When they finally got back to the soup kitchen, Beatrice felt better about things. She wasn't exactly sure why. She thought it probably had to do with that incredible kiss. She was still a little lightheaded from that. Well, either from that or the bruise on her face.
She thought about their situation. In two months, Tobias would pick another faction to get away from his abusive father, and inadvertently her as well. She had gotten upset and just ran away from Tobias, only to run into Eric, who hit her and now she'll have to explain to everyone why her face is bruised. But amazingly none of that mattered now, at this moment she was holding Tobias's hand and that was enough for her. However messed up her life, she had Tobias for today, and right now, that was all she needed.
All the good feelings went away as soon as they got back to where the amity truck usually is, and Marcus Eaton was waiting for them. Immediately, Tobias let go of Beatrice's hand.
"What are you doing here?" Tobias's tone was grave. Beatrice could tell he was suddenly afraid.
Marcus ignored Tobias and looked Beatrice up and down, "You're Beatrice, am I right? Andrew's daughter."
Beatrice looked over at Tobias, and then something happened. She knew she could stay scared and shy, or she can choose to be brave. Tobias had just told her who Marcus really was. Any other day she might have cowered back, and said whatever Marcus wanted or expected. But not today, she felt herself change. She was finally worthy of her new name, "No, actually, its Tris."
Tobias just starred at her. What was she doing?
"Oh, really? Interesting." Marcus didn't seem fazed. His attention turned back to Tobias. "Why weren't you here right after school? They told me you're usually here by now. What happened?"
Tobias froze. But Tris didn't.
"It's my fault. We were both coming here after school today so we walked together. It's so stupid but I tripped on a rock and fell. Tobias helped me and we went back to school so I could clean up. But I think I'm going to have a bruise." Tris was very convincing but even she thought the excuse was lame. She just hoped he bought it.
"That was nice of him, but I'm afraid I'm going to take him home with me now." He looked over and glared at Tobias, "We need to sort out some business."
This time Tris froze, but not for long, "Oh no! Mr. Eaton, can't he stay? I'm going to have to unload that whole truck by myself if he leaves. My shoulder still hurts from that fall." She hoped she sounded pathetic enough. She did not want Tobias leaving with Marcus right now. And this is all she could do to stop it.
Marcus looked taken aback. It was apparent that he wasn't used to being questioned, especially by a small abnegation girl. Tris grabbed her shoulder for effect, pretending that it hurt. She couldn't believe that she was actually pulling this off. What had gotten into her?
"Fine, he can stay." He turned toward Tobias, "You need to come home right after you are done here, do you understand?"
"Yes sir."
Marcus stormed out of the room. Tobias didn't realize that he was holding his breath until he finally could breathe again. This was getting out of control. There's no telling what Marcus would do when he got home tonight. He needed to get out of there now. He looked over Tris. What she had done today had both hurt and helped him. She ran from him, got herself in trouble. Tobias had saved her, and now she had saved him. And at this moment, he wasn't sure whether to be mad at her for trying to stand up for him or be grateful for it. Although, if she hadn't run from him, they wouldn't have been late, and Marcus might not be mad at him . Might was the key word there because he probably would have been. Tobias knew that. There was no way Marcus was just going to miraculously become a good father. He didn't come here in the first place just to chat with Tobias. There had to be a reason to begin with.
"This is a mess." Tobias finally said.
"I'm sorry if I made things worse. I didn't know what to do and you..." Tris trailed off.
Tobias knew what she was going to say: you didn't do anything. Why was it so easy for him to protect Tris and little Jimmy from Eric, but it was so damn difficult to protect himself from his father? He knew that this wasn't Tris's fault and there was no one to blame but Marcus.
"I'm not mad at you. I just don't know what I'm going to do now." He sat down in a chair near the wall. He felt defeated.
Tris could tell he was completely lost. Her heart was breaking for him. She didn't know how to fix it either.
"You can't go home, Tobias," Tris softly said, crouching down next to him and taking his hands.
"Where am I supposed to go? He expects me home. He'll find me. So much for flying under the radar for a couple months until choosing. If I run right now, I'm factionless." He starred at the ground, hating that Tris has to see him like this. Even if he could choose, he obviously wouldn't fit in dauntless with the way he was acting. He needed to pull himself together.
"I should just go home. It'll be fine, right? I can handle whatever it is." He looked to Tris. He almost believed what he was saying.
"You shouldn't have to handle it. You can't go home today. I saw the way he looked at you. You can't be alone with him."
"It'll be worse if I don't."
"Come home with me. We can tell my father. He'll understand. He can help you. We can figure it out." Tris trusted her father. Even though he worked with Marcus and looked up to him, she had to believe that he would see the truth.
"I don't know, Tris. I don't want you to get any more involved in this. This isn't your problem." Tobias stood up and Tris stood with him, their hands still intertwined.
"Yes, it is."