Tobias POV.
My alarm goes off. I reach out and slam my hand to turn it off. Today is the first day back at school. Senior year. The last year of school before I head off to college. I can't wait to get out of here, far away. Anywhere that doesn't have Marcus, my father.
I stopped calling him Dad when my mum died. That's when he started beating me. Blamed me for my mother's death. Don't really know how a nine year old could be responsible but he found a way. It's been a while since he stopped beating. The last time was when Tris threaten him. She heard me in pain from next door, bragged in the house and ordered him to stop. I don't know how she knew he was doing it to me but she was smart like that. She had good instinct.
It's been about 2 years since I've seen her. I don't know where or why she left. And I don't know why I'm thinking of her now.
I get out of bed and head into the shower. I get dress in my black jeans and find a clean black t-shirt in my dresser. I put on my vans and head down stair.
On the kitchen table I see a note from Marcus.
Tobias,
I went to work early and won't be back till late. Grab yourself dinner and do the washing
Marcus.
We tents to avoid each other now. I'm glad cause I don't have to see him. The days he stays home are days I normally stay out till late at Zeke's house. I grab a muffin and head out to school.
I look over next door like I always do to see if I see anything that reminds me of her. Today her Black SUV is parked in the driveway. Which is odd since it's been in the garage all this time. I walk over to my car, a black Mustang and get in. I drive down to school and park where I always park. I stare out into the school and think of Tris. Here at school is where I'm mostly reminded of her. I still don't know why she left. I've asked Caleb many times but he refuses to tell me where she went or what happened.
We've were so happy and perfect together. We shared a beautiful night together. It was the last time Marcus beat me, when she came barging in our house. She told him he wouldn't put another finger on me. She took me back to her room. We spend the night together. I woke up early that morning and left her sleeping. She looked so peaceful and I didn't want to wake her. I also didn't want her parents finding me in her room and getting her in trouble so I climbed out the window and headed home. Then I find out she left me.
I snap out of my daze. Zeke is tapping on my window. I get out of the car.
"Hey man, getting ready to conquer the school."
"Something like that." I laugh.
"Let go find Shauna." He and Shauna have been together just as long as Tris and I were. Seriously what is wrong with me today. Stop thinking of her.
As we reach the Dauntless hallway I ran into Nita straight away. God she is starting to annoy me. She follows me everywhere. I honestly don't know why I hooked up with her. It was one of Zeke's parties and I had too much to drink. And I just felt lonely after Tris left. You see our group is full of couples and I was always tagging along.
"Hey babe" She says as she kisses me. "Ready for senior year? This year we have prom to think about."
"Um yeah sure." I say leaving and walk over to my locker. That's when I see her. She is hugging everyone. I'm in shock, what is she doing here, where has she been, what had happened to make her leave. So many questions to ask her but all I can do is stare at her. She then sees me staring and looks over at me. God her eyes are as beautiful as I remember them. And then I also remember her leaving me. Out of the blue I find out she's gone. Anger boils up in me. I slam my locker door and turn to leave.
I get to English class and sit in my normal spot. Zeke enters in behind me.
"Sorry man, didn't know she was coming back. Did you?" He ask
"No." I reply. He knows not to push it further which is why I like Zeke so much. He knows how to lighten the mood and knows when to shut it. He sits in front of me and then the group comes in and sits in there usual spot. Tris walks in. I try my hardest not to look at her but I can't help it. I need clues to why she left.
First thing I noticed is her tan. Her body has filled out heaps but I try not to stare at that. She seems tired too. Like she hasn't gotten much sleep recently. She looks over at me and sees the empty seat next to me. But then she moves and sits next to Eric. Really? She hates Eric. At least, we hated Eric. They are talking, and talking friendly too.
And that's when I see Nita walk up to Tris. I brace myself prepared for what is about to happen. I can't hear what they are saying but Nita just walk away from Tris and sits next to me and say "hey babe" I totally ignore her and stare at Tris. She doesn't seem surprised that I'm with Nita. Makes me wonder if she doesn't care about me. If she did care she wouldn't have left! I think to myself. Or maybe she's moved on and has found someone else. So much things are going through my mind. I need some answers.
That's when Mr Lewtous walks in. He realize Tris is back and asks her where she's been. She's been in California with her Aunt Tori. Her parents wanted her to come back? So she didn't come back for me. Why would her Aunty ask her to go with her. I know Tori, I liked Tori and I know she wouldn't have asked Tris to go with her. Tris would of requested to leave with her but again why?
The bells rings before I know it. I need answers before I drive myself crazy. I see Tris run out of the classroom. I walk out and see her at her locker, which is next to mine. I walk over to my locker while opening it.
"It would of been nice to have a bit of warning that you'll be coming back. Or where you've been the last few years?" I say as I open my locker. I try not to look at her cause I know I'll get lost in her eyes.
"Why, why do I have to report anything back to you? Do I need your permission or something? You gave that right up long ago." She says while slamming her locker door and she try to walk away.
I gave up the right to know what happened between us? What is she talking about? I grab her arms as she turns away and that's when all my emotions hit me. Her skin is so warm. She stares back at me and I stare back into the eyes I dream about almost every night? There much prettier then I remember them more blue then grey now. Then they just turn hard. She stares back at me and screams "What Four, What do you want?" Four, she never once called me Four. Why is she calling me Four like I don't mean nothing to her. Maybe cause I don't I realize. She never cared about me.
"Babe, you ready?" that's when I let go of her arms and just walk off, away from her, away from everyone.
The rest of the day goes by, I don't even know what was happening, it was like I was on auto-pilot. I realize it lunch time.
"Hey men" Zeke says as we leave class. "You sitting with us today."
"Nah, I think I'll go sit outside on the field" I say. Zeke nods and asks Shauna "You coming?" She decided to tag along while the rest head off.
"So, did anyone know she was coming back?" Asks Shauna. None of us answers.
"2 years and all she tells us is that she had to go with her Aunty. Did she even explain anything to you?" Zeke ask. And I ignore him. No point in answering something he always knows.
"You know you guys can hang out with her, she was your friend too. It honestly doesn't bother me." I say to them.
"Nah, a friend will explain why they left and she hasn't." Says Shauna.
"She probably needs time." Zeke say.
"Maybe she does. Maybe something happened we don't know and she's too embarrassed to tell us. I don't know could be 100 reasons. Maybe just wait until she tells us." I say and they all nod in agreement. I realize then I need to let it go. The bell ring and I realize I have Art, and knowing Tris she will too.
I make my way over to my locker and grab my things and head to class. I sit down and the class begins. I tune out and then hear the door open and Tris walk in. She doesn't explain why she was late and I see across her face she looks like she is about to cry or explode. I don't know which ones worse.
She realize the only empty seat is next to me and she hesitates to sit down.
"Well" Mrs Johanna says. She walks over to me and sits next to me without a glace my way. I can sense something most of just happened cause she seems very tense. So I let her be. She's not ready to talk to me. Mrs. Johanna announces we have an assignment, we have to do a self-portrait but of the person sitting next to us. We need to include their interest and personality in the portrait. Mrs. Johanna then hands out a questioner for us to ask each other. The bell rings and before I know it Tris has left the class room. I walk out and look for her. We need to plan this assignment. I run into Uriah.
"Have you see Tris?" I ask him.
"Umm, yeah she went home."
"Thanks man." I head out to my car and then head home. I guess the assignment can wait.
