Disclaimer: I do NOT own the rights to Divergent. That honor belongs to Veronica Roth.
Tris POV
I was trying to forget about the events that took place yesterday with Max. Tobias' comment just reassured me that they, in fact, did happen.
I give Tobias' hand a tight squeeze before we enter the cafeteria. He squeezes back and gives me a small smile.
We get our breakfast. It consists of some kind of chocolate cereal, a muffin, and orange juice. We make our way to the table that Christina and Will are already seated at. I feel the stares on us as Tobias sits next to me.
"No offense, but it is definitely going to take some time to get used to hanging around you as a friend instead of an instructor," Christina tells Tobias.
I see him slightly smile in amusement in my peripheral vision. I am sure he still likes to be seen as unapproachable.
"How are you Tris?" I tense up when I hear Will ask me the question.
I still feel anger towards him for not believing me when I told him I didn't "sleep" my way up the ranks. He still hasn't even apologized for what he said to me. I don't know if we will ever be as close as we once were. I need to try to get along with him for Christina's sake.
"I'm fine," I say a little too harshly. A hurt look appears on Will's face. Tobias gives my hand another squeeze.
"Listen Tris," Will looks pleadingly at me, "Four told us what happened with Max last night. I am sorry that I ever doubted you. I should have had more faith in you."
Just as he was finishing his sentence Uriah, Zeke, Shauna, Marlene, and Lynn join us at the table.
"Erudites don't believe in faith. It is illogical," Zeke says wagging his finger at Will. Everyone at our table laughs. Everyone, except for Will and me.
I give Will a smile. I hope it was enough to show that we might be able to mend our friendship. Someday. He gives me a weak smile back. He must realize that it is going to take more than a simple apology to make this better.
"So, who is coming over to my place tonight?" Zeke says after the laughter has died down.
Uriah speaks up first, "I'll be there. I'm not missing a good game of Candor and Dauntless."
"Me too," squeals Marlene and Shauna in unison.
Christina looks questioningly at Will and he nods to show that they will be going.
"I guess so," shrugs Lynn sounding bored.
Tobias speaks next, "Tris and I will be there." I look at him and he smiles. "Can't miss out on your first party as a true Dauntless."
Curiosity takes me over, "What is 'Candor or Dauntless'?"
Tobias and my Dauntless-born friends laugh. Uriah answers, "Truth or dare. If you chose not to do what you are asked then you remove a piece of clothing. Also, socks and shoes don't count! We aren't pansycakes!"
Almost in unison Marlene, Lynn, Shauna, and Zeke throw their muffins at Uriah. We burst into laughter.
Uriah picks up one of the discarded muffins and takes a bite, "MMM…, I knew it would be a good idea to say that." Again we fall into a fit of laughter.
Tobias looks at his watch, "Time for everyone to pick their jobs and get their assigned apartments."
We stand up and walk as a group towards the pit where we will do our choosing before the entire faction.
Once we arrive, the crowd that has already gathered parts for us to make our way to the podium that Max stands on. Tobias, Shauna, and Zeke separate from us to watch with the crowd.
Next to the podium stands Peter. I am still upset with myself for not expecting Peter to try to attack me yesterday. I will expect that of him from now on.
Peter tries to shift his weight from one foot to the other and I see him wince. I smile, it is nice to see him in pain. Lynn hasn't always been nice to me nor I to her but I will have to remember to thank her for yesterday.
"Welcome to Dauntless," Max says. I am sure his eyes linger on me longer than anyone else. "Today our new members will choose their careers. Tris you were ranked first so you get to choose first." He points to the large board behind him with available jobs.
"Cheater," Peter pretends to cough out. I see some of the members nod in agreement. Max glares at Peter and he straightens up.
"To address the concerns of her ranking, the Candor truth serum declared it to be accurate," Max tells the crowd.
I shiver at the mention of the truth serum interrogation.
I scan over the board. Good no leader jobs for Peter to pick. "I would like to be an ambassador to the factions." I would have liked to have told him I want to work in the control rooms where Tobias works but I don't know the first thing about computers.
Uriah picks next. He chooses to be a Dauntless guard inside of the compound. Lynn and Peter also choose this position. Marlene has chosen to work in the infirmary. When we look at her she claims to enjoy other people's pain. Will chose the control rooms with Tobias and Zeke. I think it is a way for him to stay in touch with his Erudite side. Christina chooses to work in her favorite clothing store. I am willing to bet she does more shopping than actual work. The remaining Dauntless are without a choice and are assigned to guard the fence.
Christina leans over to me and whispers, "Do you think he would let us share an apartment? You know, if you want to."
I smile in response to her question. She returns my smile. I might be subjected to endless dress up sessions but I don't want to stay alone.
"Okay, time to assign apartments," Max yells over the loud crowd. "Tris, your apart-…"
I cut him off before he can finish, "Is it possible to share an apartment with someone?"
Max gives me a hard stare. I catch a glimpse of Tobias' face, he looks confused.
"You want to move in with your b-.."
I know what he is about to say so I cut him off again, "My best friend, Christina."
"Oh," he pauses, "I suppose that can be arranged." Another Dauntless man steps up to the podium and says something to Max. "Okay, Tris and Christina, you will be in apartment 22D."
I see a grin spread across Tobias' face and try to think of where that apartment is located…the same hall as Tobias! In fact, we all end up in that hall. This will be interesting, I think to myself. Unfortunately, Peter will be in that hall too.
"Also, new changes this year," Max says, "Those in the top two positions have the right to decide if they want to train the new initiates next year. Do you accept?" Uriah and I nod. "You can each choose someone to help train them."
Max announces to the crowd that the choosing is over and to enjoy the rest of the day off. Tomorrow we begin our careers.
Tobias comes up behind me, making my jump as he puts his arms around my waist. I turn in his arms, giggling, and give him a quick kiss.
"Want to go back to my place until it is time for Zeke's party?" Tobias asks raising his eyebrows.
"Only if you promise to help me move my things into my apartment later," I say teasingly.
He tries to make it seem like I asked an awful lot of him. "I suppose," he huffs. We laugh and head off to his apartment.
