A/N- Here's chapter 10! Would like to say a thank you to everyone who is following and favouriting this story! I'm glad you guys think it's decent enough to keep track of lol. And just a heads up, I don't know if I'll be able to stay on the schedule of uploading every Friday, I've just gotten a job again so obvs don't have as much time as I used to. I do have the next few chapters planned out so at least when I do have time they'll be easy to write. And for 'A Twist of Fate' readers, I'm nearly finished with chapter 25. I've got maybe another hard to get through chapter and then hopefully they'll be more enjoyable to write and read again! Have a great Friday! Bethany x
Chapter 10- Quality Time.
The storm hit hard that night, still going 2 days after. I've skied during storms before, where the slopes are empty and the snow is fresh. But the school won't allow us out, something about health and safety. I guess being adults means nothing when you're still in education.
Instead of skiing, we're all sat in the lounge downstairs. The space would be pretty gloomy due to the storm, but the fairy lights hanging off the Christmas tree in the corner adds a cosy glow. Add the football playing on the t.v and it's close to feeling like home.
"Could you put anything else on?" Mar whines, crossing her arms, "just any other sport, please." I can get behind Mar on that one, football never being an interest of mine. Zeke shakes his head disturbingly slow, not saying anything else.
"You thought about your gift yet?" Christina asks, scrolling through her phone next to me.
I shake my head, even though I know she can't see. "Nope. I'm going to have to look tomorrow." I gaze out the window, noticing that it's not nearly as windy as it was yesterday. Christmas being only days away has added the pressure to find Zeke his gift. "Storm should pass tonight."
She puts her phone away, leaning her head on the back of the old sofa, "Too bad it's not going to last a bit longer; my legs still need another week to recover." Wearing shorts and a jumper, I can see all the bruises the boots have done to her legs.
"It'll be worth it when you're a pro by the end of January."
She looks at me sideways, "I better be," she sits up, facing me, "I'll be in the shower, snow ploughing. Just out of instinct! All this extra practice better pay off." I laugh, remembering the same story coming out of Mar's lips last year.
"So," she begins again, this time her voice lower, "you talked to Peter yet?"
My gaze shifts over to him, sitting at a table in the corner, playing cards with Molly and Drew. I told the girls the day after it happened, knowing they'd be confused why we weren't talking. In turn, I haven't spoken to him since that day. "No, not yet."
"What were you even fighting about anyway?" She presses. Surprisingly, this is the first time she's asked.
"He just brought up old wounds," I reply awkwardly, looking back at her. The past few days I've been an anxious mess, with me watching Peter like a hawk. It's only since today I've been able to quiet down my paranoia, knowing if he was to spill to Al, that he would have done it already.
I've been putting off speaking to him, kind of grateful we've fallen out. This has been a great excuse to not pretend to be interested in him, but it's made me miss the ease of my monotonous life even more.
She shakes her head, "he's no good, Tris. Use this argument to break this off."
I'm shaking my head, knowing I can't do that, not unless our argument is the tipping point for Nita to make her move. "No, this is just a blip."
My phone vibrates next to me. I pick it up, glad for the distraction from Christina. Four's name pops up. I swipe it, opening the message.
'Storms letting up, want to go out?'
I grin, texting back, 'omw'
Christina leans over, trying to read my message, "what's got you all smiley?"
I turn it off before she can see anything. "Nothing," I stand, holding onto my phone, "I'm going to head back up to the room, I'll see you later."
She lets me go, but not without making sure I know she's suspicious. I ignore her scepticism, quickly making my exit.
I'm back up in our room in no time, chucking on my ski coat and grabbing my gloves. I don't bother braiding my hair, figuring it'll take too long.
As I open the door, I get another message,
'Head straight out, I've got your stuff.'
As I'm reading the message, I bump into someone. I look up, an apology on my lips. It dies when I see Lynn. "Oh, hey."
She looks at me quizzically, "where you off to?"
I look down at my jacket and gloves, "is it not obvious?"
"You know there's still a ban on the slopes," she states.
Of course I know that. Tori will go mental if she finds me outside. I shrug, "I'm not going to get caught."
She knowingly states, "Four's out there, isn't he?"
I try to look as innocent as I can, "No…?"
