Hey guys I don't have a current, specific time I'll be updating. I will try and update twice a week, maybe more. Once school starts up again it might go down to once a week. But since I'm on winter break right now, I'll try and update as much as possible. Thank you for the follows on this story, it is greatly appreciated. Please leave reviews!
All creds go to Veronica Roth
It is a new year; 2016. Christina and I have been in our apartment for two and a half years. I love this part of Chicago. We live in a pretty busy apartment. There's a lot to do when you live in a city. Christina found an interior design place about three blocks away. Perfect walking distance. We also have a car that we share for rainy days or super cold days. It usually is sitting in our parking garage. Which was a great add-on to our place. Christina has gotten a lot of clients since our city is so busy. A lot of the apartment buildings around here can be refurnished; surprisingly. Which is what gives her most of her business.
She met her boyfriend; Will, at Tarsons. Tarson is her go-to coffee place. It is right next to her work and everyone is so friendly there. I was going to apply to work there since I didn't want to write, right away. But as I was walking there, I passed this bakery. It smelt incredible so I walked in and got a chocolate chip muffin and a cup of tea. I looked around and saw a bunch of people reading books. I looked in the corner and there was a spiral staircase with fairy lights wrapped around them. I asked the nice young lady at the cash register if that was like another store or just for employees. She told me that it was another part of the bakery, but it was a bookstore. You could read books up there, or you could read down in the bakery. You could buy the book or just check it out. They buy new books every year with the money from the bakery. So they were all in good shape. I enjoy reading a lot. It is like an escape to the real world. You're experiencing a whole new experience in someone else's point of view. It is such a peaceful, quaint store. It seems so relaxing, just being in here.
The owner of the bakery; Sweeties, came and sat next to me at the table I was sitting at. Her name was Bethany, she was an older lady and she was the sweetest lady I've met in a long time. She asked me about a lot of stuff and she was genuinely interested, she wasn't just asking to be polite. Mostly random little questions, but, it felt nice to talk to someone who cared. We sat for probably two hours just talking. I was a little surprised at how comfortable I felt with her. It felt like talking to my mom. I realized that this is what I should be doing with my mom. But since she was always on business trips, I have never just sat down and talked to her before. I should make a promise to myself, to do that.
I told Bethany how I've always wanted to become an author and write books for everyone to enjoy. She then went to ask me how well I can bake pastries. I was confused on how that had anything to do with becoming an author. I told her that I always baked and cooked as a kid and growing up for my brother and I. I also told her that my neighbor (Christina's mom) would teach Christina and I how to bake anything and everything. So I was a pretty good baker, I was even better than Christina, because Christina was a very impatient person and wouldn't take the time to learn the recipes. She also got frustrated and always took them out before they were fully done. I was a more patient person and I even sometimes overcooked them, because I was worried they wouldn't be done. But I've progressed quite a bit over the years.
"You're hired!" Bethany exclaimed happily.
"Uh… what?" I questioned, "I didn't apply for a job…"
"Well from what you told me, you're a pretty experienced baker. Plus, you love books, there isn't a better place for you to get started writing. Also, I don't think you have a job right now, because if you were on a break, you wouldn't have sat here for hours, talking to me." Bethany said, looking proud. She was correct, though. "You can work here; it is a pretty decent pay too. You can write during your breaks. It's a great environment to get inspiration. You can write upstairs or even down here. It might be better to write upstairs, as it is usually quieter. But you may learn that you write better with some noise."
"Wow um… yeah that's very nice of you." I started sounding more intrigued. "But don't you need to see some sort of resume or something?"
"Oh sweetie, no, I don't think so. You're pretty young, there's not many jobs you could've had. Plus, you're a sweet woman. I know you'll show up on time and do everything properly. You're just that kind of girl. I already trust you, and you seem to trust me." She smiled.
I smiled broadly. I finally had a job! I also get to start my dream career. Could this day get any better? I was going to wait, but why wait to do something you love? She gave me some more information about the job, and I gave her my number. So she would have it to call me in for a different day or for whatever reason she had to get in contact with me. I was heading home to tell Christina all about it.
As I got back to our apartment, Lizzie jumps up into my arms. Lizzie is a small poodle mix dog, that was a stray. Christina and I were going out to dinner together and on our way back, we saw Lizzie coming out of an alley. She came right up to us and was curling around our legs like a cat. We couldn't leave her. I was worried that Lizzie wouldn't be allowed in our apartment. I haven't seen any signs or anything that said we couldn't have any pets. But I also haven't seen anyone with any pets. But turns out we are allowed to, they just can't disturb our neighbors. Which is understandable. The next day, I brought her into the vet to get all her shots and make sure that she was safe, so we could keep her. Christina would've done it, or came with, but she had work. I didn't mind doing it, Lizzie was adorable.
