*Okay, so here you go! We're currently at 220 reviews! OHMYGODYOUGUYSAREABSOLUTELYWONDERFUL. So! I gave you a long, emotional chapter! I suggest listening to Kelly Clarkson while you read his chapter. Particularly her album Breakaway. It pretty much sums up the whole chapter. Also, I used Jo Dee Messina's song Downtime for this chapter, so listen to that. Enjoy!*
Chapter 21
Tris POV
Tris ran. Tris ran until she was breathing hard, and her throat and chest burned. She jumped on a train and sat. Then she cried. How could Tobias say things like that? He embarrassed her in front of all their friends.
It was time to get new friends.
And God, he was such a hypocrite! He may not have gone out of his way to hurt her, but Tobias had to have known that Tris would have been hurt. She hadn't even gotten a chance to revel in the fact that she only had seven fears—one of which wouldn't last forever, whether or not that was with Tobias or someone else. And she was going to be a leader eventually! Tris was going to let it be a surprise tomorrow. She could show Tobias then. She was so much more than he could see.
She was strong.
She was smart.
She was capable.
She was Divergent.
Tris took the train around twice, admiring the scenery, how nice every faction looked as they whizzed by. It passed by the factionless, and Tris could remember the days she spent volunteering with her family. Giving them food, new clothes, always putting everyone else before themselves. But Tris was starting to learn that sometimes you had to put yourself first. Sometimes you had to think about yourself.
Tris jumped off the train and wiped her eyes. There would be no more crying over Tobias. She was done with that. She was finished with him. It was for the best. When Tris got back to the dorms, everyone was already fast asleep, and as Tris began to drift off for the last time amongst her fellow initiates, her heart felt so much lighter. Like a feather. It was something she hadn't felt since her fight with Tobias.
The next morning, Tris was awoken by Christina shaking her.
"Come on, Tris! We have to make you beautiful for Job Selection! You're going to look killer!"
Tris laughed and rolled her eyes good naturedly, actually excited for once. Her and Christina showered, picked out killer outfits, and did their makeup. Together, they made their way to the Pit.
People were slowly starting to file in, and find their places, but there was a band playing, and Dauntless were taking turns singing. Tris could remember kids singing at school, and wanting so desperately to do the same. It was wonderful, how freeing it was to hear. She imagined it was even better to actually do it.
"Tris." His voice made her hair stand on end, like being ignted with fire. It felt wonderful. She recomposed herself and turned.
"No."
"Tris—" Tobias tried again.
"I'm going to go sing now. Listen good."
She sauntered up to the stage and whispered to the band. The music began to play and fill Tris from top to bottom. She shut her eyes, and when her cue came she opened her eyes and smiled, looking right at Tobias. Funny, it didn't hurt so much anymore.
"I haven't been myself these days according to friends
I tend to lose part of me when my heart's on the mend
I'll be alright it's safe to say
'Cause just like your love this is only a phase
Oh, I've been on this road a time or two, it's nothing new
I'll get on my feet and over you
I tell myself that everything will be just fine
I'm just going through a little down-time
Some might think I've gotten caught up in heartache's aftermath
But your memory's taken second to a good book and nice long bath
I must admit it threw me at first
But I'm convinced I'm over the worst"
Tris caught Christina, Will, and Uriah watching her. They were grinning. This felt…Amazing. And Tobias was just staring at her, like she'd just slapped him in the face. She hoped it hurt. Maybe now he would finally understand. Tris wasn't helpless. She wasn't weak. He couldn't touch her.
"Oh, I've been on this road a time or two, it's nothing new
I'll get on my feet and over you
I tell myself that everything will be just fine
I'm just going through a little down-time
Time is meant to play the part
In taking care of broken hearts
Oh, I've been on this road a time or two, it's nothing new
I'll get on my feet and over you
I tell myself that everything will be just fine
I'm just going through a little down-time
I'm just going through a little down-time."
Tris grinned as everyone in the Pit began to whoop, holler, and applaud. She couldn't help but take a bow and bask for a moment. She deserved it. It was her moment to step up and shine. To show everyone just how far she'd come. Tobias was staring.
It looked like it hurt. But it was weird because even though it hurt, it was almost like he was proud of her. Tris hoped one day they could at least mend things enough to be friends.
Tris ran off the stage, and was met with Christina's arms hugging her tight. "Who knew you had a set of pipes on you too!" She laughed. "Is there anything you can't do?"
Tris smiled, and caught Tobias watching again. "Only a few things, I guess. But I wasn't that good."
"You're right," Uriah said. "You weren't good. You were amazing! It's the Stiff in you that won't take the compliment, but for once, please just let yourself believe it. I'm begging."
Tris laughed and rolled her eyes. "Let's just go get our seats."
Everyone had finally arrived, and Max was giving a speech on Job Selection, how apartments were placed around that, and how important you job was in functioning within the Dauntless, yadda, yadda, yadda political bull crap. Tris wasn't looking forward to that part of the job.
