First of all, I would like to thank EVERYONE for INCREDIBLE patience while I wait around forever to post something. I admit, I had a LOT of writer's block with this chapter, but I didn't want to just write something down to make the chapter as long as the others. Yes, school played a part in the delay, but I also didn't want you to wait around for so long to read a bunch of fillers. There is FourTriss fluff in here, and even a lead-in to some Al drama. Also, the song in Chapter 7 was "Begin Again", by Taylor Swift. If you read over it again, there is a part in the car where Tris goes, "his head back, laughing like a little kid" this is part of a line from this song. For future reference, and I know I sound like a broken record XD, the song references will be actual lines from the song. There is no song reference in this chapter, as I want the references to sort of connect in some way with that chapter of the story. ILYSM guys! Thanks for your patience, and I'll make you all happy knowing that chapter 9 is already almost finished! That being said, to the story we go!
Four POV:
"No way! He bucked him 5 feet into the air?!" I laughed, my eyes tearing up.
Tris laughed beside me, tears in her eyes as well. "Yep! Caleb was so shocked, he just sat there! I had to go in and make sure Pony didn't run him over!"
We were in her room, our abandoned art project spread across the floor in front of us as we joked around, her telling me funny stories about her life in Texas. The current tale was of Caleb, trying to man up enough to ride their fiercest bull, Pony, who was known for charging after his riders.
"How did you stop him?!"
She laughed. "I was on Bruiser! He was so sweet as soon as he knew you were on him for fun. He's like no bull I've ever met! And Pony was fierce, but not nearly as big as Bruiser. Bruiser was a giant, even by bull standards. Here, stand up."
I followed her instructions, grinning at the light in her eyes. She looked me up and down for a moment. "How tall are you?"
"6.3" I answered, fighting to hide a proud smile as her eyes widened.
"Geez! What? How?" she pouted. "And here I am at 5.6." she gave me a calculating look, and put her hand on my chest, still thinking.
I tried not to stiffen at the contact, nervous now.
She gave a light laugh. "Calm down Four, I'm not gonna take your shirt off."
I quirked an eyebrow at her. "You sure?"
She shook her head, chuckling. Her hand made it's way up to my chin, and then she hesitated. "Um… he would be a little higher than this on you." She said, smiling uncomfortably.
I chuckled and pointed to her lips. "You mean here?"
She grinned and made a snapping bite motion with her mouth, at which I yanked my hand away, scowling playfully. She answered by sticking her tongue out.
"So you were ok with touching my abs, but my lips are off limits?" I teased.
She gave me an evil look. "I don't remember touching any abs."
I opened my mouth in mock-offense. "That's just cruel Tris. I guess I have to work out more." I finished the last part sadly, hoping to trick her. I couldn't help it, it was just so cute when her cheeks flushed pink and she stumbled over her words. I guess I'm not the expert actor though, because she just rolled her eyes.
"Very funny Four- T. We both know I'm joking."
I smirked. "So… I have abs?"
"Ugh!" she threw her hands up in the air, laughing as she sat down. "I'm just gonna stop talking."
"No!" I said as I followed her actions, pulling her arms down with a chuckle. "I like the stories! Tell me more about Texas!"
She gave me a resistant look, but sighed with a small smile. "What more do you want to know?"
I grinned, and asked a question that had been bugging me. "Why did you call him Pony?"
She let out a laugh. "Oh! That's a funny story. When he was calf, he had a strange connection to this pony we had, named Ranger. It started when he was first let out to introduce him to the horses. We tried our best to have all of the bulls and cattle respect the horses as authority figures, so they would be easier to herd. Anyway, he was a particularly feisty calf, and tried to headbutt all of the horses. We never did get him to respect them that much… except Ranger. Ranger was the sweetest pony in the world, but he had definite decisions about where he would go and what he would do there, even when you rode him. So, when Pony charged at Ranger, instead of shying away, Ranger turned and aimed a kick that landed directly on the hard, lowered part of his head. Pony was sent into the dust, dazed. When he got up, he had more than respect for Ranger. It was like he was following his dad around. Before we left, we saw them cuddling in a field." she laughed. "It was so weird! He's so much bigger than Ranger, but the second Ranger would give him a glare, he backed off like a kicked puppy!"
