A/N: Thank you so much for your follows and reviews! Beyonce's Homecoming Album and Netflix special were major influences for this chapter.
The atmosphere of Tuesday evening's Pep Rally is full of energy and excitement from the students. Shauna and Tobias sit together in the faculty staff section of the gymnasium as the football team and basketball teams are introduced. Shauna and Tobias let off an air horn when Zeke is announced causing him to start laughing as he jogs to his position on the floor with the rest of the coaching staff. Tris is moving around near the announcer's table giving orders with her clipboard.
"So how are things going with you and Tris?" Shauna asks as the basketball teams are announced. She notices Tobias tenses up a bit when Peter's name is called and his eyes are focused on where Tris is on the floor.
"I can't lie, Shauna, Tris is everything I didn't know I was missing," He says relaxing a little.
"You ready to settle down?" she probes noticing how he smiles and rubs the back of his neck.
"I keep trying to talk myself into slowing down seeing as we've only been dating for 4 months but I can't help myself". He admits to his friend.
"T, when you know you know. Everyone's timeline is different. I knew I wanted to marry Zeke when I was 12 years old. And once we got together we always knew we were going to get married once we graduated from college. I actually think we would have gotten married sooner if Zeke hadn't put some much pressure on himself that first year he was in the league". She says encouragingly with a smile.
"I think I'm worried, I'll scare her away or she'll think I'm coming on too strong if I try to move fast. Hell, I'm ready to ask her to move in with me" he sighs.
"Stop worrying so much, Tris is head over heels for you too, even Chris said she's never seen her the way she is with you. What I know about Tris is she appreciates honesty and being straightforward after what she went through with Peter. Be straight up with her and I bet she's feeling what you're feeling too. Go with the flow and what works best for you two. Who cares if anyone else thinks you're moving too fast."
"Thanks, Shauna. This is why I always call you when I have female trouble" he chuckles and nudges her with his shoulder.
"Hey, It's my duty to make sure I end up with a good sister-in-law after the Nita years, why do you think Uriah, Zeke, and I thought it would be a good idea to set you up with Tris in the first place," she says with a wink.
The week flies by with Christina getting rave reviews by all the faculty and staff for her catering of the Faculty Staff Appreciation event on Tuesday afternoon, the Alumni Donor Appreciation Mixer on Wednesday, and the Coronation Luncheon honoring the Homecoming Queen and King and their courts on Thursday afternoon. Tris is highly praised for recommending Lilly-Rose for the event by Max and several other high ranking university officials. Tobias escorts Hana and Natalie to the African Art Exhibition and lecture while Tris oversees the Student Fashion show.
Shauna's sister Lynn arrives to join in for the weekend festivities on Thursday. Lynn had a dry sense of humor, she spoke her mind and didn't take mess off of anyone. Tobias loved her attitude though, you always knew where you stood with Lynn there was no in-between. She was very beautiful, tall, and statuesque and fair-skinned like Shauna but her hair wasn't as curly. You wouldn't necessarily think that they were siblings seeing the two sisters next to each other. Lynn was very thin and she preferred most of the time but could switch it up when she wanted to dress up effortlessly. Lynn was always trying to prove she was just as tough as Uriah when they were growing up. At one point in high school, she had shaved her hair into a mohawk after a dare from Shauna which resulted in both of them being grounded for a month. She wasn't afraid to roughhouse with Uriah, Tobias, and Zeke and had a reputation for taking down the neighborhood bully in the 5th grade.
Marlene, Tris, and Christina's line sister arrives on Thursday as well. Tobias thinks she is stunning reminding him of a young Lauryn Hill. She is a gorgeous darker-skinned woman with full lips and dark brown almond-shaped eyes. She's average height and Tobias can tell she has a keen fashion sense with a laid back earthy vibe.
