Flower Chest

"Now what makes you think YOU could beat me in a race shuck face?"

"I could outrun you in my sleep you sassy ass!"

I'm getting just about ready to banish myself to get away from these idiots. Minho and Ben have been arguing for 15 fucking minutes over who could beat who in a race. I'm just trying to enjoy my lunch.

Newt looks like a tired mother, who's about to ground the children and Fry left 5 minutes ago to join his other friends to get away from the bickering runners.

"Come on then twinkle toes prove me wrong", Minho says with a challenging look.

"Fine Flaminho, don't use them pink wings of yours to fly to the finish line", Ben says standing up.

"As long as you don't start leaping and spinning through the glade", Minho retorts.

Now I have the images of Ben gracefully leaping and Minho sprouting pink Flamingo wings to fly and snort.

"Newt to can be the judge", I suggest, Newt looks up at me and sees my mischievous smile.

"Absolutely not", he replies, glaring at me.

"Go on Newt, don't be a fun sponge", I say, holding back a giggle.

"Yeah Newt help us out", Ben says."We won't leave you alone unless you do it", Minho adds.

"Bloody hell, fine", Newt sighs.

"Perfect""Lets go then""Hurry up Mama Newt"

Newt grumbles in complaint as he gets up. I laugh at his misfortune and he looks at me, not impressed.

As we leave the table, I grab Fry and drag him with us to the middle of the glade. Ben and Minho stand side by side, with newt standing on the sidelines with Fry and I.

"The first one to run to the box and back wins. The rules are no pushing or tripping each other and no flying or leaping allowed", Newt explains. Fry and I giggle at the last part and Minho and Ben look at the box determined.

"Wanna make this interesting?", Fry asks me."What do you have in mind?", I raise a brow, curious.

"If Minho wins, you have to wash up after dinner. If Ben wins, I have to wash up, deal?", he asks, holding his right hand out to me.

"Deal. I have faith in Ben", I reply, shaking his hand.

"You both ready?", Newt asks the two runners.

"Ready. Have fun eating my dust Minho", Ben says cockily.

"Enjoy the bruised ego you're gonna get with how embarrassingly easy i outrun you", Minho retorts, just as cockily.

"Enough of that. 3, 2, 1, go!", Newt says, and with that they're off.

"YOU GOT THIS MINHO!""DONT LET ME DOWN BENNY BOY!"

"You know, they race like this at least 3 times a month and I'm always shucking involved", Newt says looking bored.

Fry and I ignore him and cheer loudly for the boys, both of us eager to not have to wash up tonight.

Ben makes it to the box first with Minho hot on his tail. They both are quickly making their way towards us, almost head to head.

"Enjoy them dishes Fry", I say smugly."You're gonna regret those words Maddie", Fry says confidently, looking much more smug than I felt.

I look to Ben and Minho and see Minho overtake Ben. I glance at Fry who's looking miles too happy and see Minho make it to the finish line with Ben two seconds behind.

"TAKE THAT YOU SHANK!", Minho cheers, panting.

"You smug bastard", Ben says, catching his breath.

"Minho wins. Congratulations, now leave me alone", Newt says unbothered, and quickly leaves.

"Enjoy them dishes Maddie", Fry mocks.

"Dammit!", I huff in defeat.

"Did you bet on us?", Minho says laughing.

"Yep and Maddie is now on wassup duty after dinner", Fry says laughing.

"Ben, I had faith and you let me down", I say, wiping a fake tear.

"I'll beat him next time", Ben says challengingly.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night twinkle toes", Minho sings, walking off to the showers.

"See you both later", Ben says, waving and making his way to the showers.

"Right, let's go clean up, lunch is over", Fry says.

We begin our walk back to the kitchens when Gally approaches us, looking as serious as always.

"Don't tell me you three slintheads pissed him off again", Fry says looking curious.

"Definitely not. Ben is still avoiding him from last time", I replied.

Gally stops infront of us."Hey Fry, I need to show the greenie her new hut", he explains.

I let out a silently sigh of relief. Finally Newt can get his hut back and I can stop feeling bad for stealing his bed from him.

"It's Madeline, not greenie", I say confidently.

He looks at me for a moment. "Fine, I need to show Madeline her new hut".

I'm quite shocked he actually said my name. I heard from Newt that he hardly ever addresses newbies by their names when they finally remember.

"Alright, be back in time to cook dinner Maddie and of course washing the dishes", Fry says teasingly and then heads to the kitchen.

"Lead the way Gally", I say.

He turns and we begin our journey to my new hut. I'm trying to hide my excitement but clearly failing because Gally seems to notice and his lip turn up slightly.

"Thank you for building me a hut".He glances at me before replying. "Dont thank me, it's my job".

"I know, but I appreciate it, so thank you", I reply with a small smile.

He looks at me, his face holding a small softness.

We arrive at my hut. It looks nice from the outside and I can see a lock on the door which I am very grateful for.

"I got permission from Alby to put a lock on your door since there are some shuck faces I wouldn't trust to leave you alone. There are two keys. One for you and another for someone you trust just in case of an emergency or something. Alby's orders", Gally explains.

I'm guessing the other key is to make sure I can't lock myself in here to avoid work along with emergencies, but it's a sweet gesture to keep me safe.

I'll probably give it to Newt. Minho and Ben would abuse the privilege too much and probably scare me in my sleep or something. I'd rather not wake up on terror. Newt is the most responsible, hence the nickname Mama Newt.

"Thank you", I say with a smile.

Gally nods in reply, unlocking the door and we step inside.

I stare in awe at my new home. The inside looks small and cozy, and the bed looks inviting, with clean sheets on it. I'm pretty sure the builders don't have to make my bed for me.

"Did you make my bed?", I ask, slightly amused.

"It's part of my job", he replies, not looking at me.

"Really?" I ask, trying not to smile.

"Yep. So this is it. Everything's set up and Newt put your stuff in that storage chest you made", he says, changing the subject from the bed.

I look at my perfectly crafted chest and notice flowers painted on it. I never painted flowers or am I slowly going insane? Am I the only one who can see the flowers?

"Did you paint flowers on it?", I ask, looking at him.

"Uh, yeah. I-it was to make up for ,erm, shouting at you", he stutters slightly.

So, clearly he made my bed and painted flowers because he felt bad. It's also clear that he's probably never apologised before. I gotta admit, it's really cute.

"Well, it's beautiful and apology accepted. You didn't have to do it", I said fondly.

"It's nothing really, but I am sorry. I know Jacob talked to you first, I was just in a bad mood", he replies, looking at me genuinely.

"You're always in a bad mood", I snort.

"That's because I work with a bunch of frustrating shanks", he retorts, amused.

"Fair enough. So friends?", I ask, holding my hand out.

He takes it, smiling slightly "Sure".

I take one last look at my new hut. I can't wait to pass out in that bed tonight.

"I better get back to help Fry cook dinner", I say as we step through the door.

"Alright, here are the keys. See you later Mads", he says, and begins to walk away.

"Thanks. Wait, Mads?", I ask.

"Your friends have a nickname for you so I figured I would give you one", he calls back, and with that, he heads back to the builders.

I lock my door and put both keys in my pocket, making note to give one to Newt for safekeeping. I walk to the kitchen with a smile on my face.

Author's Note: Gally and Madeline are finally friends Yay! He has a nickname for her too.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter :) Stay safe, stay happy, and if your an author then write more chapters for your story and give me the name so I can read it xxx