I laughed at the thought of it. "That's so weird! I didn't know animals could keep stuff with them like that!" I said in fascination.
She smiled at me, a knowing twinkle in her eyes. "Of course they can. They can become emotionally attached, or become isolated depending on events of their lives. They can have traumatic experiences just like us, and be frightened with things they associate with those the same way we can. I like to think of them as purer versions of people." she said.
"Why purer?" I asked.
"No animal, unless it has a psychological issue, would ever set out to purposely hurt anyone unless it was in self defense, protection of those close to it, or to survive. Like when bears fight for food, or walruses fight for territory. They only hurt if they feel threatened in some way, and once the threat is gone, they stop." her voice is quiet now, and I knew she was thinking of the comments on her instagram.
I scooted closer to her. "I don't think people hurt other people unless they have issues either."
She snorted. "Some people are just sick. And some people tell the truth in the most harmful way possible." she looked down.
I shook my head. "I think that's the same thing as lying." I said, placing a finger under her chin and bringing her to face me. "And some people are just wrong." I fought the desperate urge to kiss her, she was so close…
She kissed me on the cheek, ducking her head next to mine so quick that I almost missed it, but the scent of her hair lingered around me, and the soft imprint she left on my skin tingled. "Thank you." she said softly, meeting my eyes for a second but then ducking again, blushing.
I smiled, feeling slightly giddy at her actions, as girly as it sounds. "Thank you."
She rolled her eyes, punching my shoulder. "Weirdo." she murmured with a shy smile.
I grinned. "So… wanna work on our project?" I suggested half-heartedly. We had already finished all of our other homework a while ago, and it was 6:30 now.
She let out a drawn-out groan. "Nooooooo."
I chuckled. "Well, we can procrastinate a little. What do you want to do instead?"
She looked up, happy at my easy agreement to not work. "Uhhh… a… game…?" she suggested in more of a question than an answer.
I grinned. "Ok, what games do you have?"
She thought for a moment, her forehead creasing slightly between her eyebrows adorably. Then, they shot up and she grinned. "Wait here!" she said happily as she scrambled up from the floor, shooting out of the room.
I grinned at her crazy actions, and checked my phone idly, only to see 12 messages from Zeke, and 7 from Uriah.
Zeke- Wadup?
Zeke- I'm bored, wanna hang?
Zeke- Dude, where u at?
Zeke- Four r you ded?
Zeke- Seriously bro I have nothing to do
Zeke- Christina and Shauna say they can't contact Tris, do u kno where she is?
Zeke- Uriah wants to know y u aren't answering him
Zeke- dude the girls think Tris may be in trouble
Zeke- I told Uri you won't answer him cuz he's stupid
Zeke- are you with Tris?
Zeke- HOLY SHIT! R U 2 DOING IT?!
Zeke- nice job bud! (I won't tell the girls)
Me- DUDE! way to spam! and yes, I'm with Tris, no, I'm not with her like that! wtf bro, we r doing homework
I shook my head at his texts, cringing at the last two. Then I went and checked the texts from Uri.
Uri- HIIIIIII
Uri- wassup my man?!
Uri- FOURRRRRRRRR
Uri- I am sad
Uri- Zeke says I'm stupid
Uri- Zeke says ur not answering anyone
Uri- OMFG UR FUCKING TRIS!
Me- i. am. NOT! and you are stupid. ask Zeke what I'm doing.
I chuckled at Uriah's weirdness, and then looked up to see Tris zooming into the room, the top of her head just visible over the pile of slightly squashed boxes. My eyes widened in surprise at her sudden entrance.
"...Hi?"
"Hey Fouwoah!" she exclaimed as she tripped over a blanket on the floor.
