Chapter 10

FOUR POV

Monday morning, Tris tosses her bags in the back seat and hops in the front seat wearing the smile I have been waiting all weekend to see.

"Somebody had a good weekend!" I say brightly. She has no idea how cute she is, grinning like that. "You had fun with your mom?"

"I did! I also got to spend some time with my friend Susan, and my grandparents, and see a few folks I miss from town. I am so glad I went to visit, even though I didn't get home until super late last night. I'm actually exhausted, does it show?" She looks at me, all innocence in her face.

She is not intentionally inviting me to look at her face. Not in the way a girl flirts with a boy, looking for a compliment, but I want to give her one anyway. I take my time looking at her face and her eyes. "You look good Tris," I say quietly, then feel my face smile a little and my ears warm up. To cover, I reach for the gear shift and ask, "Ready to go?"

She says, "Yep!" and turns to grab the seatbelt over her shoulder. My hand is still on the gear shifter knob when she turns back around to click into the buckle and she looks at my hand. "Oh! What did you do to your hand Tobias?"

I glance down, and there is a small cut and a greenish bruise on the back of my hand. Marcus stepped on it Saturday night, when I was already on the ground, just because he wanted to. I knew there was a scrape, but I had not realized it was so discolored. "Oh, it's nothing. Just a bruise. I played basketball with Zeke and Uriah on Friday after school. Must have happened then. It's no big deal, really." I glance at her face to see if she believes me.

But she isn't looking at me, she is rummaging in her purse for…. Bandaids? She is holding up bandaids the color of Highlighter pens. "Absolutely not!" I say firmly before she can even open up the little tin box.

Her smile fades a little bit at my tone. "Why not? You're hurt."

"No, I am not hurt. I hurt myself two days ago, in such a minor way that I didn't even realize it until you noticed it in the right light. NO highlighter bandaids!"

She sits back in her seat and puts the tin back in her purse, "Fine. You're no fun." she pouts, "These bandaids are my favorite."

"You have favorite bandaids? How often do you get hurt, Tris?" Believing the bandaid ambush has passed, I put the car in gear and we head towards school.

"Not too often, really. I fall and scrape my knees and hands mostly, like back when I was a kid. Not much has changed. I didn't like the princess bandaids my friends had back then, so my mom started getting bright neon ones like these. She said, 'There is no point trying to hide our hurts from the world. They need the air to heal after all.' So, instead of skin colored bandages, I always had bright ones. If you ever need one, let me know." Her voice trails off at the end and she looks at me again.

"I thought of you yesterday before Church," I blurt out. Oh smooth Four, what the hell! "I...I was thinking about a thing that sometimes happens with my hands. Sometimes my fingers go numb. I thought about the blood vessels in my fingers freezing, then realized since it was just the tips and just the surface, it was probably capillaries, and not vessels thanks to our Anatomy class. So in my ultimate nerd moment on a Sunday morning, I thought of you. I thought maybe I should call you, but then decided that wasn't a good enough reason and it was really early."

"I wish you had called me, or sent a text. I thought about you last night when I was headed back on the train, but figured it was too late to call at 10:00 p.m. I want to go back to Colfax for the Fall Festival and I think it would be fun if everyone came too. There is a huge corn maze, games and rides, and a funhouse, all the terrible festival food everyone loves but won't admit. I haven't missed the Fall Festival since I was a little girl. Do you think anyone would want to come?"

"You want to do a group date to the Fall Festival in Colfax?"

"Er, well, I didn't say date, but yes. But not like what I said to Al. I am not saying that to you. That light is green, Tobias." I'm so focused on what she is saying that I have been sitting at a green light. The car behind me even beeped his horn, but Tris has to point at the traffic light for it to register.

"Oh, right, yeah. Thanks. So, um, not a group date?"

"Yes," she answers and nods at me.

"I'm so confused, Tris. What are you saying?"

"Ok, what I mean is that the group goes; if they're coupled up, then it's a date I guess, if not then they're just going as a group of friends. We can all stay at my Gram and Pop's house. My mom said she will call everyone's parents if they need proof or convincing that parents will be around. We can take the train down on Friday after school, or caravan I suppose, if people don't mind driving that far. The boys can sleep in the basement, the girls will divide up the guest rooms and it will be so much fun. Please say you'll come? Do you think your dad will let you? Do you think anyone else will want to come?"

"I...if you ask them the way you just asked me, they will want to come. You make this Festival sound, um… what is a corn maze?"

"You have never been in a corn maze?! Tobias Eaton, you fail as a Midwesterner. That is going on your list!"

"My list keeps getting longer and longer. One day soon we will have to start crossing things off... Seriously though, what is a corn maze?" I point my index finger at myself. "City boy, remember? Take pity on me."

"After the harvest, the farmer leaves the corn stalks up in the field and they get all dry and scraggly. Before the Festival, he mows a big pattern into it to make it a maze. The corn stalks are about 7 feet high, so you can't see over it, you just have to go through it. Trust me, it is more fun than it sounds when I describe it. Mr. Carver sold his farm this summer, but the new owner promised to keep doing the Maze. Susan told me that the design this year is bigger and better than they've ever done."

