The evening fire crackled as Gladers talked and ate.

Lula sat across the fire listening to a story from another boy.

They laughed.

Newt sat nearby, quiet.

Minho noticed immediately.

“You’ve been staring at them for five minutes.”

Newt frowned. “No I haven’t.”

“Four minutes then.”

Newt threw a small stick at him.

Minho laughed.

Across the fire, Lula noticed both of them watching.

She raised an eyebrow.

Newt immediately looked at the flames like they were the most interesting thing in the world.

Minho leaned closer and whispered,

“You’re terrible at hiding it.”