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Chapter 7

TOBIAS

Game days always bring a wealth of emotions.

After getting drilled by the coaches, spending some quality time in the trainer's room, and all the other stuff to prepare for the game, I find myself in the locker room getting my uniform on.

I really did want to talk to Tori earlier today, but now that I think about it, I really just wanted to talk to Tris. She seems so real, and I really wanted to keep talking to her in English. When we were talking, I forgot about everything else that I've been stressing over, and it was a nice break. But for some reason she just ran out as soon as the bell rang.

And today.

I hope she felt the same feeling deep down like I did. She must have, or why else would she have done what she did. Show me her sketches, talk about her mom, hold onto my hand as long as I held onto hers.

But I got her to come see me, and I do not like to see myself as the guy to flex in front of girls for attention. Sure, it may have had advantages like a boost of confidence, but to me, it has never meant anything. And knowing in a few hours she will sit in the bleachers and watch me, I feel a different nervous feeling than any other game.

Normally, we get a chance to talk to everyone after the game, so hopefully she stays that long. Deep down, I hope she stays for it, but something tells me she is not one to socialize. She tries to hide it, but I can tell there is something that haunts her.

It's all in her eyes.

Those beautiful eyes that, I think, can see right through my exterior. How she could know so much without me saying a word—she is so perceptive.

But I can see the fear Tris tries to hide. I know it because I live with a fear too. No one knows, and I have avoided the beatings for a while now. However, the season is beginning, and I know he will find a reason to push me down. I can never be good enough for him, and I can never find the strength to defend myself. I want to be strong enough, but it's so hard to find the fire in me to fight for something more important.

My father can always find a way to turn me into a punching bag. Most of it has to do with him analyzing every little mistake that I do on the field. That's why I train as hard as I do. I love the game, but I can't handle my father's ridicule. When I'm playing, I am away from him, I can forget about it all and concentrate on something bigger than just me. My team, my school. I want it that way, being able to turn something about me, into something about the bigger picture. Besides, training and playing has given me something to do, and given me some of my good friends.

The whole team is in the locker room and Zeke, a naturally energetic guy, is giving the pre-game pump up speech. The team is all fired up and we make our way to the field.

Football is a big thing at our school. The stands are packed to the brim with fans wanting to see the first home game of the year. As we begin our different warm ups on the field, I scan the crowd for Tris. I don't think that she would back out of the deal, but I don't think she will be in the student section either.

The student section is crazy, and decked out in all black and a little red. Our school colors are red, white, and black, but our Bombsquad, which is the nickname of our student fans, always wears black; every home game is a blackout. We all have special shirts and everything, but you still see the red and white here and there.

The student section is too big and crowded for me to find Tris in it, if she is even in it. In a desperate and uncharacteristic move, I scan the rest of the crowd. My eyes spot her sitting next to Tori. I should have looked there first. Tori sits in the same spot every game. Front row, middle of the bleachers, right at the 50 yard line. And there are a set of stairs right in front of her to get up there.

Tris usually keeps her hair up, but now it falls in waves from the bun she had in earlier today. From what I can tell, she is wearing skinny jeans and a black t-shirt. I like it, and I laugh to myself when I see her without body paint. I would rather have it this way

She's different. And I don't want that to change.

A bunch of girls come to games in just short shorts and sports bras with paint covering their entire bodies. I am all in favor of school spirit, but it seems desperate. Some guys have no problem with it, I know that. But this is a football game.

Tris, though... she has a simple beauty. It is not polished or perfected. It seems deeper than what lies on the surface.

I know other guys can see it, as well. The way eyes follow her wherever she goes, and the crazy part is: she doesn't even see it. Actually, it is probably more that she refuses to see it. I've heard some of the football team talking about her.

A few times this week, she stayed after school in the courtyard and just watched everyone and drew. I saw the drawings earlier. When she was watching our practice, perfecting every line and scribble, a lot of the guys couldn't concentrate. I've seen a few guys try to talk to her, but she is so oblivious to the fact that they like her, she unknowingly turns them down.

The game is about to start and I go into the zone. I love it; entering my own world and becoming totally devoted to one thing. Normally I am not nervous at all, but I can't help it. I look over to where Tris is sitting and it calms me. It's her; I feel like I have to try extra hard to impress her, because it looks like she isn't easily impressed. With other girls I have to push away, but she is so independent. I want to get to know her, but it probably won't be easy. She seems worth it, though.

