12:00. It's time for Tobias to pick Kelsey up. And maybe see someone else, too. Maybe.
He sits on the wooden bench, just in front of the school. He looks around, trying to remember how it felt like when he did this thirteen years ago, right here in this spot. He looks at the playground. There used to be a net there, in between the two small towers. He remembers helping a girl there. Her foot got stuck in the middle and she couldn't get it out. She was very small and one of the youngest kids in the school. He remembers helping this blonde girl in the middle of a game he played with his best friends Zeke and Shauna. "Welcome to Dauntless," he told the girl as he pulled her out of the net. She laughed and said, "Thank you."
He realizes that he didn't ask that girl's name. He had the same feeling that day when he shook Kelsey's math teacher's hand. He also notices the little girl's similarity to Tris. Blonde, petite, grey-blue eyes. Is it possible?
"Hi," he turns to see Kelsey sitting next to him.
"Hey. How was your day?" Tobias asks.
"It was fine but we have homework," she pouts. Tobias laughs. Kelsey isn't that much into homework.
"Don't worry, I'll help you," he says getting the pink backpack of Kelsey's shoulders and putting it on his.
Kelsey smiles, "Okay. Do you want to say hi to teacher Tris?"
Tobias thinks about it. Would it be weird if he did? Would she think that he's some kind of stalker? Of course not. "Sure."
Kelsey leads Tobias to her classroom. They see that Tris is still there, erasing the chalkboard.
"Hi," Tobias says.
Tris turns to the door, "Oh, hey Tobias, Kelsey."
Kelsey grabs the other eraser and starts to help erase the board. Tobias smiles at her. She may not be into homework but she's into helping people even without being told.
"Thank you Kelsey. You're so kind," Tris smiles warmly at her.
"No problem teacher," Kelsey smiles back.
"So what are you guys doing here?"
Tobias tries to think. Why did he come here?
"We just wanted to know if you needed a ride home again," Tobias answers, partly true.
Tris smiles, "My car's fixed now, but thanks. Do you guys want to eat by the café? I'll treat you guys."
He wants to answer 'No, it's fine' but he does want to spend time with this girl so he says, "Sure, but you don't need to treat us."
"No, I should."
Tobias shakes his head, smiling.
"Let's go?" Kelsey says.
They head out of the room and walk to the café. Kelsey skips along, leading the way.
"I don't mean to be nosy but, are you really Kelsey's brother?" Tris whispers. It's hard to believe that a six-and-a-half year old is a sister of a 21.
Tobias answers, "Well, people do think that she's my daughter because of her age and our similarities but she's really not. Me and my mother found her in front of our doorstep a few years ago."
Tris nods, "Oh. Does she know?"
"Yeah. We wanted to tell her before she would find out herself," he answers. "She took the news in and instead of crying and looking for her real parents, she hugged and thanked us."
Tris smiles, "She's a really nice little girl."
"Yeah, she is." He smiles too.
They enter the café and are greeted by the smell of coffee.
"What do you want?" Tobias asks.
"I was going to treat you guys," Tris tells him.
"Trust me, I should pay. There's a discount."
"And how's that?" she asks, eyebrows raised.
Tobias smirks, "Connections. Connections you don't have."
He goes to the counter, "Hey Zeke. Two slices of dauntless cake, once chocolate frap, one vanilla."
"Okay bro," he answers. "Why two slices and two fraps? Don't you just share with Kelsey?" He looks behind him and sees a girl talking to his little sister. "Ohh. I see," he says with a wink.
Tobias smiles and shakes his head. He gets the tray and sits down beside Kelsey, across from Tris.
"How'd you know I like vanilla?" Tris asks as he gives her the drink.
"Your perfume," he answers, a matter of factly. She smells like ice cream. He likes it.
"And you should try their cake, teacher," Kelsey says. "They're the best."
"Okay," she replies, "So how much do I owe you?"
Tobias just waves it off. She smiles gratefully. She watches as Tobias feeds his little sister cake. He's so sweet. She adds the siblings to the list of her favorite people. She thinks that their family is very wonderful. Wonderful, it is. Perfect, it is not.