Selfless love
Chapter 10: Shopping and Tattoos
Amar spends hours teaching us how to fight and the techniques you need to know. But, Tobias and I already know all of them, and more, so we just spend the whole time working out with the punching bags, like we used to before coming to Dauntless. Afterwards Christina, Will and Al walk over to Tobias and I. "You guys are amazing, you're totally going to make it into Dauntless." Christina says.
"Thanks. Though we have been training for like four years." I say.
When we reach the Pit, Al, who was in front of us, turns around and announces. "I want to get a tattoo."
"A tattoo of what?" Will asks.
"I don't know. I just want to feel like I've actually left my old faction. Stop crying about it." When we don't respond, he adds. "I know you've heard me. Well maybe not you two." He adds, pointing to Tobias and I.
"Yeah, learn to quiet down, will you? I think you're right. We're half in, half out right now. If we want all the way in, we should look the part." Christina says.
She gives me a look.
"No, I will not cut my hair, or dye it a weird colour. Or pierce my face."
"How about your bellybutton?" She asks.
"Or your nipple?" Will says with a snort.
I groan before taking Tobias' hand and leading him to the tattoo parlour.
"Wait, Tris, we have to go shopping. We'll meet the guys in the tattoo parlour." Christina says before taking my arm and leading me to the clothes store.
"What is wrong with my clothes?" I ask. "I'm not wearing grey anymore."
"They're ugly and gigantic. Will you just let me help you? If you don't like what I put you in, you never have to wear it again, I promise." She says.
"Fine." I say.
Ten minutes later I stand in front of a mirror in the clothing store wearing a knee-length black dress. The skirt isn't full, but it isn't stuck to my thighs either. Though, the dress does show part of my back, at the top, and Christina notices one of my many scars, running her finger along it. I feel tears pooling in my eyes. "Tris, what is this scar from?" She asks.
"Nothing. I just fell over and scratched my back on a stone." I say.
"Don't lie to me. Did you forget I was from Candor and can tell when someone is lying to me." She says. She walks around me and faces me. "Also, you look like you're going to cry, so it obviously is something." She adds.
"Don't worry about it." I say.
"Tris, you're my best friend, I'm going to worry about it." She says. "Now tell me."
"Fine. I'll tell you, as long as you promise not to tell anyone else." I say.
"I promise." She says.
"My dad beat me. I have scars on my back from the beatings." I tell her.
"Oh. I'm sorry I asked. Why did he beat you?" She asks.
"Because I wasn't selfless enough: for him, or for Abnegation. That's why I trained for four years. So I could come here and get away from him." I say.
"Is that why Stiff left? So he could be with you? Or because his dad beat him as well?" She asks.
"His dad beat him. But you have to seriously promise not to tell anyone, I mean not anyone." I say.
"I won't tell a soul." She says. "I promise."
"Thank you." I say.
"No problem." She says before holding up a black pencil. "Eyeliner."
"You aren't going to be able to make me pretty, you know." I close my eyes and hold still as she runs the tip of the pencil along the line of my eyelashes.
"Who cares about pretty? I'm going for noticeable."
I open my eyes and for the first time I stare openly at my reflection.
I'm noticeable.
"See? You're… striking." She says. "You like it?"
"Yeah." I nod. "I look like… a different person."
"That a good or a bad thing?" She says, laughing.
"A good thing." I say, shaking my head. "Sorry, I've just never been allowed to stare at my reflection for this long."
"Really?" She asks. "Abnegation is a strange faction, I have to tell you."
"Let's go watch Al get tattooed." I say.
We leave the store and race to the tattoo parlour.
When we get there we find Al getting a tattoo of a spider on his arm. Will and Christina look through some books of pictures, elbowing each other when they find a good one. I can't see Tobias; I'm guessing he decided to get a tattoo and is in one of the compartments with the curtains drawn.
I wander around the room, looking at the pictures on the walls.
Tobias comes out of one of the compartments and smiles when he sees me. He walks over to me and wraps his arms around my waist from behind. "You look beautiful." He tells me.
"Thank you. Did you get a tattoo?" I ask.
"Yeah, I'll show you it later." He says.
"Okay." I say.
"Are you going to get one?" He asks.
"I don't know yet." I say.
We continue looking and something catches my eye. It's a bird of some sort that reminds me of the hawk that Tori has on her back. I run my fingers along it.
"It's a raven. Pretty, right?" I hear behind me. Tobias and I turn to find Tori standing behind us. "Well, hello there. Never thought I would see you again. Beatrice, is it?"
"Tris, actually. Do you work here?" I ask.
"I do. I just took a break to administer the tests. Most of the time, I'm here. Do you want a tattoo?" She asks.
"Yes. Three of these flying birds please." I say.
I touch my collarbone, marking the path of their flight toward my heart.
One for each member of the family I left behind.
Hey guys, hope you enjoyed it.
Tell me what you want to happen… babies, proposals, capture the flag, party games (such as truth or dare), etc.
I, obviously, already know what I want to do with this story but I want you to tell me what you want to happen and maybe I'll be able to add it in.
Please review.