Falling Together
Zeke pivots and throws a punch, the blow landing in my side and causing me to stumble back. Though this seems to be no improvement it's much better than my previous landings, my butt already getting sore from falling on it. With a hiss I get much closer and try to knee him in the stomach, but he see's it coming and blocks it, pushing my knee down and shoving me back with his shoulder. I'm panting now, the frustration getting to me. We've been at this for hours and he hasn't said anything to me to improve and perfect my throws or stance. He remains poised and looks me in the eye, his fists raised up protecting his jaw and chin. All of this frustrates me, because I hate feeling weak, and he's not helping me get any stronger.
We circle each other, me because I'm not sure what to do next and him because he wants to get closer. He's a strange teacher, the only things he has said to me was put my fists up and then to attack him, now here we are. He steps and feigns with his right, I fall for the slower punch and block, leaving my right open to his left hook. I fall, landing on my side before scrambling back up, he doesn't give me a chance however because he drops down and sweeps my legs from under me. An 'oof' and my back slapping to the mat sounds and I lay there half in awe of the move and half cursing myself for not expecting it.
I look over and see that he has dropped his fists and now stands in front of me, with a huff I kick out when he comes closer. He catches my ankle and drags me to the middle of the mat and throws my leg down, I scowl and frown, glaring at the mat for not being strong enough or fast enough. Zeke comes up and grabs my hand, pulling me to my feet. He stands there and evaluates my body, I feel open, and it's not something I'm entirely comfortable with. Then he lets me go and takes a step away from me, "Throw a punch at my chest as hard as you can," He tells me,
"Why? What's the point? You're just going to block it anyway," I say frustrated,
"As hard as you can Tris," And he gestures with his fingers for me to bring it, I roll my eyes and get into what I think is the correct stance. Then I huff and throw a right straight, as expected he catches my wrist. With a scoff I glare at him and rip my hand away, "What was that?" He demands, his voice isn't angry, but he'd be a damn good instructor. He's serious when he wants to be. "I told you you'd block it!" I yell, tired of this.
"I told you to punch as hard as you can," He takes my wrist and shakes it, my hand flopping around in the process, "You weren't trying Tris, I need you to try,"
"Why?" I demand, "So you could prove how weak I am?"
"Yes," He says emotionless, a yell escapes me as I shove him back, and throw a right-left jab to his chest before slamming my body into him. Now we're on the mat, him on his back and me next to him because I lost my footing. I get to my feet before he does and I look down at him, he's sweaty and panting, upon instinct I thrust my hand out and pull him to his feet. "See, that," He says wincing and standing up straighter, "Was trying, that was actually putting your heart into it," My eyes stare at him, at his perspiration covered forehead and neck, at his mischief filled eyes and at the half smirk. I want to feel angry, like he was saying I wasn't putting my all into fighting him, but now, I don't feel angry at all. My brain understanding what he was saying and suddenly I feel almost proud of myself. A small smile twitched onto my lips as he smirks, "See, I bet you don't feel angry anymore do you?" He says as if reading my mind, taking my hand in his and rubbing his thumb over my knuckles. I hiss and pull my hand back cradling it and looking down at it, my eyes studying the red and broken, bruised and bloody flesh.
I frown and look up at him, his hand pats my shoulder and rests there, "I know you may not think you did well today, but this helped you and me a lot," I nod, waiting for him to continue as we walk out of the garage, "Now I know what you need help on and what you don't, and for you, this gave you a feel for a real spar, and for the hurt your hands will need to prepare for," He lets go of my shoulder and leads me into the kitchen gesturing to the island as he opens the freezer, "I mean, don't get me wrong Tris, you don't have much muscle, and you need a lot of work," He pulls out a few ice packs and takes off his shirt, wrapping it around one and using it for his chest. I tap the counter and reach for one that he hands to me, "But don't worry, you'll be good before you know it. The only shitty part about it all is that you have to go to school sore,"
"Oh my God, I didn't even think about that," I look up from nursing my hand, "How do you go through this and football practice?"
"Balls," I stare at him, not expecting that answer,
"What?" I ask half disturbed at his language,
"Well, and a lot of rest, and perhaps a massage, but those are rare," He says not making much sense. He notices my puzzled face and tries explaining, "Look, it's gonna be rough for a few weeks, but if you rest and take care to eat right you should be just fine,"
"Uhm, when will we be practicing?"
"Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays,"
"Back to back?"
"Do you want to take away your Fridays?" He asks, peeling a banana, "What if you want to hang out with your friends?"
