A Daunting Life

A Four/Tris Fiction RATED-M

By Millie Mae

ALL RIGHTS TO VERONICA ROTH

One year… One year ago today. It is November 24th, 2215, and this is the anniversary of my parent's sudden death. Drunk drivers…why don't people seem to learn? They tell me it was quick, that they didn't feel anything. But I find that hard to believe.

With the support of my best friend, Christina Candless, I've decided to start life anew. I'm packing up and moving to Chicago to live with her in the apartment she has in a high rise downtown. It will be new for me, living in the city, but I need change.

My brother, Caleb Prior, lives in California while attending Stanford and has made it clear he plans on spending Christmas this year with his new girlfriend, Cara Carson. I'm happy for him. That he could, and is moving on with his life. I think our parent's death affected him the most. I didn't think he'd make it out of this funk that he seemed to be in.

Christina has assured me that with new friends and new goals, and her plans to 'hook me up' as she puts it life will be heading in a new and unexpected direction. I just hope it's a good direction.

"Please fasten your seatbelts as the plane will be landing shortly." Calls a voice over the intercom.

My plane is landing at the airport, so I better get my shit together.

"TRIS PRIOR?" I hear my name being called. Finally. Waiting to get my car rental has been madness. First they lost my reservation, and then tried to refuse me a rental until I showed them the paperwork printout as proof.

I approach the counter to retrieve my finalized paperwork and keys to my new 2015 VW Beetle, Black. This is my car for the next few days, until the moving company arrives with my boxes and car.

I load the small bit of luggage I have into the trunk and pull up my GPS to lead me to Christina's apartment building. All she told me was she is in the "Dauntless" sector, and I have no idea what that means but I guess I'll learn.

I arrive at a building that stands at least twenty floors up. The sight of the glass paneling looks like such a daunting task for any window cleaner. I pull out my iPhone to text Christina.

Tris: Hey, I'm here. What floor, apartment are you?

Christina: OMG! I'll come down 2 u and help u with ur bags!

Tris: Okay, Thanks!

Three minutes later I see a spritely little black haired woman literally spring from the front doors.

"TRIS!"

"CHRIS!" I reply hugging her fiercly.

"I hate that nickname, I'll put up with 'Chrissy' but 'Chris' is too much like a boys name!"

"Whatever, you know you love it!"

"Yeah, sure, whatever you say….'Beatrice'…." She snickers.

"Okay, truce, I'll never call you 'Chris' if you keep 'Beatrice' under wraps, deal?" I state looking her square in the eye with my hand outstretched for a handshake on the deal.

"Deal, truce!"

"Truce!"

"So let's get your bags and get you up to your new digs!"

"And this is your room…" Christina states as she opens the white door with a small lock on the inside. There is room for a queen-sized bed, which is coming with my boxes, as well as a dresser and night tables, also in the truck on its way here. The walls are a soft lavender colour with a large window over looking the street below. There is even a walk in closet and I have my own personal bathroom with tub and shower.

"So I can lock this on you?" I chuckle, pointing out the small latch on the door.

"Yes, but I don't see why you would want to!" She retaliates with sarcasm in her voice.

"Well if you're planning on 'hooking me up', I may need to keep you out!"

"Tris, Tris, Tris! You dirty girl…"

"Oh stop, it's not like I'm completely inexperienced."

"So you've had sex then?"

"Well…Lets go sit in the living room and we will talk…"

"What's going on Tris?"

"Something happened, but I can't remember a lot of it…"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean…I think I was roofied…I was at a bar, and I never get drunk, but it was a few months after my parents died and I just couldn't hold it together, and this guy at the bar was talking to me…" I explain while fiddling with the hem of my shirt nervously.

"Did you go to the police?" Christina retaliates.

"Well, no, I mean what was I going to say, 'Oh hey, yeah I got so drunk I don't know if I was raped or not…', I mean come on Christina."

"Why do you think you were raped?" Christina coerces when there is a resounding 'KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK' on the apartment door.

"We'll talk about this more later okay?" Christina confirms as she hugs me tightly before going to answer the door.

I put on a bright smile awaiting to see who is behind the door.

Christina returns with a tall male, with short brown hair and a lanky frame.

"Tris, this is Will, my boyfriend, Will, this is my best friend Tris Prior!" Christina introduces.

"Hi Tris! It's great to finally meet you, she hasn't shut up about you since she found out you were moving!" Will adds, a smile playing on his lips.

"Oh I've heard about you too Will, it's nice to put a face to a name!" I reply as I chuckle quietly to myself.

"So Will has decided to take us out to dinner for your first night here!" Christina announces.

"Oh, Will, you don't have to do that" I interject.

"Oh please let me, I know the moving costs are not cheap and one meal is not going to break me!"

"Well in that case, where are we going?"

Both Will and Christina let out loud guffaws at how easily it was to coerce me.

"What are you in the mood for?" Christina questions.

"Well, I'm new to the area, so you'll have to tell me what's good" I reply factually.

"I say we go up the street to that delectable diner with the fantastic burgers and dauntless chocolate cake!" Will suggests.

"I'm game." I reply as Christina grabs my hand to lead me out of the apartment and out of the building.