And here's to chapter 8! I think y'all will appreciate this one ...
My eyes open at five thirty in the morning of their own accord. Marveling at how rare this is, I swing my legs over my bed and stand up hesitantly.
I flick on the light and am met, with sharp reality in the stark white light, my room. I cross my room to my window and look outside. I can't really see anything though. I can only see my face reflected in it.
What I see in the reflection is an undeveloped teenage girl with long brown hair and almond-shaped gray-green eyes staring back at me. She is wearing Spandex and a gym shirt, and her hair is tousled to a point where the word "dignified" is no longer a word anymore.
I turn away from my hopeless self and walk into my bathroom. I shower quickly, letting the steaming-hot water run down my back luxuriously.
Then I remember the hospital, and the dreams, and suddenly I don't feel like relaxing anymore. I step out of the shower and dry myself in a fluffy white towel.
I perform my morning routine – brushing my teeth, brushing my hair, putting on moisturizer – and then I exit the bathroom and look for an outfit to wear.
I decide on stylish calf-length jeans and a fire-colored tank top with "Taylor Swift" in bold letters dashed across it. I usually never wear those kinds of shirts – the color, style, and promotion of T-Swift is not exactly my type - but I feel like no one at Roth High cares what I wear. They only care about my attitude. So even though the shirt is childish, I put it on and shift it so people can see my bra straps. They can at least know that I have something worth hiding under this loose-fitting tank top. Then I go into the bathroom again and apply deodorant, then my makeup – again, just some lip gloss, nude-colored eye shadow, and mascara.
Then I shove my feet into my typical cowboy boots and head downstairs.
It's odd. Whenever I wake up, Caleb's always already up, sitting at the kitchen counter, book in hand. It's disturbing. I could wake up at three in the morning and he'd be sitting there when I came down.
I clop downstairs with my iPhone, earbuds, and house keys in my hand. I had forgotten my house keys the first day of school, but luckily I had never needed them. Mom and Dad always left two pairs of house keys next to the microwave, in case we needed them when we went out someplace.
As always, Caleb's sitting at the table reading a book. My first instinct is to lash out at him, grab his book, dump it in the sink, and order him to make me breakfast.
Then I remember my dreams and take a deep breath. Controlling myself and shaking a bit, I walk over to where we keep the toast and I make my own breakfast.
I butter my bread and spread some yummy peach jam with chia seeds all over, then add raspberries to the side of my plate and pour myself a rich glass of chocolate milk.
I sit down at the table across from Caleb with my food. Caleb, who hasn't noticed me yet apparently, says wearily, "Sure, Tris, I'll make your toast in a moment. Just wait a sec."
My eyebrows come together. "Caleb," I say in what I hope is a friendly tone, "Caleb, I made my own breakfast."
He raises his head from his book in surprise. "Really, Tris? Thanks," he says with genuine pleasure and surprise. I smile a little at him.
"Caleb, what do you eat for breakfast?" I ask, trying to sound casual.
"Usually, I eat Special K cereal, no nuts, with cherry yogurt and a decaf coffee. Why do you want to know?" he asks absent-mindedly, returning to his book.
I smile. I had had no interest previously in what Caleb ate for breakfast, but now I do. "Oh, no reason. Be right back."
Part of my brain screaming at myself for doing this, I go on top of the fridge and get Special K cereal. Hiding what I'm doing from Caleb, I create his cereal mix and make some coffee with a noiseless coffeemaker. Then I set it all down in front of him.
"There you go, Caleb," I say in a friendly tone. He glances up, sees what I've done for him, and breaks out in a huge smile.
"Tris! Oh my gosh, thanks!" he says happily and digs into his meal. "Wow, this is delicious! How can I repay you?"
I brace myself. "Don't let me push you around like I've done for the past years," I say, forcing a smile. "I – I'm sorry, Caleb. I haven't been a good enough sister to you. Will you forgive me?" I almost choke on the last words. This is so unlike the old me.
He stands up and gazes at me joyfully. "Tris – I always knew you were this person. This kind, selfless, brave, intelligent, honest (ha ha ha, get it?) girl with a heart of gold inside your crusty, snappy outside. C'mere, sis." He spreads his arms wide, and tentatively I step into them and gingerly embrace him.
"Oh, Caleb. What have I turned myself into?" I whisper, tears forming at the corners of my eyes. "I'm sorry."
He strokes my hair and I relax, dissolving the – as Caleb called it – "crusty, snappy" layers outside, until all that's left is a poor, lanky girl with a tender, raw new skin.
He hugs me tighter, than releases me. "Couldn't wait for my breakfast," he chuckles, and we sit down across from each other.
But suddenly, Caleb moves his food and scooches his butt over to sit next to me. We hold hands with the hands we are not using to eat.
Then Mom comes in.
She does a double take at us sitting next to each other, holding hands, smiling, and eating delicious breakfasts.
"Well, kids, what happened here?" she asks curiously, gesturing to our joined hands. I smile a little, and Caleb answers, "Tris has changed a little bit, Mom."
Mom smiles and crosses the room to hug me. I inhale her scent, which is lemon and cream from her perfume. "My baby is back," she murmurs in my ear, so Caleb can't hear.
I shake her off playfully. "Oh, Mom. Just because I'm a teensie bit nicer, it doesn't mean I want to be babied," I tease.
She laughs and makes herself breakfast. Then we all sit down together and catch up on years' worth of fun, laughter, and stories.
And then it's time for school.
And bam. Tris has recovered herself for her family. But not yet for Four and the others ... *winks devilishly* I have a feeling Tris is still not going to be very nice to them. Just gotta read more, then, right? Please review, folks! I'm getting some more, but I'd really prefer a whole bunch, okey-dokey?
Be brave.
