The Flame Chapter 11
TRIS POV
"Okay, okay" Marlene says, "Do it one more time, and I won't ask again"
Uriah, one of the guards takes the spoon and balances it on his nose again.
"How do you even do that?" I ask. A black tank top presses to my body along with some pants, and my hair sits on my shoulders.
"The question is why do you do it?"" Lynn retorts, "It's not a talent that will get you anywhere in life. Except maybe the jester"
Shauna shivers, "That guy scares the hell out of me. How does he even get his face so white?"
The spoon slips off Uriah's nose, and he uses it to eat his hamburger, somehow, "Thanks for inviting me to you lunch-ins guys"
"Really, no problem" I say, having another bite hamburger "The lunch at the palace suck. I've tried it"
Uriah licks his fingers even though he ate with a spoon.
I lean into Marlene, "How do you like this guy?"
Marlene smiles, "He's funny"
I roll my eyes as she looks at Uriah once again. Her eyes search him like she's looking deep into his heart; is that what Tobias does for me? I close my eyes. I haven't even talked to Tobias since Nita told me to break up with him or she'll kill my family. And I don't want to break up with him.
I don't want to hand him over to someone else. I want him. I want to feel his lips on mine every day, and wrap my arms around his neck. I love how caring and supporting he is; I don't want to let him go. I wish he were here so I could just sit with his arms around me so I could think better.
"Tris, interviews tomorrow" Christina said, "We have the perfect dress for you"
"Really? Tell me about it" I say, placing my head on my hand.
"Well, it's black, and it's a little tight at the top, but flows at the bottom, stopping around the knee" she explains, looking at all of us.
"Ugh" Uriah says, "Girl talk"
"You can go if you'd like"
"Fine" he says, getting up.
"I'll come with you" I say, getting up, getting my black sweater to go on top of my tank top, bringing me some warmth.
"But we were-"
"I just some time alone, okay?" I say, reaching the door. Uriah pulls it open for me as I exit first. He follows behind.
"Where to you need to go?"
"Could I go just outside the palace? Around the entrance. The one closest to the east wing. Garden?"
"Do you think you can handle yourself?" he says, "I've got a shift with some other girl going to her home"
I almost forgot that there are only six girls remaining in this competition. Two eliminated yesterday.
"Yeah. I'll be fine" I say, running a hand though my long hair. He smiles at me, and takes off without another word. I sigh, and head towards the garden. After a series of twists and turns I finally reach the garden. I push the doors open and find myself staring into the garden, lit by the sun, directly above me. Tobias and I meet here every night. I close my eyes and a tear escapes. How will he react? All of a sudden multiple tears come, and I lean into the wall, sitting down. I press my hands to my wet cheeks.
I've known Tobias only since I was fourteen, but you never lose family. Am I making the right decision? Should I let my family day for my love? That would be so selfish of me. Even though I want to be dauntless, there is a little bit of Abnegation still left in me. I sob into my hands.
Why am I crying over him?
Because I love him.
And I don't want to let him go.
I try to clam myself down so I can go back inside, but nothing works.
"Tris?"
Oh God. I was sobbing so loud people could hear me from inside.
"I'm sorry" I say, "I'm so loud"
"No it's okay" Tobias. It's Tobias. Crap.
It only makes me wince and bite my lip.
He crouches down to my level, "What's wrong, babe?"
Babe. God damn it Tobias, you're making it so hard for me to do this.
I silently shake my head, "It's nothing" I sound like I am being strangled, "I mean, I just" My voice croaks.
"What?" he asks softly, "You can tell me anything, you know"
"Wecan'tbetogetheranymore" I blurt out. There it's done. I said it, I can't take it back. My eyes water, and they feel like they are soggy.
His eyebrows furrow together, "What did you say. Slow down"
"I said" my voice wobbles, "We can't…..be together anymore"
He steps back, offended, surprised, flabbergasted.
I shake my head and pinch myself, hard. I'm not dreaming. I pull my knees to my chest and sob.
I can' t look at him. I feel the palm of his hand on my knee, and he offers me a hand. I look at him, tears in my eyes.
Why does he want to help me?
I take his hand, and he pulls me up. The setting does not match the mood. The sun shining; no way. Rain would match my mood.
He places a hand on my cheek, "Who's making you do this?"
How does he know? Could he possibly help me? What should I say?
"How did you know?" I whisper. He wipes away a tear from my face.
"Do you really want to do this? Break up with me?"
I look up at him, "No. I want to be with you, but she's" I choke on a sob, "Now that you know she's going to kill my family"
"She's not going to kill your family. I promise" He takes my hands and pulls them closer.
"Do you really promise that?"
"Yes" he says, "Just tell me who this girl is"
"Nita" I say right away, "Thank you. Most guys would storm off and kick me off the Selection"
"But we're Divergent, remember?" he smiles.
He rubs his hands up and down my waist and presses his lips to mine. When I kiss back, I have the slightest feeling that I'm being watched.