By now we were at school and pulling into the parking lot. "Do you think your dad will let you go?"

"I hope so. I want to go if it means seeing you this happy again. When are the dates? I will ask him tonight."

"It's in four weeks. Oh, I'm so excited. Everyone is going to think I have lost my mind!"

"Hahaha, they might, if you go around with that goofy smile on your face. I'll see you in a few."

We part ways in the central hallway to go to our lockers before class.

SHAUNA POV

Fifteen minutes later, everyone is getting settled in Spanish class. I turn to Tris to ask about her weekend, "How was your weekend, Tris? You look downright joyful!"

Tris laughs and says, "I had a great weekend, and it's a good thing. I need to maintain this level of joy Shauna, or I'll die from sprints today in practice. Coach Bullock is the toughest coach. I never hurt so bad as I did last week after tryouts. I genuinely think the man was trying to break us, just to see who the duds are and when people would cave."

I shake my head at her. "You did really well, you didn't cave, Tris."

"No. I'm too stubborn. I didn't even know it was an option, and I was a cripple for two days after, wasn't I? I managed to run with my friend Susan this weekend, and I feel much better now."

Four chimes in, "You need to run where the terrain is more of a challenge." He was obviously listening to our conversation. Not that much of a stretch considering Tris and I are in the desks next to and in front of him.

I narrow my eyes a little, considering as I glance between Tris and Four. They seem different somehow. I agree with him, "Yes, she does. What do you suggest, Four?"

"I was about to suggest that Tris go trail running to help her survive Coach B's hell week."

Tris pipes up, "Hell week? You mean it won't be like this all season? Why didn't someone tell me that? I can make it a week!"

Four says, "I'm sure you could have made it all season. Still, I bet you'd love trail running. It is fast and thrilling. You have to be sure footed and to trust your instincts, plus the scenery is amazing. I'll take you sometime if you want to go."

Tris cocks her head to the side and looks at him. "Four, did you just do the thing?"

He wrinkles his forehead and asks, "What thing?"

Tris huffs lightly, "Did you just offer to teach me to swim?"

He looks confused for a moment and then busts out a barking laugh. It's so loud most of the class turns to see what happened.

I have no idea what is going on or why Four is laughing. "What are you two talking about?"

Four is still chuckling, but ignores me completely. Instead he responds to Tris, "No. I didn't. I offered to take you trail running, which I suppose amounts to the same thing, but without the water."

Tris smiles, "Then I accept. I can't go today, but if I can walk after Wednesday practice, then maybe Thursday?

Four nods, "Deal."

I can't take this anymore. Class is about to start and I am so confused by the turn this conversation has taken. I have been watching these two interact since I first turned around. I wonder…."So, can anyone join your little pool party in the woods, or is it by invite only? I have no idea what you two are talking about and you both sound crazy, by the way. I understand the words you're saying, but it doesn't make any sense!"

I have known Four for years now, and never seen him act like he is right now. He has a hell of a poker face, so that's not giving anything away. Tris waits just a moment too long to respond after glancing at Four, "Um, yeah that would be fun, Shauna."

Nope, neither one wants me there. How very, very interesting. Could they, maybe, do they like each other? Does Four like a girl!? I have to get to the bottom of this. ASAP. Where is Zeke when I need him?

When the bell rings, and everyone files out to the hall, I continue watching Four and Tris from my peripheral vision. He leans in to her, but doesn't touch her, to say he will see her later. She nods and touches his arm in parting. She touched his arm and he didn't cringe or jerk it away. He let her touch him. He does like her! Oh this is big. "Four! You've been holding out on me!" I shout whisper when I am sure that Tris is out of earshot.

He looks shocked and turns to me, "Why does everyone keep saying that to me?"

"Who else said that?"

"Zeke. He said the same thing to me when we were playing basketball on Friday."

"In reference to what?"

"Tris."

"Uh, huh. I see."

"What do you see? There is nothing to see."

"Maybe nothing yet, but there is definitely something." I raise my eyebrows so he knows that I know there is something.

"What are you talking about Shauna?"

He is trying to play it off like I am crazy, but I know what I just saw. "There is definitely something with the two of you. You like her don't you? Four, that is huge! I have known you for five or six years now, and I don't think you have dated anyone, have you? Am I right, you like her? You can tell me, you know. I won't go blabbing to everyone."

He waits so long to respond, I don't know if he is going to answer. We are almost to my next class when he says quietly. "Yes, I like her."

I squeal and say "I'm so happy for you!" I reach up to throw my arms around him in a big hug, genuinely happy for my friend, and remember he doesn't like to be touched, well not until very recently, anyway.

"Whoa, whoa, Shauna! Hold on, shhhhh." He puts both hands up in the universal 'stop' gesture. "Don't get ahead of yourself."

"What do you mean?"

"Me liking her isn't enough. She has to like me back, remember? Don't go celebrating and girl-squealing in the hall just yet."

"I was not 'girl-squealing' whatever that means, and she does like you."

