THE MAZE TRIALS ┃tmr love triangle

5

"Over my dead body, shuck-face!"

Penelope

I DON'T awake with a jolt this morning, something I've grown somewhat accustomed to when waking up in the Glade. I shift slightly, my eyes squinting as they try to adjust to the morning light.

I feel an involuntary blush spread across my cheeks, suddenly thankful that I'm facing away from Newt now as I recall him offering me the bed last night. 

I shuffle around slightly, though my efforts end up looking like some kind of deformed worm, wiggling around while stuck under Newt's heavy blankets. 

I sigh, giving up with my futile attempt at getting out of bed, deciding to enjoy my time before I take part in more job trials, my eyes taking their time in dragging their way up Newt's figure, turning over to face him. I stare at his veins and occasionally stop to glance at his hand. What? Not like he can see me check him ou-

"Pen?" Newt's voice startles me, as it comes out of nowhere.

"Hi." I speak sheepishly, keeping my voice quiet.

"You're awake?" His morning voice is deep and raspy, and I can't help but feel immature for enjoying how his words roll off his tongue in such a mesmerising way.

What?

I nod my head as if I'm not thinking what I'm thinking about him before realising he still has his eyes closed, and I'm still laying down; I overall look like a dunce and a deformed worm. Charming.

"Yeah, I woke up earlier." My words come out softer than intended, and I realise I'm trying not to fully wake Newt up as I glance at his watch which is on the nightstand, one he'd requested from the runners I guess? Or one that one of the runners must've given him, as it's one of the runner-assigned watches. 

"It's 5AM, Pen. You've got another 2 hours of sleep." I exhale at this in relief as I'm still exhausted. 

"Okay, goodnight Newt." I mumble to him.

I slither my way out of his bed, gently beginning to get up so I can return back to sleep on the floor and give him the bed back. 

Before I can even get up, I feel Newt slapping my ankle, causing my cheeks to flare up in embarrassment. "Stay."

"Huh?" I'm zoned out, not listening to what Newt is saying, distracted by his sudden slap.

"Please stay, it's yours." He mumbles, his voice faltering to just a whisper, presumably from tiredness.

I shake my thoughts off, rolling my bottom lip inwards between my teeth for a couple of seconds in order to withhold a too-large smile before giving into what Newt has suggested. "I'll stay."

I slip back into the bed now, my head resting on Newt's pillow. This time, I don't bother making conversation as I feel tiredness swoop over me and cradle me in its arms, the exhaustion kicking in. "Goodnight, love." Newt mumbles quietly, though I'm too tired to reply.