Authors Note:

So I'm back with a new one! Big thank you to Madison, Andie and Ayda for pre-reading, ideas and editing suggestions!

I'm also trying my hand at different POV's in this one, so honest criticism is more than welcome.

"The Commute"

By Millie Mae

Rated M

All Rights to Veronica Roth

The hustle and bustle of the morning commute into work is always a stressful adventure. As I stand on the platform, the wind breezing past, bringing with it the smell of freshly baked bread from the bakery below; I try to avoid the people who push and shove to be first in line or to get ahead of you, when really they don't get any closer at all. I'll never understand that urge to be first all the time, they still end up on the same sky train ride every morning, arriving at the same stops at the same time. But when we disembark, there is more pushing and shoving and racing to be first. Everyone has a cell phone surgically attached to their hands as they fumble their way through the streets. It happens to be March on this surprisingly sunny day in Chicago, and I follow the herd as they find their places on the train.

Riding the train is usually a relaxing way to work. I don't have to stress about the traffic and I can usually find a seat near the window to enjoy the passing scenery. I'm pretty familiar with the regular faces I see on the train each day, and on the ride home as well, but on this particular Friday morning, I spot a new face. Well not really new, I've noticed him a few times this week on the morning commute and I find it difficult not to stare. He seems like he's in his own world, headphones in his ears as he lightly bobs his head to the music he's listening to. He has short dark brown hair, a light dusting of unshaven scruff on his face and full lips that I've fantasized about kissing, more than once. I know I shouldn't be thinking like this about someone I don't even know, especially because I've sort of been dating this one guy for a few weeks.

Peter and I are not really serious, just a few dates, dinner out, a movie once and coffee on a few Sunday afternoons. He sent me a text message this morning asking about meeting up for dinner tonight after work and I've still yet to reply. He's a nice enough guy, I just don't feel much more than friendship towards him, but then again we've not spent a lot of time together for me to really know him. In all honesty, I feel more attraction to the stranger across the aisle from me than I do for Peter at the moment. Shaking those thoughts from my mind, I pull out my iPhone to reply to Peter.

Tris: Sure, dinner sounds great. We need to talk anyway. Where should I meet you?

He replies rather fast, so he must have been waiting for my reply.

Peter: How about the pit?

The Pit is a pub style restaurant with a least forty different styles of beer on tap at all times. Not to mention the fantastic food. I smile to myself thinking of a char grilled burger I plan to enjoy tonight before replying.

Tris: Perfect, I'll meet you there for 6pm?

Peter: C U then.

I glance at the time on my iPhone screen to see it reads 8:10AM. Work is the typical 9:00AM to 5:00PM with two fifteen minute breaks and a half hour for lunch. I tuck my phone back into my bag before steeling a glance across the aisle at my mystery man to find him looking my way. I smile shyly, he smiles and nods in return before turning to look down at his iPhone. 'Deep depths', I think to myself. His eyes are an intense golden brown and send a thrill through , that smile, 'swoon'. I bite my lip trying to shake my thoughts and focus on the fact that he's likely already taken and would not be interested in me anyway.

The train jostles to a stop as some passengers get off and a few others get on before it takes off again, heading into the downtown sector.

{oo^oo}

People in Chicago are either really nice or really rude. I've taken the sky train to my new job in the city this week and every day it's the same thing. One man shoves another to get in first or someone else pushes someone to get a particular seat. I don't care either way, I just wait until those ones are settled before looking for a seat.

The first day I caught the train, Tuesday, is when I saw her. Long dark blonde hair, soft pouty lips, big blue-grey eyes that were so expressive and a sense of calm about her. Today I noticed she took the seat across the aisle from me and I couldn't' help but check her out as she got herself situated. She was wearing tight black jeans today and I could tell she had long legs. My thoughts started imaging how I could get those legs wrapped around me. I shook my head of those thoughts, I don't really have a girlfriend but I have gone out a few times with this one girl, Tessa. She's been sending me text messages all week, asking where I'm at, what I'm doing and whom I'm doing it with. She seems to think that just because we've been out a few times, that she owns me. I'm going to have to nip this in the bud and soon. She's a nice enough girl but the fact that I'm more attracted to the stranger across from me proves that I'm not as into Tessa as I should be. I chance a glance across the aisle again at the beautiful mystery girl when my iPhone beeps in my ear once again, disrupting my music play list. Of course, it's Tessa.

Tessa: What are we doing tonight?