Without thinking, I leapt up from my seat on the floor to catch her, bracing her arms over mine. I stood her up slowly. "You ok?" I asked with a small smile.
She stood, using my arms as leverage. "Yeah… thanks." she gave me a smile, removing her arms from mine.
I chuckled at her red cheeks, and looked down at the boxes splayed across the floor.
"Oops." she muttered, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
I smiled. "Games." I realized aloud, seeing that the boxes were various games.
"Yep! All the way from Texas!" she laughed, throwing in a southern accent.
I laughed, shaking my head. "You're officially a game hoarder. Why all the board games?"
She grinned. "My dad is a big fan ever since… well, for a while now." she said, her smile faltering a bit.
I decided not to press, and grinned. "Well watcha got?"
"Ugh! Tris groaned as she rolled another 6. "I'm bored!"
I smiled, chuckling. "What? Candyland isn't as exciting as you hoped?" I joked.
She gave me a mocking glare. "Ha. Ha. Well you don't have any ideas."
I grinned. "Well…"
her face brightened instantly. "What?! Whatcha got?" she asked, repeating my words from earlier.
I gave her an evil smile. "Truth or dare."
She straightened up, her eyes shining happily. "Dare!" she exclaimed.
I grinned. "Ask out Uriah." I answered immediately.
She gaped at me. "W-what?! No!" she shouted, throwing a pillow at me. "He likes Mar! She would kill me."
I shrugged. "I guess you're chicken then."
She narrowed her eyes at me. "Alright. Fine. But you're gonna pay if he says yes."
I laughed. "Don't worry, he's head-over-heels for Marlene."
She smiled. "Okay, good. Maybe if he says no, I'll just ask out Al instead." she said nonchalantly as she typed a message to Uriah on her phone.
Now it was my turn to gape. "Wha- No!" I shouted without thinking.
She raised an eyebrow at me. "I was joking T." she chuckled.
I cleared my throat. "Not funny." I muttered.
She let out a laugh at my response, but burst into full-out hysterics when she looked at her phone. "Ohmygod! Oh Uriah!" she laughed, wiping her eyes.
I laughed at her explosion. "What?!" I reached for her phone, which she gave to me. I began laughing too, cracking up with her at the message.
Tris- Hey baby, I know you want me. Wanna go out and get some of this sweet ass?
Tris- C'mon you rascal. You can't resist this.
Uriah- Lauren how did you get Tris's phone? And can u quit?
Tris- Babe this is Trissy-poo, your one and only boo-boo bear. I want to go on a date with you. What do you say?
Uriah- Is this really Tris?
Tris- Yeah hon
Uriah- Then I say to fucking stop playing Truth or Dare with Four!
When I finally calmed down, I typed in a quick response.
Tris- No I'm not, I'm out to kill you. -Four (daysleft)
Tris laughed at the response before putting her phone back in her pocket. "Okay, truth or dare T?"
"Uh… truth." I said hesitantly.
"Okay… hmm…" she narrowed her eyes thoughtfully.
I grinned at her expression, loving how her dark eye lashes framed her squinted blue eyes.
"What?" she asked, startling me.
"Uh… nothing!" I said, hoping I didn't sound guilty.
She laughed lightly, shaking her head. "Okay, well then, who do you like?"
I jerked my head up. "What?!"
She rolled her eyes. "It's not that uncommon of a question, T! And I'm a good secret keeper!" she grinned.
I opened my mouth, but no words came out. How are you supposed to say that you like her?! I asked myself. I could tell her, but then I risked losing our friendship. Not to mention being rejected. She has Al and Peter on her tail, and though she expressed her hatred for the latter, she seems rather fond of the former. Bastard. I cursed him silently. Finally, I shook my head. "Nope. Sorry Trissy, but I won't answer that."
She scoffed, but her eyes still sparkled, so I knew she wasn't really mad.
"Alright, then at least tell me if you like anyone."
I chuckled, nodding. "Fine. I do, okay? But don't tell anyone!"
She bounced her eyebrows suggestively. "Does Four have a little crush?" she teased.
