𝑆𝑂𝑀𝐸𝑇𝐼𝑀𝐸𝑆 𝐼𝑇 𝐿𝐴𝑆𝑇𝑆 𝐼𝑁 𝐿𝑂𝑉𝐸, 

𝐵𝑈𝑇 𝑆𝑂𝑀𝐸𝑇𝐼𝑀𝐸𝑆 𝐼𝑇 𝐻𝑈𝑅𝑇𝑆 𝐼𝑁𝑆𝑇𝐸𝐴𝐷

- 𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑙𝑒, 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢

└──────═━┈━═──────┘

IT was undeniable, as everyone around them noticed, that Newt was trying everything he could to help her. And because she spoke more freely, shared what statements lingered on her tongue and the blonde often found her in the company of other Glader's, he also noticed that his actions were having an effect.

That it helped what hadn't helped for so long. Melanie had changed so immediately and was aware of the immense difference between her previous self and who she was now. But there was also pride in her that she had made the change possible and could now enjoy it instead of continuing to dwell on outdated demons.

There were also some lights that weren't as off as they had been so solid before. Melanie was sitting in front of a tree trunk, her arms wrapped around her legs, and looked up just as the blonde boy sat down next to her. They both exchanged meaningful smiles with a lightness that made her feel warm. Had she ever noticed how beautiful he looked at her before?

"I'm proud of you," Newt said after a while of just sitting in silence, watching the blades of grass move in the wind and Chuck running from a bee.

“What do you mean?,” she asked gently, enjoying the cool breeze that blew towards them and offset the heat of the day. There was no longer any shyness in her thoughts or the need to perhaps look away because she felt uncomfortable.

Melanie began to like looking into someone's eyes for a moment, recognizing so many things and what she found most beautiful was when they both smiled at the same time. Watching this heightened all the feelings.

“You finally believe in yourself,” he said with a seriousness that made her gasp and feel so indescribably good. She didn't know whether it was because of the appreciation or just because of him.

“Thank you.” She smiled and a few of her delicate fingers detached themselves from her legs and placed themselves confidently on his arm and his beige shirt. “But I could say the same thing to you, Newt. You also managed to find your faith again."

He nodded with a hidden depth that made her heart heavy for a moment. What a unique thing it was that they had each other and yet felt such empathy for their fellow human beings that they were just as hurt when the other wasn't doing well. Be it that the other person just had a bad day. "Otherwise I would never have been able to help you, love."

Melanie leaned her head more against the tree trunk, watching as the blonde opened his hand and she let her own slide from his arm into his. As contented as she was looking at the sky, she wished for the night and all her works of art.

"Isn't it a shame that some people ignore the stars every night?" she said, knowing how many people there were who had a fixed gaze that was always directed in the same directions. And if you didn't find new angles, you would never be able to perceive beauty.

"If you have the opportunity to see them, why don't you take it?" she continued and Newt was next to her, hanging intently on her every word and interested in what things she had recently been dealing with in her inner world. “I don't know, but there are definitely people who would look at them if they could. If only they had one more day to live or the ability to see before they went blind."

What was she getting at?

She sighed slightly with a melancholy undertone. "I don't understand why you see something and ignore it anyway."

"There are always feelings behind it, Mel. Behind everything. They are like the colors or sounds at any moment," in Newt's voice so much enthusiasm for her with an above-average admiration. She saw things so differently ... like she was every person at the same time and felt different kinds of joy, but also pain. “Besides, very few people think like you, love.”

A fleeting grin appeared on her thin lips. "Oh, and how do I think? Visible to everyone or what?,” she teased. Newt couldn't resist her, shaking his head slightly inwardly and grinning at her reaction. “You mean I can see through you, huh?,” he whispered in her ear as he leaned in closer, their hands still clasped on the grass.

Every hair on Melanie's body stood up and the sudden goosebumps took over every muscle in her body because it made her so unavoidably nervous.

Her heartbeat was so fast in her chest that it was impossible to even begin to control it. That entangled reaction based on a few words out of his mouth.

Her pause made him realize the obvious impact he was having on the girl in front of him. “Am I making you nervous?” he teased, showing no signs of stopping.

