Chapter 7

Tris

I wake up before the alarm goes off. It's 6.38 am. I'm suppose to meet Tobias in the training room to practice today, but I'm not sure if I should go. Maybe he thinks that I won't and stay home. I decide to eat breakfast in my apartment. I don't feel like seeing anyone right now.I open the refrigerator to see what I have. I find an apple, a leftover sandwich and some dauntless cake. That'll do. I eat slowly. If Tobias is there, I wonder what he'll say to me. Will he even speak to me? Or will he be Four the instructor who I got to meet first. I hope not. I always found him a bit unpleasant.

After breakfast I get dressed. I choose a pair of black work out pants and a black t-shirt. I pull my hair back in a ponytail and put on my boots. I've had the same ones since I came here. I can't believe how long it's been. It feels like I haven't seen my family in ages. I miss them, but it's easier if don't think about home. Faction before blood right? It helps to know that I will see them again. I know I will.I grab my jacket and walk toward the training room at 07.50. Tobias isn't there. I know he's almost never late so I decide to wait a he's not coming. I walk over to the targets and pick up a knife. I throw it and it hits the center of the targets head, exactly where it was supposed to.

"Nice shot," someone says behind me. I turn around. Tobias stands in the doorway.

"Thanks."

He closes the door and walk toward me. "Where do you wanna start?" He says, and grabs a knife from the table. He seems different. Uncomfortable.

I clear my throat. "Well I don't know. You're the teacher. Teach me something."

I see something that looks like a smile on his face. "Okay, we'll start with fighting."

He shows me the basics, which I already know. I'm guessing it's training policy. We stand there for what seems like hours practicing.

"I'm going to go grab us some lunch," he finally says.

"I can come with you."

"No it's fine. You keep working. I'll be right back."

Then he leaves and I'm alone. I practice against the punching bag. He hasn't mentioned us yet, our situation and I wonder if I should. It's up to me to make the next move. I know that. After a few minutes he comes back with two muffins in his hands. He hands me a blueberry one.

"Thanks," I say and take a bite. "What's next?"

"Well, it's time for some real fighting."

I laugh, but immediately stop when I see his face. "Wait. You're serious. Against who?"

"Me." His words shock me.

"I'm not gonna fight you Tobias?" I say laughing nervously.

He raises his eyebrows. "Why not?"

"Because I will loose within seconds. I can't beat you," I say frowning.

"We won't really fight. I'll work you through it. It's better than a punching bag."

That is however true. A punching bag is no threat. It doesn't fight back. "Fine," I say eventually. "Let's do it then." I walk over to the arena and Tobias follows.

Tobias

She walks into the ring and put up her fists to cover her face. I try to hide my grin. "What?" She says looking confused.

"We're not going to fight Tris. I'm gonna walk you through it, like I said."

"Oh, alright then." Her hands fall to her sides.

I walk into the ring and stand in front of her. "On second thoughts. You walk it through me."

"I can't do that. I don't know how."

"Just tell me what you would do first."

She stares at me for a while. She bites her lip, like she's trying to figure out her first move. "Well, I would punch you in the jaw. Then I'd hit you in the gut and then kick you to the ground."

"Okay, do it."

She doesn't seem surprised anymore. She must know I won't let her hit me. She swings her fist at my face, but I grab it instead and twist her arm so she falls to the ground. I put my arm over her chest to keep her down.

"I thought you said you'd walk me through it."

"That was showing you that if you miss the jaw you need to have a plan B. Which you clearly didn't have."

"Well, you caught me off guard. Let's do it again."

I stand up and offer her my hand. She doesn't take it. When we're both standing, she swings her fist again I allow her to hit me. She kicks my knee, which makes me loose balance, and then she punches my gut so I fall on my back hitting the ground. She sits on top of me with one leg on each side of my body and holds my arms to the floor. She grins. "I always have a plan B."

"Oh yeah?" I bring up my knees to strike her back. She falls forward, letting go of my wrists, and I roll on top of her instead. I capture her arms with my hands. Now I'm in control. I'm stronger than she is so when she tries to fight back, she fails.

I smirk at her. "How's that plan B working out for you?"

"Okay fine. You win."

"Indeed."

I won, but I don't let go of her. Her smile fades. She knows what I'm thinking. I don't want to let her go.

"Tobias…" she says, her voice so low I can only hear her since we're so close. I know what she's thinking too. She wants the same thing, but she's scared. I can see that in her eyes. She's asking for help and I want to help her, but I can't. I want her and she wants me, and I won't deny what. I lean in to kiss her, but she looks away.

"Tris…" I gently wrap my fingers around her chin. "It's okay." I look into her eyes. She needs to know that there is nothing to be afraid of and that it's okay to want this. I gently press my lips against hers, and to my surprise, she kisses me back. I pull back a little, but she grabs my neck and kisses me again. Firmly.

See ya'll soon. Be brave! -s