I was wondering where Christina was. It was 6 p.m. She usually gets home at 4:30 or 5. So I was a little worried. But she was probably with Will, or one of her clients ran late. So I shot her a quick text;
Hey, are you going to be home for dinner? Take out? -T
She didn't answer for a few minutes so I set my phone down. She was probably busy. I went to change into some sweats and a t-shirt, and I looked over the paper work for Sweeties.
I had just finished looking over everything when I heard my phone ring, alerting me that I had gotten a text.
Hey, sorry for not answering right away, I was out with Will. I'm spending the night at his apartment since it's his last week alone there. I'll see you in the morning. -C
That's what I thought, but what did she mean by it was Will's last week alone?
Okay, have fun! But what's this about Will? Are you moving in or something? -T
No, Tris! Our relationship hasn't gotten that far. An old friend from College is moving in with him for a while. -C
Oh, okay. Good, I wasn't ready to let you go, anyway. (; -T
(: Have a nice night, Tris. -C
I decided to quit bothering her, and let her have her fun with Will. I knew that Will went to a college in a different state for his Freshmen and Sophomore year. But then he got excepted to a better school, here in Illinois. Or at least that's what Christina has told me.
I just make some grilled chicken and chop up some peppers for dinner. And I watch an episode of Grey's Anatomy, before I get ready for bed. I only put on some mascara today, so I wipe it off and wash my face. I usually shower in the morning, to wake me up. So I lay in my bed and read a book, as Lizzie curls up with me.
The next morning as I'm making some toast and eggs, Christina walks in and leans against the closed doors with a smile on her face. "Walk of shame?" I ask her, wiggling my eyebrows.
She practically jumps out of her skin. "Goodness, Tris! Give me a warning next time." She walks over and steals my toast. "Thanks, I was starving." She winks.
"Yeah, I bet you were." I grumble.
She just walks into her room and comes out after she has changed.
"So, Tris, what's new?" She always asks me this, and I usually say nothing new or interesting. But this time I actually have something to say.
"Well, I got a job." I state with a proud smile.
"OH MY GOD! YOU DID?! WHERE?" She seems genuinely happy for me.
"Sweeties! It's a bakery and a bookstore. I start on Wednesday!"
"Omg I'm so proud of you, Tris." She gives me a big hug.
"Thanks, Chris. I am also gonna start writing, I think." I say shyly.
"EEEEEEEEE I get to be the very first person to read it, right?!"
"Of course, Chris." I smile.
"Okay, we have to go shopping, you need some new clothes for your new job!" Christina always finds an excuse to go shopping. I roll my eyes, but, there's no point in trying to get out of it. I also need some new pairs of jeans and I could use a few nicer shirts. So we grab our bags, after I change, and we go.
"I'm never going shopping with you on a Saturday, ever again." I tell Christina.
"Oh, come on, it wasn't that bad." Christina exaggerates 'that'
"My arms feel like Jell-O." And it was true, she made me hold all her bags, plus mine. She rolls her eyes.
"Okay Tris, whatever, at least now you have a great variety of clothing options for work."
"It's a bakery, Chris. My clothes are bound to get dirty." I say kind of bored.
"Fine, then you'll have great clothes for dates and such." I groan, she's at this again. I still haven't found anyone that I've connected with, like I did with him.
But, I guess I'll try and start going out more. There has got to be a better guy out there, for me. Sometimes I'd really like to believe that. I wish I still didn't feel this way. He has moved on, most likely. He could even be married with kids. I wonder if he is in the Pros now. No! Come on Tris you have to stop thinking about him. He's nothing to you now. Alright, I know what I have to do. I have to finally move on. "Christina, I need a favor." I ask her as I walk into her room. She basically jumps right out of her bed.
"Yes, of course, Tris! What do you need?" she asks impatiently.
"I…uh…I n-need a date…" I know she is going to scream so I cover my ears right after I finish that stupid, stuttering sentence.
"AHHHHHHH OH MY GOD, MY LITTLE TRISSY IS ALL GROWN UP OHMYGODOHMYGOD!" I knew it.
"Yeah, I guess. I mean I don't really want a date right away. So I was thinking maybe we could just go to a club tonight, or something like that."
"Good idea, baby steps." She was still beaming though.
"So, let's go out tonight. I know just the place." she told me, excitedly.