Christina thought that she and Marlene's phone conversation in September regarding her and Uriah's relationship had gone surprisingly well. Tobias and Zeke watch to see if there is any tension between Uriah, Christina, and Marlene but everything seems to be going smoothly as the group has dinner at Bubba Gump's before heading out for the evening. Tris has seats for everyone reserved at the Homecoming Comedy Show that night. The comedians from MTV's Wild N Out and the 85 South Show are hilarious and have everyone in tears laughing during the show. The crew decides to head to Mac's Place after the show to wind down with a few drinks since there's a Bulls game on.
Zeke leans over to Tobias and whispers "Bruh, Is it just me, or does it look like Marlene and Lynn are vibing?"
Tobias lets out a breath "Yo, I thought it was just me" he replies in a loud whisper.
"What are you two over there whispering about?" Tris asks after taking a sip of her drink.
"Nothing," Zeke and Tobias say at the same time.
That night as Tris and Tobias are getting ready for bed, Tobias mentions to Tris what he and Zeke were chatting about and Tris can't help but agree that she noticed it as well.
Friday is full of activities and a long day for Tris and Tobias. Zeke, Tobias, Tori, Tris, Natalie, and Hana all attend the Friday Convocation together to listen to Max's opening remarks on Homecoming and the honoring of the previous graduating classes. All classes are suspended during this time to allow all students the opportunity to attend. The history of the university is given, displaying the perseverance and strength of the founders in the 1860s working to establish a way to provide formal education that had been denied to former slaves. Many alumni speak during the program to how Historically Black Colleges and Universities have shaped the advancement of each generation since the ending of slavery in the United States. Tobias notices Dauntless graduates from as far back as the 1940s and 1950s present. He admires their pride for Dauntless as red and black are displayed everywhere. Hana and Natalie introduce their children to classmates from their time in college.
They all grab lunch together before Natalie and Hana head off to do some shopping together and everyone else heads over to the Yardshow.
Christina, Uriah, Marlene, and Lynn make it over to the campus for the afternoon Yardshow. The Yardshow is a fun event for students and younger alumni that is similar to a block party. This year's event was sponsored by BET and had several celebrities like Terrance J and Laz Alonzo who were HBCU graduates doing live streams and signing autographs. Tris is busy making sure the giveaway tent is set up and the DJ has everything he needs. Tobias can't believe the number of people that have shown up. When the DJ starts spinning the crowd gets even thicker. He notices this event is definitely for the younger alumni and students with only popular Hip Hop songs from Cardi B, Migos, Megan Thee Stallion, and others being played. Now he understands why his mother and Natalie chose to go shopping.
The fraternities and sororities start strolling. Christina explains that strolling is a visual representation of the bond that ties together members of an organization in a fashion close to stepping and sometimes even closer to modern dancing. Each organization forms a line usually with the shorter people in the front. Most organizations have practice before events like Homecoming to learn new moves to new songs or refresh their memory on old songs. The energy is amazing when Knuck in You Buck by Crime Mob is played the entire crowd goes wild and Tobias and Lynn find a spot where they can see all of the different organizations move, noticing the distinct movements for each organization. Tobias isn't much of a dancer and he enjoys watching Tris, Christina, Marlene, and the younger AKAs do the Wobble. When Swag Surf comes on Uriah makes him join in and he has to admit this is nothing like anything he ever experienced at Oxford or Northwestern. This was free like he was a part of a family he just met that day.
Tobias hates when he has to leave to head back to Roth Hall for the open houses that afternoon. After the convocation on Friday morning, all of the Academic Schools and Colleges of the University have open houses. This is a time for alumni to visit their favorite faculty members and hear about upcoming plans for the perspective programs of study. Tobias has a steady stream of previous African American studies majors and potential legacy students in town with their parents who are interested in his plans for moving things forward. He has a pleasant surprise when Hana and Natalie stop by so they can see his office and hear all about what he is working on.