She rolls her eyes, "Just keep in mind," she begins, looking at me sternly, "the more time you spend with him, the less people are going to believe you like Peter."
I glance up and down the hall, cautious that someone could be listening. "I know that, I just…"
She nods, "We'll figure out a way to end it with Peter, okay?"
I nod back, thankful my drunk self indulged her, "thanks, Lynn."
Shaking her head, she motions me to move, "Bud and Tori are in the classroom, keep out of their sight."
I leave her at that, basically running through the hall and down the flights of stairs. When I get to the bottom, I peak around the corner, making sure they won't see me going towards the boots room entrance.
Making my move, I open the door and run down the flight of stairs. I slow down when I'm out of sight, moving through the equipment packed space and out the exit.
When I'm on the flat at the bottom of the slope, I look out, and don't see him. He's usually stood in line with the lifts. It's slightly harder to see today, with the snow coming down and the wind blowing my hair around; but his black attire is usually easy to spot. I turn around, looking down the slope. I finally catch sight of him, standing next to the small snow park.
"I was starting to think you'd never turn around," he jokes when I'm close enough to hear over the wind.
"And you didn't think to call out?" I shoot back, a smile creepy onto my face.
He shakes his head, "You wouldn't have heard me over the wind."
We haven't spoken since I fell asleep on Zeke's bed. I had awoken to Shauna shaking my shoulder gently, saying that Four had just left. I headed out straight after, getting into my bed and thanking the storm for cancelling our morning ski lesson. Even though I've been in way worse states than I was up at the bar, it's still embarrassing remembering the shit that came out of my mouth. It seems that the smallest amount of alcohol in my body makes me lose all capability of having a normal conversation.
"What are you doing over here anyway?" I ask. He must want to head to the lifts down the gradual slope instead of the ones we usually use.
He points to my classroom. Where we're standing is just out of direct view. "Didn't think you'd want to be caught."
"Thoughtful," I tease. He shrugs, grabbing the skis off the- wait. "Skis?"
He nods, "there's no way I'm letting you snowboard in a storm."
It would pretty much be a disaster, I can see that. But then, there's no real reason to be out here together, is there? Except to… just hang out?
My mind's back to the night on the mountain. I was drunk, sure, but as soon as he showed up it's like my memory zoned in on him, clearing up every image he was in. If Zeke hadn't interrupted, what would have happened? I think I've got a pretty good idea.
I keep the thoughts to myself, just in case I'm wrong. Maybe he just likes me as a friend and wants to hang out? But, I mean he could do that with Zeke or Shauna-
"Ready?" He asks, securing my helmet on my head. The butterflies that seem to have taken residence in my stomach reappear, more prevalent than ever.
"Yeah," I reply, kind of shaky. "Yeah, lets go," I repeat with more confidence.
He smiles, tipping his head to the side. "Come on then."
...
"So what do you like more? Skiing or snowboarding?" I ask, walking back toward the lodge. We've been out for a few hours, going off peak for the majority of the morning. It was a challenge, keeping up with him, but it's been fun.
"Snowboarding, definitely," he answers without a beat. "It's the first thing I learnt as a kid."
"You must have been young when you started out."
He nods as we walk past the water ski. A boy, around our age, heads towards it, down the slope. He skims the water, looking like he's going to complete it. But just before the end, he lowers the front of his skis and plummets. The people around him cheer in mockery, before some of them help him get out.
"Have you done it before?" Four asks, pointing at the shallow water.
I shake my head. I've only seen them a few times at the different ski resorts I've been to. But all those times I've been too young. "Zeke says he's completed it?"
"The only time I've seen him have a go ended with him face first in the pool."
I laugh, "I knew it."
We carry on walking, the lodge now in view.
I feel his eyes looking towards me, but I keep my gaze straight ahead. I grab at the necklace hanging around my neck, pulling the locket back and forth.
"You guys are close, then?" He asks, some tightness in his voice.
I turn to him finally, "me and Zeke?"
He nods, "Yeah," I say, "Our mums are super close so we grew up together." I smile to myself, thinking of all the times I've spent with the two. Uriah and I used to be joint at the hip as children. "My brother, Caleb, used to be really close with Zeke as kids, but now they only hang around when we do family things." Caleb really got into his school work, whilst Zeke couldn't care less. They're still close, just hanging out with different people.