"I didn't think about that," I say, he sits down next to me and offers half his fruit, I look at him weird, "You'll be sorry, and sore as hell, bananas are chock full of potassium, you'll learn sooner or later that they're your friend," Taking his advice I grab the rest of the white soft fruit and eat it slowly. After a while of silence Josh comes home from work and Zeke leaves to take a shower, telling me one thing, "Try not to get into fights at school,"
Now here I am, lying awake in my bed on a Tuesday morning. My alarm hasn't rung yet and I really don't feel like getting up. My limbs are sore from training with Zeke, I didn't go to school Monday like I had planned, and maybe that's why I'm so reluctant to get up. But now my eyes grow tired of staring at the white ceiling and trying to trace patterns from nothing. With a quiet sigh I slip out from under my comforter and let the cold from the floor seep into my skin.
Grabbing my towel I walk into the bathroom and take a 15 minute shower, then emerging to put on matching grey underclothes, a grey t-shirt and black pants. Looking at my shoes and grabbing grey flats and putting my hair into a messy bun I go to open my door and hear a knock. I open it and see Zeke up and ready to go, "Hey, morning," He says,
"Good morning," I greet,
"Christina is here to take you to school," He says, "I'm assuming you told her too?"
"Yeah, I needed to tell someone, and she's my closest friend," I admit, afraid he'll get upset at me so early in the morning. He stares at me half asleep, before saying, "As long as it doesn't blow up on the internet that you're my sister," He shrugs and starts walking to the stairs,
"Are you ashamed?" I ask quietly,
"No, not at all," He says stopping at the top, "I just don't think you could handle Andrew finding you so fast, and the pressure would be heavy on all of us," I nod, and he heads downstairs. I turn and grab my backpack and close my door behind me, making my way downstairs to greet Christina. I find her sitting on the couch talking amiably to Uriah while Zeke is in the kitchen making some eggs and toast.
Making my way to the kitchen to help Zeke I hear snippets of what they're talking about. Something about the upcoming winter sports celebrations and the Winter formal. Part of me finds it amusing and refreshing to have such conversations in my household. When I start to help Zeke with simmering the ham, Christina comes up and hugs me from the side. I smile and greet her, "Good morning Christina,"
"Hi Tris!" She eyes the food we're making, "Can I help?"
"Well, it's a simple meal, but if you could set the island that would be great?"
"You're eating here?" She asks me,
"Uhm, did you have something else in mind?"
"Coffeeeee?" She says quietly but rather happily, like a kid about to giggle.
"Really, you need coffee?" Zeke groans,
"Well, I saw this really good chocolate croissant at this coffee shop and I was wondering if Tris would go with me so I have an excuse to buy it," She blabbers,
"Okay," I say, smiling at Zeke and cutting the gas to the burner. I grab my stuff and hug Zeke and Uriah before leaving and hopping into Christina's Volkswagen Bug. She flips on the radio as we drive to town, Riptide by Vance Joy begins blaring through the speakers, the chorus playing enthusiastically. Christina pulls up to a red light and begins singing, "Lady runnin' down to the riptide! Taken away to the dark side, I wanna be your left hand man!"
"I love you when you're singing that song and, I got a lump in my throat cause, you're gonna sing the words wrong," I sing with her, though she's already parked in front of the coffee shop Amnition. We stay in the car singing along to the lyrics until the song is over, and I didn't think I would ever have so much fun screaming the words to a song. When it's over we're giggling and complementing each other as we walk in, and when we wait in line Christina speaks up, "Did you know he was a Football player?"
"Who? Vance Joy?"
"Yeah,"
"For what team?"
"I don't freaking know," She says, her face screwed up, "Seattle Seahawks or something, I'll have to look it up," She says,
"Well, It's not your job to know, women don't pay attention to teams and-"
"Yeah! As long as you play on a team,"
"No-"
"Money!" She giggles and I laugh at her absurdness, and soon we have the coffee she doesn't need and the pastries that were just baked. And by the time I'm done eating my buttered blueberry scone we're at school and greeting Will and Marlene. She is tall, but not incredibly skinny, she looks like she plays soccer by her longer legs and softer hands, her hair is this golden blonde and light brown contrast that stands out beautifully in the waterfall braid she hosts. Her eyes the color of honey with green flakes in them, and there are freckles that dance across her nose and cheeks over her tanned skin. "Hi Tris, nice to finally meet you,"
"Hey, yeah you too, I'm sorry for not being too talkative the first day," I start,
"Oh don't worry," She smiles and waves me off, "We all have our bad days, I just hope we can be friends?" She asks,
"Yeah, I'd like that," I say, smiling softly at her, liking how this day is going so far. It seems like the world is looking up with the blue sky and only a few clouds, despite the fast approaching harsh winter, it's actually warm as the sun touches my skin. Maybe it might be the coffee or the scone talking but now, I feel at ease, happy, I've got friends, Four, two brothers and a happy mom and dad. "Tris?" Christina breaks me from my amity like state,
"Hmm? What's up?"
