"What are you doing?" Tris's words cut through the enormous silence.
Tobias stumbled back, farther into the hallway. "Uh, sorry. I-"
"Come in." There was something strong in her voice, a diamond edged knife that cut through Tobias, and he complied, stepping into the room. She watched him enter, then shut the door halfway, and turned to him. "Why were you watching me?"
Her eyes met his, and Tobias was stunned. They were the most peculiar shade of blue he had ever seen. Pale, pale blue; gray by the pupils. Eyes that demanded truth.
"I was walking past and heard the music. And you are really good. By the way." Tobias fidgeted.
Tris smiled but didn't reply. She was preoccupied, her eyes skirting up and down his person, calculating. "Who died? I mean," she said, walking around him, and he stumbled a little from shock. "It was probably a parent; I wouldn't bet my life on it, maybe a finger or toe, but from the looks of it… there is a small cut behind your ear from where you cut it while buzzing your hair, and from your posture. And of course your eyes."
She stopped examining him, and looked him in said eyes. "So, tell me. Was I right?"
Tobias didn't answer, only stared with wide eyes. "H-how?"
"Oh." Her face fell, and Tobias was disappointed. "I did it again, didn't I- offend you? Caleb always tells me not to do it. He says that's why no one hangs out with me. He says people don't want to be told their life's story back to them when we first meet. But it's kind of hard to not do it."
Then Tobias grinned, and widely. This girl; this enigma. She was hilarious, socially awkward, and very intelligent. So far, she seemed perfect.
"No, not really," Tris said, and she stepped back and plopped down on the floor, sitting Indian-style. Tobias mimicked her, and realized he had said the last two sentences aloud. "I have plenty of flaws. For example, I'm way too shy, socially inept, and I completely stink at Pre- Calc."
"Um," Tobias chuckled again. "You do not seem shy."
"Well yeah, not with you," she said, picking at the hem of her leggings. "But did you see me when I came on stage?"
"Not with me? You don't even know me. And you were great on stage." Tobias propped his body with his arms behind him.
"I know who you are," the blue eyed girl replied, ignoring the last comment. "Tobias Eaton. We've gone to school together since the sixth grade."
"Doesn't explain why you're not shy with me."
She shrugged. "I've seen you with your friends. You're funny, but in a humble way, and you don't gossip. Nor do you speak about anyone in a rude way. And it's not just that," Tris said when he started to protest. "I can see in your eyes. You've been through some crappy stuff. Like me. And you're gigantic, but you give off this vibe, not like, I'm gonna attack you, but like, I wanna help you out. It's refreshing."
He was stunned. She was surprisingly spot on. About everything. "How did you know about my dad dying?"
Tris bit her lip. Shoulda bet my life, is what her eyes said. "It's true what they say, that the eyes are the window to the soul. You just have to know how to open the latch. And, your eyes say a lot. They're kind of tired, like you've seen more than you should've."
Tobias had. He smiled and she stood, stretching her arms and legs, and he watched her toned body. "So, I have to head out, but you're welcome to stay and, do yoga or something."
"No, no" he said, scrambling up after her. "I have to leave too."
They both picked up their bags, and it was when they were parting ways that he blurted, "Can I have your number?"
She smiled. "Maybe next time," she said, and walked away. Tobias watched her go, and after a moment, walked away too, out to his car.
He never got his book.
…
"Hey mom!" Tobias called, unlocking the front door and stepping into their warm house. The weather was a little cold for late September, and he sighed in the heat.
"Hey sweetie! I'm in the kitchen." He walked through the hallway to the kitchen, where his mom was standing over the stove, stirring something.
"How was your day?" She asked as he bent down to kiss her cheek. "How were auditions?"
"They were great," he commented, sitting on one of the kitchen stools, dropping his bag and coat next to him. "Classes were good too. Where are the dogs?"
"Out in the garage. Don't get them riled up. Rose is pregnant." Evelyn smiled at her son and watched him walk out the door.
"Hey guys," he said as he stepped into the heated garage, where the French Bulldogs were kept. They swarmed him, all eight of them jumping on his legs. His mom was breeding and selling them.
Tobias pet them for a little bit, and came inside when his mom called him for dinner. They sat down over chili, and talked about their days, and afterward he did homework and watched Doctor Who before going to bed.
The next morning he woke at the beeping of the alarm, and dressed dazedly, pulling on jeans, a gray t-shirt, and Vans. After combing his hair he headed downstairs, eating breakfast and feeding the dogs, before kissing his mom goodbye and driving to school.