"I think that happens a lot with childhood friends," he says, "sounds like you and Uriah are the anomaly."
I nod my head, knowing it's true. I haven't kept in touch with any of my primary school friends, having met Christina and the rest in year 7. "Guess we just got lucky." Uri and I have always shared interests, "did you have any close friends growing up?"
He doesn't answer for a good few beats. I watch as his eyes drift to a lone skier, carving in and out of the slope. I try to get a read on him, but he's impressively good at hiding any emotion when he wants to. His eyes flick back to the direction we're heading, his mouth in a soft line. "Not really," he finally says, the skis resting on his shoulder moving with his breathing, "Mum used to have a close group of friends when she was in Uni. They all had children around the same time, but lost touch after a few years. She never had many friends with children again." He gives me an uneven smile, "you can thank her for my bubbling personality."
I grin back, repositioning my skis under my arm. "Did your mum study in the UK?"
"Yeah," he nods, "Newcastle, I think."
"No way!" I exclaim. "So did mine!"
He looks to me, surprised, "small world, I guess."
Very small. We're just about to round the corner of the lodge, and I remind myself to stay close to the building, just in case Tori and Bud are still in the classroom.
"So," I begin again, "have you bought your Secret Santa-" I'm pulled back suddenly, my back pressed firmly into a chest. The closeness almost makes me forget what's happening, who's behind me. I turn my head, eyes wide and stomach dropping. I can feel every line and contour of Fours body, his coat still open from the slopes. My cheeks start to burn uncontrollably and I try to ignore the pounding in my chest. His hand presses gently just below my navel, heat spreading immediately under his palm.
"Pretty sure," he says next to my ear, pointing outwards, "that those are your teachers." His hand placements still on the forefront of my mind, I try to follow his other hand, and just about catch Tori and Bud walking into view. They're chatting to each other, the snow still coming down heavy enough that I can only make them out by Tori's black and blue hair and Bud's bright green coat.
Reality hits me hard, realising what this could mean. My eyes follow their movements, praying they don't look over, don't change their direction. "This is fine," I mutter to myself. I hardly get out the last word before they turn around. I spin immediately, causing Four's arms to slip. "Please don't tell me they're coming this way." Maybe I can convince them I was just- no, that won't work- I'm literally holding my skis.
He looks over my head, then lifts up my light hood. "Great," I mumble, pushing my hair into it. I don't dare look around, my heart feeling like it's about to beat out of its chest for a completely different reason. What would the punishment be for being out here? A ban on skiing? No competing in the competition? Being sent home?
I look up to Four, my neck bending due to our closeness. Another scenario enters my mind. "You can't be seen, either. What if they decide to talk to you?" Bud's a people person; if he sees Four he will no doubt come over.
I see the clogs whirling in his head, his eyes shifting from them to me. "Okay, I, uh, have an idea." He says as he slowly backs us up, my back pressing against the wall.
If my eyes could widen anymore, I'm sure they would. My breath catches in my throat as I feel his breaths across my cheek. "Now try to blend in."
I let out a nervous laugh, "Me blend in? I'm not the one wearing head to toe black."
I pull up untrustworthy hands, grabbing his hood. Shadows appear across his face, only specks of light penetrating between us. That small amount of light picks out a small crystal of lighter blue in his left iris. Our gazes hold steady, my eyes staying locked onto his. I'm just about to lose the ability to put together cohesive thoughts when I begin to hear snow crunching under boots.
My head twists quickly, catching a glimpse of my teachers. The calmer wind allows me to keep an ear out for their movements.
Four's hand comes to rest on my cheek, pulling my attention back to his. "They're going to feel you staring, Tris."
His hand placement covers my face further, just in time for the two to get close enough that I can hear their conversation.
"-of her to not be with the girls. They're usually glued at the hip." I hold my breath, stupidly thinking it'll help my cover.
"Isn't she training with her instructor to compete in that competition in February?" My eyes widen as I process who Bud's talking about.
I can hear their footsteps pause, and from the corner of my eye I see them to my right. That side of my face is open, just waiting for either of their eyes to curiously look over.
