Hey! I'm sooooooo sorry! I left you in the dark! But here is Chapter 5! It's full of FOURTRIS and emotional scenes and... Chrill! Ya, bro. I went there.
So I had no inspiration. Then I went to these gardens and an ice skating rink and had fun and was like, OMG! So I got ideas for a new chapter, and a new story, but what about Chappy 5? But then I forced myself to do this so I did it in a day. 2,877 words in a day! I really made it up to you this time. SOOOOOOO, R&R! I would like to thank all those reviewers out there! Made my day!
Sometimes crying and laughing are the only options left, and laughing feels better right now.
-Tris
Thank you, Initiates, for your support. Without you, In The Now would have stopped at the last chapter.
-Fangirl762616
DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own any Divergent characters or Defying Gravity from Wicked sung by Idina Menzel. Kay, on with the story!
Chapter 5: Small Moments Are Crucial To Life
Tris POV
The first day was the best first day. Ever. In the history of evers.
But, now it's Wednesday, and it's after school. So you know what that means- Annie auditions!
I don't normally do this sort of stuff. I like to keep to myself, and do sports. But now, I want to create a new me. That "Beatrice" life is dead. Over.
So here I am, in a crowded room with a stage that currently has a dancing Zeke on it. And his dancing is a mix of break dancing, and ballet dancing, and... something else that is very, very, weird. Christina seems to notice my confusion because she whispers in my ear, "It's a dance he made up in a game of Truth or Dare," I nod in response.
"Alright, Zeke, please stop your dancing and everybody quiet down!" Ms. Johnson yells. Immediately all conversation ceases. Wow, that could never happen with any teacher at my old school.
"Okay, we are going to start alphabetically. I hope you have prepared a song. I will start with singing, then if you were good, I will move to scripts. You will read a scene, and if you weren't good in that certain part, I will have you read another part. If you were terrible at singing, I will send you home immediately. Got it? Good. Now let's start with…" After a bit it was Christina's turn. Ms. Johnson looked impressed. After the audition, she said she was staying. Farther in, Four's audition. He was good. I think he would be a good Rooster. Even though he's the villain, he has a jazzy song. I like jazzy songs. Four stayed.
Lynn was good. She stayed. Marlene would be a good Grace. She stayed. Shauna was really good. She would be a good Ms. Hannigan. Then, my turn.
I decided to sing "Defying Gravity" from Wicked. It has a lot of range and different tones throughout, so I thought I would give it a go. "Tris Prior. The newbie." Ms. Johnson says. Oh, I'm going to make my song legendary now. I'm going to blow them all away.
I walk past Four, and he whispers in my ear, "Be brave, Tris." I shiver, but hope he doesn't notice. That was sooo not me on Monday when I laughed so hard. I never do that. Ever.
I walk over to the piano, and start my song. Every eye on me.
"Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules
Of someone else's game
Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It's time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes and leap!
It's time to try
Defying gravity
I think I'll try
Defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye
I'm defying gravity
And you won't bring me down
I'm through accepting limits
'Cause someone says they're so
Some things I cannot change
But 'til I try, I'll never know!
Too long I've been afraid of
Losing love I guess I've lost
Well, if that's love
It comes at much too high a cost!
I'd sooner buy
Defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye
I'm defying gravity
I think I'll try
Defying gravity
And you won't bring me down
Unlimited (unlimited)
My future is (future is) unlimited (unlimited)
And I've just had a vision
Almost like a prophecy
I know it sounds truly crazy
And true, the vision's hazy
But I swear, someday I'll be...
Flying so high! (defying gravity)
Kiss me goodbye! (defying gravity)
So if you care to find me
Look to the western sky!
As someone told me lately,
"Everyone deserves the chance to fly!"
I'm defying gravity!
And you won't bring me down, bring me down, bring me down!
Ah Aaaaah!"
There is not a mouth that isn't hanging open when I turn around. Then Ms. Johnson applauds and the whole crowd is whistling and clapping. I keep my head up, but I still blush a little. I didn't think I would be this good.
"OKAY, EVERYBODY QUIET!" Ms. Johnson shouts. Everyone hushes. "I am blown away. No one has ever sang that good in a public school. Why don't you go to a private? Nevermind. It's just, you were better than the actual singer when you sang that. You are automatically cast. No exceptions. But, you still have to read." She says. "Yes, ma'am." I reply. She nods. "Next, we have…"
A while after, It's Uriah's turn. He is terrible. Ms. Johnson has to stop him in the middle of his song. Zeke, although it seems impossible, was even worse. Neither stayed. Will was actually pretty good. He stayed.
"Okay, now lines. I am going to have these people come up. Tris, Four, Shauna, and Marlene. Okay this is the scene where Rooster and Lily, Rooster's girlfriend, come into Ms. Hannigan's office. But before that, Grace is asking Ms. Hannigan to sign papers for Warbucks to adopt Annie. This scene is crucial, so Grace and Rooster have to brush by each other. Because he says a line that will later be repeated, and that is what helps Grace and Warbucks find out that Lily and Rooster are faking being Annie's parents. Okay, so I want Four as Rooster, Shauna as Ms. Hannigan, Marlene as Grace, and Tris as Lily. Grab a script and start on this page." She gestures to a page. Oh, God. I have to be Four's girlfriend. This is not good.