He looks down and shakes his head a little, "You don't know that."

"Of course I do. I have eyes in my head don't I? You're gorgeous, and the way the two of you are together is seriously adorable. I don't think you even realize that you were flirting all last week and this morning, do you? Ask her out. She will say yes."

"Well, I just asked her to go trail running, didn't I?'

"That doesn't count."

"Does inviting her to a Fall Festival somewhere count?"

"Yes."

"Damn."

"What?"

"She beat me to it."

TRIS POV

Lunchtime is the only opportunity I have during the day to see all my friends at the same time. I still can't believe that they have all been so welcoming. I never expected to have this many friends in just one week's time. I have Uriah to thank for that, I know. There is an empty seat for me in the middle of the table for eight between Uriah and Christina. Four and Shauna and Zeke are across from us, Will is next to Christina and Al is not here yet. I set my lunchbox on the table with a can of soda and my backpack on the floor then slide it under my chair. I sit down and look around the table. Normally Juniors wouldn't sit at the same table with Sophomores; it would have been unusual at my old school, but Uriah and Zeke are brothers and less than a year apart in age so they are close friends as well as brothers. Four and Shauna are Zeke's best friends, Shauna and I are on the soccer team together, Christina is in that TZR club with Shauna...somehow it just feels natural that we are all friends.

I clear my throat and speak above the general conversation at the table, "Guys, while we are all together, I want to ask you all if you'd like to go to Colfax for the Fall Festival in a few weeks? Four weeks, actually. We can all stay at my grandparents' house and come back on Sunday afternoon. I have gone every year and it is a lot of fun."

Christina is the first to respond, "Colfax has a Fall Festival?" She starts off sounding interested then gets more and more sarcastic and snarky as she continues to talk, "I bet that is a riot…. Does the farmer parade his pigs down main street? I don't think I have ever been to a town that small. Where is it again?"

I realize now that maybe I shouldn't have invited the entire table, but it is too late now. I decide to ignore her snarky tone and just answer the question, "Colfax is about thirty minutes outside of Bloomfield, or about an hour and a half by train, two-ish hours by car from here."

I can feel a blush creeping up my neck, embarrassed that maybe everyone feels this way too and will all want to make fun of me and my small town festival. But before I can get too upset, Will peers around Christina, also ignoring her tone, to ask me if my family really doesn't mind having so many people come and stay.

I smile at Will, thankful for the interruption to my thoughts. "No, they don't mind. They're looking forward to meeting all of you. My mom also said she'd call any of your parents if you want. She wants to make sure they all know that she and my grandparents will be there in the house with us."

Shauna has no qualms, she just chimes in with, "I'm in, a weekend away from my parents? No brainer!"

I smile at her, "That's great Shauna, anyone else?" I look around the table hoping that my other friends will want to come. Four nods and smiles at me, he already knows and is going to ask his dad tonight. Will nods and says he'll ask his parents and so does Christina. I guess once she saw that everyone else was interested, she didn't want to be left out. I wonder now which version of her is true, the friendly open girl I met last week, or the sarcastic and judgemental one from today? Her true colors will come out eventually, for now I decide to give her the benefit of the doubt.

Zeke and Uriah are busy having an argument about who-knows-what and I don't think they are listening. I'll talk to Uriah about it again later in class to make sure he knows about it.

Al comes to the table a little later and I tell him about the Festival, careful to explain I have invited everyone at the table, and that it is a group thing. I tell them about the games and the rides, the corn maze and a little about the town. Everyone seems enthused and like they want to go, but my dad was right; the fact this is the first time they've done a co-ed sleepover of sorts, and that it is both out of town and with a new classmate's family are big question marks. They'll get back to me later, once they've talked to their parents.

Half an hour later, Uriah and I are walking to History. "Uriah, did you hear me at lunch when I was talking about the Fall Festival in Colfax? I'd love it if you and Zeke could come. Four is asking his dad and the rest of the group at the table said they'd ask their parents too. I didn't know if you and Zeke heard me, you were pretty engrossed in your argument."

Uriah nods and chuckles, "We weren't arguing. That's just how we communicate. Zeke is so loud, he only hears you if you are louder. What's the Festival about?"

"It's a Fall Festival, back in my old town. Lots of pumpkins, and corn stalk decorations, all the expected games like at the fair: Ring toss, throwing balls at stacked bottles to win prizes, rides, a ferris wheel, a fun house, and there is a huge corn maze. My friend Susan said it is supposed to be bigger this year than they've done before. It's a big deal in the town and I have never missed it. I really want you guys to come and see it."

"Sure, that sounds cool! I am sure that my mom will let us go if your mom will be there too. You did say that right, I think I remember that part."

"Yes, both my mom and my grandparents should be there the whole time. My mom might get called to work, but my Gram and Pop should be there no matter what. We would have to sleep separately of course, you guys can have the big room in the basement, and the girls will sleep in the guest rooms upstairs."

"I'll talk to my mom tonight, ok? My dad is on base for the next week, but if Mom says yes, then Dad won't say no."

I smile. "Great, Uriah, I really hope both you and Zeke can come."