I shake my head in annoyance before replying. I don't want to be an asshole about this but how else do I get my point across.

Tobias: I wasn't aware we had plans.

Tessa: Come on Toby, I haven't seen you for a week and a half!

'Toby', I hate that name. Another thing I find annoying about this girl as the day goes on. But in order to change things I need to talk with her and breaking it off in a text message is an asshole thing to do.

Tobias: My name is not 'Toby', so stop with that. We need to talk anyway, so why don't we do dinner after work tonight, I'm off at 6PM.

Tessa: Where should we go?

Tobias: There's a pub up the street from my office, The Pit, why don't we meet there?

Tessa: A pub, really? That's not romantic.

Tobias: This isn't about romance, meet me there at 6:30PM or don't, it's up to you.

Tessa: Fine, but you're buying!

Tobias: Whatever.

I pocket my phone and get ready to leave the train but only after those pushers get off first.

{oo^oo}

Work went by particularly fast today and I was pleased with that. After my last coffee break I double check the appointments calendar to make sure the meetings I've set throughout the day for next week, as requested, don't overlap.

I'm a PA or personal assistant in an advertising firm. But my job is not restricted in duties by any means. I have the usual tasks like making photo copies, answering the phones, and getting coffee for the 'big wig' I've been assigned to that week. But, I'm also known as a 'floater' because I don't have a permanent position…yet. Each week I help out as an assistant to one or more of the executives and I never know who it's going to be until the Monday morning email assignments, when the head of the PA department, Johanna Reyes, assigns us our new tasks. Unless a permanent PA is on vacation then I'm with that executive until they return. This particular week, I've been working for Eric Little. He's a harsh looking sort of man and rather young to be such a top executive. Not that he's necessarily cruel but when he's frustrated that his ideas are not coming to fruition the way he wants or needs, he tends to yell…a lot, and it garners a lot of attention around the office. Let's just say I'll be glad when this day is over and I'll have a new assignment on Monday.

When the clock strikes 5:00PM, I log out of my computer after backing up the files I was editing, and clean up my work space. After using the ladies room to freshen up, I head out of the office and down the block to 'The Pit'. I figure I'll have time to enjoy a beer or two before I have to meet up with Peter, dreading his reaction to my confession.

One of the things I love about working in this office is the lax rules in regards to attire. You're not required to wear skirts or pant suits and heels, which is nice. You still have to look smart, but jeans are acceptable, as long as there are no holes, even if it is a fashion craze! Today's attire has me in tight black jeans, a white button up V-neck shirt with long sleeves and black leather boots with a small wedge style heel. Comfort is key here.

I pull my jacket around my body a little tighter as I walk the block up to The Pit. The wind is harsh against my skin and it almost feels like someone slapped me when a new wave of air pushes against the direction in which I'm walking. Finally arriving at the pub, I strip off my coat and wait to be seated.

"Hi, is it just one?" The hostess asks.

"Two actually, someone is meeting me." She nods her head, grabs two menus and leads me to a booth along the back wall.

"Your server will be with you shortly." She obliges before taking her post back at the front doors.

Even though I know I'm getting the char grilled beef burger, I peruse the menu anyway. I'm interrupted by a loud voice.

"Hey, I'm Al, I'll be your server this evening, can I start you off with a drink?"

"Hi, yeah I'll get a pitcher of Pilsner please."

Al walks off to get my beer and I pull out my phone to see if I have any new messages from Peter. I don't, but decide to let him know I'm at the pub.

Peter: I'll be there in 10.

Tris: OK

I put my phone down on the table just as Al brings the pitcher of beer and two glasses.

"Thanks,"

"No problem, I'll come back when your friend arrives." He nods politely as I pour a glass of beer.

I take a bit of a chug, enjoying the coldness of it and lick my lips. Ten minutes pass and I look up to see Peter coming in the front door of the pub. I wave him over and he casually walks in this direction, kissing my cheek before sitting down across from me. I try to stop the urge to want to wipe my cheek from his kiss, it was a little sloppy. I signal to the pitcher and he nods as I pour him a glass.

"You look tired." I point out.

"Exhausted actually, the computer system crashed today and our IT team spent the last four hours trying to get it back up and running." He explains, taking a gulp from his own beer.

"Did you get it fixed?"

"Yeah, otherwise we would've had to stay to get it up and running."

I nod, mutely as Al approaches the table.

"Hey, did you need a few more minutes with the menus?"

"I know what I want, what about you?" I state looking across to Peter.

