By the time the sun starts to set the leaders start gathering everyone up to camp the night. When start to pitch my tent it seems like everyone is looking at me. I guess my whole show has not worn off yet. No one has talked to me since my spasm and I don't blame them. I feel totally crummy about. The sun quickly drops in the sky everyone gathers around the warm glow off the fire.
"Tris," Tobias shouts from across the fire. Everyone's eyes direct on me and I duck my head. He shuffles on the log to make room for me.
"Thanks," I mumble under my breath accepting a plate of fish and corn. "Where did they find the food," I ask shoving a spoonful of corn in my mouth. Tobias only raises his eyebrows at me. He points to row of five trucks and laughs.
"They were behind us the whole time," Tobias laughs putting his arm around me. Somehow I manage to smile, but it quickly fades.
"I should go talk to Caleb."
"He's in his tent," Tobias states as I stand up and he pointing to the only tent with a flickering light inside it. I am to walk into the night when Tobias grabs my hand.
"Wait," he states standing up. Since we found out about the outside world I have managed to grow three inches. Maybe it has something to do with the whole weight-off-my-shoulders-thing. He takes my face in his hands and kisses my forehead lightly. I bring my lips down to his and stand on my toes. When I finally break he presses his forehead to mine. "Keep calm," he whispers letting go of my checks.
The night seems even colder without the warmth of the fire in front of me and Tobias beside me.
"Caleb," I ask pulling back the fabric to reveal the layout. A single sleeping bag is surrounded with books, everywhere. Caleb is leaned over reading what looks like a book called the Book Thief. I stand there for minutes until he says I can enter. The tent is warm and welcoming with a hint of cinnamon in the air.
"Are you angry at me," I ask getting right to the point. Nothing. He does not even flinch. After what feels like ten minutes he answers. I expect him to slam the book and yell or even throw it at me and ask what I think. I am wrong.
"Why should I," He mumbles still not taking his eyes off the book. I am left speechless. Why should I? I can think of some reasons. Before I even have a chance to answer he mumbles into his book again.
"You were right, with everything you said," he sets down the book and turns to look at me. "Idiot stupid retard."
"What," I spatter
"Idiot, stupid, retard, that is what I am. I could not answer you because I do not know why. I was stupid and only thought of myself. I know you can never forgive me, I don't want you to, but I don't want you to feel that I wanted to kill you. I would never do that, no matter what state I am in." My mouth falls open and I can't stand to look at him anymore.
"But you did try," I mumble walking back to the entrance, if I look at him any longer I might burst into sobs. Before I make it to the flap I turn around one more time and ask him one more question. "You are never going to answer my question are you, because that was not an answer?" After no reply I slip out of my tent and into the cold moist air.
When I return to the fire a group of guys have broke out their guitars and are now playing one of the odds song I have ever heard. The sky above me is finally fallen black and stars start to peek out. Flickers and sparks fly up from the fire as I sit back down with Tobias. He is stomping his foot to the beat and chatting with another member from Dauntless. I decide not to interrupt him and simply go back to my tent. With any luck I can have so time alone without someone staring or barging in.
The tent is cold at first until the lamp flickers to life. Since Caleb has not come back to sort it out I have a feeling we will go another night giving each other the cold shoulder. I sit crossed-legged on the tent floor and close my eyes letting the darkness suck me in. Tuning out the faint sound of music and laughter I just sit, in pure, perfect silence. It does not last long.
"Tris," Tobias whispers from outside. Groaning I stand to let him in. I was hoping that time would last for more than one minute.
"Hey, what happened to you," Tobias asks running a hand down my arm. His touch is soft and almost tickles me. Standing on my toes I lightly kiss him.
"The whole sorting it out with Caleb did not really work." In response he kisses me a little harder. He moves his hand to the small of my back and flutter of warmth goes up my spine. Drawing me closer he kisses my forehead then presses our foreheads together.
"You ok," He asks gently playing with a lock of my hair which is now just past my shoulders.
"I am now," I answer pressing my lips to his once more. In that moment everything else disappears and is only us. No fight with Caleb, no people with guitars, no wondering to see what is beyond the trees. Just me and Tobias. Kissing me back he moves his hands to my neck. Gentle, pure, perfect, extraordinary, are all the words that come to my mind right then and there. Drawing back I stare into his eyes.
"Don't you want to go back out with your friends," I whisper moving my hands to his shoulders.
"I would rather be here with you."