Chapter Four
When I wake the next day I'm surprised to find it's already past 9am. So much for getting an earlier start on the day. Images of the previous night filter through my mind. Drinking, dancing, singing, stargazing, sharing stories. What in the world got into me? Then I remember my companion, Tris, who had invited me, spent the evening with me, and even shared her own story with me. It was a night full of unplanned, unexpected events. And to my pleasant surprise, I had loved every minute of it.
Sunlight pours in through the window across the room and I miss my automatic blinds and home. With a grumble, much too loud to be proper, I get out of bed and take a shower. I slide on a pair of trousers and a navy blouse before making a pot of coffee and finding Jane Eyre. When I step out onto the patio I huff into the already humid air. I sit down in the old rocking chair and take a sip of coffee before returning to my book.
A couple hours later I hear a knock at the door and leave my book on the table next to me. When I open the door my best friend stands before me. "Johanna!" A childish squeal and a smile erupt from me as I scamper out onto the porch and embrace my oldest friend.
"Oh I've missed you." Johanna hugs me tightly. "It's been much too long." She rubs my back soothingly.
"Yes it has." I release a heavy breath and relax into her embrace.
"Let me get a look at you," she says, pulling back but not releasing her hold on my hands. Her dark brown eyes scan my frame quickly.
"Still fit as a fiddle I see," she teases. I roll my eyes trying to hide my blush. "And somehow prettier than I remember. Time has served you well my friend." She smiles and it's all I can do not to scoff at her compliment.
"I wasn't in the best of shape the last time you saw me," I remind her gently.
"Ah, yes, that's true. But you look good now." She takes my face in her hands and looks me in the eye, "Tired… But good."
"And you look well." I gently pull her hands away from my face and hold them in my own.
"I am grateful the war is over and we have reached a time of peace. I can finally sleep at night." Johanna smiles and the joy emanating from her soul is a breath of fresh air.
"You and me both." We share a knowing smile and I invite her inside. We each take a glass of tea to the living room and sit on the couch.
"Are you enjoying your stay so far?"
I curl my feet up under me on the couch. "Yes. I forgot how quiet it is out here. And this cottage," I wave my hand through the air, "-is wonderful thank you so much for allowing me to use it."
Johanna smiles warmly, "It's no problem, this little cabin has been in need of some company for a while." I smile and take a drink of my tea.
Johanna has always been able to give life to everything - even buildings. I suppose her becoming the leader of Amity made perfect sense in that way. She was always able to see the best in people, in things, and had a knack for finding value in things that other's may have forgotten or tossed to the side.
We visit for a while and Johanna catches me up on all of the events going on in her life and at Amity. I fill her in on the events of the city, and some of the political issues I am trying to solve.
"I think it's great that you want to set up an organization like that. I know lots of people who would love to travel between the factions and help people," she says after I explain my newest endeavor to her.
"After the war I realized we needed some sort of response system. Not just disaster relief, but people who could go in and help rebuild communities. Voices, bodies, people who care about spreading peace throughout the different factions. I want everyone to be able to experience the different cultures and subcultures within the factions and even outside the wall. We can establish a more democratic government, build schools, and establish a free-trade economy. The only way we will be able to avoid another war is if we as a society realize we're not that different - we want a lot of the same things. And it's important that we emphasize that a faction doesn't have to define you - you can be whatever, whoever you choose to be."
Johanna smiles brightly at me and mockingly raises her glass to me in a toast.
"Oh stop." I laugh and shake my head.
"That," she tips her glass toward me, "Is the reason why you are the leader of Erudite." She takes a drink of tea, her smile never ceasing and I just laugh. "So Miss. World Peace, would you like something to eat," she asks already getting off the couch.
I chuckle at the nickname and follow after her. "I'm starving."
I reach for a loaf of bread to make a sandwich and Johanna bats my hand away. "Nu-uh! Sit yourself right back down. I'm making you lunch. It's not everyday my best friend comes to visit me you know," she says wagging her finger at me. I lift my hands in surrender and take a seat on the barstool at the edge of the kitchen. As I watch Johanna prepare lunch I am reminded at how nice it is to have things done for me, even if it's just something simple like making lunch.
"I guess it was it good." Johanna smirks when I have devoured my entire sandwich and she still has a third of her's left.
I blush, "Yes, very good. I apologize, I uh, I forgot to eat breakfast."
Johanna shakes her head, "Typical you - remembering everything but to take care of yourself." I give her a toothy grin and wash my plate in the sink. "So do you have any plans while you're here?"
I recall last night's events and the promise Tris and I had made. I try to hide my tight lipped smile and focus on the plate I'm drying. "Not really." My voice comes out far less convincing than I had intended.
Johanna remains silent and when I look up she is staring at me with tight, inquisitive eyes.
"What?" I feign ignorance, my blush already creeping up the back of my neck. Johanna eyes turn into small lines as she studies my face. Then they go wide in realization and I know I've been made.
"You've met someone!" She announces loudly and smacks her hand on the counter top.
"Shhh!" I hush her even though no one is around to hear us. A giggle erupts from my belly and my face goes pink. "Stop it," I hiss uselessly.
"Oh Jeanine! I'm so happy for you! Oh my gosh! Wait! Who is it? Is it someone from Erudite? … Oh my gosh is it someone from Amity?" Johanna's voice grows more and more excited. I hide my face behind the plate and start my head against it.