"You think she's out here with Four?" Tori asks, sounding unsure.
Being to our right, the coast is clear for us to make a move left. I look back to Four, noticing he has the same idea. He nods his head to the left, "ready?"
I nod, then turn slowly, walking away from the two of them.
"Come on," I hear Bud say, "let's just do another round of the lodge. It's nearly time to start the lesson, anyway."
I round the corner, then pick up my pace and sprint back to the boots room. I don't look behind, just hoping they don't hurry as well. I slam into the heavy door, trying to push it open with my weight. Four's behind me in an instant, easily opening it.
I'm awkwardly pulling off my jacket before I'm even in the room, grasping at the buckles on my boots when I sit down on the bench.
"Pass it here," Four says, motioning to the coat. I chuck it at him, watching as he opens a small closet on the far wall. I shove my skis and helmet on the rack above, falling onto the bench after.
I'm pulling my trainers on when I hear the outside door open.
"And then-" Four says, out of nowhere. My head shoots up, my feet falling to the floor, "you'll need to bend forward and lean to steer yourself into the direction you're heading."
Realising what he's doing, I try to go along with it. I begin nodding my head as I see Tori and Bud round the corner. "But what about-" I cut myself off, acting suprised to see them. "Oh, hey."
Tori comes to a stop, looking between the two of us. "Hey." She says, sounding confused.
I force out a smile, "What are you two doing out in the storm?"
"Just getting some fresh air," she explains slowly. Her eyes thinning as she looks at me, "what are you doing down here?"
I point to Four, like it's obvious. "Going over theory."
He nods, making eye contact as Bud looks to him.
"In the boot room?" Bud questions.
"Where else is this quiet?" I shoot back.
They look at each other, then back to me. Tori says, "Lesson starts in 10, don't be late."
They make their way out of the room, leaving Four and I sitting by ourselves once again.
For a good 30 seconds we don't say a thing. I watch the door, expecting Tori to burst back in, exclaiming that she knows-
Four begins to laugh unexpectedly. A hearty sound, warm and inviting. His wholesome laughter seems to seep all the tension out of me, my face falling into my hands. I start to feel those uncontrollable giggles coming on and smack my palm over my mouth, trying to contain them.
"I have to go," I choke out, pretty unintelligible through my laughter.
Getting ahold of myself, I stand, taking in a deep breath. His laughter trails off, but there's still a decent smile on his face.
"I'll see you later?" I say, walking to the door.
He nods, "yeah," he confirms, "see you later."
...
There's a film playing on the projector at the front of the classroom. Most of the class aren't paying attention, it being the last lesson of term, so we've taken the film as optional.
"So you're in the clear?"
I nod, doodling in the back of my exercise book. "They were so close to catching us." Well, I should say me.
Lynn looks at me expectantly, "how'd you get past them?"
Feeling my cheeks flush, I let my hair cover my face, "long story."
She laughs, "you've got it hard, Tris."
I roll my eyes. I already know that.
I pull my hair back, shoving the slightly damp stands into a bun. Luckily Tori didn't seem to pick it out.
"Do you ever miss having hair?" I ask out of the blue. I've wondered myself how I would look bald, but would never have the guts to do it.
"Sometimes," she says. "A lot of the time now my hands don't know what to do with themselves." She runs her hand over the short regrowth, "but I don't think I'll grow it back."
"I think it's brought out your features well," I complement. If I was to compare old pictures to now, there would be a stark difference between how she looks. I know that's not why she did it, but it's still true.
"Thanks." She smiles.
I smile back, but it soon slips when I see him walking our way. "For gods sake." I mumble under my breath.
She turns around, then looks back to me, "Good luck on that."
Lynn gets up, walking over to where Mar and Christina are sitting nearer the front. "Thanks," I say under my breath.
"Hey," Peter greets, standing at the end of the table.
I scribble nonsense on my paper, not looking at him, "hey."
"Can we have a word?"
I look up, watching him rub the back of his neck.
I contemplate saying no. Maybe we could just 'break up' and finish this. But I can't exactly voice my thoughts in a classroom full of people.
"Fine," I sigh, slamming my pen to the table.
I don't bother telling Tori that we're leaving, not with her fixated on her phone below the desk.
