Untold Futures part 3
A few days passed and Newt continued to eat lunch with the two boys. Thomas’s dad fixed his car, so he was no longer in need of Newt’s motorcycle although Newt continued to offer him rides. It was amazing to Thomas how quickly he got used to Newt’s British accent and slang.
It was Friday lunch time, only four days after Minho met Newt. The three teens sat outside in the autumn air, enjoying the slight breeze that made fallen leaves dance across the ground. Thomas and Newt finally got Minho to stop talking in his own version of a British accent, that sounded more like someone who forgot how to speak English. After accomplishing this, three girls walked through the doors to the court yard.
“I knew we would find you here!” One of the girls exclaimed. She was tall and had bright blue eyes with long flowing blond hair that reached almost to her waist. She sat down next to Minho and draped a delicate arm across his wide shoulders.
“Hey babe! This is Newt, Newt this is my girlfriend Sonya,” Minho put his arm around her waist and twirled her hair through his fingers. Newt smiled at her in greeting. He then turned his attention to the second girl who sat next to him, a little too close for comfort. She had stark white skin contrasting with her pitch black hair.
“Hey I'm Teresa! And who’s this new cutie?” She asked, directing the question at the other two boys.
“Ah, I'm Newt.”
“Oh my gosh are you British! You know, I have a thing for guys with accents,” Teresa said, and she smiled playfully. Newt seemed frozen next to her, looking and feeling completely uncomfortable by the girl’s flirting.
“Well anyways, the reason we dropped by was actually to talk to you Thomas,” The third girl who was short, had chocolate colored skin, and brown curly hair stepped forward and cut off Teresa from saying anything more.
“Hey Harriet, what's going on?” Thomas asked, turning his attention from Newt and Teresa.
“Well as you know, chess club starts up next week and we need to recruit some new members. After our top player graduated last year we need to make sure our newbies are fully aware of all the meets and team rules,” Harriet explained.
“Yeah, ok. What do you need me to do?”
“Well, first we need new members! I've printed some flyers to hand out, and I emailed you the file if you need more. We’ve got all the info on our first few meetings on there also,” Harriet handed Thomas a small stack of papers and pointed out a few dates and times for him.
“Alright Harriet, thanks! I'll get right on this,” Thomas scanned the sheet before putting the papers in his backpack. The three girls left the courtyard, and Newt finally relaxed.
“Very smooth with the lady's there Newt! Teresa didn't scare you did she? She’s always like that,” Minho laughed and patted Newt on the shoulder.
“Oh I'm fine, I ah, I just don't really... fancy girls,” Newt replied and he blushed slightly.
“Ok, that's cool man,” Minho responded. They both looked in Thomas’s direction to see his response.
“Yeah, cool... You sure are an open book aren't you Newt?” Thomas said, remembering how simply Newt had told him about his dad after only knowing him for two days.
“Well, everyone in Stockport new. So I figure it shouldn't be any different here,” Newt shrugged. Before Thomas could respond a beefy looking boy stormed up to the group of friends. He stopped in front of them and let his glare sweep over the three teens.
“What do you want Gally?” Minho asked with heavy annoyance and an eye roll.
“Well, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe I just saw Harriet, Sonya, and Teresa over here? Care to explain?” Gally asked in a calm but annoyed voice. His question was directed solely at Thomas.
“What's it to you?” Thomas responded. To that Gally just got more upset, and he took a threatening step towards Thomas. Newt could tell the brunette was about to give in to Gally, so he intervened.
“Why do you bloody care so much Gally?” Thomas watched him say calm and relaxed.
“Well it's none of your business is it greenie?” Gally spat. Newt stood, matching their heights almost exactly.
“Oh, these are my friends, so I think it is my business. But is it really yours to know why some people talked to us? Does that sound logical to anyone?” Newt retorted. Thomas didn't understand why this boy was standing up to Gally for him, and over such a little thing.
“You should probably shut up now, greenie.” Gally hissed through clenched teeth. He took another step forward, his anger boiling up. The two boys now standing just inches apart.