"I'm good, I'll get the half stack ribs with a baked potato and a garden salad, ranch dressing." He confirms.

That's another thing that bothers me about Peter, not that he has to by the way but he never allows the 'lady to order first', isn't that the polite thing to do? I shake my head of this thought as Al takes down his order before turning to me.

"The char grilled beef burger with everything, side of fries please, thanks." I nod.

Al collects the menus and leaves as I turn back to Peter.

"So…" I begin, as nervousness envelops me, my fingers running up the side of my glass collecting the condensation droplets.

"So, you said this morning that you wanted to talk, what's up?" He clarifies, taking another chug from his beer and finishing that glass. He pours another while I ponder my reply.

It should be quick, like ripping off a Band-Aid.

"I think that we should see other people."

"What?" He replies in shock.

"I just, don't feel like this is going anywhere." I reply, looking back at my glass, afraid to meet his eyes.

"Is there someone else?" He accuses, raising his voice.

"No, I just think we'd be better off as friends."

"Tris, come on, we've only had a few dates, you haven't even given me a fair shot!" He shouts, getting the attention of a few of the patrons around us.

I put my head in my hands, a little embarrassed at the attention his outburst brought and when I look up, he's scowling at me.

"I'm sorry that you're so upset about this, but I'm just not…" I trail off not sure how to explain to him my lack of attraction.

"Not what? Spit it out!"

"I'm not seeing someone else, but there is someone else I'm attracted to." I admit.

"You're a bitch!" He shouts as he storms from the table.

"Fuck." I mumble to myself, my head in my hands once again.

{oo^oo}

Working for this new advertising company has been a great experience so far. I'm really enjoying the work and the people. Although I still have yet to find a permanent assistant who can meet my needs. The assistant assigned to me this week was one Nita Navedo. That girl needs a lesson in decorum. The rules for work attire are pretty lax and comfortable, but that girl dresses like she's heading out to the club, not to work.

After all the PA's left at 5:00PM, I headed into my boss, Amar's office to request that Nita no longer be my PA. He laughed a little at my expense but to my delight, he agreed. The question was who would I have to deal with come Monday morning?

"Any idea who will be my new assistant?"

"I'll talk to Johanna, she's the head of the PA department, she knows a few of the girls want permanent positions, so I will get her to recommend the best choice."

"Thank you!" I reply, as a wave of relief washes over me.

"You've done some amazing work on your previous campaigns when you worked for David Warner, and a talent like yours needs to be nurtured, so if finding the right assistant for you is part of that, we will do whatever we can." Amar confides.

"David Warner is a dirty player in the advertising business, and I didn't feel valued working there." I confess.

"Well, we're happy to have you on our team Tobias, please know that you can always express your concerns with me!"

After my brief meeting with Amar, I head back to my office to save the edits on the accounts I was working on before clocking out. The day had been promising and I was happy with what I had accomplished on the new account I was assigned on Monday, but I was not looking forward to my meeting with Tessa.

The wind chill is cold, but I hustle up the block to The Pit. I have not been here yet, but it was recommended to me by one of the other executives, George Wu. His sister Tori owns the place with her husband, Bud Harper. I walk in the front door and the hostess greats me politely. I inform her that I'm meeting someone and wanted to take a quick look around first to make sure she wasn't here already. She nods in agreement and I look to my right up the aisle of tables and booths and see Tessa sitting in a booth by the window. She waves at me eagerly when she sees me approaching.

"Hey!" She squeals with excitement as she jumps from her seat to wrap her arms around me.

"Tessa, please." I admonish, pulling her arms from around my neck.

"What's wrong?" She pouts. She seems to think that when she pouts like that, it's attractive, but it's not.

"You're not going to like me very much after what I have to say to you." I explain, bowing my head to prepare for the spitfire response I'm sure to receive.

{oo^oo}

After Peter walked out on me, I down my beer and poured another as Al approached.

"Are you okay?" He questioned worriedly.

"Yeah, thanks, just broke things off with him and he wasn't too happy about that."

"I'm sorry, did you want to cancel his order then?"

"Yes, thanks, and can I get a bourbon, neat." I add.

He smiles weakly before leaving me with my beer. Getting drunk sounds like a good idea. My head is in my hands once again as I replay the episode that transpired only moments before. When I look up, I see my mystery train hottie enter the pub and after a brief exchange with the hostess, he's looking around for someone. I slink down in my seat, to go unnoticed and watch as he seems to spot who he's looking for. I follow his steps as he approaches a booth on the far wall near the windows. A girl jumps up from her spot and wraps his arms around his neck. 'Figures', I think to myself, 'Of course he's taken'. I signal to Al and he rushes over with my bourbon in hand.