He knows tonight is going to be a long night for him and Tris with the Greek Stepshow and Alumni Old School Jam afterparty. He convinces Tris to come back to his place and take a nap around 4 o'clock. Everyone was planning to meet at his place before heading to the step show. Lauren, Tori, Harrison, and Marlene were planning on joining them too. Tobias and Zeke had gone in together to rent a party bus so everyone could drink without having to worry about driving to and from the step show and then to the afterparty.
Everyone gathers at Tobias' house for dinner and drinks before the step show. Shauna and Max's daughter Lauren pick up Chinese take out for everyone and the guys settle in downstairs getting the drinks going while Tris has the ladies upstairs in two of the guest rooms. Lauren, Zeke, and Uriah had laughed over dinner on how they never would have thought their parents would end up together.
Marlene, Christina, Lauren, and Tris had opted for a simple similar look that evening with a pair of high waisted skinny jeans and a form-fitting black tank top with spaghetti straps and pair of black heels and the AKA's signature single strand of pearls. Each had finished the look off with her pink pledge jacket. since it was a little chilly that evening. Tobias almost made them late because he couldn't keep his hands off of Tris before they left his house.
This is Tobias' first step show but Tris has shown him videos to help explain the concept to him. He did some reading to understand that stepping was a form of percussive dance in which the participant's entire body is used as an instrument to produce complex rhythms and sounds through a mixture of footsteps, spoken word, and hand claps often in arrangements that resemble military formations. Christina explains he will see a lot of strolling just like earlier at the yard show too.
The party bus turns out to be a great investment for the evening and the driver has them to the venue with enough time for them to mix and mingle before the show starts at 7. Harrison introduces him to a few graduate members of Alpha Phi Alpha he hasn't met before and he greets several that he had met a few weeks before volunteering. Tris smiles when she notices him across the gym seeing that things are moving in the right direction.
He and Lynn end up hanging together with Tori in the Faculty Staff Section of the gym. The gym feels like it is almost packed to capacity as this event is very popular with younger Dauntless Alumni and the students. The floor of the gym has been covered and there has been a stage erected at one end. There appears to be a judges table set with a clear view of the stage. The gym has also been divided, each organization's members are sitting in their own designated sections which are clearly visible by all of the members wearing variations of the organization's colors.
The girls had offered to sit with him but he didn't want to impede their fun. It was only a couple of hours and he honestly really wanted to observe the entire thing from afar. Ever since he and Tris' conversation about Black Greek Life he had been paying close attention and read the book Tris recommended. Tobias can easily spot Tris, Christina, Shauna, and Marlene from his seat on the opposite side of the gym. She waves when she notices where he is sitting. Uriah and Zeke were further down sitting in the Omega section sitting with their frat brothers.
When the show starts he Lynn and Tori comment on how they are impressed with the elaborate themes put together by each organization and the level of technology used to create videos and voice-overs as well the time spent on the costumes. Tori explains to Tobias and Lynn that the judges score based on the creativity of the theme, the accuracy of how the steps are executed, and the level of difficulty. All the sororities were amazing, the women of Zeta Phi Beta had a 90s theme with lots of music and outfits like TLCs first album. Delta Sigma Theta pulled off a boxing theme using music from Rocky and LL Cool J's Mama said Knock You Out. He liked the AKA's theme the best which was a school-based theme where their outfits look like they attend a prep school and the music was hip hop inspired by playground music the Take Me There from the Rugrats movie he loved as a kid. When it's time for the fraternities, the Alpha's theme was very impressive, mimicking the Jordan Pele horror movie Us. The men of Phi Beta Sigma do an African/ Coming to America theme, Kappa Alpha Psi pulls off a theme based on the movie Drumline and Omega Psi Phi has a military theme with camouflage everywhere.
While the judges are tallying the scores, the DJ starts playing a mix of songs that get all of the Greeks up and strolling. There are several different lines moving across the gym floor with each line doing all the same moves. He knows from earlier that afternoon that certain songs are hype songs for certain organizations.
