Thanks to everyone who wished me a happy birthday, you put a smile on my face!

Chapter 9: One Step Closer


[Tris]

Living in Queens wasn't everything they told you in the stories and movies. No, instead, it was a nice neighborhood and we had our rough times but someday's were the best. I remember sitting on the hot, cement, steps that would bake all day in the summer sun, eating a Popsicle. My bestfriend and neighbor, Christina, would be right beside me. We would sit there and wave at the people as they walked to the stores or hung around our block, others would crack open the fire hydrant and run around in the water. I was only a little girl when I saw my first real fight break out-

"Tris, you've been typing on that computer for about an hour now. Don't you want to give your fingers a break?" Christina leans on the door frame of my bedroom, in a pair of running shorts and a tight shirt. "I was thinking about going down to the gym, do you want to join?" She questions and I look from my laptop to my waiting friend.

"Yeah, give me five minutes." I save my work on my laptop and I shut it down, going to the bathroom briefly. I clean off my face and freshen up my body and teeth and hair even though I am going to get sweaty and I put on a pair of black, mesh, shorts and a matching crop top that goes along with it. It's tight and perfect for working out because of the thin fabric. I pull my thick hair into a bun and I put on some Vaseline on my lips, I slip on my Nike running shoes and I go to the front, adjusting my belly and nose ring.

"Two minutes late, Beatrice."

"Ugh, please don't call me that." I shiver in disgust as we walk out of our apartment, "I still can't believe my mom named me that, like, we are Hispanics. Why the hell would she name me Beatrice? But then again, I don't have to be called something stereotypical." I cross my arms as we start to walk down the street.

"Have you noticed that you always answer your own questions?" She says with a chuckle of her own and we wait to cross the street, "

"Tus locuras." She shakes her head, speaking in our native tongue as I plug in my headphones, I shake my head at her and go to my Reggaeton playlist in Pandora. These songs on here remind me of the block parties Christina and I used to sneak to back in Queens and The Bronx when we were around 17 and 18. We just used to hide in corners and twerk to the beat even though you could hear the music miles away.

Before I know it, we are outside of Dauntless, one of the best gyms in the big apple. Sometimes it's packed and other's not so much, they have classes and you can only come here to attend the classes and work out only if you have a pass. Our friend, Marlene, works here so she gives us discounts sometimes. "Hey Marlene!" I wave at the petite blond who is behind the counter, typing away at her computer. Her head lifts up and I am met with a pair of brown-green eyes, she smiles and waves at me, her pale skin peaking out through her mesh top with a sports bra.

"Hey Tris, what's up? Hey Christina." We both show her our passes.

"Hey Marey-Marey-"

"Never call me that again."

"You know you love it,"

"I don't, I'll see you guys in there!" She ushers us inside and I shake my head at her. Christina and I decide to get on the treadmil to warm up and we then we make our way to the cycles. I love this gym because there is everything here. From large pools to sauna rooms. There is a dance studio next door and it's pretty big. Dancers would come here and Christina and I would go in there and jam to music while we watch them dance and practice, by the pool is the basketball room and I spend some time there occasionally.

Alcohol puts a big amount of weight on you sometimes and with me being a bartender, I do drink. So, Christina and I try to exercise often and do yoga to keep our weight down and it pays off big time. My stomach is forming abs! Plus, I like exercising, it takes a lot off of my mind. Marlene is such a good friend because she really helps us out there, plus, she hangs out with us time to time. But, she spends more time with Lynn, Shauna's sister, than us. But, I need her to get to the bar soon because I want her to meet Uriah, she and him would look adorable together.

When we finish, we head to the basketball room and shoot a few hoops and before I know it, she and I are walking out of the gym, but as we are walking out, we run into Zeke and Four, but no Uriah. . . aw man, "Hola ellos!" Christina waves her hand at them, I know that deep down inside she is upset that Will isn't with them.

"Hi back to you, I'm assuming that you said hello boys?" Zeke tilts his head.

"Yep, I didn't know you guys went to Dauntless." I tell them, looking from both of the two handsome boys standing in front of me. Four looks hot with his basket ball shorts and compression shirt that shoes off his delicious muscles. Heel Tris, these choice of adjectives are really taking me back.

"Yeah, we do all the time. We didn't know that you guys came here." Four shoots me a smile. "Do you guys have to work tonight?" He asks, looking straight into my eyes, his eyes are so beautiful!

