{Author's Note}
Filler chapter…. Not much except setting up the next chapter. Fun to write though!
Tris POV
I have one of those moments when you wake up and don't remember where you are. I open my eyes and for a split second I can't remember anything.
I wish.
The events of the past few days soon come rushing over me like a waterfall. Chloe and Tobias, Scott and Ella, Christina and Carol. The names are all I need to match them with memories.
I am up earlier than I need to be. Standing up I stretch my sore muscles. In my head I give Tobias a kiss, but I don't want to wake him.
I hop into the shower and continue with my normal routine. Take shower. Dry off. Brush teeth. Clothes. Hair. Makeup. Done.
I am just slipping into my outfit of the day when Tobias is only half asleep. He rolls around and I quickly throw on a black shirt. Whatever was on the top was obviously bought by Christina. The top is black lace and strapless. It goes down to my belly button, and then it flips out into a skirt so it looks like a mini dress. I think it's called a peplum. You can see my birds perfectly. There is a sheer black layer of fabric underneath the lace. Black skinny jeans and combat boots are put on in record time.
I like to be close to ready when he gets up. "Tobias," I say in a singsong voice. "Wake up." He rolls to face me. I kiss him on the head.
"Tris," he moans. He tries to pulls me close but I escape.
"You need to get up." I say. He rolls out of bed, shirtless. Don't drool you idiot, you've seen him without a shirt hundreds of times. Every single time is like the first time. He pulls me close and I give him a light kiss on the lips. "Go get ready." I say.
He walks into the bathroom and leans against the doorframe. "I really love you Tris. Nothing will ever change that." He says cracking the door.
I smile and think about what Carol said about her parents. I look at my tattoo, 4+6, and slide a spikey bracelet on my right hand.
I decide to look good today. Carol's beauty yesterday must have inspired me. I put my hair in two French braids then spin them into a bun in the back. Lose curls frame my face. I quickly apply makeup and stop myself when I grab regular mascara. I put it back slowly, almost like it is an animal that bites. I quickly grab the waterproof and apply.
I grab my black leather jacket and a chunky necklace. I feel like since all we're doing is fighting practice and fights today, I can dress as fancy as I want.
Tobias walks out of the bathroom and his eyes widen. "W-" His voice cracks. He clears his throat and starts again, "Wow Tris. You look, um, amazing." I smile and stare at his toned muscles.
"So do you," I say. Don't drool! Tris! He laughs, grabs his clothes and walks into the bathroom.
I find my sticky note with the fighting pair and slip it in my jacket pocket.
I have nothing to do but sit and wait so I decide to get breakfast and go to the training room early. I knock on the door gently, "I'm going to grab us breakfast. Meet you in the training room." I can feel the smile in his voice.
"You're the best Tris." He says. I smile and walk to the cafeteria.
XXX(PAGE BREAK)XXX
I open the doors to the training room and cold air hits me in the face. Fights today… Yay…
I set my bag of muffins down and remember watching Uriah shot one of Marlene's head. I chuckle to myself and grab the black board.
Tobias walks in. I grab the chalk and set it on top of the black board. "Muffin?" I ask.
He takes the bag and grabs the two. He hands one to me. "Eat." He says.
I hop up on the table and cross my legs at the ankles. Snatching my muffin, I bite into the thick fluffy top. I eat around the wrapper then peel it off. Tobias leans against the wall next to me.
"Why do you eat like that?" He asks.
"Like what?" I say biting into the rest off the muffin.
"You eat the top off first then the bottom." He says.
"I am aware of my eating habits." I respond.
He smiles at me. "Oh Tris." I smile enjoying my muffin in silence.
I hop off the table and land perfectly on my feet. I walk to throw the muffin wrapper away.
"You do look really good today Tris." Tobias remarks, "Why?"
I smile and think of how insanely gorgeous Carol looked last night, how she is a mini me, how if she can look like that so can I.
"Just cause." I say.
Noah walks into the training room. "Um, Six?" He says when he sees me. I try to act though.
"What?" I say.
"You talk to Carol a lot right?" He asks. Ugh, personal question.
"Why?" I say crossing my arms. The sleeves of my jacket bunch around the elbows.
"Does she ever talk about me?" He asks nervously.
A chirpy voice fills the room, "Hey guys!" Carol.
Noah reacts immediately. His face flushes red and his hands go to his pockets. He walks aimlessly away from us. I smile inside. Noah likes Carol….
"Wow Tr-" She catches herself. Tobias eyes me suspiciously, "Six. You look amazing today." I wink and smile at her.
More transfers are soon filling the room. Melissa, still puffy eyed and red nosed walks in with Chloe. Paul and David. Chris comes in last even though he's far from late.
"I guess we should start," I say to Tobias. He grabs my left hand and I look at our wrists. 4+6.
"Today you'll get more fighting practice before lunch." Tobias bellows. His voice echoes off the walls, frightening even me." After lunch we will tell you whom you're fighting against. One of you will not be fighting because there's an odd number. I'll explain how rankings are determined later." He looks at the initiates that just stand there.
"Well go!" I say. Tobias doesn't smile but he winks at me and we watch transfers.
As they practice and we give them tips on what to do. I tell Carol about keeping her tension centered and using her knees and elbows. I pretty much give her all the advice Tobias gave me when he was just Four.
I teach David how to move out of the way from an incoming blow. His strategy seems to be attack full force but never leave the same spot.
As much as it kills me, I help Paul. He's not terrible to Carol, so I'm only bothered by him a medium amount.
After lunch Tobias and I sit in a corner with the black board facing us. It's like our little wall that blocks out the world.
I hand him the post it from my pocket and he smiles. He writes Four and Six, in big loopy letters across the board. I draw a heart around it. He smiles and erases it.
He draws it in the bottom right corner and starts writing my pairs on the board. After we're done everyone is still at lunch.
Neither of us is hungry and I prefer to eat in the middle of training. I like seeing the look on the initiate's faces when I'm eating a muffin and they're smacking a sack of sand.
I curl up into Tobias and he kisses my head. "I love Tris." He says. "Looovvveeeee her." He says again.
"I loooooovvvvvve Tobias. I loooovvvve him more than Christina loves shopping."
"That's a lot." He says thinking of a response. "I love Tris more than I love cake."
I give him a factious look. "Really? I didn't know you loved her that much."
The transfers start coming in and I put up the board blocking them from view.
Tobias pushes it down so it lands on the floor with a loud bang. The rest of the initiates run in. Tobias helps me up. We show the initiates the board.
Paul and David look pissed.
Chloe and Melissa look even more pissed.
Relief fills Noah. I don't know why, but I think it had something to do with Carol.
"Am I the one not fighting?" Carol asks. In my mind I start laughing.
"Is your name on the board?" I give her a head jerk. She tries not to laugh and says,
"Oh." Meekly.
"First fight, Chloe and Melissa." Tobias calls them to the center of the ring.
They circle around each other, neither one of them wants to hit the other.
"We don't have all day!" Tobias yells.
They continue doing the same thing.
"Hit someone!" I bellow.
Chloe looks at me. "Gladly." She says walking towards me.
A/N
BUM BUM BAHHHH! I feel like I haven't put a cliffhanger in forever. Here it is! Thank you to everyone who reviews, likes, faves, and follows! I'm amlost at 100 reviews! Yay! My Mom was like, "Does anyone actually read your story?" I was like, "Nope Mom. I totally didn't get my 5000th view toady."
Thank you SOOOO much guys! You're really great and I want to thank everyone who reviews. I love you! Happy 2013!
~AJ