Marlene enters and says her lines. Then she exits, brushing past Four. He says, "Oops, pardon me blondie." and then says a few lines. Shauna says my cue line and I enter. saying, "Because the Rooster swindled him outta eleven hundred bucks." Four slings his arm around my shoulder and draws me nearer. I can't help but think that it feels so… right. "Sis, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine from…" Four trails off, like he was forgetting. "Jersey city." I say pointedly at him in my Jersey accent. Our lines keep going on until we reach the song. "Okay, guys. You can stop there. That was great." Ms. Johnson says. She cues us to leave and we do. Four puts his arm back, almost reluctantly. I feel a rush of cold and miss his warmth. Oh, God, Tris. Stop being girly. I hate it. Oh, shut up conscience.
Everyone who stayed got a chance to go. Then, she announced the cast.
"Annie: Christina.
Grace: Marlene.
Warbucks: Will.
Ms. Hannigan: Shauna.
Rooster: Four.
Lily: Tris." I stopped listening after that. Blessing, and a curse. Both being that I am Four's girlfriend in the play. Shoot.
xXx
"Okay, guys. We HAVE to throw a party for celebration. Hrmmmm, how 'bout Friday?" Zeke says at lunch on Thursday.
"Zeke, it is literally the first week of school. I mean come on—" Will starts.
"I think it's a great idea, Zeke!" Uriah butts in. "The first week of school is the best week for the WILDEST PARTIES! AM I RIGHT!" Uriah screams. He stands on top of the table, almost squishing my banana. "PEDRAD PARTY ON FRIDAY AT 7! BE THERE! TELL YOUR FRIENDS! IT IS GONNA BE BEAST!" Uriah announces, almost bursting my eardrums. Everyone cheers, but my friends groan. I think by the next time he announces that, I am going to be groaning too.
He steps back down and gives a small curtsy. "C'mon, man! Why? We need to be doing other things with just us. Like practicing for the play, or studying for the test we are most likely going to have on Monday in math?" Will says. Everyone looks at him wide-eyed. "Yeah, I saw it on a paper that was on Mr. Kang's desk. I almost died." He explained.
"Oh, crap. Will, can you help me? I suck at math." Christina begs. I have a feeling that this has nothing to do with math. She's actually pretty good at math. I should know. I copy off her paper sometimes. What? I'm only good in language arts.
"Sure," He replies. He's blushing. Oh, I know what's going on here.
"Okay, guys. What is going on here?" Marlene and I say in unison. We laugh.
"Nothing. Nothing at all." Christina says, blushing very profusely.
"Chris, c'mon. We all know that isn't true." I say in a sing-song voice. "Now tell me young lady. What is going on with you and Mr. Will here?"
"Okay, Mom, you got us. I… I am going over to Will's house to—study!" She wails dramatically. I snort. "Chrissy, tell meeeeeeeeeeee! I need to know! Because if he breaks your heart, I need to know if you'll want to bust his jaw with me! Please!" She rolls her eyes, so I turn to Will. "Will, are you the kind of guy who breaks a woman's heart?" He shakes his head. "Good. Then you and Chrissy are good to go. Just, treat her right. She be my beeeeest frieeeeeend. Got it? Good." They all laugh at Ms. Johnson's famous catch phrase. "Okay guys, sorry for that girly moment. But once, my friend Susan liked this guy and they got together. He broke up with her because he, apparently, 'found someone better.' I punched his face and kicked him in the stomach. He was out cold for a day. It was awesome. And I didn't even get caught!" I exclaim. They all look at me like I'm psycho. Which is partially true. "What? Just because I'm a girl means that I can't punch someone? Because if it does, then I might have to break that rule on one of you." I say. "Boys, front and center. Up straight." They follow my orders and I laugh. "Okay, let's see… eenie meenie miney mo," I tap each of them in turn. "—catch a tiger by its toe," I walk back to the front. "—if he hollers let him go," I point to each of them and drag out the words. Zeke is sweating and I have to suppress a giggle. "I...pick...Y-O-U!" My finger lands on Zeke. I step closer.
"Okay, okay, don't! We all believe that you did it! I just think that you are kinda crazy." I glare at him. "No offense or anything!" He yelps and cringes. I laugh and he jumps and falls on his butt. I laugh even harder and then we are all laughing.
So far, life in Chicago is pretty good.
xXx
It's Friday and I'm just getting out of study hall. Then a sparkle-covered creature slams into me.
"Chris, seriously! Why did you have to knock me over?" I yell.
"Sorry Trissy. But tonight is the party. And Christina plus Tris plus party equals...wait for it...MAKEOVER! WOOOOOHOOOOO!" She screams. I roll my eyes. "Sorry, I don't think they could hear you in Croatia. Could you speak up?"