"Nope. Luckily, we don't work until Friday night." I shoot him a smirk, seeing Zeke and Christina look at each other then to us. "Nice talking to you guys, but I need to get back to my book."


I bring the spicy wings up to my mouth, taking a bite, feeling the hot sauce touch my taste-buds sending them alert as my eyes water up from the spiciness. We are currently at buffalo wild wings, tearing up this big basket of wings. It is Tyla, Christina, Christian, and Destiny, Christian's twin sister. I'm not that close to Destiny but we are still good friends. It's Thursday night and it's pretty jammed packed here, "So, how does it feel to drink beer and eat hot wings?" I ask, looking at Christian with my eyes furrowed at him.

"That's what I'm trying to figure out." Destiny agrees with me with a nod of her head.

"The same way you eat hot fries and drink soda."

"I don't." Christina says.

"Shut up, Christina." Christian jokes and my phone buzzes in my pocket. I wipe my hands on my napkin.

Hey Tris- Four

Hey Four, what's up?- Tris

Nothing, just got off of work- Four

This late?- Tris

yep, Will and I stayed back while Zeke took Shauna out for 'an amazing date'- Four

haha, I'm currently at Buffalo W.W with Tyla, Christian, and his sister Destiny of course Christina too- Tris

He doesn't reply yet so I look up to see Christian and Christina 'arguing', "It's crazy how you tried to jock my name." Christian says to Christina as I sip my water.

"Boy, I'm older than you. So, you took my name." Christina laughs and turns to me, "Four again?" She darts out her tongue and moves her fingers in an inappropriate way.

I give a fake laugh, "Chill, but yes." I nod my head.

"Four?" Destiny questions.

"This hot boy she met. He looks like he's Italian and Greek mixed together. But they met at the bar and they can't seem to stop having wet dreams about each other." Christina says and Destiny and I choke on our drinks while Tyla and Christian both burst into laughter.

"You guys are wildin' like, what the hell." I shake my head at them as my phone rings and I look down at my phone, seeing Four replied and my heart does a leap. Christina laughs at us, "My point exactly." She points her fork at us.

I just shake my head and text Four back.


"Twerk, twerk, twerk dat a*ss!" Christina and I vigorously shake our butts in our pajamas in our room, laughing in between. These are the moments I love to share with Christina, the moments were we act like complete idiots and dance until we are drenched in sweat or watching movies until our eyes are as dry as the Sahara desert. She's my bestfriend and I wouldn't, couldn't, change her for someone else. "I can't believe Will is taking me out on a date!" She squeals and falls back on her bed.

I smile and sit on the floor in front of her, spreading my fingertips through her pink, plush, rug, relishing the feeling of the cotton breezing through the cracks of my fingers, "That's nice." I tell her, feeling kind of sour that Four never asked me out on an outing where it was just us. Oh, that's right, he's with Nita Lopez.

Without noticing, my face turns into a frown, "Tris," Christina gives me a pitiful smile that makes me want to slap it off of her face, "Four will ask you out soon, I promise."

"I don't think so, he's with Nita Lopez. The girl who I fractured her nose." I pout, laying on my back. Looking at the lights of that hang from her pink ceiling, I can't help but to frown again.

"Well, if it doesn't work out with him. Then, you always have Mr. Black, or that Gabe guy you met at the bar." Christina face turns into a smirk, "Ooh, Mr. Black sounds so sexy. You could walk around calling him that and I bet he would have a huge bo-"

"Good night Christina." I cut her off, shaking my head going to take a shower before I get into bed.

While I am in the shower, I think about what Christina said. What if Four never asks me out? What if Four is actually going out with Nita lowkey? What if I do end up with Robert or Gabe? What if I end up with no one? I shake my head with a sigh, I'm still young. But, it seems as if things are different. I never thought about being in a committed relationship until I met Four. It feels like something went off in my head and I craved to have someone to call mine. Someone I can get jealous over when someone stares at him too long, someone I can have forever and act a fool around and twerk on them. I just one someone, at least be one step closer.


Stupid long chapter! Am I right? NOT! Well, I just had to dish this out because I had a major writer's block. So, I wanna start fresh on another chapter hopefully that will be long. I don't like to stall. Also, thanks for the birthday wishes! Right now I have on Sea of Love by Cat Power on repeat. I just watched Juno and fell in love with that song again. I am near to tears for some reason.