Hola. So sorry about las night's/this morning's author's note, I was half asleep and rambling like non other (which honestly is just me most of the time) but here's the next chapter, I'll try to get my other story updated today or tomorrow butI'm drowning in work so getting an A in pharmacology takes priority over writing andRowan and Aelin bangity banging, even though we both know which i would rather be doing. Feel free to leave me a review, favourite or follow because they all mean the world to me. I hope you enjoy this lil fluffy chapter.
(Tris)
Cold water splashes my face and hands, dripping down and swirling with water in the basin, Eric's blood tainting it a light shade of pink. Once the water coming off me runs back down clear, I raise my head. I try to force my eyes up to look in the mirror, but they continue to watch the water. The pinkish liquid ripples under the tears that roll down my chin. That's weird. I didn't think I was crying.
Before I can get too deep into thought, I pull to plug and watch the evidence of tonight's events mix together and seep into the drain. Out of sight. I can still hear Tobias growling outside, so I decide to let him cool off. I step out of my shoes and peel off my jeans and shirt. I didn't realize they were clinging so tightly to me, damp with sweat and stained with Eric's blood in some places. I step into the shower and turn on the water.
The thing about dauntless apartments is you can tell you're underground, with almost everything being carved into the solid stone we call home, but in the right setting, you can draw the warmth and comfort from the earth. Protection. The stone under my feet turns from pale grey to black while the water splashes it. I press my palm to the glass panel to raise the temperature, letting the water scald me. Breathe in, breathe out. Reach for the soap that smells like Tobias. Breathe in, breathe out. Take in the steam rising up like a blanket around me. Breathe in, breathe out. I'm not really aware of what I'm doing, but my body doesn't seem to mind all that much. Each movement comes after the next, and the next thing I know I'm standing with my back pressed against the cooling glass, wrapped in a towel.
Aw crap. I never changed into pyjamas when I got back to the dormitories, too exhausted I guess. But that means all I'm left to sleep in is a sweaty T-shirt and some jeans. I know Tobias wouldn't let me do that so I don't even bother trying to ease them back on. I pace up and down the bathroom, trying to think of a solution. Movement catches my eye, and I turn, not sure what I'm expecting to see. I stare face to face with a girl who looks exactly like me. But different. Her eyes look darker, not tired, but as if they've been haunted, seen pain. Her muscles are more defined, making her scrawny build pass for athletic. I press my hand to hers, my fingers touching nothing but a barrier, each finger creating a little steam mark on the glass. I take a deep breath, wrap my towel tightly around me and turn away from the mirror.
Peaking my head out of the door, I watch Tobias. His face remains tense, his eyes trained on the ground introns of hi as he paces back and forth. He's not foaming at the mouth anymore, but he's still pissed. I clear my throat and he looks up. He looks confused for a millisecond but then a joking smile tugs at his lips. "I don't know about you, but when I stay the night at someone's place I'm at least polite enough to wear clothes." He says while trying to keep a straight face. When I look at him expectantly he breaks, showing off his lopsided grin.
"Second drawer from the top" he points to his dresser and walks away, going into the kitchen and giving me some privacy.
(Tobias)
I hear the familiar click as the kitchen sorry swings shut behind me. I grip the kitchen counter as hard as I can, trying not to shout in frustration. Tris is pushing herself, and I know it. I just hope it isn't only for me. Watching that footage tonight... It was too much. I nearly stormed out to the infirmary to kill Eric, but thought better of it in case Tris needed me.
I count to ten, with each number I exhale for as long as I can, then go get two glasses out of the cabinet. The hinges creak while I open it, and then I'm drowned into the silence. Robotically, I fill the glasses with water, taking time to make sure they are perfectly even. Balancing them in one hand, I knock on the door that lead back into "come in" Tris squeaks. I push the door open and stop immediately. Tris lies at the foot of my bed on her stomach,facing away from me. Her ankles cross and I look and and see she's reading one of the few books I have in my place. But that's not what made me stop. Tris's figure is only covered by one of my T-shirts, the fabric ending midway down her thigh. This is the most Tris has ever let me see, so I waste no time and drink it all in.
I don't know how long I've been standing there, lost in her beauty, when she finally turns around, she grins ear to ear. This was obviously the reaction she was hoping for. I'm still in shock, so I set the waters on the nearest surface, and excuse myself. "I'm... Uh... Im gunna go brush my teeth." I mumble out. As I walk to the bathroom my eyes never leave hers and she grins devilishly. The moment the door shuts behind me, I lean into it and sink to the ground, hands in my hair. Woah.
(Tris)
Tobias closes the door quickly, muffling the immediate "thump" I assume to be slumping into it. I can't hold back the delight anymore so I roll around in victory, stretching my arms above my head, calming myself down. The sheets beneath me are warm and soft, full of life , and with every little movement, they release I little bit of his scent. I lose myself, pressing my face into deeper into the sheets, inhaling deeply, drinking in the moment. Tobias had seen me, in only my lace boy shorts (I will give Chris props just this once) and his shirt, and didn't seem disappointed, more surprised than anything.
Then it hits me. What if no more than a month ago, before my initiation, was there just another girl lying here? What if it was her who had slept with him, giving themselves completely to my Tobias. They could give him what I can't. Whipping my head up from the covers, I gasp for air, suffocated, but my lungs are only met with icy shards. My knees find their way up into my chest, met by my face. Somehow, they stay completely still, no rise and fall of my chest to affect them, and their tops are cold from the wet tears now flowing onto them.