Tris
We walk outside to where Four's motorcycle is parked. I didn't think we would go far away from campus, but I don't say anything.
"Jump on then." He says, giving me a warm smile. I guess I look scared or shocked because he chuckles, "Don't worry, my driving isn't that crazy." I laugh nervously and get on the back, fastening the helmet he handed me. He gets on and tells me to put my arms around him. I do, and jolts of electricity run through me. I shut my eyes and lean my head on his back, wanting to be surrounded by his warmth constantly. After a short ride, we are in a field, until I see a large Ferris wheel. I look around, we are in an abandoned fairground. Or at least I think it is. Either way, it's amazing.
"What do you think?" He says, his voice like warm honey.
"It's pretty cool." I grin. "Let's check it out!" I grab his arm and run towards the large ferris wheel, and I feel him tense a bit. I have the sudden impulse to climb up the metal rungs on the side of the wheel. Before I know it, I'm half way up.
"Tris, maybe we should stop here."
"Why?! Don't you want to get to the top."
"Not really," he mutters under his breath. Realisation hits me, he must have a fear of heights.
"Four, why didn't you tell me?"
"Tell me what?"
"That you are afraid of heights."
"I'm not, I just…ok fine. But you looked so happy, I want you to be happy." Warmth flutters inside me and I feel like giggling like a schoolgirl who spotted her crush looking at her. I smile, and turn back to look at him. "Ok let's go here on this platform." I let him go first as he is closest to it and he clambers onto the platform. I start to climb over and then something beneath me crumbles. I'm hanging onto one metal rung, nothing beneath me.
"FOUR!"I scream, panic taking over me, my heart beating so fast and loudly. Gasps of terror shake through my body and I try and fail to lift myself up. I've always been spindly and weak, and now I curse it.
"Four hurry!"
"Tris, here grab my hand." I'm reluctant, what if he can't hold me, but I know that I won't be able to hold myself any longer. I lunge at him, and his strong arms catch my wrists, pulling me up. As soon as I'm standing on the platform, I start to sob, gasping for air and shaking.
"Tris, shhh shh." Four embraces me softly, stroking my hair delicately and I nestle my head in his neck, getting his collar wet with my tears.
"I'm so sorry Tris. This is all my fault." I can hear the guilt dripping in his voice and suddenly I feel angry. Not at him, myself for making him feel like this. Once I gathered myself, I say,
"Four, this is not your fault. It's mine, it was my idea to climb this rusty thing. What if it was you who was there? And I wouldn't be able to help you." Another sob racks through me and he just holds me tighter, giving me the comfort I need. After a while I can feel him smirking against my head.
"Why are you smiling?"
"Well, you said what if that happened to me, but I'm pretty sure I could lift myself up." I hit him, with embarrassment flooding to my cheeks.
"Yeah. I saw an advert for a self-defence class and I think I'm going to take that."
"Really? You know I partly run that."
"I guess I'll see you there then," I smile weakly. "So, how are we gonna get off this thing?"
"Well, when you were doing god knows what over there, I found a lever on this platform and I think it moves the wheel.
"No harm in trying ey?"
Four pulls the lever and it starts to creak loudly. Slowly, we descend and get off the wheel.
"I think that's enough drama for today."
"Yeah, let's head back Four."
"Don't call me that."
"What am I supposed to call you then? Number boy?"
"Hmm… number boy, I like that." He laughs, "But nothing yet." I grimace, how strange.
"Okay 'Nothing', let's go." I smile and look into his eyes. I think I'm definitely falling for number boy.