"Can I get my order to go please, and the bill."

"Of course." He nods.

I throw back the strong liquor and feel it burning my throat before pulling on my winter jacket and sliding from the booth. I pay my bill up at the bar and few moments later, Al comes out the back with a plastic bag with my dinner in it. I thank him before leaving the pub and head up to the train station for another lonely weekend at home.

{oo^oo}

Tessa glares at me, crossing her arms in front of her chest and raising an eyebrow. I know that look, I've received it in the past when turning down advances from other women, it is the 'bitch face' glare.

"Look Tessa, we went out twice and you've been texting me all week, while I'm at work might I add, like you own me!" I explain firmly.

"I care about you, and just wanted to check in!"

"NO, you were trying to keep tabs on me and I don't like it. I came this close…" I start, holding my pointer and index fingers a centimetre apart to make my point, "…this close to calling it off in a text message this morning." I finish.

"Asshole." She mumbles under her breath.

"No, I would be an asshole if I had done that, but I'm taking the time to meet with you to tell you to your face that I'm not some property to be owned. This, you and me, will not work and I'm only here to say that to your face. I was going to give you the benefit of the doubt, but you've done nothing but give me a bitchy attitude." I explain, completely exasperated with her.

She shakes her head and glares at me some more, as if that's going to make me change my mind. Instead it only confirms my initial feelings. This girl needs a reality check.

"I'm done with this, with you Tessa. Call me an asshole all you want, but you and I are done. Loosemy number." I finish, standing abruptly from the table.

After throwing a twenty dollar bill down on the table to cover whatever she might have ordered, I make my escape. I want to get away from her fast, so I start a jog up the street until I reach the stairs leading up to the platform for the train home. I speed up as a train is just pulling into the station. I swipe my card, courtesy of my new job before running into the last open car.

{oo^oo}

I miss the last train and take a seat on the bench to wait for the next one. It's another fifteen minutes before it will arrive, so I pop open the top of the box in my bag, inhaling the smell of the grease within, and start munching on my French fries. It's gotten colder since I left work earlier and I see the tell-tale signs of fresh snow falling, being thankful that there is no harsh wind at the moment.

The train finally pulls up and it's rather empty, which is nice for a change. I wander into the last car and take a seat at the back and continue to munch on my fries. Just as the bell dings signalling the doors are about to close, a person jumps into the car I'm in. It's obvious he thinks it's empty as well as I hear him spit out a few expletives, the French fry in my hand at a halt on its way to my mouth.

"Fucking bitch!" I hear him mumble. He's bundled up to keep the cold out and he has a thick beanie pulled down low over his ears and his hands shoved in his pockets.

The train takes off and as it lurches, it throws the stranger off balance, causing him to turn my way. When he finally notices me, French fry in hand, his mouth starts gaping like a fish. That's when I notice it's my mystery hottie.

"Uhhhh….hi." He mumbles, an embarrassed tone to his salutation.

"Hi," I squeak in reply. I can't help the blush in my cheeks as his gaze takes in my appearance and the bag in my lap.

"I thought this car was empty, I'm sorry." He adds before walking closer and sitting one seat away from me.

"Obviously," I laugh in reply. 'He must be crazy', I think as he laughs loudly at that.

"What a fucking night and I didn't even get dinner!" He exclaims, pulling his hat off his head.

I look at my bag then at him before offering up a few fries.

"Fry?" I hint, holding the bag with the open box inside toward him.

"I don't want to take your dinner, it's okay, I'll be home in about…thirty more minutes." He sighs, glancing at his watch.

"Don't say I didn't offer." I smart back. He smiles again, and it gives me a fluttering in my heart that I was the one that put it there.

{oo^oo}

When I jumped onto the train car, I thought it was empty and let my frustration after my meeting with Tessa known. I feel stuck in my spot when I notice it's my sexy girl from the morning train rides. She looks absolutely adorable with a fry held up to her mouth and a look of shock on her face. I can't help but smile at her before apologizing for my outburst and taking a seat close to her. Her sarcastic responses lift my spirits immediately but I have a feeling that's due more in part to her presence alone.

After our banter over her fries, which smell fantastic, I want her to know that I saw her, that I see her.