"The sky," Will says,
"Oh hah hah you're so funny I might die," Christina says sarcastically, then she turns to me, "Really are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm good, what did you need?" I glance at Will,
"Marlene is head decorator for the winter formal coming up," I look at her with surprised eyes, she just smiles and waves, "She was wondering if we could help her set everything up, because her families over in Chicago, and she wants to go home earlier,"
"Oh yeah, I'll help," I say,
"Sweet! Thank you so so muuuuch," She almost squeals as she hugs Christina and I,
"Woah wait," I say, "There's got to be a catch," I pull away and narrow my eyes at the two of them. Marlene looks dumbstruck and Christina is pouting, sticking her lower lip out at me. I almost want to laugh at the honey doe eyes of Marlene, and I almost do, until Christina speaks up, "We are going shopping for dresses, and for clothes for you,"
"I have clothes!" I declare, hoping to get out of it, last time shopping wasn't so bad, but I'm wary of how many people we're bringing, I don't want to look like a fool trying on clothes I'd never heard of in front of them. "Yeah, I know, but still Tris, wouldn't it be nice to branch out, have some girl time?"
"Yeah, I guess," I agree with a shrug, secretly hoping Will could get me out of this, "Is Will coming with?"
"Actually, Thanksgiving is coming up right? In like two weeks, so that means the break is coming up, if you really want some girl time, maybe we could all hang out during the break before you girls go out together," He offers,
"Actually Will," Christina says, "That sounds great! Maybe Uriah would let us play Candor-Dauntless at his house!" She giggles gleefully, bouncing on her feet,
"Candor-Dauntless?" I ask her, she turns to me and opens her mouth but Will beats me to it, "Truth or dare, but given the history of this city we only saw it fit,"
"I've never played before," I admit sheepishly, Marlene looks at me live I've just laid an egg and Christina squeals, "Another excuse to go shopping!"
"Why?"
"If you refuse to do a dare or don't answer a truth question, you have to remove an article of clothing, shoes and socks don't count, so wear layers," Will informs me, I sigh and agree anyway. My mind getting tired of asking questions and answering them, after all I wasn't used to so much conversation. My insecurity nips at my mind and reminds me how much of a loner I was before I spoke up and got Will out of that fight. Warm arms wrap around my waist loosely before I feel warm breath on my shoulder. With a smile overtaking my face I turn and face a very tall, very handsome Four. "Hey," I say,
"Hey," He mumbles back, holding me tighter against him, his warmth invading my entire being. My heart beating hard in my chest as he looks down at my eyes first, then to my nose, and my cheeks before landing on my lips. My lips pull into a grin as his dark blue eyes close as his nose brushes against mine. My eyes close soon after and his lips brush against mine before settling firm. But his kiss is over too soon, he pulls away and puts his arm around my shoulders. "You look good, Tris," He whispers to me, then he addresses Will with a strange handshake/high five. It isn't too long however that we all have to go to class, as the bell rings and drags us all inside. Christina keeps me close and we stay further behind, "Way to go Tris, when did that happen?"
"Four was at my house after I finished talking to you,"
"Oh my god, did you two hook up?"
"What?"
"Like, you know," She then does a strange motion with her finger and hand, it takes me a few seconds and apparently that's too long for her, "Did you guys have sex?"
"What? No!" I yell louder than intended, getting a few looks from passing students, "He just, we decided to get together," I say quietly, grabbing my textbook for English. My eyes noticing how dull my locker seems, "Are you happy about it?"
"Yeah," I tell her, "I guess,"
"You guess?"
"I don't really know, things are better," I say with a shrug and lean against my locker, looking down at my grey shoes. "Tris," She starts, her voice laced with concern, "You should talk to him, state your intentions. Because, honestly he might want something out of the relationship you're not ready for,"
"You mean sex," I say dully, I didn't know much about it, not physically, just the action of reproducing. "I don't mean to hurt your feelings, but yeah," She says softly, "I could be totally wrong, but talk to him first before doing anything big like going over to his house or inviting him over or going out on dates, and if he tries to push you to do something you don't want to do, it's okay not to do it, you shouldn't feel obligated to do anything,"
"Okay, thank you," I say to her, a small smile on my face. I bid my goodbyes and walk to English, her words filling my mind with doubts and thoughts of Four that I wish I didn't have. If she was right and he only wanted one thing, he'd better learn sooner or later that I'm not that type of girl.