Things went smoothly after that. Tris saw a change in Tobias. He wasn't as worried and dark. He was starting to smile more and beginning to be lighthearted in general. Suddenly they're favorite topic was life after his choosing. He was trying to find a place where he would fit into life at Abnegation without having to see his father. He didn't want to be in the government at all, which made finding the perfect job difficult since almost all of abnegation had some sort of government job. He figured he could organize community service. They needed people for that.
Tris was a little disappointed that he would get some sort of mediocre job just to stay with her in their faction. She knew he had so much potential and he could really make a difference at whatever he did. But his father would be in his way yet again. Tris tried think about the fact that they had won, Marcus wasn't hurting Tobias anymore. Although from time to time she was still uneasy about her mother's secrets. Also she couldn't help thinking if Tobias would ever escape his father's shadow.
The time came for Tobias's aptitude test. It was a Wednesday so Tris knew that she would get to talk to him after school when they were volunteering together. She was a bit nervous about this. What if the test told him to choose another faction? They'd only known each other for a few months; would he give up who he really was for her? All this time, Tris figured his true place was with her in Abnegation. Was that her destiny too? Abnegation for life? What if, in two years, when Tris took the test, it told her a different faction? If Tobias chose Abnegation for Tris, Tris would need to choose Abnegation for Tobias. This is what she wanted for herself and Tobias. Why was she suddenly so unsure about her own future and Tobias's?
Tris took her time walking to the soup kitchen and making her way to the back. It was so lonely doing this without Tobias. A chill went through her, hoping that this would not be the first of many solo trips to the center. Tris dismissed those thoughts and started unloading the truck on her own. After what seemed like forever, she finally heard footsteps. She looked up and there was Tobias, but the look on his face was not what she wanted to see.
"It looks like now you have something that you don't want to tell me." Tris said, already jumping to the worst possible conclusion.
Tobias walked over to the truck and held out his hand for her to come down. She took it and fumbled down and then tore the hand away from him. "Tell me."
"You know I can't…" Tobias said. "But I don't want you to worry."
"How can I not worry? It's obvious that something is wrong and now you won't tell me." Tris was trying to control herself and not get upset but she knew it was losing battle.
"Please don't raise your voice. I don't want others knowing that we are arguing." Tobias calmly said.
"Since when has that mattered to you?" Tris was getting upset in earnest now.
Tobias took her into his arms and although Tris struggled at first, she finally succumbed to him. "Since now," Tobias whispered into her ear. "I'll explain everything after choosing tomorrow. You just have to wait till then. Everything will be ok. Don't worry."
For some reason, Tris wasn't quite sure that she believed him. They did tell everyone that their results should be private. No one was supposed to know except for the one taking the test, no parents, no brother or sisters and no girlfriends. He did tell her that everything was going to be ok. Tobias had never lied to her, and if he believed that it would work out, so would she. She was getting a little sick of secrets though.
They continued to unload the amity truck in silence.
"Why do I get the feeling this is the last time we are going to be doing this together?" Tris said, passive aggressively bating Tobias to try to get some more information.
"I might be busy with initiation starting tomorrow." Tobias said, nonchalantly.
"Initiation for?" Tris hoped he would tell her something, anything.
Tobis just smiled. Tris honestly couldn't tell if it was a forced smile or a genuine one. He was trying to put her at ease. But failing miserably.
Tobias walked Tris home just like he did countless times before. But this time, there was an uncomfortable silence.
Finally Tobias said, "After choosing tomorrow, I'll meet you in the alley where we first met, ok? They'll be whisking us off to initiation right after but I need you to be there." His voice might have betrayed his confidence. "Promise me you'll be there."
This was such an odd request. Red flags were going up everywhere for Tris. Could this have something to do with Tobias's father? Why wasn't Tobias talking to her? Whatever it was, it couldn't be good. And it probably had something to do with his test.
"I promise." Tris said. That seemed to soothe him a bit. They were outside Tris's house now.
"I guess this is goodbye then." Tobias looked around to make sure no one was watching them and then pulled Tris into a little alcove right by the house where they were mostly hidden from view. He looked into her eyes and put his hand on her check. Tris was expecting him to kiss her but she wasn't quite expecting the intensity of this kiss. She felt like nothing existed except them in this moment. It made her forget all the weirdness and worries. For right now, Tobias was here, and he was hers. As Tobias broke away from the passionate kiss, Tris brought her hands around Tobias's neck and held him closer. The kissed continued. They were interrupted by a noise from inside the house. They broke away from each other. Tobias took her hand, "I'll see you tomorrow," He said.
"Ok," Tris said lamely and she watched him start to leave. All of her worries came back as soon as he left.
As she walked into her house, Tris thought about that earthshattering kiss. If she didn't know better, it felt like a goodbye forever kind of kiss. But she knew better, didn't she? Tobias said they would see each other after choosing tomorrow, so that means that he has to pick Abnegation, right?
"Are you ok, Tris?" Her mother asked her.
Tris sat down at the kitchen table. "Tobias wouldn't tell me his test results today. And he didn't tell me what he'll choose tomorrow."
Her mother smiled. She came over to the table and started playing with Tris's hair. "You know that he's not supposed to. Rules are rules. Try not to worry about it."
"He was acting strange today after his test." Tris said. Natalie's face fell. "No, mom. I don't think it has to do with his father. I don't know what it could be though."
"This part of life is stressful. You're choosing where you want to be for the rest of your life. I think you're allowed to be a little strange. I'm sure its fine. You'll see, tomorrow will be just another day."
Tris's mom always knew what do say to make things better. And Tris was almost starting to feel better about things. But then she remembered how odd Tobias acted at the soup kitchen. And that kiss. In the moment, it was wonderful and romantic, but now it just felt final. She hoped her mother was right, but deep down she was dreading what tomorrow might bring.