"You take the train in the mornings too, I saw you again this morning." I confirm, chancing a side glance at her. I have the urge to brush her hair behind her ear, just so I can see more of her face.

"Monday to Friday in fact…I noticed you too, been taking this train to and from work for about six months now and I know all the regulars, and this is the first week I've noticed you." She teases, eating another fry. I can't take my gaze from her lips. I want to be that fry, those fingers as she licks off the remnants of the salt.

"Uhhh…yeah, started a new job this week, so I'll be on for the morning commute every day now too." I smile. She has no idea how incredibly attractive she is.

{oo^oo}

The thrill that runs through me being this close to himis paralyzing. It's like there is an invisible thread tugging me toward him and all I can do to keep myself from jumping him is to continue to eat my fries. After confessing that he'll be on the morning commute every day, I feel like I need to dress a little more sensually to garner more attention, but from the way he's looking at me, maybe I'm just fine the way I am.

I look down to my bag to see the fries are gone and only my burger remains. I close the top of the box and put the bag on the floor at my feet. There's no way I'm eating a messy burger in front of him.

"I'm sorry if I was staring at you this morning, I just…You have no idea how incredibly attracted to you I am and now that I just said that, I realize how forward it was." He laughs, palming his face in embarrassment.

"Really?" I squeak in reply. I've been doing that a lot with him. My voice comes out in a high pitched tone ofsurprise.

"Yeah, really." He confirms. I smile at this but then my thoughts go back to the scene I saw at 'The Pit' not twenty-five minutes ago. I bite my lip tentatively, not sure if I should share my feelings on the subject.

"This is going to sound creepy or stalkerish, but I swear I was there already when I saw you walk in…" I explain quickly.

"Okay?" He urges cautiously.

"I was at 'The Pit' getting dinner and I saw you walk in and hug some girl." I state, my eyebrow raised in question.

"You didn't see that whole exchange obviously, I'm not some player." He explains, as he rests his hand on my arm.

"Oh-,"

"Yeah, 'oh'," He teases.

"So what didn't I see?" I query, biting my lower lip in anticipation.

"I was meeting her, Tessa, to break things off. Well not even break things off. It's complicated but…"

{oo^oo}

The feeling of helplessness rushes through me when she admits she saw me when Tessa flung herself around me. I can't lose this chance with her, she needs to know what she didn't see. I start explaining how Tessa was texting me all week after only going out on two dates and there wasn't even a kiss at the end, but not for lack of trying on her part.

I saw her shoulders slump slightly as she seemed to visibly relax.

"That's the truth. I swear, she was becoming unbearable."

"I believe you." She replies, resting her hand over mine on her arm. The electricity between us is undeniable and it's almost like a shock goes through my hand at her touch.

"I was actually there to do the same to a guy I'd been out with a few times." She adds.

"Really?" I inquire, leaning back in my seat to watch her closely.

"Yeah, he stormed out and called me a 'bitch', but now that I think back…After trying to tell him I thought we'd be better as friends, he accused me of seeing someone else so I finally just blurted out that it was because I was attracted to someone else." She explains, her blue-grey eyes meeting mine suggestively. She was referring to me and it felt great.

"Hmmmm…"

"Yeah, hmmmm." She laughs in reply echoing my sentiment from earlier.

"I'm Tobias by the way." I introduce, holding out my hand to hers to shake.

"Tris." She smiles, slipping her small hand into mine.

"It's nice to meet you Tris." I flirt, and the blush that fills her cheeks is adorable and I love that I keep getting that reaction out of her.

"My stop is next." She adds as she removes her hand from mine. I feel the loss instantly. After grabbing her bag, she stands to head to the doors and make her exit. But before she steps off, she looks back at me once more.

"See you Monday morning." She smiles, and then she's gone.

{oo^oo}

There is a skip in my step as I wander home, and a smile, fifty feet wide on my face. 'He likes me', I gush to myself as I finally reach my apartment building. I place my dinner in the kitchen and set the warming sensor on my stove to warm my burger up a bit. When it's toasty again, I get comfortable in the living room and gorge on my burger, not caring that the mayonnaise is smeared on my lips.

"So fucking good," I mumble to myself while chewing. 'So ladylike', I laugh to myself once again.

As I throw away the garbage from my dinner and clean up, there is a resounding loud 'knock, knock, knock' on my apartment door. 'It must be a neighbour', I assume, as anyone visiting has to buzz the apartment they wish to be let into.

Opening the door, I'm stock still when I see who'sstanding there.

"What are you doing here?"