"CLOSED"

- Tris, bad news. The library is closed.

- What?

- Last night. The roof leaked and they're in there fixing it.

- Crap. What are we going to do?

- You could always come to my place.

My heart hammers in my chest. It rained hard all night, and the campus has turned into a lake, but I didn't expect the library to get flooded out. And I certainly didn't expect Al to text me and invite me over to his place.

He's sent me a few random texts throughout the weeks, mostly to make sure we were still on for our Saturday sessions or to see if I was free to squeeze in another one, but sometimes there were others. Like a funny picture of two dogs who were supposed to be studying, but they were sleeping instead with the caption 'Us', or a text just to ask if I was having a good day. It hasn't been particularly forward or too weird —and I've always been nice when I responded— but this just feels like too much for some reason. Maybe I'm just reading into it too much.

- I don't know Al.

- Oh. Well we can just go to the cafeteria or something. Wherever you like.

The cafeteria is an option, but it's going to be loud and packed with people who are eating and everyone else who wanted to use the library like us. I think about the common room in the dorm or the student lounge, but we're going to have the same problems there too. Christina is out with Will, so we'd still be alone here, but I feel better doing that than going to his place.

- No. Just come to my place. Mackey hall. Room 312.

It's almost an hour earlier than our usual time, but that's fine. I run around and pick up the few things I can to make it look like Christina isn't a complete slob, and sit on my bed and wait. I have no idea what hall Al lives in, so I don't know how long it will take. I make sure to pull up my comforter so there won't be any confusion on that part. We are not getting into my bed.

Close to twenty minutes pass before there's a knock on my door. I answer it, and see Al standing there with an iced coffee and a chai tea.

"You didn't have to do this, you know," I say as I take my drink from him. "I don't always drink these things."
"I know. I just thought it would be nice since we'll be holed up in here. Is your roommate gone?" he asks as he looks around.
"Uhh, yeah. This one," I say as I point to my bed. I decide at the last minute to wheel the desk chair over as he sits, that way we won't be sitting right on top of each other.

We spend a few minutes talking about last nights crazy weather before we dig in and get right to it. I lean forward on the bed, scribbling little notes to myself as I focus on the equations. I struggle initially like I always do, but find myself starting to get it a lot faster than I have before and understanding everything better after repeating it out loud over and over and over. I'm really glad I picked Al.

"I don't know how, but you're doing it Al," I say, smiling. I take a long sip of my tea, and almost snort it out when he gets a wide, goofy grin on his face. He laughs as I wipe my face with my sleeve. I have a feeling Al doesn't receive a lot of positive reactions from people, and I'm not sure why.
"Well, maybe it's just because we mesh well."

I smile, because he's not entirely wrong. He's incredibly patient with my inability to grasp some of these formulas without doing them a thousand times. And I actually do enjoy his company and the handful of conversations we've had during our study sessions. If Al plays his card right, maybe he could find himself a part of our little gang. He might be a little flirty, but I think that's just his personality. Maybe I shouldn't focus so hard on that.

I see a flash of movement and turn my head just as Al leans forward and kisses me. I feel like my eyes are as wide as dinner plates as I sit there, unable to move. It wasn't much, just a long peck, but still. I'm stiff as a board when he pulls away, opening his eyes in a dreamy sort of way. He smiles, and I snap out of it.

"That was—"
"Al," I say firmly. The smile falls from his face.
"I'm sorry, Tris." The words come out so fast, they almost feel like one. His eyes flit around the room before landing back on me. "I just…I couldn't help myself."
"You know I have a boyfriend."
"I know," he says quietly, hanging his head now. "It's just that people aren't generally nice to me, and you are. And you're…so pretty. It was stupid of me. I'm really sorry."
"I accept your apology. Just please, don't let it happen again. I like you Al, just…not like that."

I stand and excuse myself, closing the bathroom door behind me. I splash some water on my face, hoping my time in here will be enough to forget the last few minutes as well as get the red off my face. I don't get the chance to find out though when I hear my computer ring. I open the door and walk over to the small desk where my laptop sits and see Tobias' name on the screen. I snatch the chair and sit down.