I rolled my eyes. "Yes, he does." More than just a crush. "And don't call me that."
She sighed. "But I don't like calling you a letter, it's barely a name. A number is bad enough!" she exclaimed.
I chuckled. "Fine, but try not to call me anything then, okay?"
She nodded, but tilted her head. "Why don't you like me calling you Four anyway? Not to be invasive!" she said hurriedly, holding up her hands in defense. "It's just… you came up with the nickname for a reason, right?" she asked.
I narrowed my eyes at her. "How do you know I came up with it."
She shrugged. "You seem like you're hiding. I don't know why, or what from, but you're hiding." she said, her eyes softening.
I stiffened for a moment, almost mistaking it for pity, but realized it was care in her eyes. "You… may be right." I admitted with a small smile.
She returned it, and then closed her eyes as she ran a hand threw her hair. When she opened them, they were excited again. "So why do you like her?!"
I laughed. "Well… she's very beautiful, and she has such an amazing attitude. She's determined and brave and she doesn't even know it."
Tris stared at me with focused eyes, and I tensed. Does she know? I thought frantically. Then she sighed.
"She sounds… perfect." Tris said, almost sadly.
I tilted my head as I wondered, yet again, if she felt the same way for me. How could she? I remembered. "She is." I said with a small smile, not sure if I wanted her to get it or not.
She gave me a small smile in return, and poked my arm with a laugh. Whether it was real or not though, I wasn't sure. "Well once you pluck up the courage to ask her out, I've gotta meet said girl!" she grinned.
I smirked. "Yeah, I think you two would get along great." I chuckled. "Wait," I realized. "What makes you think she'd say yes?"
She looked at me with a confounded expression. "Well, why wouldn't she?"
I rolled my eyes. I know I'm not ugly, but I hope that's not all that Tris sees. "Maybe said girl can see deeper than my appearance." I muttered.
Tris tilted her head, smiling slightly. "The question still stands."
I chuckled and shook my head. "You're way too nice."
She grinned. "Only for you!"
I chuckled, shaking my head slightly. "I feel so special."
"You should. I'm not a very nice person." she grinned, but a flash of truth was in her eyes, and I wondered yet again of her secrets and her past. The things this girl does to me. I thought with a half-smile.
"Tris?" a voice called from downstairs.
Tris flinched up, eyes wide. A second later she calmed herself. "Shit." she muttered.
"Tris who's up there with you?" I now recognized the voice of her brother, and heard footsteps on the stairs.
"Uh, no one!" she called back, quickly turning to me.
"Hide in the… bathroom!" she whispered, shoving me towards the door.
I chuckled at her frantic movements but obeyed, stumbling into her small bathroom with her close behind. She shut the door just as her bedroom door opened. "Tris? Why, or who, are you hiding?!" Caleb was closer to yelling now, and Tris rolled her eyes.
"I'm hiding because I'm naked dumb-ass, I was changing to shower." she snapped.
I suddenly realized how small the bathroom was with two people in it, and began to feel claustrophobic. I sucked in a breath and let it out slowly, hoping that would help.
"I don't believe you." came the arrogant reply.
"And why is that?" she sassed him.
"I don't hear any water running." he said.
Tris sighed. "I just got in here, can't you just…" she trailed off, noticing my tensed stance. "Are you okay?" she whispered.
I nodded sharply, ignoring the walls closing in.
"Tris!" Caleb said impatiently.
"Oh shut up!" she yelled back, turning to me a second after. "What's wrong?" she demanded under her breath.
I sighed, knowing I would give in to her pleads eventually. "I'm a little… claustrophobic." I said, uncertain if she would take it as an insult to the size of her home.
Of course, that probably didn't even cross her mind, as her eyes filled with guilt. "Oh I'm so sorry!" she whispered, looking back at the door with a contemplating look on her face.
I could practically read her mind. "Tris, don't, I'm fine. He'll go away eventually and I don't want you in trouble."
"Tris!" her brother knocked on the door.