We went out, but some dick drugged Chris' drink so we went home within an hour. It wasn't a very pretty site. Seeing her puke everything out and then some. But me being the good friend I am, held her hair back. It's now a couple of days later and since she got better she's spent most of her time at Will's. His new roommate is supposed to come today, so he is picking him up from the airport. Christina is kind of upset, because now she will have to be quiet, if you know what I mean.
I'm sitting on the couch watching more Greys Anatomy. Christina comes inside, slams the door behind her and sits next to me with a huff. "Rough day?" I ask her teasingly.
"Oh shut up, Prior." She mumbles.
"Come on Chris, it's not like he is moving away. All that is happening, is, he is getting a roommate. And didn't you say it was temporary?"
"Well, yeah, but still." She's pouting, it's kind of funny.
"How 'bout we order some take-out and we sit and watch Greys? I brought some cookies home with me from the bakery." I ask her nicely.
"Okay, thanks Tris." She smiles a little. I figure that's the best I'll get out of her, and I go get the plate of cookies and some milk.
We spend the night watching Greys, and she falls asleep on the couch. I get her a blanket and turn off the T.V. I than go get ready for bed and go to sleep with Lizzie. Lizzie likes to sleep with me since I'm here every night, and Chris is only here some nights. I can't sleep tonight though, and I don't know why. I have this weird feeling in my stomach. Something like dread but excitement. I honestly don't know what that is about. I just try distracting myself with other thoughts. I don't know when, but sometime during the night, I finally drifted off to sleep.
"Come on, Tris, wake up!" I think I hear, but it's kind of muffled, since I'm just waking up.
"Triiiiisssssssssyyyy wakkeeeeeeyyyy wakkkeeeyyyyy." She sings.
"Oh my god, shut up, Chris. Please!" It's a good thing she didn't choose singing as her profession, that's for sure.
"Oh, stop being dramatic Tris." Shit, did I say that out loud?
"Get up, and hurry up. Wear something cute." Wait... why?
"Uh… Chris why?"
"Just hurry." She winks and shuts my door.
"Christina!" Ugh I hate when she doesn't tell me what is going on. I go in the bathroom and use the bathroom. I put on some mascara after washing my face. I don't think I have time to shower, so I'll have to tonight. I just put on black jeans and a sweater. January is cold here in Chicago, plus, we are by Lake Michigan. I pull on some brown boots that end just under my knee. I think they're stylish, they are the nicest shoes I have. My mom sent them to me for Christmas, since she was too busy to get together with me. Whatever. It's always been like this. It's hard to see her on a holiday. Or ever.
I walk out of my room and see Christina eating an apple, leaning against the counter. She notices me and smiles. "There you are, Tris." She keeps smiling, I'm kind of getting freaked out.
"Where are we going?" her smile doesn't falter.
"To Will's house!" now I understand why she's smiling- except…
"Then why am I going, Chris?" I ask with caution.
"We are going to meet his new roommate!" then, she pulls my arm and drags me out of the apartment.
"What the hell, Christina!?" I'm kind of mad, that feeling in my stomach from last night is back.
"Come on, Tris. What if he is hot?" I knew she would do this.
"And what if he isn't?" I challenged.
"Then I'll make up some excuse as to why you have to go home." She smiles brightly again.
Ugh! I guess this could go either way. I'm lost in my thoughts of who his new roommate could be, that I don't realize we are at Will's. I take a deep, shaky breath. I'm not quite sure why it's shaky, I just have a weird feeling about this. Will answers the door and he and Christina exchange a hug and a chaste kiss on the lips. I can't help but feel a little bit envious of them. But I'm pulled out my thoughts as Will pulled me into a hug. I'm a little surprise and don't hug him back right away. But then, I awkwardly wrap one arm around him. He must notice my discomfort and let's go quite fast. "My roommate, Four, he is just unpacking I'll let him know you guys want to meet him. He came from California." He smiles and walks off to where I assume his roommates room is. Four, what kind of name is that? It is probably some sort of nickname. At least I would hope so, there must be something wrong with his parents, to name their child a number.
I can't help but think that California is where Tobias went for college and more than likely still there playing football, or something. I shake my head, now is not the time to think about him. Will comes back out from the hallway and smiles. Next thing I hear, is a deep voice. It sounds so familiar, yet I can't quite place it. Christina was already facing him and she gasps. She quickly looks at me and her eyes show regret, sorrow, anger, and surprise. I turn around fully to face Will's roommate. As soon as we lock eyes, we both gasp and I feel my eyes stinging. No! I can't really cry about him still. But he is standing right in front of you! My thoughts argue back and forth. All the memories are just coming back to the front of my mind and I take a deep breath and shakily breathe out "Tobias." At the same time, he breathes out a shaky "Tris."