When Set if Off by Strafe comes on all of the AKAs get excited and move to the floor. Tris is in the front of the line due to her being the shortest. Tobias was mesmerized, he couldn't take his eyes off Tris. The way she moved at the front of the line with such confidence. The sensual way she slung her braids over her shoulder. The movements were slow and sexy. The rest of the AKAs behind Tris are doing the exact same movements but all he can focus on is Tris. She looks up like she could feel him watching her and catches his gaze and throws him a wink that goes straight to his groin. As the song ends Tris makes her way back to the bleachers and takes her seat and she sees she has a text from Tobias.
Tobias: That was sexy as hell, and I cannot wait until I get you home tonight.
Tris: I'm glad you liked it :P
Tobias: I plan on showing you just how much I liked it.
Tris can feel her cheeks heat up and she says as she bites her lip as she looks in the direction of where Tobias sitting. It was amazing with just a few words she would be clenching her thighs together thinking about what his head between her legs or on top of him.
"That must be Tobias," Lauren teases as Tris tries to regain her composure and nods her head in response. "Clearly the sex is amazing if he has you this gone off a text message".
"I have zero complaints," Tris says fanning herself causing Christina to laugh.
Tris was having a ball with Marlene, Lauren, Christina, and Shauna. She looked forward to the steps show every year. It brought back so many memories. The vibe was so crazy tonight too. She had seen so many people she hadn't seen in years that had made the trip for homecoming this year.
When Atomic Dog by George Clinton Comes on all the Omegas hop up and run to the floor.
Uriah and Zeke are both wearing the signature Omega Psi Phi gold spray-painted combat boots with purple shoestrings and camouflage shorts. Uriah opted for an Omega tank top that is basically exposing his arms and abs while Zeke has on a tighter purple Omega t-shirt with his line name and number on the back.
"Christina, you might want to pick your jaw up off the floor," Tris says.
"Uriah is definitely getting laid tonight" she states in a low voice as she eyes Uriah up and down.
"Hell Zeke too, Jesus". Shauna adds with a smirk as she admires her husband as he hops with his tongue out and rolls his neck.
Tris can't do anything but laugh, then she starts to get warm just thinking about the possibility of Tobias in a frat and how sexy strolling is for her.
After the step show everyone heads back to Tobias' place to change for the party and pre-game on the party bus. Tris giggles as she is trying to get dressed and has to keep swatting Tobias away from her as he tries to kiss her neck and run his hands over her body trying to get somewhere. Downstairs Zeke yells so loud Tobias thinks everyone one the block hears him, "Hurry up T, we want to do shots, You and Tris better not be trying to get a quickie in!"
Tris smirks as Tobias groans and concedes to finishing getting ready as Tris goes to the guest room with the rest of the girls to do her make up. By the time the girls make it downstairs, Tobias, Harrison, Uriah, and Zeke are clearly tipsy.
It's close to 11:00 by the time they make it to the Alumni Old School Party. The ladies had all gone in together to get a VIP booth complete with bottle service since Tobias and Zeke had sprung for the party bus that had been driving them around all evening. Tobias notices how much commodore there is among the alumni as Zeke, Uriah, Lauren Tris, and Christina run into people they know and haven't seen in a while. Later in the evening Marlene and Lynn are wrapped up in a conversation on the couch while everyone else hits the dance floor. The DJ starts a reggae mix playing everything from No Games by Serani, to Murder She Wrote by Chaka Demus. Tris is driving Tobias crazy as she grinds against him to the Caribbean rhythm of the songs. He had already been turned on with the dress she had chosen for the party. It was pale pink with thin spaghetti straps and laced up the sides and middle. It hugged her body perfectly and made her ass look absolutely amazing. She was a little taller than normal with the silver heels she had chosen but still, Tobias had to lean down to kiss her shoulder. He wraps his arms around her waist as they move together and nuzzles her neck.
"I think we better go cool off," Tris says in his ear as she moves her hand up to the back of his neck.