She glares at me but then her face breaks into a grin. "You know what? I'm going to ignore what you just said to me because I'm having a wonderful day. And it is going to be even better tonight!" She drags me to my car. "So you are driving me to my house. Then I get my stuff, and we go to your house. We get you ready, and we go. Kay?" She says, as I unlock the car. "Yep. But on one condition. You have to tell me what is going on with you and Will. Because you were obviously trying to move on to another subject. I saved your sorry butt when I shared that story about Susan." I point out. She nods, and we get into my car.
"So, what was your old school like, Trissy? You always avoid talking about it when anyone asks you." She says casually. I stop, for a millisecond, but then I continue. "What do you want to know?" I ask, forcefully shoving the key into the ignition. "Because there are some things I don't want to tell people just yet." I start the car. "I'm sorry If it comes off rude, but I'm just not ready. Maybe someday, but just not today." I say calmly whilst driving out of the school parking lot. "I'm sorry, Tris. I know things are hard sometimes…" I can tell she doesn't know what to say. "It's alright, Chris." I know that she knows that it isn't alright, but she doesn't say anything more. "So, about Will," I start. "Whas goin' on bro? I mean, are you two a thing or something?" I wiggle my eyebrows and she blushes. "Well, we just went out on one date, I mean it didn't mean anything—"
"CHRISTINA! I THINK IT MEANS SOMETHING IF HE ASKED YOU ON A DATE!" I exclaim.
"He didn't ask me to be his girlfriend or anything—"
"It doesn't matter Chris."
"Well, I still don't think it meant anything because—"
"Chrissy, stop. You both make each other blush all the time and it's actually really adorable. You and Will would be perfect together! Who said it didn't mean anything?"
"Me."
"That is right. You—" I jab her in the stomach. "—have a fixed mindset. You need to think positive, not negative! He's obviously interested in you, so shut up!"
"Okay, mom, chill!" She says defensively. We both laugh and before we know it we have pulled up in Chris's driveway.
I wait, like, twenty minutes until she comes out. Her arms are heaped with clothes, makeup, jewelry, you name it.
All I can think is,
Oh, crap. Why?
xXx
Piles of clothes, mounds of makeup, and pounds of jewelry later, we are ready. And, truth be told, she looks awesome, but me, I'm noticeable.
I have on a pair of dark purple leggings, and a black high-low layered skirt, plus a black cami, and a dark purple and black striped crop-top. It has silver print on it that says "deception is perfection". I only agreed to that because of Christina saying that she wouldn't be Will's girlfriend if I didn't wear it, although I put up a big fight because it reminded me of Lauren. Except it isn't a really, really, short crop top, and it's not blinding neon, really tight, and low-cut. But the phrase, "deception is perfection" really does remind me of Lauren, but she insisted that "the boys will think that you're feisty!". I don't really think about impressing any boy, well except Four but…
No. I can't think like that.
My makeup is light, but cute. Nude sparkly eye shadow, clear lipgloss, eyeliner, and mascara. Apparently, my "complexion is flawless" (according to Chris) so I didn't need that...stuff I don't know or care about the name of.
We arrive at Zeke and Uriah's house, but I didn't have to look hard for it. Partially from Chris's directions, but mostly from the noise. Teenagers roam the perimeter, and the house is filled. We go inside, without knocking, and the noise just gets louder. I don't know what is going on, but I need to find my friends. "Chris," I turn around but I can't find her. Then, I see her. Making out with Will. I roll my eyes. I am about to walk away from my spot, when someone grabs my arm. I immediately pivot and punch the person. they dodge and I see who it is.
"Oh, I'm sorry Four. I get a bit on edge in a crowd," I say, even though it isn't true. "Nah, It's alright. I shouldn't have startled you." He doesn't look at all offended. "I've just been looking for one of my friends and then I saw your hair and knew it was you." He rambles. "Yeah," I say. Wow, Tris. Real smooth.
Then, the music stops. Uriah stands on the makeshift stage, and yells into a microphone, "OKAY, UNLESS YOU ARE THE PEOPLE WHO SIT AT MY TABLE, LEAVE!" Slowly, everyone trickles out until it is just us.
"Kay guys, TRUTH OR DARE! Let's let Trissy here go first since she's the newbie." Zeke says. He looks at me and I nod. I turn to Lynn and ask her T or D. "Truth." She says. "PANSYCAKE!" Uriah shouts. Then i ask her a question I probably shouldn't have.
"Lynn, I've always wanted to know, why did you shave your head?" She falters for a moment. Then shakes her head.
"Shauna already knows, but I guess I'll tell you now. Over the summer, I got diagnosed with cancer." She says.
I start to cry. Hard. "L-l-y-nn, I-am so-so sor-ry, I-I didn-'t m-mean t-to—" I stutter.
"Tris, I know you didn't mean to. But, here's the thing…" She starts to tear up. "The doctors say I only have a few month to live."
A single tear drops from her tear duct. I stop crying and watch it tread silently down her face. Then, it hits me.
One of my best friends is going to die.
She comes over to me, and my crying starts up again. We sit there and sob quietly into each other.
Why is it that when you finally realize how important someone is to you, do they have to leave?
I don't think anyone can give me the answer to that.
You like? I'll have another chapter up TODAY! IKR! R&R!