The game starts and we play in sync, and all the practice and training we've done is paying off. We have a minor slip up here and there, but overall, not too bad for the first game. We win with an ending score of 25-19. We rush to the corner of the field near the entrance.

There is a tradition that we do after every win, the other students and the fans line the fence on the edge of the field. The team runs along giving high fives, and we rush to a 10 foot tower with a bell the size of my head at top. We climb to the top and ring it.

The easy part of the night is over with, now for the hard. What should freak me out is a bunch of big guys trying to tackle me at quarterback, which I'm not afraid of. The thing I don't look forward to is after the game when I am bombarded with fans, mostly girls. The locker room is on the complete other side, so getting there will take a while. I begin my way through the crowd.

After making it about half way, I notice the stands are almost all cleared out. Except for a little blonde. I want to go see her, but I can't make my way over there without passing the cheerleading team, and that is a disaster on its own. I begin to bulk up the courage to go over there.

I feel there is more courage needed to talk to her than getting through the others.

Before I can take another step, Zeke grabs me by the shoulders and says, "Thought you needed saving." Then he shouts louder, "Hey everyone, meet up at Tori's! We'll be right there."

With that, the crowd quickly thins. Zeke and I walk back to the locker room and in ten minutes, we're making our way to the car. There are only a few people still staggering around. One of whom is Tris, still sitting in the same spot she's been all night. I tell Zeke to go on without me, and he gives me a smirk that I know far too well.

Look at you it says.

"Hey, what are you still doing here?" I ask as I ascend the stairs up to the bleachers.

Tris jumps when a call out to her, and it takes a moment for her to actually look up at me.

"Tori had to get the place ready for a bunch of teenagers, and she didn't have time to drop me off at home. She was supposed to be here a few minutes ago, but she's being held up at 21U." she says. "I'm just waiting for her… We're supposed to do something."

"Oh yeah? Well, I can keep you company while you wait."

"I can take care of myself, you know.

"I have no doubt that you can take care of yourself," I say.

"You don't have to waste your time here with me."

"You got me. I have no desire to go out with them."

"Really?" she says giving me a confused look. "I thought you wanted to be bathed in glory for your easy win."

"I'm not really into that kind of stuff," I tell her. "And, hey! What was so easy about that game?"

"For one thing, their running back wasn't strong enough to go gain any yards. Missing that part of the game really hurt them and that's why almost all their scoring was field goals. All you had to do was control the ball longer than them and work the long ball for touchdowns." she pauses, "But it didn't help that you guys missed almost every extra point."

"One of those we tried to go for two." I say, defensive but in a joking matter. It is carefree. It is different. "And how could we improve on that, wise one."

I see a faint smile break her lips, but it dies down the moment it shows. "Well, Will's kicks were on point, it's just that every time there was a hand or arm blocking them. Try mixing up the line of blockers, mix some of the guys who usually on the defensive end with guys normally on offense. From that combination, you should be solid."

It is a good idea, and I am mentally smacking myself for not thinking of it myself. It really amazes me the way she can surprise me every time I talk to her. I am about to say something when her phone rings.

"Hey Tori," she answers. There is a pause and a look of disappointment across her features. "Okay, I understand…. No, it's okay; don't worry. I guess I'll meet you at home… Alright, see you later." She hangs up her phone with a sad look.

"What's up?"

"One of the workers got sick and had to go home and the place is packed, so she can't leave. I'm just going to meet her at the house."

"I can take you there. Only, uh, if you want me too."

"Thanks, but I'm not planning on going home."

"Where are you going then?"

"Let's just say there is a little post-game tradition that I do after football games." She hesitates, "Would you like to come along. You know, since you said you didn't want to go to 21U."

I am surprised at the invitation, and by the look she has, she probably surprised herself, too. I can't turn down an opportunity like this. I would rather do something with her than go to 21U.

"I'd like that and it sounds fun; where are we going?" I ask as I stand up.

"Well, we need to find the nearest McDonalds."


Author's Note

So I want to know if you guys like Four's POV, and do you want to see more of it? I really liked showing another view of the story and giving more depth to different characters and places. Let me know what you think.

Be brave, everyone!