Tobias nods giving her a peck on the lips. Things might get awkward if he continues to grind against Tris causing him to only think of getting her in his bed tonight. As they get back to the empty booth Tris points that she's going to the restroom and Tobias sits down to fix himself another drink. The DJ has picked up the songs again playing more Afrobeats like Drogba. About 10 minutes later Tris comes back to the booth with her eyes wide and sits down next to Tobias and pours herself a shot that she immediately is looking at her like she has two heads.
"I just saw Lynn and Marlene basically having sex in a corner outside the bathroom. They were all over each other." she breathes out after the alcohol burns down her throat.
Now Tobias' eyes are just as wide as Tris. He'd known Lynn identified as pansexual and she'd just gotten out of a long term relationship with a woman named Destiny. He and Zeke thought they'd seen something between her and Marlene the past two nights but good grief going at it in the club and Tris agreed.
"Is Marlene into girls?" Tobias asks Tris.
Tris shrugs her shoulders and raises her hands. "I'm not judging that part, I'm just shocked at the location. I totally expect that from Uri and Chris". Tris relays
"Do they know you saw them?" he inquires and Tris shakes her head no in response.
Tobias and Tris agree not to say anything to the others for now. When Get Me Bodied by Beyonce comes on, Lauren, Tori, Christina, and Shauna drag Tris back on the dance floor. Leaving Zeke, Uriah, and Tobias in the booth.
"You ready for tomorrow? Tobias asks Zeke.
"Yeah, I feel good, I feel confident we will win" Zeke responds as he pours himself another drink.
Just then Marlene and Lynn come back into the booth trying to look discrete and ask Zeke to fix them a drink. Zeke throws Tobias a look with his eyebrows raised and Tobias nods his head trying not to laugh.
As the night goes on the crew have some more drinks and dance enjoying the evening. When they make their way to the party bus at the end of the night Zeke is giving the driver instructions on where he will be making stops to drop everyone off so he can formulate the best route. Lynn tells Zeke she's getting off with Marlene so they can hit up another bar downtown close to Marlene's hotel. Uriah and Christina, and Shauna all look at each other. The driver ends up dropping Lynn and Marlene first since it's not that far from the club.
As soon as they get off Christina is the first to speak up in her usual blunt nature.
"So Lynn and Marlene are going to go fuck?"
"Looks that way, I saw them all over each other outside the bathroom" Tris replies.
"Can't say I saw that one coming" Uriah adds.
"I hope Lynn isn't rebounding. Maybe she's just looking to have some fun. She just broke up with Destiny maybe two months ago" Shauna comments.
"I liked Destiny too. I thought they were good for each other". Zeke adds.
The conversation turns to plans for tomorrow and what time everyone is going to meet up minus Zeke who will miss all the tailgating festivities until after the game. Tris and Tobias say goodnight to everyone when they reach his house. Tris squeals when they get in the front door and Tobias throws her over his shoulder, smacks her on the ass, and makes their way upstairs. Tobias makes good on his promise of all the naughty things he whispered to Tris on the dance floor. They had a long day but he couldn't bring himself not to lose himself in pleasuring her before they went to sleep.
The Homecoming Parade started at 9 am. Tris and Tobias made it to the Student Activities float at 8:30 by the skin of their teeth. Normally Tobias isn't a big coffee drinker but he and Tris needed something to get them going this morning. Tobias heads to watch the parade with his mother, Natalie, and Max while Tris rides on the student activities float throwing out candy and beads along the parade route.
Tobias is again floored by the energy of the Dauntless Alumni who made the trip to Charleston for this event and the local African American community. As the marching band comes into view, Tobias enjoys seeing Alumni members of each section of the band march along with the current members, some even still carrying their own instruments. Hana explains to Tobias the Dauntless Band is one of the best among the HBCUs. It's named the Sounds of Distinction and people come just to see the halftime show. The tryouts for each spot are grueling and only the best of the best make the cut. Natalie and Hana cheer on their classmates whom they recognize in various sections of the band as it passes by. After the parade everyone moves to the football stadium parking lot for tailgating close to noon. Thankfully the game didn't start until 1 pm so there was some time to relax and eat lunch. Tris had to check in on a few things at the Student Activities tent but was back in time to enjoy lunch under the tent set up by the President's office.
