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Thomas’ entrance to the Glade had been confusing, as it was for all new arrivals, but Newt had made it easier. He felt drawn to him.
Minho had teased Newt about it, saying that Thomas was like a lost puppy always following him around. Newt tried to act like he found it annoying, but Minho knew better than to believe him. He’d seen how Newt was around Thomas, and how fondly he called him ‘Tommy’.
Minho couldn’t help but pat Newt on the shoulder with a smirk that day. “Whatever you say, shank.” Minho had remarked before walking off. He’d spotted them not even twenty minutes later, standing close and looking captivated by one another. Minho had looked over at Alby who had also noticed, the boys sharing a knowing smile.
So, Minho being the good friend he was, tried to make it a little easier on them. He wanted to show them he wasn’t as oblivious as they were.
“Sorry, I forgot.” Minho grinned. “Tommy’s all yours.”
Thomas and Newt were both flustered by the insinuation. Newt glared at Minho and made an excuse to leave. After seeing Minho’s smug expression, Thomas made his exit too. Which left a satisfied Minho behind who silently hoped his friends would just get together already.
But they weren’t ready yet.
They continued being inseparable, however. The two boys always spent a lot of time together. They always sat together at dinner, sat around the Glade together, and found themselves watching each other.
This was confusing for Newt at first. He wasn’t used to people being in his personal space and he didn’t usually like it when they did. Yet, with Tommy, it was the most natural thing in the world. They missed each other when they were apart and Tommy being a Runner made Newt worry.
Every fleeting touch, every shared smile… It made their hearts race.
Still, they tried to deny their feelings. They didn’t want to risk losing their friendship.
About a month after Thomas’ arrival, Teresa entered the Glade.
Her arrival had put a strain on Newt and Tommy’s friendship. Thomas wasn’t sure why. He knew Newt had been distant and it upset him, but he didn’t know why he was avoiding him. Thomas missed his friend and wished things between them would go back to how they were.
Thomas couldn’t handle it anymore.
He asked Minho, “Do you know why Newt’s been acting so weird? I think he’s angry at me, but I’m not sure why.”
Minho looked at Thomas with raised eyebrows, thinking that Thomas was an idiot. “Shank, you seriously can’t tell?” He put his arm around Thomas and sighed. Minho was tired of watching his friends tip-toe around each other and seeing Newt sulk.
Minho nodded in the direction of Teresa. “You’ve been spending a lot of time with the new girl. She’s obviously into you.”
Thomas was even more confused.
“Teresa? She’s just nice.” Thomas said, like it was a ridiculous notion. He frowned, “Why would Newt care anyway?”
Minho was looking at him like he was crazy again. “Thomas, you’re hopeless.” He squeezed his shoulder and left.
Thomas was somehow even more confused.
“Tom!” Teresa called him over. She ran up to him, smiling sweetly. “Want to hang out?”
He found himself nodding.
She walked them towards the room he shared with Minho. He wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to spend time with her until he was sure what Minho said wasn’t right, but he shook his head at how ridiculous that was. Teresa was like a sister to him. She couldn’t possibly think he’d be interested in her romantically.
Once they got to his room she sat on the bed.
“Is everything okay?” Thomas wondered, sitting across from her.
Teresa looked nervous. He was worried something had happened to upset her. She put her hand over his and he looked down at them, his stomach swirling. He was ready to snatch his hand away, but he worried it would upset her more.
Teresa looked at him and smiled. “Yes. You’ve been so good to me Tom.” That made him smile, he was glad he’d been a good friend to her. Before he could reply she moved closer and spoke again. “I’m really glad you’re here with me,” she said softly and leant into him, her lips puckering.
Thomas’ eyes widened and he leant back quickly. Startled. “I don’t—I don’t see you in that way. I’m sorry—” He tried to explain.
“I see…” Teresa spoke quietly. She didn’t look angry, just confused.
A moment later it looked like a switch went off in her mind.
“I’m sorry too.” Teresa squeezed his hand, she looked embarrassed but understanding.
It was a relief. Thomas didn’t want to lose their friendship.
A moment later Newt rushed into the room excitedly. “Tommy?”
He hadn’t seen Tommy much that day and he wanted to go for a walk together before dinner.
