Tris is awoken by a text alert on her tablet, one she has reserved for Max. She slept soundly for the first time in a long time last night, after learning that her father's condition was improving after weeks on a ventilator. Once she cracks an eye open she sees it's only a little past 6:00 AM. She grabs the tablet and reads the message he has sent to all of leadership.
Max: My apologies for the early text. We have been alerted that Harrison has fallen ill from the virus, and unfortunately his condition has worsened and he was moved into the virus unit in Erudite. This message is partially contact tracing, and also to let the team know we are moving Tris from junior leadership into a temporary full leadership position, effective immediately to cover for Harrison. You will be receiving a text with an appointment time today to report to the testing center. During your appointment, you will all be tested with a new rapid test. Once you receive your results, you will continue to be tested daily using the new rapid test technology as part of your leadership responsibilities. This protocol has been approved by the council, and it is effective immediately.
Stay safe everyone.
She text Tobias to see if he's awake, and when he confirms she then calls to give him to ask how Marcus and Evelyn are doing, and to fill him in on the latest updates about her father. She learns that both are doing well, Marcus' latest tests are showing negative and he's had no negative impacts from having had the virus. Her mother Natalie and Aunt Evelyn have both tested negative throughout the entire sicknesses of their husbands, but the two women have been very worried due to all of the unknowns with the virus. He shares news with her as well: he has accepted an invitation from Max to join the leadership apprentice program.
"I'm so excited for you! Max has been trying for years, what changed your mind?" Tris asks.
"Talking to my dad, honestly. I've been doing everything I can to carve my own path Tris. You know I didn't want to get any favors because I'm Marcus' son." He says quietly.
"Tobias, you were first in your class, and you are an amazing candidate for leadership. Why would you think that was due to your dad?" She asks.
"My dad did try to pull some strings when I first got here. You know him, he didn't mean anything by it, but he wanted to flex his muscles a bit to make sure I was treated with respect. He thought he was doing me a favor, but it really made me look weak. I was pissed at him for it, so my way of getting back was to just defy what he wanted and not take a leadership apprentice offer. I've been pissed at him for being controlling, but when I heard he had gotten the virus I was scared. I didn't want anything to happen and us to have left things so weird between us. He just cares a lot, and he was dumb for what he did, and I was dumb to hold a grudge for years. We're good now."
"I'm glad. Life's too short." Tris says, a slight break in her voice betrays the emotions that are swirling.
"Uncle Andrew is doing better. You heard the update." Tobias says gently.
"I know, and I'm so hopeful that he continues with this good progress. This is just scary. People are dying. Harrison is on a ventilator now. My dad is barely off of one, and he's been fighting this for weeks. We're all so lucky, because being young and overall healthy seems to have really protected us, but others are suffering. Jack Kang lost his father. Johanna Reyes lost her husband. It's so close to home." Tris says.
"Life is so short, Tris. I know everyone thinks this relationship I've built online with Amy is weird, but it's been a lifesaver for me."
"Talking to the one guy on the DateMe app was one for me too. I didn't know who I was talking to, but he helped me escape from the reality we're in. I needed that." She replies.
"You can always get it back. Stop deleting the app. If you're not ready to know who he is, tell him that, and see if he'll keep talking for now. I was extremely hesitant to make that leap with Amy, and she understood. You should at least try." He explains.
"I don't think that's a good idea." Tris says. "I think it's Peter." She finally admits.
"You think or you know?" He presses.
"The last time we talked on the app he said he wanted to stop hiding behind the app, and that for us to move forward he needed to be honest with me. Oh and that we have known each other for a long time, and that he needs explain everything to me so we can try to move forward." Tris replies sadly.
"Shit." Tobias replies.
"Exactly."
She gets a text that informs her of her appointment time for her virus test, which is in less than an hour. She says goodbye to her cousin, jumps out of bed, takes a quick shower and downs two cups of coffee before donning all of her protective equipment and mask to leave her apartment.
The trip to the infirmary is familiar, but travelling through empty hallways in a faction that is always noisy and full of life is beyond creepy. The test itself is unpleasant, but not as bad as she expected since it was administered through a large swab being inserted into her nose. She knows she has to get caught up on some required serums and vaccines once her rapid test results are back, so she's not looking forward to the next part of her appointment.
Her tablet alerts, with the sound she has set for any other leader outside of Max in their leadership group. She opens the secured leadership texting app, and finds a private message directly to her.
Eric: Is there anything I should know about this test?
Tris: Excuse me? Did you mean to text me?
Eric: Yeah Stiff, I do know how to use a text app. I'm the appointment after you. Just trying to get an idea of what I have to deal with. Needles? I need to know if there are needles involved with this new test.
Tris: You can't possibly be afraid of needles, you're covered in tattoos.
Eric: Did I say I was afraid of needles? I'm just trying to be prepared. You should try it sometime.
Tris rolls her eyes, already tired of his attitude, although she's surprised he's even talking to her. She is still waiting for her test results and she glances over at a tray of needles that was left in the room in preparation for her required leadership inoculations. She snickers, takes a picture and sends it to Eric.
Eric: You're fucking kidding me.
Tris: Nope.
Eric: That's all for this new test? There's no way I'm doing this.
Tris: So you ARE afraid of needles?
Eric: Tris, please tell me if those are part of the test.
Tris: Glad to see you do know my actual name. These are not part of the test, they're my required inoculations since Max is moving me into full leadership, at least temporarily while Harrison is on leave.
There is a pause of several minutes, and Tris prepares for whatever asshole comment the reclusive leader will fire at her.
Eric: Grats on that.
Tris: You're not gonna blow up at me for messing with you?
Eric: Nah, you did good. Besides, I deserve it.
Tris: For never using my actual name?
The chat bubble appears and disappears repeatedly, so she knows that Eric isn't satisfied with his answer for some odd reason. Great, just when he actually acted like a normal human being he's gonna go back to being an ass, she thinks. She scrolls through her email idly, checking for any alerts for the leadership team. Her text alert goes off again and her mouth drops open as she reads the unexpected reply.
Eric: For ghosting you on the app and being a coward ever since.