The stands are packed at the football stadium as Tris, Tobias, Hana, Max, Natalie, Uriah, Shauna, Christina, Tori, and George take their seats in the front center of the home side. The Warriors are playing the Bethune Cookman Wildcats today and the visitors' section is pretty packed as well. Tobias can feel the strong sense of pride as the Sounds of Distinction play the Negro National Anthem, Lift Every Voice and Sing followed by the Star-Spangled Banner to start the game. From his experience at previous home games, he knows everything about the entertainment is different. Tobias loves how the once again the alumni are so involved in the activities. Former cheerleaders and former football players all congregate on the sidelines. Lauren had been a majorette and sat with the band participating in a few of the old routines the band still did to entertain the bands and majorettes all battle with pride, and showmanship playing classics such as Can You Stand The Rain by New Edition and newer songs like The Tootsie Slide by Drake. Tobias can't imagine the hours of practice that the band puts in to pull this off each season. The Warriors dominate the entire first half leading 21-7 at halftime.
Tris enjoys watching Tobias take in the halftime show. They've been to all of the home football games this season but the Sounds of Distinction always take it up a notch for Homecoming. The majorettes also known as the Dauntless Bombshells have a new routine and the band has changed out a few songs for this show. The Homecoming King, Queen, and Court are presented during half time as well making it longer usual. The crowd is pumped up for the second half which flies by as Dauntless wins 42-14.
After the game, Tris and Tobias with their friends and family spend time at the vendors outside the stadium where Tris, Marlene, Natalie, Shauna, and Christina pick up some new AKA finds. Next everyone continues back to the tailgate tent. Tobias also gets a real opportunity to chat with Lauren. She's sharp, and down to earth. She lived in Orlando, FL, and had recently gotten married. She had been just as shocked when she found out Max and Hana were dating but adored Hana and was happy for them. She had a brother Eric who was a lawyer in Atlanta that seemed to be okay with the idea too.
Christina, Tris, Marlene, and Lauren spend time catching up with several of the alumni AKAs before Christina needs to leave. With the Lilly Rose catering the Alumni Jazz Brunch Sunday she has some prep work to do if she wants to make the concert tonight. When Zeke finally makes it down to the tailgating site, everyone heads over the Omega Tent to grab some more food and hang out before leaving to get dressed for the concert.
Tris once again comes through with her role as Dean of Student Activities and has the second row reserved for their group and is able to bring them backstage to meet Da Baby and Roddy Ritch. Even though Tobias is into classic hip hop, he has to admit the show was good and he had a great time with everyone. Everyone but Christina and Uriah head to the Waffle House after the concert to spend some more time with Lynn before her flight leaves in the morning. Christina has an early morning to get things in place for the Jazz Brunch and Uriah being the supportive boyfriend, wants to be there to help out so they take off to get some sleep.
"So Lynn, What did you think of your first Dauntless Homecoming?" Tris asks as she mixes up her hashbrowns.
"Well I definitely think I will be back next year, I really did have fun. It was like a huge family reunion with cousins I'd never met. I had no idea there was so much going on with all the events." Lynn replies.
Shauna knew Lynn wasn't much of a partier but she had seemed more into this weekend and Shauna suspected Marlene had something to do with that.
"So Soror Marlene, when are you heading back to Atlanta?" Shauna inquires.
"Tomorrow afternoon, I want to stay for the Jazz Brunch," Marlene responds as she tosses her long braids over her shoulder. "I'm really glad I came this year, I haven't made it to Homecoming in 4 years. This was a nice break from work too. I really had fun with y'all this weekend."
Tris feels encouraged. She was really glad everyone was able to have a good time and there was no awkwardness.
