Alright, this chapter's on the short side because I have Trig homework due tomorrow, but I hope it's still worth the read. Thanks for caring about the bizarre fantasies I create in my head!
Chapter 37
I stare at Tobias. He's kept his past quiet and gone by Four so long that most of the Dauntless have forgotten his given name. Would he really change that now?
Tobias looks Will in the eye and says, "No. I never met him." Of course he wouldn't admit his identity. If he did, he would be asked about the abuse rumors, and with ex-Candor in the room, he'd have a hard time lying. He's still angry about what happened and it shows when he talks about it. When the game moves on, I lean closer to him and dare to put my arms around him in a hug. He smiles at me and pulls me closer.
"I was born Dauntless and got Dauntless on my test, but… I thought about transferring. I know you all think that's weak, but I don't care. I didn't like growing up here. I like it better now that I'm a member, but I really did almost transfer. I hated it here that much," Lynn says.
"Why? What faction would you have transferred to?" I ask.
"I don't know. Any faction but this one," Lynn replies, "So who's turn is it now?" Hmm. I wonder why she moved on so quickly.
"I'll go!" says Tyler, "Shauna, how much have you and Zeke done?" He has to know she won't answer that. Shauna glares at him and pulls her shirt off, leaving her in a lacy bra. The boys stare, Christina and Marlene laugh, and I look away. I'm not sure if I like this game anymore.
"Kyle! Yes, you, staring shamelessly. What's your most embarrassing fear?" Shauna says.
"Dolls, alright. God Shauna, revenge much?" Kyle mutters.
Christina laughs so hard she has to lean against Will to stay sitting up. Above the loud voices and chuckles, she yells, "Dolls? Like pretty china dolls? WHY?"
Kyle fixes an angry gaze on her and replies, "Yes, dolls. The ones with pale faces and bright, too big eyes. When I was about thirteen, me and some friends found our way into ruins, and stumbled on an underground chamber from before the War. In it, there was a doll sitting on the floor. When we stepped inside the room, we all felt a chill at the same time and then the doll…it moved, and we heard a voice telling us to leave. So in conclusion, I am scared of dolls for a damn good reason."
After that experience, I'd be scared of dolls too.
Kyle looks around the room, slowly deciding who to embarrass next. "Christina. Your most embarrassing fear. Go."
Christina sighs, but she is Dauntless so she replies, "Moths. Big, ugly swarms of moths." That wasn't so bad. Moths are better than dolls after all. "Four, what's your real name and why is your nickname Four?"
Tobias shakes his head at her and strips off his shirt, revealing his tan stomach and the edges of the tattoo that covers his muscular back.
Christina smirks. "Then you also have to let Tris sit on your lap the rest of the game." Thanks, Chris, but no thanks.
"And what if she doesn't want to?"
"She does. Look, she's blushing cause she knows it's true."
Tobias wraps his arms around my waist and lifts me into his lap carefully. He rests his chin on my shoulder, keeping his arms wrapped around me protectively. The game runs away, skipping Tobias's turn, but I don't care. All I can think about is the boy who holds onto me like I'm the only thing tying him to this earth and the fire his skin sparks when it touches mine. I want to kiss Tobias, right here, in a room full of people. So I do.