Rowdy chatter emerged as the fighting circle started. I watched, like I was supposed to. Even though I wanted badly to go see how New Boy was doing. How was he feeling? Could I get him anything? Instead I was here.

Watching.

It was the same thing over and over again. Typically one of the builders would get tipsy from dumb encouragement, taking the initiative to jump into the circle. Occasionally a stray Glader would hop in, mixing it up. Gally would then precede to tussle with said boy until he would win. End of story.

It was attractive sure. That's why I primarily focused on Gally. How he would get sweaty enough for his shirt to stick to his skin, exposing muscled features. I couldn't help grinning when I spied his arms, taut with muscles and veins.

People were stupid enough to harass me about the kiss as Gally fought. They knew he'd be distracted, that's why they did it. One guy sneakily slid his hand on my forearm, whispering in my ear.

"Say y/n, if I win will you give me a kiss like Gally's?"

"You'll lose." I said blandly. "Then you'll look like an idiot, well more than you already do."

"Let's say I win?" I didn't care. I really didn't. I just wanted him away from me.

"Go ask Gally about it. See what he says."

"He'll knock my teeth out." He laughed, taking over more space on my arm.

"Precisely the point." I seized my limb away from him. "Now fuck off and make a griever porno." My gaze fell onto the greenie...and Newt.

They seemed to be getting along nicely, the plan was going along swimmingly. Operation find Newt his soulmate was ago. Maybe it was better I left them alone, give them time to get to know each other.

Both of them had risen from their previous seat against a stray log. Gally continued wrestling with a kid as they neared. Getting closer and closer. Maybe I would get to talk with them. Then I realized something, they were dangerously close to the edge of the circle. Gally was dangerously close to throwing a kid straight to them.

"Hey watch out!" I shouted, thinking my words would somehow shield him. The random boy was collided against the greenie. He jolted at the movement, catching himself at the last second. Greenie adjusted his clothes, standing once again normally.

Gally's chest rose up and down, up and down. Puffing itself out. Like a prideful lion. It was going to his head. A devious look marked across his face, he eyed the greenie.

"What do you say Greenie. Wanna see what you're made of?" Oh shit. Oh no. Oh fuck. The new kid was, well new. Which meant he had no idea what he was getting himself into with Gally.

"You don't have to if you don't want to-" I piped up, only to be cut off by Jeff. He was the one who started it all.

"Greenie. Greenie. Greenie! Greenie!" The other boys joined in the chanting. A crowd started to form, giddy for a show. Minho raised his head in interest which meant things were getting good...or not so good for Boy's fate.

Gally, who seemed to be even more of an ass from the encouragement, waved Boy over. Whoops, guffaws, and applause only fueled him. Chuck even got into it.

"Yeah Greenie, yeah!" He cried out, cupping his hands as to tunnel his message to the new boy. It earned him an elbow in the ribs but Chuck couldn't care less, too soaked in the drama to notice.

"Okay. Alright." Gally demanded everyone's attention as he fiddled with the material wrapped around his wrist. Unease bubbled inside me, threatening to blow over. I found Chuck's hand to keep me calm, there. Grounded.

"The rules are simple Greenie. I try to push you out of the circle." Gally and Boy trailed around the boundary. My stomach felt sick from Boy's befuddled look, seeing how blank his face was. Unknown as to what would happen next. "You try to last more than five seconds."

"Gally..." My voice should've been warning enough. Yet still, he ignored me.

"Ready?" Gally asked, not waiting for answer. He charged toward Boy, pushing him brutally. With the kind of force he typically reserved for his builders. He always went easy on everyone else. What was different now?

Greenie landed into a few boys. Zart one of them. They caught him and quickly sent him back to Gally. With a twist he threw Boy onto the gritty sand, landing with a loud thump.

"Gally!" I said it louder this time, wondering what was compelling him to act like this. He brushed me off. Again.

I watched as Boy coughed, peering over to see Gally smirk. What was wrong with him? It was almost like he was enjoying this. He shuffled behind the boy, ready for another go.

"Come on Greenie. Not done yet." Boy rose to his feet, learning Gally's strategy. Just how I had. I could tell from the boy's eyes, how his forehead creased temporarily. A sharp look, unbeknownst to Gally, from head to toe.

"Stop calling me Greenie." The kid shot back. This was unexplored  territory. You see, the other boy's never picked up on Gally's patterns. How he liked to push and drag people, his stance. This boy was smart. This boy was different.

Gally however, didn't notice in the slightest. His ego becoming bruisingly large.

"Stop calling you that?" He traipsed around the circle. "What do you want to be called? Shank?" Gally taunted, gaining approval from the others. Which only made things worse. "What do you think boys? Does he look like a shank?"

Boy practically charged full speed, towards him. He caught the boy, trying to find some sort of grip as they scuffled around. Gally hurled the boy back onto the ground, making me cringe at the sight. He didn't stay there long.

"You know what, I think I've settled on shank."Jerk. With a flash Boy tried one last time, both of the fighters shoved on each other. Gally seemed to be winning as they came closer to the edge of the circle. As usual. Then it happened, the unthinkable.

Boy slipped out of Gally's hold and with one great push he'd ended Gally's long held title of reigning champion. This Greenie, still rattled from the box, had won.

The crowd let out another rush of noise as Gally slammed onto the floor, outside of the circle. They seemed just as surprised as I did, with my hand clapped over my own gaping mouth. Stunned that Gally could've ever be defeated.

It was almost like finding out the tooth fairy didn't exist, like some childish part inside of me thought he was somehow invincible. I was wrong.

Then he did it, something so dirty and cowardly. He pulled the same thing he did on me, with one swift kick eliminating Boy's legs. He had lost and looked less than happy. It was the sickening thump the kid's head made as it crashed onto the ground. That's what pulled the last straw.

"Gally!" I shouted, shaking with utter frustration. I couldn't believe that he could do this to someone so new, who just needed help. "What the fuck?!" The smug satisfied smirk on Gally's face disappeared when I gave him my own push, shoving him away. "The hell is wrong with you?!"

"Hey!" That caught my attention. "Thomas!" Was that...boy? Slowly, I turned to kid. He had staggered his way up, his eyes shone. A glimmer I could understand. The pain of not knowing one'a name was gone. It was finally gone. "Thomas!" He called out again, his voice nearly hoarse. "I remembered my name! I'm Thomas!"

"Thomas!" The glade chorused back. It seemed like the hazing of the greenie had been lost when they were reminded of that very same feeling.

This was one decent part of the glade. Even though it made my eyes burn, threatening to spill over. I think it would be my favorite part from now on. My face hurt from smiling so hard, muscles aching. Our unity in that moment was unbreakable.

It's a shame it was temporary...