"When is everyone planning to make it Chicago again?" Lynn asks munching on her waffle.
"Christmas for sure, the Bears have a home game on the 23rd so I'm hoping we can stay through New Years," Zeke responds.
"Tris, are you going home for Christmas too?" Lynn asks
"Yeah I was planning on it, It's one of the few times of the year I can stay for an extended amount of time since the University is closed," Tris explains.
"Tris, You should come to the game with us, T always goes with us too," Zeke says getting excited.
"Maybe we should throw a New Year's Kickback at the crib" Tobias offer.
"I like this plan" Shauna chimes in
"Me too" Lynn agrees.
Tris looks over at Tobias and smiles and reaches around her and rubs her upper arm. The group chats for a little while longer before saying their goodbyes.
The Annual Dauntless Alumni Jazz Brunch doubles as a fundraiser for the university's foundation. The event has grown into the largest fundraising event of the year for the foundation as well it is now one of the most popular Homecoming events for Alumni. The attire is all white and Tris has chosen an off the shoulder knee length flowing white dress. While it was low cut, it was not inappropriate and Tobias thought she looked like a goddess with how the soft white chiffon contrasted against her caramel toned skin. For men, the attire was Sunday chic and Tobias had opted for a pair of white khaki pants with a white dress shirt and tan vest. She took in his onyx cufflinks and Gucci loafers that completed his look. Tobias wasn't a snob about his money but little things he did made it clear he was well off if you watched him carefully. She also couldn't deny that he wore everything well, the way his tailor-made everything fit perfectly to his body frame. As they climbed into the car to head to campus, Tris couldn't take her eyes off Tobias.
"See something you like?" he teased knowing she was checking him out.
"I sure do and I can't wait to show how much I like it later" she teases back.
Tobias chuckles. This week had only solidified how comfortable he felt waking up to Tris every morning and how he wanted more.
The Jazz Brunch is a beautiful display of Dauntless pride and Black culture. Everyone dressed in their white and Sunday chic is an unparalleled vision. Max was able to secure Bradford Marsalis, son of the famed Winton Marsalis to play the event which drew a larger crowd this year. Christina outdid herself with the menu. She expanded upon her Charleston theme specialties to include her now-famous shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles with a variety of waffles at the waffle station and she included pralines at the dessert table.
Natalie and Hana can't stop raving to Max about the food and ambiance of the event. Shauna, Tris, Zeke, and Tobias all can't help but laugh together as Hana tells all of her friends at the brunch that her soon to be daughter in law was responsible for the delicious food and her other soon to be daughter in law was head of the Homecoming Planning Committee. Marlene and Tris chat as well, promising to stay in better contact. Tobias and Natalie also have a great conversation around how he could possibly assist with a fundraiser for the Abnegation group home with his contacts from his father's company.
Tris and Tobias drive Natalie to the airport that evening for her flight back to Chicago. Tobias and Tris say their goodbyes promising to stay for an extended visit in Chicago over the Christmas holidays.
When she hugs Tobias, she tells him firmly, "You take care of my Baby Girl Tobias."
Tobias chuckles and responds "I will Ms. Natalie, Don't you worry".
As Natalie hugs Tris goodbye she whispers in her ear, "He's a keeper Baby Girl. You hang on to this one. I love you".
Tris hugs her mother tighter and whispers back "I know, I don't plan on letting him go. I love you too."
A/N: Hope you enjoyed Dauntless Homecoming! My Pinterest page (rdixon417) has videos from HBCU homecomings, bands, and majorettes, step shows, stroll offs, and more to help you put all the pieces together if I haven't described it well.
Fun fact: Lauren is inspired by Tika Sumpter who is an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Also, I like stepping and have done several step shows but strolling is my favorite thing!
I tried to cut down on the jargon but I know I let a few things slip.
Line Name: A name you are given after you finish the membership process in a Black Greek Letter Organization. (My line name is Sensitivity and My line number was 8, hence my handle)