When the door is closed, I turn to him. I don't say anything, waiting for him to talk first.
"Look, I shouldn't have threatened to tell Al, okay?" I don't reply, but my brows raise. He huffs like a child being forced to apologise, "I just- I want this to work, and you hanging around with Four all the time-"
"You give Nita too little credit," I interrupt, "you know she knows the difference between hanging around and training, right?" It comes out slightly patronising, my feelings getting a hold of me. "You need to figure your plan out Peter, because this," I motion between the two of us, "needs to come to an end."
He runs a frustrated hand through his unruly brown hair, "I know that! But if she sees you looking elsewhere, then our agreement is going to be pointless!"
Feeling the energy leave my body, I try to get to the bottom of Peter's need to have Nita's attention. "Why do you want this so bad? If she only wants you because someone else has you?"
His eyes shift behind me, most likely zoning in on her. "It's complicated."
"Right, whatever." I turn to go back into the classroom, but he stops me by holding onto my upper arm.
"I'll finish this, by the new year," he confirms. I begin shaking my head, not believing a word he says. "Just," he pleads, "new years, just be my new year's kiss."
I feel my whole face contort with disgust. "No way."
"Come on, Tris!" Sounding exasperated, he carries on, "everyone is going to expect it! Then, you can make a scene and say you know I like Nita and get upset-"
"Woah, slow down." Is he serious? "You want me to embarrass myself in front of everyone?"
"This is the quickest way out. Nita will relish in your embarrassment, falling straight into my arms." He grins like he's the smartest person alive.
Is that sort of embarrassment worth a quick exit? "I'll need to think about it."
He crosses his arms, "Fine, but I'll need to know before midnight."
The door to the boots room opens. Peter turns around just as Four walks through the door. He's wearing his skiing gear and his hair is still wet. He must have gone back out when I left.
Peter looks back around, and I force my eyes back on him. "I just need you to do this for a bit longer," he says quietly, "then we don't have to speak to each other again."
He says it somewhat bitterly. "Is that what you want?" I question. From the corner of my eye, I can see Four's leaning against the wall, trying to look like he's minding his own business. I'm pretty sure we're talking quietly enough for him not to hear.
Peter shrugs, "I assumed that's what you wanted."
"Of course it's not," I say under my breath. "I want us to be friends."
His eyes seem to soften as he gently nods, "Okay." He looks over his shoulder once more, "you coming back in, or…?"
"Go ahead," I say, moving out the way, "I won't be long." Not like I need to appease his anxiety.
His head drops slightly as he moves past me, "don't tell him anything." I scowl as I watch him enter the room. I've obviously thought about telling Four it all, especially the past week. But what would be my reason to spill? Why would he need to know?
"You're not doing a great job of blending in." I joke as the door shuts behind Peter.
He pushes himself off the wall as a family walks between us towards the dining room.
"I was actually waiting very politely to give you this." He pushes my coat between us, the one he shoved into that closet a few hours ago.
"Did you go back out?"
He nods. "Yeah, some kid got stuck up the mountain, the rescue crew were occupied." He wrinkles his nose, "had to head up there with Eric."
Just hearing his name dampens my mood, "rough one." I grab my coat, remembering that it's just hanging between us. It's still damp, so I hold it by the tag. "Are all instructors trained in mountain rescue?"
"Yeah, it's useful when dealing with beginners." His tone makes me know it's directed at me.
"Hey, I have common sense when on the mountain!" Just because I'm new to snowboarding doesn't mean everything I've learnt as a skier over the years is invalid.
"Yeah, yeah," he replies, cracking a smile. "Anyway, what time do you finish?"
I fish out my phone, trying to look as casual as possible. I press my lips together, trying not to smile. "Uh, 45 minutes."
He nods, "You free after?"
"Yes?" I say, unsure where he's going with this.
"Cool, meet me outside the lodge after." He backs away smiling, heading for the stairs, "and dress warm." He's out of sight before I can respond- not like I'd be able to get one out either way. I stare at the space he vacated, completely confused as to what just happened. Was that- did he just ask me out?
I slowly make my way back into the loud classroom, what seems to be a pretty permanent smile cresting my lips. I start counting down the minutes as soon as I drop into my seat.
