Disclaimer: Divergent belongs to the wonderfully talented Veronica Roth, not me... :(
Chapter 8: Tris POV
After last night, I really didn't want to see Tobias again. My plan was to avoid him for the rest of my trip and try to forget about him. As fate would have it, seemingly, my plan didn't go well. It all crashed down this morning in church, of all places. Our families sat across the aisle from each other in the first row. I couldn't help but study him. He was looking at his black, polished shoes his hands balanced on his thighs. He wore a pair of black business pants and a formal white shirt. I sucked in a breath before looking back at my lap. I was wearing a satin blue dress that went just above my knees and hung off my neck. I had silver strappy heels and a silver coin purse.
I wanted to say yes to Tobias so badly last night, but I couldn't betray my father and I didn't want Tobias betraying his. After seeing what his father would do to Tobias, I didn't want to see what would happen had we gone out. I wouldn't be the reason his father beat him, if I could help it.
When church was finished, my family joined several others on the front lawn. I smiled, shook hands, and answered people's questions. I caught Tobias' eye across the lawn a few times. He and Marcus were doing the same. I guess church was a popular place to promote one's campaign.
After a while, our families found ourselves in front of each other. My father and Marcus greeted each other like yesterday.
"How is your campaign going?" my father asked politely.
"Well, so many people want to meet my son, Four," Marcus grinned. I saw Tobias flinch when Marcus mentioned his son. "And of course, that helps my campaign hugely."
"Yes, that's right. You're a football player," my father said. I could tell what Marcus had said, bothered my dad.
"I heard you got fired from your team," Caleb said. "Did you get into a huge fight? I heard you're going to sue them." I mentally face-palm and I can see my parents looking unhappy.
"Tabloids are full of lies. I wouldn't trust them," Tobias says, annoyed.
"Right," he says, before turning around and joining a group of people.
"Can I talk to you privately, Four?" I ask. I can feel all the guilt from yesterday building up inside of me.
"Sure." We walk towards a bench shaded by a large, oak tree. I stand awkwardly and Tobias leans against the tree, his hands shoved in his pockets.
"Look, I want to apologize for last night –," I begin.
"Tris it's fine. I get it; you don't like me," Tobias cuts me off.
"Tobias, I – that's -," I stutter.
"So now I'm Tobias? Tris, let's just pretend it never happened," he says. Tobias gets up and begins to walk away before I run up and grab his arm.
"Tobias, please," I beg. He sighs and turns to look at me. "I liked you, but we don't know anything about each other and if our dads find out – if your dad finds out. I don't want to be the reason you get hurt."
"Well how am I supposed to learn anything about you if all you do is push me away?" he argues. Tobias still has a straight face.
"I – I don't know. But we can't spend too much time around each other here."
"Tris, we live on different sides of the country. If I can't get to know you here, then how am I supposed to get to know you? I can't just hop on a plane so we can talk over a cup of coffee."
"Oh. Yeah." I look at the ground, embarrassed by my stupidity.
"Give me one chance, Tris. Just one chance. If our dad's get suspicious, or you don't like it, we'll never have to see each other again." I look up and see his mask is beginning to fade.
"And what about what you said earlier? About us living on different sides of the country?"
"We can figure something out." Tobias takes my small hands in his large, warm ones. "Please, Tris. Just one date." I close my eyes tightly, hoping to escape. I want to so badly, but what ifs seem to be swirling around in my head.
"Fine," I sigh. "One date. But it can't be anywhere public and if anyone gets suspicious then we call it off." Tobias' mask is completely gone now. He smiles. His smile is beautiful and I find myself trying to fight back a smile; it's difficult though. He kisses me lightly on the lips, but I swat him away. "Not in public." Tobias chuckles lightly, and I take a step away from him. "I have to go. My parents will start to think you've kidnapped me."
"Wait!" Tobias calls out. "I need your phone number." We exchange our numbers before I turn and walk back to my parents, still trying to hide that smile that is trying to emerge.
A/N: Alright. I feel so bad that I didn't post this weekend. I have absolutely no excuse as to why I didn't. I need ideas, everybody! Please review with ideas. Where should their date be? How should it go? I need inspiration! If you want me to keep writing this, I'm going to need ideas. Thank you so much to all who've reviewed, followed me, followed this story, liked this story, and liked me. The more you review, the faster up the next chapter will be. Until next time!