First: Thanks for the reviews, still means a lot. I'm looking forward to really get this story started! Enjoy the chapter!.
Tris POV.
The tour is pretty quick, though this place is huge. We all sit outside in the sun, talking about tomorrow. I am in Tobias' lap, resting my head on his chest.
"Where is Al?" Uriah says, I look at my watch and realize he should have been here hours ago.
"I don't know. He said he would be here around 6" I pull out my phone, and find his number. It takes a few beeps before he answers.
"Hello?"
"Al? Where are you?" He is silent, and for a moment I think he just hung up.
"I'm not coming Tris"
"What?! Why?" I get up, I see Four looking at me in question as I walk away from them.
"My parents found out. They found out that I am gay. No more soccer, they are sending me to England on some University" He sounds like he is about to cry.
"Why haven't you said anything?" I whisper, disappointed.
"My parents took my phone and my computer, looking after boyfriends" He frowns.
"Al I am so sorry. When are you leaving?"
"Tomorrow, you want to go out tonight? Just you and me? Even though I know the others don't have anything against me being gay, I feel like you're the only one who accepting it. Please don't tell the others this, just make up a cover story"
"Sure Al, let's meet at the mall at 8"
"Thanks Tris, I will see you later then"
The line goes dead, and I rejoin my friends. Zeke and Four are throwing a ball to each other, and the others are just chatting. All eyes are on me when I sit down on the grass.
"So?" Chris says, looking at me in expectation. I suck at lying.
"He is not coming" They all break into "What" and "How weird", which buys me some time to come up with a good story. Finally Will turns to me.
"Did he say why?"
"He is moving to England, going to play for an English club" I lie, pretty convincing.
"Are you serious? How can he just go there without saying goodbye?" Uriah says, he sounds hurt.
"He thought it was easier that way"
Tobias comes to my side, wrapping an arm around my shoulder.
"You're okay Tris? I know that Al means a lot to you" I shake my head.
"I feel like everyone is leaving me. Caleb moved to Michigan, my parents are in Seattle and I don't see them and now my best friend is moving to another country" I kick the ball in frustration. Tobias pulls me away from the others, placing a hand on each side on my face. Making me look him into his eyes.
"I'm not going anywhere. I will find a way to be your boyfriend, your best friend, your brother and your parents. I will be your family" I give him a weak smile and wrap my arm around his neck, hugging him tight.
"What did I do, to deserve a guy like you?" I whisper against his T-shirt. His body shakes as he laughs.
"You were you. And you made me love you"
When it's a quarter to eight I leave the campus, I tell Christina that I feel a little dizzy and that I am going for a walk. I make my way to the mall, to the exact same café where Al told me he was gay two years ago. He is already there with two Vanilla Milkshakes, I smile at him and wrap my arms around him for a big bear hug. I almost disappear into his big embrace, and stand there until people start starring. We take our seats.
"I'm going to miss you Tris"
"I'm going to miss you too Al" I reach for his hand, and I start to draw circles on his hand back with my thumb.
"There is no way you can stay?" I whisper. He just shakes his head, looking down at the table.
"I don't even know what makes me sadder; the fact that I am leaving all of my friends behind, or the fact that my mom and dad don't want to accept my sexuality" He takes a long sip of the milkshake.
"They will accept it. They have to. Maybe not now, maybe not in a week. But they will, I know that" He gives me a weak smile, raising his glass for a toast. I join him.
"To you, Tris Prior, the best friend I've ever had" I smile shyly.
"To you, Al, The best friend I've had, and that will not change by the way" We gently bump over glasses against each other, and take a long sip.
"By the way; I told the others you were going to play for an English soccer team"
"Nice one Tris" He grins. "So tell me, what's new?"
I think for a moment, nothing extraordinary really happened.
"Oh" I say, just realizing I haven't told Al about my plan. "I'm going to get a tattoo"
"What? Really? Of what?"
"Your face. Right here on my forearm" I joke and wink at him. Al laughs sarcastically.
"Oh awesome. No, seriously of what?"
"I don't know yet"
He looks thoughtful for a moment.
"What about "Four" with roman writing? Like in your necklace"
I think for a moment, that's not really a bad idea. I know I love him, and I want to be with him. So the tattoo would clearly mean something to me.
"Great idea" I smile, I check my watch, it's already past 9. I look at Al apologizing.
"No worries Tris, I should get going anyway. My flight leaves early tomorrow. Let's go"
As soon as we are out of the mall, I wrap my arms around him. To my own surprise; I start to cry.
"Please don't do that, you will make me cry to" He whispers, and pulls away from me. He wipes my tears away, and I give him a half-hearted smile.
"The times are changing Tris, but promise me you won't forget me. And promise me to hold onto Four, you two are meant for each other. I will write you as often as I can." I want to protest and make him explain. But I don't do that. I just agree.
"I promise" I whisper.
"Take care of yourself, see you around" With that he turn on his heels and walk away from me. I turn away, starting to walk back.
Right now tomorrow's try outs seam chaotic and unimportant.
So I'm thinking about making some drama in the next two chapters, what do you say? Is it too soon?