The school operated on a block schedule, so instead of eight forty-five minute classes a day, they had four one and a half hour classes a day, and it switched every day. Today was a white day- the days were based on their school colors- and first he had Theater Tech, a class that was helping to build the set for Urinetown.
Tobias walked down the hall, greeting people he knew as he made his way. He turned into Mr. Oberfield's room, and walked into the drama room, dropped his bag, and heading out to the construction room behind the stage. He was greeted by Cassie, Emily, Amelia, and Isabelle, who were the freshman who were helping him build the Public Amenity sign for the musical.
"Hey girls," he said easily, walking over to them. "What did Mr. Oberfeild tell us to do today?"
"If you got here in time you would know," Cassie said sassily. Tobias loved all of them, they were like sisters to him now, and he just laughed at her comment.
"You know, you keep telling me that, but I keep ignoring you," he said.
Emily raised her eyebrows and elbowed her friend. "He said for you, Amelia, and me to nail together the remaining walls, and for Cass and Isabelle to paint the ones that are up."
Tobias rubbed his hands together and smiled. "Great. Let's get started." He grabbed the nail gun and nails, and Emily and Amelia grabbed theirs too, as Cassie and Isabelle got the correct paints and brushes, coming back to get started.
The hour and a half was over quickly, and Tobias grabbed his bag and walked down the hall to AP Physics, which was tedious, and AP Lit, which was just plain boring. Before he knew it there was only lunch and Journalism left in the day.
Tobias entered the commons that served as the lunch room, and went into the line, grabbing a chicken sandwich, potato chips, and a salad. It was while he was walking over to Zeke and Uriah's table when he spotted Tris, sitting alone, looking at her phone.
He changed his route and plopped down next to her.
Her head popped up and she raised her eyebrows at him.
"Hi," he said.
"Hello. Shouldn't you be sitting with your friends?"
Tobias looked over his shoulder, where he could see his friends looking at him like he's insane. "I could be. Not should be."
Tris nodded. "Okay." She pulled a sandwich from her lunchbox, and unwrapped it, taking a bite.
Tobias started on his lunch, trying to ignore the awkward silence.
"They're jerks to you, aren't they?" Tris looked at him through big eyes, studying and analyzing.
"Well, I mean, they have their moments, but-"
She smiled. "You care how they think of you too. And I guess now is the moment of truth, cause the smaller more annoying one is coming over here."
"Zeke?" Tobias asked as he turned, and saw him coming.
"Bro, what are you doing?" Zeke asked, standing over the table. "Why are you sitting with her?"
"What'd she do to you?" Tobias asked and Tris smiled.
"Oh, I stood up for my friend when Zeke was beating him up. And, you know, somehow hurt his feelings, if he has any." Tris said, shrugging.
Zeke glared at her, and Tobias's eyes widened. "He is the epitome of everything bad," Zeke said.
"No," Tris said, seething. "You are."
Zeke turned away from her, and to Tobias. "Come on," he spit.
Tobias looked between Zeke and Tris. If what Tris said was true, and he suspected it was, he did not want to be Zeke's friend anymore. He also wanted to know what happened. "No."
"Tobias, come on. Don't be like this."
"No, you don't be like this. I'll sit with whomever I want, okay? You get no say."
"Fine," Zeke hissed. "Have fun." He turned and walked away, and when Tobias turned to Tris, she was staring at his back with a positively nasty look on her face.
"What was that about?" Tobias said, leaning towards Tris, choosing not to look back at the glares being sent his way from the other table.
"Okay," Tris said. "Do you know Robert Black?"
Tobias nodded. The kid was in Knowledge Bowl with him in their sophomore year, and they used to be friends.
"He's one of my good friends, and he's gay." Tobias nodded, and she continued. "Openly. We were walking outside on our free period at the end of last year, and Zeke and his buddies cornered us. They left me alone, but not Robert. They called him…" she shuddered. "Called him horrible things. And they beat him up a little, but I stopped it before it got too far. Or at least before they slammed his head into the wall. He had a lot of bruises, but came out fine in the end. So that's why Zeke and I hate each other."
She picked up her sandwich, and looked at him. "You okay?"
"I can't believe that they would do that."
"If you don't, I wouldn't blame you. But you can ask Rob."
"No, no, I believe you, but I didn't know of this vendetta between them."
Tris laughed. "You don't know a lot of things."
"Then maybe you can show me."
…
There it is guys! I hope you enjoyed it, because I loved writing it! Leave a review if it floats your boat; it makes my day. I love you guys immensely!