She shook her head. "I'm not going to trap you in here for my sake. Besides, what's one more scolding from him?" she laughed quietly.
"What are you laughing at?!" her brother shouted.
At that, she stomped over to the door and slammed it open, glaring daggers at him. "You." she spat.
He was preoccupied though, by taking in the fact that I was here. A second later he was full of rage. "TRIS! What- Who is this?! I can't believe you would be so stupid to bring a boy into your bedroom!" he yelled.
She gave him a tight smile. "You are so right, you should probably leave."
He glared down at her. "Y'know, if you were a boy you would have a black eye by now." he growled. "Luckily, there is a boy I can give one to." his angry gaze turned to me. "Who do you think you are? Coming into my house, into my little sister's room?"
"We're in the same grade." she hissed, although her face was hidden from me now.
He scoffed. "I'll deal with you later."
I looked down at him, one eyebrow raised. "Hey."
He looked like he was about to explode. "DON'T YOU 'HEY' ME!" he shouted.
I smirked. "Now, let's not throw a hissy-fit. I'll go."
"Good! Go off a cliff mayb-" his gloating was interrupted by his sister.
"No! What Four means, is we'll leave." she said, eyes narrowed at her brother as she marched over, easily pushing him to the side to grab my hand and parade out, dragging me behind.
Meanwhile, I was caught on the hand part, staring at our conjoined fingers like an idiot as we left the apartment, deaf to the shouting that followed us.
Tris POV:
I walked down the hallway to English with my books held close to my chest. I'm gonna kill Caleb! I fumed to myself. "Thinks he can boss me around when dad's not home… I'll show him who's boss!" I muttered angrily, throwing the novels in my locker.
"Hey gym twin." I heard Christina call from behind me.
"Hey!" I said with a smile, turning around. I don't think anyone could ever be mad in her presence.
"So what's up? How're things?" she drawled in a way that was much too casual for her.
I gave her an apprehensive look. "Chrissy… what do you want."
That was the trigger, she spun around, jolting me to a stop as she blocked my path. "I want to know about you and Four!" sh exclaimed, eyes wide and excited.
"Oh no." I sighed, getting the feeling that we would be late to gym.
After about 10 minutes of explaining to Chris that Four and I are not together, nor will we ever be, nor will he ever like me, and another 5 of her disagreeing, we finally made it to gym class. We snuck in through the back doors, sneaking behind our coach across the room to act like we came out of the lockers late. The bad part, the coach was facing the class, so he may not see us, but about 35 classmates did, and boy did they milk it, waving at us and snickering.
"Hate you." I whispered to Christina.
"Mwah!" she whispered back.
I rolled my eyes and giggled as Four wagged his finger at us, and Will gave Chris a shocked look. We finally made it, and I opened and closed the door as if we were just walking out.
"Tris, Christina." Eric greeted us with a snarky voice. "Nice of you to grace us with your presence." he drawled.
I plastered on an apologetic smile, disgust and hatred rising inside of me. I was shocked though, as he turned back to the class and said without looking at us, "And the next time you show up 15 minutes late, you will receive detention."
Chris gave me a wide-eyed look, and I returned it as the class 'oooooohed'. I took a seat next to Four, and Chris sat beside Will. Four gave me a quick overview of what we were doing, partnering up to work on basketball. I groaned internally. Basketball. Throw me on a soccer field, I'll ace it, a running track, I'll race, but basketball is not my forte. "This should be fun." I muttered, standing with the rest of the class as we began jogging our warm-up, 4 laps around the gym. I lost Four in the crowd, so I just focused on running, feeling warmth run through my muscles as I ran. When we slowed and began to disperse, I looked around for a partner.
"Hey Tris!" I heard a male voice call from behind me. "You wanna be partners?"
I turned to see Al jogging towards me. I hesitated, looking around to find Four. Seeing he was talking to Zeke, I shrugged. "Sure! You any good?" I teased, passing a ball to him so we could pass back and forth.
He smirked. "You don't know what you're up against Prior."
