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Nicole's POV 👑
"Is she okay?" and "When will she wake up?" were only some of the things that I could decipher. I felt a hand grip mine tightly, I think the person is saying something, I just can't process what it is. "I'm sorry..." he said.
I opened my eyes, and although my vision was blurry, I could tell exactly who was sitting beside me. My head throbbed, it felt like the whole room was spinning. Every bone in my body wanted to break.
"Nicole," he said. "I'm glad you're awake. You've been through a lot, first the sting and now this." he chuckled bitterly. "Bloody hell, you could've been dead by now." I laughed softly, causing my side to hurt. I quickly clutched it with a hand, hoping the pain would go away. "Easy on the laughs, mate." My vision got clearer, and I saw Newt smiling at me as he held my hand. "Don't worry, they've been caught. And they're gonna be...gone soon."
"They know about the map." I said, almost coming out as a whisper. "I think Minho told Ben, but I'm not sure." My eyebrows furrowed, I told him not to tell anyone! "That stupid shuckhead." Newt let go of my hand and ran his through the blonde mop of hair on his head. "But you know, he's very worried about you." "I don't think he cares what happens to me anymore. Getting out of this dump is more important to him than anything." The dump that you helped make, dumbass.
Clint peeked through the door. "Should I call Minho?" I shook my head. I think he doesn't really wanna see me right now. And the last thing I want is for him to get hurt. "Yeah, call him over." Newt said, gripping my hand tightly before I could disagree.
"What, you have a death wish or something?!" I threatened, but right now, I'm about as terrifying as a ladybug. "Believe me, you'll thank me for this." I rolled my eyes and shook his hand off. I hate Newt sometimes.
Keyword being sometimes.
"Well, I'll be leaving. See ya." Newt winked and got out of the shack before I could say anything. I sighed. Correction: I hate Newt most of the time.
A few minutes later, the door opened again. A pair of beautiful eyes peeked through the small opening, along with a quiff higher than the eiffel tower. "Hi." He breathed before walking in completely.
He looks stressed. He's a little pale, and there are black rings starting to form under his eyes. His hair is messier than it usually is. He also has a pimple on his cheek. A small smile erupted from his lips before he began to speak. "Nicole," He sighed. He looked like he doesn't know where to start. "There are...a couple of things that I realized when I almost lost you that night." I raised an eyebrow at him. He took this as a sign to continue. "First," He took a step towards me. "Is that I fucking hate it, like really fucking hate it, when somebody lays a hand on you." He took another step towards me. "Second, I don't hate you for your past. I'm just...frustrated. I'm sorry." He took another step until he's able to reach me. "And third," He took my hand in his, gripping it softly. He looked deep into my eyes and leaned down a little. "Is that I--"
The door flew open, and it's all the fault of a 13-year-old kid who couldn't knock. "Chuck? Is something wrong?" I quickly pulled my hand away from Minho. A look of hurt flashed across his features, but he quickly masked them. "Alby said you two were gonna check something out in the maze."
Minho's eyes widened in realization. "Oh right, I forgot." He turned to me. He stepped back but hesitated. "I'll see you later, okay?" He's unusually kind today.
When he left, I found myself thinking of what he was gonna say. I what? I found a way out? I'm a stupid asshole that can't keep his mouth shut? I was really worried about you? What?
I love you?
I laughed at myself. No. That's just downright impossible.
I sighed and draped an arm over my face. I really wanna get out of this shack.
••
A few hours later, Jeff came in to see how I was doing. He checked me up then after a few minutes, said I was good to go. "Fantastic." I said as he helped me sit up. "Thanks Jeff."
When I got out of the shack, my eyes automatically went searching for one person. It was already dark out and people were standing around, watching the entrance of the maze. I approached Newt and Thomas, they looked worried. "They're not back yet?" I asked with a small voice. Newt shook his head. "What happens if they can't get back in time?" I ask, not really wanting to know the answer. "They will make it. They will make it." He repeated it, like he was assuring his self too.
A few more minutes have passed, and we gathered around the entrance of the maze. Please Minho, please make it back. A blast of air emerged from the entrance, signalling it was ready to close. "No, no no no." I whispered to myself. The walls started to move. The tears started to come out.
Two figures started coming closer, and everyone started to shout for Minho. But I couldn't. He was dragging an unconscious Alby with him, and I knew they weren't gonna make it in time. My feet wanted to run in there, to be with him in there. "Minho!" Newt screamed. I saw the look on Minho's face. So hopeless, so done with. And just when I was about to break the rules and get in there with him, Thomas beat me to it.
The walls shut with a thud.
"Thomas no!"
No.
No.
It can't be.
I still don't know what he was going to say awhile ago. I still don't know how his hair feels against my hands. I still don't know the feel of his touch. I still don't know the feeling of his lips against mine.
And I so badly want to know all those things about him.
I so badly want him back.
••