AN: guess who's back, back again, and avoiding exam study? YES is me you've guessed correctly.
Your prize is DRUM ROLL PLEASE:
badumbbadumbbadumb
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this chapter congrats!
Tori closed the shop for five minutes while she showed me where the infirmary was. Apparently, the stores quite during this time anyway. The infirmary is located on the third floor, I haven't spent much time up here. Tori points out her tattoo parlour as we pass it. It screams typical tattoos, with neon signage and stylistic black and white designs over the walls and doorways.
It reminds me I've got to ask about Marlene's Tattoo. "Hey Tori did Uriah happen to stop by the parlour last night?" I ask.
Tori laughs to herself and turns to face me. "Yeah he did. How do you know Uriah?"
"He goes to my school. We went to the zip line yesterday with the gang"
"I'm glad you've made friends, they're a good group of kids. Even if the Pedrad's are known for being a bit reckless" Tori said smiling to herself and continuing to walk down the corridor. After how mundane my life was a bit reckless is just what I need.
"I just need to know what he tattooed on Marlene." I ask.
Tori laughs "I can't tell you, you'll have to ask to see it yourself." Tori turns back to face me "But I can tell you this Uriah is not going to grow up to be a tattoo artist" She laughs.
We continue to walk around the third floor we pass a couple of piercing places and hair salons.
"Also, Tris I forgot to tell you today is pay day" Tori said excitedly.
I had almost forgot the job was paying, it feels wrong to take money from Tori especially after all she's done for me. "Don't worry, I sorted out all the bank details for you, just remind me to give you your bank card at the end of your shift."
The infirmary is right next to the gym, considering the fight ring in the middle of the pit and the dangerous things these people like to throw themselves into, this doesn't surprise me.
Inside is clean, once the nurse gets me onto the bed, I realise just how tired I am, these last nights have been getting the better of me.
So, I have a concussion, is low on fluids, oh and Eric bruised a couple of my ribs. The nurse got me on IV and held me for half an hour. Bruised ribs are painful but there is not much you can do for them but rest.
When I got released Tori mostly got me to work the register and count stock because she wanted me to rest.
I headed to the back to check if we had any stock for the new jackets left. On my way I catch the reflection of myself in the mirror. I can't believe what I see, I look so tired. My eyes bag and I look warn out. The bruise is a bright assortment of purples, reds and yellows. I can't get past how weak I look it makes me feel sick.
"We can help you stand up for yourself here" Tori says, I turn to her. She's been watching me address myself in the mirror. "We have fighting classes in the gym, you'll get stronger, fitter, and able to hold your own if Eric is a dick again".
"When isn't he a dick" I say.
Tori laughs "True. But the offer still stands. One of the best trainers owes me one"
I look back in the mirror. My arms are sticks, my body is totally out of shape. I look over to Tori, she is short like I am but she stands with power, muscles bulge out of her skin tight black clothing.
"Ok" I agree "I want that."
"I'll ask him, but he mostly works nights. But in your case the won't be a problem will it" Tori states more to herself.
The next few nights I spend actually sleeping, my injury has taken it out of me, even the slightest movement is painful.
I ended up telling my parents I fell down the stairs. I got chastised for being clumsy.
Is four days later and I'm finally feeling well enough to go out, bright yellow bruises still line my sides. Climbing out my window is a nightmare.
Tori has set out a training session for me tonight, I head to the third level of the Pit, where the gym is.
I enter the gym, which is completely empty besides a man in the centre. As soon as I see him, I know who he is.
Four turns around to face me, after registering who it is shock falls on his face, quickly replaced by a smirk pulling up on his lips. I want to run straight back out of this room, but he looks like he's having the time of his life.
"You're my favour to Tori?" He asks from the centre of the gym. He looks in his element here. I can assess his physique in the tight-fitting gym-tee and let me tell you he is very fit. I feel inadequate in my baggy jumper and track pants. My allusion as tough Six is about to be broken when he sees just how un-co and unfit I am.
"Don't look so disappointed" I joke, with a tinge of honesty.
"Oh, I'm not" He replies, the smirk still on his lips. He walks over to me until he is right Infront of me, inches away, looking down on me. "Just so you know, I'm not going to go easy on you" He said in a harsh hushed tone. The sound gritted out from the back of his throat; it was terrifying.
But the thing about terrifying is, it makes me act rebellious.
I look up at him, straight into his eyes. "I wouldn't want it any other way" I emphasize on 'any'.
A genuine smile comes to his lips. "There you are" he mutters to himself.
"Lets get stared, we've got the gym to ourselves" He said turning his back on me. "We'll start with 10 warm up laps of the gym". 10 laps! Just for warm up. What have I gotten myself into?
I pull my baggy jumper off over my head, wincing on the way up. My injuries have gotten better but still haven't healed. My shirt gets pulled up with the jumper, allowing the cool night air to caress my bruised skin.
I go to pull my shirt back down but Four stops me, suddenly he's in front of me, "What happened to you!" He whispers. This time it's different it's not a taunt or a scary trainer whisper, it's deadly. I look up to his face, his brows are furrowed, he's mad not he's furious. One of his hands is tightly clenched by his side but the other is gently reaching to my side. His hand makes contact with my bruised skin, with the lightest of pressures, as not to hurt me. I didn't know Four could be this gentle. The skin on skin contact sends shivers to my spine that cascade throughout my body.
"Tris, did some one do this?" he asks.
I can see the anger behind his eyes, bubbling up like boiling water, he's trying to contain it behind his calm exterior but it's there undeniably boiling away.
I try to speak but my throat comes out dry. "Yeah" I manage to get out.
"Who" he demands. I can see he's ready to attack, it looks like he'd take on the world for me.
But this is not his fight, It's mine. One I intend on winning.
"Eric" I mutter.
"I'll kill him" Four threatens his hand still softly connecting to my side.
"Four, I can see your angry. Trust me so am I, but this is my fight and I plan on taking him down" I make eye contact with Four, "I need you to teach me how to be strong so I can show that jerk a lesson".
The anger lessens in his eyes, replaced by pride. He smiles at me, a true smile. His previously clenched hand, moves to my face and pushes a strand of hair back behind my ear.
"Ok show him hell".
