She coughs, as I've forgotten that she's there. Masking a grimace, I look up into her clear blue eyes.
"Hi. I'm Hazel Gr—Hazel." There's a flash of pain in her face, but it disappears just as quickly as it had come.
The socially acceptable thing now would be for me to introduce myself. Problem is, I don't know what to say.
Four is the name that I love, because it's a testimony to the strongest parts of me. My few fears. The defiance of my father. It is the name I chose.
But Tobias is real. He has felt pain, and can identify with her.
I know I should say that my name is Tobias, but a deep ache reminds me that's what Tris called me, and in a wave of anxiety, I say, "Four," and reach out to shake her hand.
Her fingers are cold, but her grip is strong. "Four, huh? Cool name." She seems more distant now, as if she can sense that I'm hiding who I really am, refusing to be vulnerable with her.
I look down once again. "Look, I—," Then freezing up, I turn my head so I won't have to finish my thought. I am punished by the wave of nausea that crashes over me, a silent reminder not to look out the window ever again.