“Newt just stop, it's ok,” Thomas tried to grab Newt’s arm and pull him back but Newt resisted.
“No Tommy, it's bloody not ok. You can't just let this guy talk to you like that.”
“Listen to your boyfriend newbie,” Gally smirked. Thomas blushed at being called his boyfriend, but Newt seemed unfazed.
“No. No one else is going to put you in your place so I will,” Newt’s voice had stayed calm throughout the whole conversation, which is probably what pushed Gally, who couldn't control his anger, over the edge. Before Thomas knew what was happening Newt was crumpled on the ground. Minho and Thomas shot to their feet. Gally had punched Newt across the left of his face, catching everyone off guard. Thomas’s insides raged with anger at Gally, but he pushed it away and turned his attention to Newt.
“You better run Gally! Before I do something I won't regret!” Minho warned, and Thomas had to put a hand on his shoulder to keep him from lunging at the tall boy. He helped Newt to his feet and looked at his face. It was red with a small scratch across it.
“You didn’t need to do that Newt. Are you ok?” Thomas said quietly as he examined Newt’s cut.
“Yeah, I'm alright. And I know I didn't, but someone had to! You can't just let him continue to do that!” Newt responded and he brushed the dirt from his jacket.
“Bloody hell Newt!” Minho exclaimed.
“No, no Minho don't say that. It's just weird… What did he want anyway?”
“Gally’s a got a little something going for Harriet, which doesn't go well for him considering she wants nothing to do with him! Anyways he’s always trying to keep an eye on her and anyone who talks to her. Unfortunately he can't control his anger properly and well, this happens. Welcome to drama at Glade High!” Minho explained with a laugh.
“Newt you better go to the nurse and have her put something on that cut, I can show you where it is,” Thomas said and he picked up his backpack. Before they could go anywhere the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch.
“Tommy I'm fine really. I don't want to make you late, I know how seriously you take your classes and all,” Newt smiled, but Thomas could see the pain in his face.
“No, you know what? You're my friend, and one tardy isn't going to kill me. You obviously won't go unless I make you so I'm taking you to the nurse,” Thomas said it before he could change his mind. Leading the way He navigated through the school to the small nurse's office. When they walked in, Thomas got the woman’s attention. “Hey ah, my friend here was-”
“I tripped! I just tripped down some steps,” Newt interrupted, receiving a quizzical look from Thomas. To which he shrugged in reply. The nurse leaned forward and tilted Newt’s head so she could see the cut, which was still surrounded by pink skin, warm to the touch.
“No, you didn't fall down the stairs. You were punched,” she said in a scratchy voice.
“How did you know?” Newt asked sheepishly.
“You don't work as a high school nurse for 42 years without knowing the difference between a fall and a punch. Don't worry I won't ask you any questions, it's none of my business and it doesn't need to become my business,” she walked across the small room and opened a draw, retrieving a spray. Thomas watched Newt wince as she sprayed his cheek and dabbed it with a cotton ball. “Do you want ice or a bandaid?”
“Ah, no that's alright thanks,” he replied.
“Do you think we could get passes?” Thomas asked hopefully.
“Alright, where are you two going?” She sighed. The nurse wrote them passes and they left the room. Thomas had never put something like this above class, not even that time Minho smacked into a wall when racing each other. He didn't know why he felt so strongly about making sure Newt was ok, but he was just glad that the nurse had given them passes.
“Hey Tommy, can I have one of those chess club fliers?”
“You, want to know about chess club? Seriously?” Thomas asked, surprised by Newt’s request.
“Yeah seriously! It could be fun,” Newt said solemnly. Thomas dug around his backpack and produced one of the handouts for Newt. Thomas wouldn't deny that Newt was his friend, but he couldn't figure out his personality. Newt’s leather jacket, his grades, attendance, smoking, and motorcycle said one thing. But the way Newt acted said another, he was polite and caring. The two stereotypes just didn’t mix in his mind and he wondered how it did in someone’s personality.