?"

Minho seemed to wake up from reality when he heard Newt's voice. He looked at him who was now walking away, leaving him confused as to what he meant.

Minho looked at Zelia and their eyes met. It was as if he felt something strange in her eyes that he couldn't explain. Even though he couldn't see her eyes, he knew they were full of feelings.

Maybe I really understand what Newt meant. I'm the only one who's wrong that I insist on not knowing what he's saying.