I do not own anything, just my ideas.
Chapter 3
FOUR
My friends sit around me talking on and on about the preseason game. They keep telling me I did a good job, but nothing I do is ever good enough. Still, like every other day in my life, I put on a winning smile and fake confidence and let them continue. It is not as forced with my friends than when I am in public. I can by the closest form of myself around them. I am probably the quietest out of all of them. It is not that hard with this group. They can go on forever about different things.
Each of them has someone. Marlene and Uriah, Zeke and Shauna, Christina and Will, even Lynn and Lauren. It's not like I am ugly or something—Shauna is always trying to set me up with a double date, bragging her boyfriend's hot best friend is a really nice guy. But every set up is always awkward, and by the end of the night, I somehow insult somebody or am oblivious.
Honestly, it would never work out anyway. Not with what happens behind closed blinds at home with my father. No one could deal with damage that is like me.
The door rings as it opens and Tori walks back in a little over an hour after she left. Most of the people who were here are gone now. All that's left is Zeke, Shauna, Uriah, Marlene, Will, Christina, Lynn, and myself. We probably would be gone too, but we are closer with Tori. And we normally just hang out here anyway. During the school year, we'll come here to do homework. It works itself out, really. We all have a place to get help in any subject we need, and we get to hang out at the same time.
"Hey, Tori. Where's your goddaughter? I thought you said you were going to pick her up," Zeke says.
"I did, she just ran to the back to change into some fresher clothes. Don't be surprised if you don't see her, though."
"Why not? We are such approachable people," pipes in Christina.
"Well, she is not the approachable type. I would love for her to make some friends, but she's really shy and tends to keep to herself. If I let her, she'll just stay in my office drawing all night."
"We should convince her to come to the party tomorrow night. She can meet a bunch of people from school and get the whole introduction thing over with," Uriah suggests.
"Oh, I already know her answer. The day I see her go to a party is the day the earth stops moving. She hates parties." Tori says sternly.
I can't help but wonder what makes this girl so distant from everyone. I remember a little blonde haired girl visiting Tori over the years. I never met her, but I do remember her a little. I wonder what makes her so bottled up, she didn't seem like that when she was younger.
I mean, I have no desire to go to this party either. I know there will be a lot of girls trying to get me to notice them, but I am only gonna go to save face for the team. Being a starter and future captain of the team, not to mention president of the class, I need to be there.
"You want one too, Four?" Zeke nudges me.
"What?" I ask, and they laugh.
"A root beer float, you want one?"
"No thanks." I respond as Tori starts to make the floats.
Everyone starts talking, but I don't listen because she walks out from the back. No one else seems to notice her, but I do. She keeps her back to us as she walks away to the booth in the corner.
She has plain blonde hair that hangs in long waves down her back. Her shoulders are slumped over and she's looking down. Once she sits, she still doesn't look up. Instead, she grabs out a sketch pad.
There isn't anything too special about her, except the fact that she stays away. She's pretty, but judging on what Tori said, it sounds like she wouldn't like staring. I am about to turn my attention away when she looks up for the first time. I see her haunting blue eyes for the first time. They are beautiful, even from this far away. They go up and down, shining this way and then disappearing from my view. It is like a lighthouse, drawing me closer. Now I can't stop looking.
I eventually turn away, but I catch myself looking back at her again and again.
The conversation continues without me. They talk about everything from football to the new school year. I just sit back and listen and watch until everyone decides it's time to leave. I glance over at her and she is still writing in that book, not breaking concentration.
That night, I dream of stern blue eyes and lost ships at sea.
TRIS
As soon as Tori and I get back to the house, I immediately crash down on my bed and fall asleep. For once in a long time, my sleep is dreamless.
I wake the next morning bright and early and start to unpack my things. It doesn't take long because I had shipped most of my stuff here. Not to mention I don't have much stuff to begin with. There are many things wrong with the things I own. Too much of it reminds me of my life in New York. A bunch of stuff I used to have show my chest scar or is really big from when I got pregnant.
I put on some black sweat pants and a black t-shirt. I grab a piece of scratch paper and write Tori a note. "Going to the gym, I'll be back at 8:00. -Tris" She knows about my work out habits, and it shouldn't surprise her that I will be there.
I jog about five minutes to the rec center that is just down the road. I make my way to the gym, finding it empty. It doesn't surprise me that no one else is here considering it is almost 7:00 in the morning during the summer. I start off on the treadmill, pushing myself to go further than I did the last time. After about a half hour of running, I move to jump roping and weights. I need to get faster and stronger than any other person.
I finish off in front of the punching bag.
Punch. Kick. Punch. I made myself a promise that I would never let anyone ever overpower me again. I can't help the fact that I am short, but over the past few weeks I have gained some muscle and am a lot faster. Kick. Kick. Punch. I work harder and harder, no one will ever take advantage of me. Punch. No one. Jab. Kick. I can feel my muscles aching as I push myself more and more. Then my phone rings and brings me back.
I look around and there are a few more people here. I walk over to my bag and pick up my phone. It is Tori. "Hello."
"I knew this would happen. It is 8:30, I am outside in my car. Come on out, school starts in a few days and you are far from being ready. We have to get you school supplies, not to mentions some housewarming stuff for your room. Just clean up and come outside."
At least she didn't say new clothes. I know I need them but I hate shopping, because shopping requires trying stuff on and that is not fun. All I see are my scars and marks.
I grab my stuff and I look at my hands. Even though I taped them up, I can see the bruises beginning to form. I lost track of the time as I was punching and kicking, but it's worth it, right?
Author's Note
Tris starts school soon. Get excited! Please review!
Be brave, everyone!