When he registered the scene in front of him Newt’s smile dropped and he barely managed to stutter out, “Sorry for interrupting.”
He fled the room, fighting off tears of embarrassment.
Newt scolded himself. Tommy doesn’t like me like that. He can do whatever he wants with Teresa.
Thomas looked to Teresa who told him to go after Newt. She wished him luck.
Thomas ran into Newt’s room and shut the door, knowing he wouldn’t appreciate anyone else seeing him upset.
Newt stood in the middle of the room with his arms crossed and his back to Thomas. He wished he could see Newt’s face and judge how he was feeling, but he didn’t want to push him. Instead, he took a breath in and decided to wait until Newt was ready.
“You weren’t interrupting anything Newt.” Thomas explained.
Newt let out a small scoff in disbelief. He turned around to look at Thomas, only to divert his gaze to the side of the room.
“It sure didn’t look that way. Not that it’s any of my business, Tommy.” He tried to stay calm, his jaw clenched.
I want it to be your business, Thomas thought but wasn’t brave enough to say.
He could see that while Newt was trying to look like he didn’t care but he was obviously hurting. He was never good at lying to Tommy.
“She tried to kiss me tonight,” Thomas started. He noticed Newt holding his arms tighter to his chest, flinching slightly at the words. “I didn’t let her…” He walks closer to Newt. “I see her as a sister and a friend, that’s it.” Thomas tried to reassure Newt.
Newt looked up to Tommy, a confused frown on his face. “So… you don’t have a crush on her then?” He felt childish for asking, but he had to know.
“No.” Thomas answered immediately, smiling at Newt.
Thomas was glad to meet his eyes again. As Newt tried to hide looking relieved, everything started clicking into place for Thomas. It gave him courage.
“I have a crush on someone else,” Thomas followed up with.
Newt looked upset again and glanced away. He let out a broken sounding, “Oh.” Newt nodded and hoped he wouldn’t start crying in front of Tommy.
This almost broke Thomas’ heart. He realised he’d have to make Newt understand. “Yeah, he’s really cute and I’d much rather kiss him.”
Newt nodded sadly, not trusting himself to speak.
Thomas closed the distance between them, while Newt looked up at him curiously with wide eyes.
“Tommy?” He questioned softly.
Thomas couldn’t believe how cute he looked. Instead of replying Thomas cupped his jaw, his eyes flickering to Newt’s lips.
Thomas could see the exact moment Newt got it.
“Oh.”
Thomas felt a bit nervous but his desire to kiss Newt grew stronger. He leant forward and pressed his lips against Newt’s softly.
Newt tensed for a second and before Thomas could worry that he’d been wrong about it all, Newt moved his lips against Tommy’s and his hands wrapped around his waist. Thomas moved his other hand to the back of his head, his fingers softly tangling in Newt’s hair.
Newt hummed contently, his lips parting. Tommy’s tongue dipped past.
Thomas imagined how kissing Newt would feel but he didn’t think it would be that good. Newt left out a little moan as their tongues brushed together, he seemed embarrassed by it and blushed. He was reassured he had nothing to be embarrassed about when Tommy smiled and pulled him closer.
As the kiss intensified Thomas’ stomach decided to grumble.
Newt laughed against his mouth. They wanted to kiss more but it was dinner time and they were both starving.
“Come on Tommy, you can kiss me more later.” Newt winked cheekily and walked past him.
When they arrived at dinner not many of the Gladers had shown up yet. They collected their dinners, noticing the amused looks they were getting from the Gladers already there.
“I guess you’re not as useless as I thought, huh, shank?” Minho teased Thomas.
Newt was confused but he’d ask Thomas about it later. They ate their dinner like usual, though Thomas and Newt couldn’t help sneaking even more looks at each other than usual.
Thomas linked his fingers with Thomas’ under the table and gave an adoring squeeze. Newt ducked his head to hide the blush dusting his cheeks.
Thomas couldn’t help but feel proud. He was the only person who could reduce Newt to a blushing, adorable mess.
Minho grinned at them both. He was happy seeing Newt so carefree and knew Thomas would treat his best friend well. Newt composed himself before the other boys joined the table.
When Gally saw them both he yelled “Finally!” and all the boys seemed to agree with him.
Thomas couldn’t help blushing too. Apparently the entire Glade had worked out their feelings for each other before they did.