**Characters and some story lines are owned by Veronica Roth**
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE – CLEAN UP
"So I have a question," Christina asks as she is rummaging through her endless supply of shoes that seem to be taking up every available space in her unit.
Standing in the middle of Christina's unit Tris picks up a pair of open toed golden glittery sandals and rotates them admiring their sparkle in the light, "hmmmm."
Still hypnotised by the flecks of gold she is unaware that Christina has stopped what she is doing and is watching her. After a few extra-long seconds she becomes aware of the silence between them and turns her eyes to her friend.
"OK, enough," Christina says, her dark eyebrows furrowing. Concern or anger, Tris can't tell.
"What?" she asks, not meaning to come across so defensively.
"Something is going on in that mind of yours Tris. Is something wrong? Are you and Four OK?"
Placing the shoes back down in the space on the kitchen cabinet where she had found them Tris realises that the silence of course is her answer. Nothing was wrong between her and Four but her mind continued to play over her previous conversation with Jack Kang. It's been almost a month now and even though she was adamant that she wasn't going to go anywhere because she loved her new family and her job here at Dauntless, there were still times when the idea snuck up on her unexpected drawing her back into an internal debate.
Tori is still the only one that has known the real reason of Jack Kangs visit and after numerous attempts to get her to help her make the decision she simply refused. This wasn't helping.
"You know I have a few questions myself," she says trying to change the subject, "like how do you manage live here when your shoes seem to be breading."
"Easy, I live with Will now," moving her arms around in front of her "this is now merely my wardrobe."
Tris can't help but laugh as she looks around, Christinas unit was definitely now just a very large live in wardrobe. Finally she looks at her and by the look on her friends face her effort at changing the subject had fallen flat. She is still clearly bestowing an expectant answer to her previous question.
Giving a sigh she relents, "everything with Four is going great. Really good actually," she finishes feeling the slight flush on her cheeks as she remembers this morning's unexpected romp over the dining table.
"ah-ha, well judging by the constant look of euphoria and the way your cheeks are turning such a lovely shade of red I'm kinda of guessing that."
"Remember that guy that came to the homestead about a month ago? Jack Kang?"
"No, not really," clearly seeing that Tris has decided to talk her attention goes back to the pile of shoes that she was sorting through.
"He drove that little white car."
"Oh yeah. You said he was from the show to see some of your entries for the competition."
"He is really an art patron. He wants to sponsor a showing of my work."
This gets Christinas attention again, she stops what she is doing and spins around to look at Tris.
"Really! That's fantastic!," her face drops as she looks at Tris "wait. It is fantastic isn't it?"
"Yeah. He said I have a real talent and is offering me an opportunity for an exhibition. I've checked him out and he is seems legitimate."
"So what's the problem?"
"He wants to show them around Australia and overseas."
"And?"
"And it would mean that I would have to go too."
Realisation hits Christina and she goes to sit on the edge her bed, unfortunately due to the pile of clothes that are sitting precariously on the mattress she simply ends up sliding to the floor the clothes tumbling on and around her.
"Leave Dauntless?" she asks.
Tris simply nods her head confirming.
"What are you going to do?" she asks as Tris reaches over and removes a small halter top that had landed on top of Christina's head. Her big brown eyes follow Tris's movements.
"Nothing. I can't leave, I won't leave. This is my home now, I love it here, I love Four," with a sigh she picks up a lacy pair of underwear from Christina's shoulder, "I love everyone here," tossing the small black strip of lace back onto the bed before sliding down onto the floor beside Christina, her fingers instinctively find the small heart dangling from her charm bracelet and start to rub the surface.
"So you told him that?"
"Not yet."
"Have you told Four?"
"Not yet. I don't really see that I have to either, I mean I'm going to turn him down."
"But you haven't yet."
Tris shakes her head still rubbing the small heart. Christina nods her head and looks at a small pair of shorts that fell in her lap. Picking them up she starts to fold them not looking at Tris.
"I think that if you really wanted to turn him down Tris you would of called him by now," looking around on the floor for a space to put them she just merely drops them on top of another pile before looking to her "I think that there's a small part of you that really wants to do it."
"pfft, no."
Raising an eyebrow Christina continues to look at Tris.
"Really Chris. I mean don't get me wrong the fact that he thinks my work is that good for a showing really blew my mind. Especially considering I've never been to a class or anything."
Silence fills the small space between them, neither girl really saying anything further to continue the conversation. As the time slowly slips by Tris can feel something digging into her bottom cheek, lifting it up from the side she runs her hand underneath her fingers finding the culprit.
"You know," she says breaking the silence as she tugs out a spikey belt and rubbing the sore spot on her rear, "maybe it's time to consider downsizing a little Chris."
They both look around the unit.
"I think you might be right. What are you doing this afternoon?" Christina replies, conceding defeat.
"Helping you sort through your wardrobe," Tris says while slinging an arm around Christina's shoulder, "we go to the Adelaide Show next week. We can take everything you don't want and try to sell it and anything you don't sell you can donate."
"OK," Christina looks Tris in her eyes "it's time to let go I guess."
A feeling sinks into Tris as she is sure that she isn't just talking about her clothes but also about the offer from Jack Kang. Jumping up to her feet she runs her hands across her shorts as though she is wiping the dust from them.