Melanie swallowed slightly, struggling with herself and feeling the embarrassment that was coming over her. "You would only like it if I said yes."

His grin was returned by her and despite the embarrassment, she looked at him. His warm breath brushing against her lips so tactfully that Melanie couldn't explain how they had gotten so close. And for a second she thought she sensed that the person she was talking to didn't seem too relaxed anymore.

"And we-" she managed to say and was about to say which of the two was now overcome by nervousness, but was interrupted by him.

"Shh, don't say anything now." Instantly, her face flushed with uncertainty. What was he planning to do? He didn't want to kiss her, did he? Oh God!

Newt's grin grew wider. “So, I was right: I'm making you nervous, huh?” She looked lost into his eyes, holding her breath as he so banally gently brushed a simple strand of hair behind her ear.

Then he surprised Melanie even more. "My love, will you allow me?" he asked politely.

Allowing me to kiss and do what I've been replaying in my head before bed for weeks?

She thought she was going crazy and her eyes actually went to his pink lips, which he was licking. Only his next words left nothing but confusion. "... that I have to leave you alone again now."

A hint of an apology lingered in his expression, where his grin was still visible, before he stood up, rubbing his hands on the pants that were previously holding hers had. Melanie couldn't say a word, she still felt his breath all over her.

Something else deep somewhere that she couldn't name.

Newt had just left her alone after such a situation.

-'๑'-

Melanie was confused. For the rest of the day she hadn't had a free moment between her activities in which she hadn't thought about the past situation between her and the blonde boy. Was confused about how she felt and why he was acting so strangely. That he had simply left and she was only too keen to know what happened to him.

Her old fear crept back, hugging her from behind like two cold arms and she could barely concentrate on the actions unfolding before her eyes. The Glader's had gathered around the bonfire as soon as it got dark and had recently started playing truth or dare more often. They downed this drink, the taste of which burned your throat and no one really knew what was in it. Only Gally, who was always damn proud of his recipe.

But when someone mentioned her name, she was wide awake and jumped slightly. Terrible when you were so lost in your thoughts that you really didn't notice what was going on around you.

“What do you choose, girl?” he repeated.

“Truth.” She nodded slightly, pressed her lips together and looked around thoughtfully. A while ago she would have refused to even sit there. The person she was talking to took note of her answer, seemed grim as always, but it usually never meant anything, which is why it didn't matter to her at all. Gally looked around, free for everybody to ask her a question.

Anyone who wanted to could always assign questions or tasks. As soon as she briefly made eye contact with the deputy, she heard his voice.

"What were you thinking about?" Newt was sitting near her and had noticed her absence, how depressed she was, which made him fear that she might revert to old patterns.

She hated that she was speaking in front of everyone when her answer was so directly directed at him. "I was thinking about a situation from today." She blinked, letting out pent-up air.

"You are," she then changed the subject, because she had a minimal plan. Thankfully, Newt didn't think twice and decided to do the same thing she did before.

“What do you think about that situation?” she said straight, not having to express herself exactly because Melanie was sure he would understand it that way too. At least the blonde boy wasn't crazy.

"Nothing special," he replied, his lips slightly twisted in a negative expression.

As gullible as his words might have been, they still stung her, causing her to fade into her thoughts once again.

Nothing special,
like we haven't been through
everything that happened
and like his eyes are always lying
when he looks at me.
And I know for a fact
that he feels the same way.
Maybe I'm still floating in my blindness?

Thomas, who was sitting next to Newt, punched him. Actually, he was only there because he was far too curious. He didn't want to play himself. But as he watched the conversation between his best friend and Melanie, he hadn't missed the unresolved tension between them that he felt responsible for clearing up.

"You idiot” he reprimanded him, only to get a puzzled expression on his face. The brown-haired man sighed in frustration because he was either pretending to have no idea or actually didn't. "I don't know what happened between you, but it seemed like you don't care about her, Newt."

"I do, Thomas," the blonde suddenly insisted, rubbing his chin lightly as he looked justified. "I really like her, alright? Very."

"You have to tell her that. Not to me, okay?” he made it clear to him. Newt was clearly struggling, glancing at Melanie at it and then back at the runner.

Thomas then put his hand on his shoulder, trying to encourage him. "You can tell she likes you."