"Oh my gosh!" She drums the counter top with her hands and I nearly jump out of my skin. "You ain't even been here three days and you've already met someone. I mean, I know you're single and you're attractive, but dad gum girl - you move fast!"
"Shhh!" I hush her and put the plate down on the counter. "It's not like that." My cheeks are burning hotly and my hands are starting to shake. Johanna lifts her chin and looks at me suspiciously. "It's not," I say again, forcing my voice to me more even and calm. I lean forward resting my hips against the counter top.
She lowers her gaze and a mischievous grin slides over her lips. "Who is it," she whispers conspiratorially over the bar.
I chuckle and scratch at the back of my neck. "Just someone I met on the road," I say, deciding to leave it a mystery.
Johanna arches an eyebrow. "Seriously," Johanna deadpans, "That's the story you're going with?"
"Mmmhmmm," I nod my head and swallow hard. It's the truth, I did meet her on the road. We fall into silence for a moment and I'm unable to meet Johanna's gaze, my cheeks burn even hotter.
"You know better than to give a vague answer if you don't want me to ask more questions… So, did you meet this person on the way here?" Johanna raises her eyebrows in question.
I shake my head no and take her empty plate washing it in the sink. I can feel her eyes on me the entire time.
"Wait, is this a man we are talking about?"
"Well, I haven't exactly asked how she identifies, but I suppose the immediate answer is yes, she is female."
Johanna stares at me a moment before her lips purse together in a tight smile. "So you met her while you were here," she thinks aloud. I nod my head in confirmation and finish washing her plate. "And you met her on the road. I'm assuming you haven't gone too far from your cabin in the short time you've been here…."
I can tell she is having trouble putting the pieces together, but I give her the extra time and finish drying the plate.
Johanna huffs. "I need another hint here Jeanine."
I swallow the last of the tea in my glass and refill it, needing something to keep my hands busy. I know Johanna is going to support me, no matter how crazy I may sound. "She used to be a Dauntless soldier. Dark hair, very fit -"
"Ohhhhh… You met Tris." Johanna says putting the pieces together.
I turn around to face my friend and nod my head.
Johanna shakes her head, a grin glued to her lips.
"What are you shaking your head for?" I cross the kitchen and lean forward resting my hips against the countertop so we are only a few feet apart.
"She is a looker isn't she," Johanna teases.
"Yes, she is." I swallow hard and feel my cheeks warm as my mind recalls long tan legs, strong arms and dark brown eyes.
"You two couldn't be more opposite," Johanna says casually.
"What do you mean?"
She drops her chin and props her head up with her elbow on the bar. "Oh I love Tris, don't get me wrong. But that girl is a fireball. If somethin's on her mind - she's gonna say it. She's gonna do what she wants and she doesn't give a flip about what other people think. There's nothing politically correct with that one."
I nod my head and recall Tris' behavior last night. "She intrigues me." I shrug my shoulders.
Johanna grins. "I guess I'm not surprised. I've heard that opposites attract. Plus, you've always had a knack for picking out the people who are… Mmmm... How should I say it? … Different?" She smiles warmly.
I take a deep breath and stare down at my hands. "Well there's nothing there yet. I've only just met her. I'm intrigued is all."
"Okay. But still… For what it's worth, I think you may have met your match in Tris Prior. She's gotta lotta layers, just like someone else I know," Johanna leans in and waggles her eyebrows at me. I shake my head and try to hide my blush.
"I still remember the first time I met her," Johanna recalls. "She was this scrawny, wiry, girl with no home and barely anything but the clothes on her back." Johanna sorted and shook her head, "Wouldn't even let me feed her til I promised her she could pay me back."
"Did she?"
"The next mornin' when I woke up, she had fixed the wobbly handrail on my staircase, got the last step to stop creakin' and was workin' on the tractor," Johanna shook her head. "That was payment enough for me."
My lips spread into a smile. "Abnegation is in her blood."
"Mmmhmm," Johanna nodded. "She's a hard worker. I bet she works just as much as you if not more."
My eyebrows raise in surprise. "Do you think she works so hard because it helps her forget things?"
Johanna shrugs her shoulders. "Maybe, but you'll have to ask her that the next time you see her," Johanna teases.
I chuckle at my friend and bury my face in the crook of my elbow.
"I should be getting back." Johanna stands from the barstool, and I instantly wish we had more time.
"I understand." I give her a gentle smile, and we walk to the front door together. "Thank you for lunch, it was a lovely surprise." We step out on the front porch in the hot afternoon air.
"You'll have to come up to the house one evening and let me cook you dinner," Johanna offers.
"I'll be there," I promise.
"You could bring Tris," Johanna adds and waggles her eyebrows conspiratorially.
I roll my eyes and laugh, pulling her into a hug. "I've missed you my friend." I hug her tightly.
"I've missed you too Jeanine." She hugs me back and we stand there for a just a moment enjoying the familiarity that comes with being long-time friends. "Be good," she warns and smacks me playfully on the butt. We both release our hug, share a smile and then say goodbye.
When I return to my book my mind cannot focus on the story. I keep drifting off into thoughts about Tris, and everything Johanna had told me. Perhaps we are not that different, she and I...