Chapter 20

Tris

A few hours pass Tobias is nowhere to be seen. Without him here to talk to me, my mind can't help wonder off to the threat that David left me. I know that I should tell Tobias and our friends, but if not telling them keeps them all safe, then I guess it's my responsibility to do so. The note is hidden deep within one of my clothes drawers, so nobody can find it. And in a way hiding it might help me try and forget that I never find it.

Just as I'm about to take a nap, a knock comes from the door. A sudden feeling of fear enters me. I slowly and cautiously drag my body to the door. Another knock comes again, louder, and I shout: "Who is it?" "Tris, it's me, open up," the voice replies. Christina. Thank god. I open the door to a very exciting looking Christina. "What's wrong Tris, you look like you've seen a ghost," she asks as the excitement in her voice fades a little. I snap out of my daze and smile to Christina as I say: "Nothing, I'm fine."

I can't look or sound suspicious, as Christina is one person who can tell if something's up with me. Her and Tobias. "What are you doing here?" I say as I gesture for her to come inside. She practically bounces in the door, carrying a garment bag and a black box. I don't understand why she is so excited. "Well, I am here on orders from Tobias," she says. "He has planned something special for the two of you tonight, and I am here to get you ready for it."

"Really? What does he have planned?" I question her. "I can't tell you that… but I can tell you that you need to meet him at the back entrance at midnight." she says smiling. The net. Why would Tobias have planned something at the net? I think of asking Christina, but something tells me she isn't allowed to give me any clues. "Okay. So I guess that what I'm going to be wearing tonight, is in that bag," I say with a slight grin on my face. I'm excited with whatever Tobias has planned tonight, knowing that if made Christina hide it from me it must be good. "Yes it is. But first you are going to shower," she says as she ushers me into the bathroom.

Ten minutes later, after a nice hot shower, I walk back into the bedroom to find Christina with a table full of make-up. But that's not what catches my attention. The dress that Christina has laid out on my bed is what does. I walk closer to the bed to fully take in the beautiful piece of material that Christina has found for me. I shouldn't say material, as what is in front of me is more like a gown. It is a black lace, off-shoulder dress. It is perfect.

"Wow, Christina the dress is beautiful!" I exclaim. She stands up smiling and walks over. "I know, now put it on so you can be even more wowed by how perfect it is for you." I return the smile and slip off my dressing gown, as Christina helps me pull the dress over my under garments. After it's on I try and walk over to the mirror to sneak a peek, but Christina stops me. She puts both her hands on my shoulder and pushes me over to the chair.

"You don't get to see yet, I have to do your hair and make-up first." I sigh and sit back for what seems like forever, enduring the long process of Christina styling my hair and putting make-up over my face.

Finally Christina steps back from the make-up brushes, saying "Finished," with a deep tone of accomplishment in her voice. I stand up in the black heels she put on my feet, and walk over to the body length mirror on the other side of the bedroom. I'm shocked to see the person who stands in front of the mirror. She looks so striking… so noticeable.

The black dress hugs my body in all the right places, making my small body look like it actually has curves. It ends just above me knee, and my pale skin glows against it. My hair flows in tight curls over my shoulders, framing the striking look of my face. My eyes are lined with black eyeliner, which comes out in flicks at the edges of my eyes. They look so piercing, as the black brings out the fullness of the colour of my eyes. My lips are coloured a deep shade of red.

"Christina, wow, I look so…" I am speechless. I have no idea how she managed to make me look pretty. "Noticeable? Beautiful?" she says with a smile. "That's what I was going for." Her saying that takes me back to my initiation for Dauntless. The time when Christina took me shopping and lined my eyes with the black pencil. That's exactly what she said then.

"Thank you Christina, I never could have done anything like this to myself. You've actually made me look pretty!" I exclaim. She smiles at me, and picks her arm up to look at her watch. "Shit Tris, it's ten to twelve you'd better get going." she says, suppressing a squeal.

I nod and thank her again, before running out of the door. As I make my way down the dark corridor, I hear footsteps vastly approaching. Zeke jogs up to me, out of the darkness of the shadows. "Hey Tris, Four is waiting for…" he stops mid-sentence as he looks up from the floor at me. His expression shows that he's shocked, as his mouth hangs open. "What's wrong?" I ask him: "Is there something wrong with my dress?" I ask, unable to shake off the odd look of his face.

"No..no," he stutters "Your dress is fine." Suddenly a sly grin creeps across his face, one that I have come so used to associating with Zeke. "You look amazing." he says finally. My cheeks start to heat up, and I smile as a thank you to him. "Well Four is waiting for you, so have a great night," he says as he pulls me into a short embrace. "Thanks Zeke." I say pulling away , as I begin to make my way to meet Tobias at the net.