"Hey," I say when his face pops up. "What's up?"
"Nothing. I just wanted to see your face. And I was hoping that I could catch you before—" he stops, and I see his eyes narrow. I realize now that he's looking behind me. I turn and see Al standing there next to my bed.

"Am I interrupting something?"
"Just studying."
"In your room?" He leans forward and squints his eyes. "Why are you so red?"
"I'm not," I blurt out quickly, making me seem guilty. I close my eyes.

"Tris, what is going on?"
"Nothing, To-Four. I swear. The library is flooded out, and everywhere else is packed and loud and I just needed somewhere quiet so I could study. I have a big test on Monday, you know that."
"So, what? You're just sipping lattes in your bed?" I notice Tobias' eyes and turn around to see Al is sitting on my bed, drink in hand. He doesn't make eye contact with me, but it bothers me that he doesn't seem as upset as he was a few moments ago.

"Four. Why did you call?" I say as I turn back around.
"I just thought I could get you before you left. See if you wanted to ditch studying today, but it's fine. You guys have a great session. I'll talk to you later."

I don't get a chance to explain any further or say goodbye.

I lean forward and let my head hit the desk. It hurt and I don't even care right now. I should be upset —I am upset— but if the roles were reversed, I can't say I wouldn't have had the same thoughts. I hate that we both sometimes jump to conclusions like that. I've seen the way women stare at Tobias, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't jealous; that I don't automatically pull myself closer to him, as if I were engaged in some territorial dispute. Too many times I have thought about him leaving me for someone who is better suited for him. Someone who isn't even the slightest bit insecure. Someone as equally hot as he is. It's a horrible flaw in the both of us.

"Tris," I hear Al say softly.
"What?"
"Are you okay?"
"No, Al. I'm not okay."

I sit like that for I don't know how long, listening to Al shift every once in a while behind me. Eventually I lift my head and spin in my chair to face him.

"Al, I think that this is it for us. I really like you, I do. You're a really great guy, and I appreciate all of the help you have given me, but this isn't going to work."
"Tris—"
"No, Al," I interrupt. I'm not in the mood to hear any excuses. "You just kissed me. Do you even realize that? And then my boyfriend called right afterwards and he could tell, Al. He knew something happened, and I have to figure out how to tell him what did happen, and hope to hell he doesn't come down here and rip you to pieces."

Al's face drops. I see him shift nervously on my bed and sigh. I don't understand his attraction to me. I mean hell, we still barely know each other and I've never given him any indication that I'm even the slightest bit interested in him. I do know that I could never be with someone like him, though. For starters he doesn't respect any boundaries that are made glaringly clear to him, and he's just…the complete opposite of Tobias. He's nice, sure, but he's also quiet and insecure and meek and I don't need someone that I can mow over at any given time. I need someone who isn't afraid to stand up to me, and isn't afraid to push me above and beyond.

"Can we at least be friends?" he asks timidly.
"No. That's what we were, and you crossed that line."

He nods his head and stands, gathering his things. I grab my wallet and take out the cash for this session, but he waves me off. "I don't need your money."
"No, Al. You still came. I'm the one who's cutting the session short. Please take it." He puts his bag over his shoulder and snatches the cash out of my hand before stalking off and slamming my door shut.

A/N:
SONG: Nick Jonas - Jealous

To the anon reviewer upset about Tobias and the strip club: I think you may need to read the chapter again. I can't write you, so I'm leaving this here, but Tobias didn't set up her birthday, (Chris did, and he was the one who voted against it, making it not a unanimous decision) and he certainly didn't go there to specifically look at other women. I mean, this is a different universe. They're not innocent teenage virgins here. He's been to one before. He's had sex with other people and so has Tris. She ended up liking it, and he couldn't keep his eyes off of her the entire time. He's not the jerk you're making him out to be, I promise.