"I'll get Shauna and Marlene to help."
"That's a good idea," Christina says taking a deep breath and looking back around the unit, "if anyone sees anything that they like they can have it."
"I'm sure they are going to love you for that Chris."
"Well they shouldn't. I have an ulterior motive."
"Ulterior motive?"
"Yeah, This way I am freeing up space but I'll still be able to borrow it if the occasion calls for it," she replies with a half grin gracing her mouth.
Tris laughs and turns towards the door, placing a hand on the handle she stops and turns back "Chris. Can you please not say anything to anyone. You know about Jack Kangs offer."
"You need to at least talk to Four."
"I will."
Christina gives a slight nod of her head "OK. Dauntless promise."
"Thanks."
When Tris leaves her mind is still ticking over from the conversation with Christina. Her decision was made she wasn't leaving but something kept niggling at the back of her thoughts. If it was made up why hasn't she contacted Jack Kang to tell him so just like Christina had pointed out. She was also right, she needed to talk to Four.
Coming across Shauna and Marlene hanging out in the games room she pushed all the questions that are currently whirling around her head aside and recruits them to help Christina go through her wardrobe. The rest of the afternoon she found herself so busy helping to sort every article of clothing, lingerie, shoe and accessory. Of course there where things that Christina put up a fight for and held on tight to. A few times a tug of war match had to be broken up between Christina and whoever the offender was that deemed the item toss worthy. By the end when it was time to head back to the dining hall there was a pile of boxes stacked filled with items ready for sale and each of the girls had inherited a pile each.
Later that night she is sitting on the edge of the bed brushing out her hair waiting for Tobias to return home. Home. That's right this is her home. Her home with Tobias. Her hairbrush stops mid stroke, her eyes catch the gleam from the tiny heart charm.
Startled from her daze she feels his hand take the brush from her and start to softly run it through her hair. As much as she loved the kissing and sex, times like this when he showed no other interest but to just be there with her were to her just as romantic and intimate.
"Nervous?" he asks softly from behind her.
"Huh?" she asks feeling the tension in her body. Did Christina mention something after all, "about what?"
"About your pictures," he says, stopping the brushing as he picks up on the sudden change.
She spins around and looks at him, "pictures?"
He pushes out a laugh, "for the competition."
"Oh. No, Yes," she replies as she turns back around and tilts her head slightly to the side as Tobias continues to brush her hair.
"You shouldn't be. Win or not they are great pictures Tris and you don't need a silly ribbon or trophy to tell you otherwise."
"It's not that."
"In fact I really think you should have your own show," he says off handily.
Tris feels her heart, it seems to start and stop all in one flutter. She feels his fingers slip through her hair, gently tugging it aside exposing the soft white skin underneath.
"Tobias."
"hmmm," he hums as he runs a finger across her shoulder in a gentle caress, the thin strip of satin from her chemise slides to the side. The brushing of hair completely forgotten.
"Do you remember about a month ago Jack Kang came to see me," a shiver courses through her as she feels his warm breath against her neck.
"The guy from the show?" he asks as he lightly peppers her shoulder.
"He was really and art patron and wants to arrange a showing of my photos," she feels him stop and slightly pull away from her. She turns to face him unable to read what he is thinking.
"Am I going to want to hear the rest?"
"He wants to arrange an exhibition around Australia and internationally but,"
"but?"
"I would have to go to."
"You're leaving?" he stiffens and sucks in a deep breath his eyes not wavering from her as they silently seek out an answer to his question.
"No."
"No you told him no?"
"I haven't told him anything yet," she reaches out and interlaces her fingers with his, "but I will. I'm not leaving, I won't leave you. I love you."
They sit in silence for a few minutes, he runs his thumb slowly over her knuckles.
Eventually he asks, "You're not just saying no for me are you?"
"You are a big part of it but there other things too."
More silence as the time slowly ticks past. Finally he gently tugs her into his arms, wrapping them securely around her and resting his head on top of her head. She can feel his heart beating beneath her cheek.
"You can say yes if you want to. I don't want to hold you back."
She laughs not really meaning to but it was either that or cry.
Pulling back and placing her hands over his face, her thumbs rub against his stubbly cheeks.
"You can't get rid of me that easy you know. I love you, I'm staying."
He smiles trying not to show the turmoil happening just underneath her fingers in his head.
Frowning slightly he changes the subject "so what were you girls doing today in Chris's unit?"
He tries to push aside the feeling that this was not the end of this and that maybe there was a chance that Jack Kang was not going to accept no for an answer. Lying back against the pillows he pulls her back into his arms listening to her as she tells him of a struggle over a studded pair of boots.
SNEAK PEAK AT THE NEXT CHAPTER….
"So is that normal?" Tris asks as she takes a seat next to Zeke and Shauna. Watching Uriah on the dance floor Tris is a little unsure of his moves. When looking again she sees that he seems to be doing what can only be described as a penguin walk, shuffling his feet and moving his head rather stiffly from side to side, shoulder to shoulder as he raises them at alternate times.
"Unfortunately yes, he seems to think of himself as somewhat of a mover," replies Zeke with a laugh as he raises his glass to his mouth.