"Without further ado," Max finally said, his over ecstatic people-pleasing face on, "Let's pick jobs!"
There was thunderous applause as Eric came up to the podium. They were going to go by ranking, so Tris was up first.
"Tris Prior, since you were first would you please stand and approach the stage?" Eric said in a bored, yet authoritative voice. She stood on shaky legs and made her way to the stage. This was it.
"Alright, Six," Tris was shocked that her nickname was spreading so quickly. Even Eric spoke it with a certain amount of awe and respect. "What would you like to do."
Tris took a moment and sucked in a breath before saying confidently. "I want to train the transfer initiates."
Eric nodded, and began scribbling. "Okay, that's all fine and well, but it's only a part-time job. What'll the other be?"
Tris couldn't help the smirk she felt forming on her face. "Leader-in-training."
Eric's pen stopped. There were audible gasps from multiple people in the audience. The 'Stiff' was going to be a leader.
"You need permission to—"
"You can ask Max. He offered it to me yesterday, after my Fear Landscape, Eric. Right, Max?"
Eric's eyes shot over to Max who was sitting in the front row. "Is this true, Max? You offered the Stiff a job as a leader-in-training?"
"Six isn't a Stiff, anymore Eric." He said. "This was my decision, and I stand by the fact that she would make a wonderful leader one day. If she wants it, give it to her. And give her a nice place to live. You know where."
Eric's eyes went wide. "You promised me that apartment!"
Max's face cold. "You didn't rank first and have six fears Eric. Give her the apartment. I won't ask again."
Eric took a deep breath, and wrote down leader-in-training on his paper. He then turned the page, and wrote down the number and place of Tris' new apartment. He rifled opened a box, which contained hundreds of silver keys. At the bottom there was a single row of gold keys. He took one of them out, and handed it to her, along with a slip of paper containing the location. Eric glared at her, and then turned back to the crowd and bellowed angrily.
"Uriah Pedrad!"
Everyone visibly flinched, but Tris walked off the stage with pride as Uriah quickly went up to the stage. He chose to be an ambassador. The rest of the ceremony went quickly and without a hitch.
Christina was going to be a Dauntless-born trainer and work the rest of the time with Tori, tattooing people. Will decided to work as a doctor, and Marlene wanted to be a nurse. Uriah and Christina were only slightly jealous, but Will and Marlene were so excited they couldn't help but be happy for the two of them. Peter got stuck working the fence.
Afterwards, everyone went down to see Tori, to get celebratory tattoos. Tris decided to the word faith written on the long part of her foot in cursive, with six birds and swirls curling up and around her ankle and part of her leg. One for Christina, Will, Marlene, Uriah, Zeke, and Shauna. There wasn't any way she could have made it through initiation without them. Then, she also got "Be Brave" with "Al" written underneath it, on her ribcage, where it could easily stay hidden. That was just for her. She hoped wherever he was, Al was okay.
They all went and had dinner together, and finally went back to the dorms to pack their things.
"I guess I'll see you guys tomorrow." Will said, as they all stood outside the dorms, ready to go start this new chapter of their lives.
"Yeah, of course." Marlene said.
"We should all meet for breakfast!" Christina said almost desperately. "None of our job training starts until at least ten."
Uriah nodded. "This isn't good bye, guys. We don't have to lose contact."
Tris swallowed hard. "He's right."
"It's going to be so weird though." Christina said, tears pricking at her eyes. "It's going to be so different. We're all going to be doing our own things and living our own lives, and it'll be so easy to lose contact if we don't try. We all have to promise that we're going to stay in contact with each other. You promise me right now."
Everyone nodded. Everyone promised. Slowly, everyone began to leave, and finally, it was just Tris and Christina left.
"You're going to be the maid of honor at mine and Will's wedding, Tris. So help me God." She said, her voice cracking.
Tris was confused. "Will proposed?"
"Not yet. But he will. So you're not allowed to drift off into greatness and forget about me, okay? Promise me."
Christina was going to make her cry. "Of course not, Christina. How could you even think…"
"You just…you like to go off into your own little world, and I get worried that without me there to remind you constantly that I exist you'll forget about me. You've been so wrapped up with your own things, and Four, and—"
"Stop that." Tris said, tears spilling over. She dropped her bags and actually initiated her hug with Christina. "Of course I won't forget about you. You're my…you're my best friend. Of course I'm going to be your maid of honor, if I weren't I'd kick your moth hating butt. And besides, I need someone to do my makeup. You think I can do this all by myself?"
Tris could hear Christina sniffle and squeeze tighter. "You gave me a hug."
Tris laughed wetly, and let go. "Yeah. I did. That's how special you are to me."
"I love you, Tris. You're like my sister."
"I love you too." Tris said, wiping her eyes. "Look, you ruined my mascara. Go. Go run to your new apartment and wonderful boyfriend that's going to be your husband eventually, okay?"
Christina laughed and smiled at Tris, nodding. "I'll see you tomorrow for breakfast! Nine sharp!"
"Okay, now go!" Tris said, and with that, Christina ran off with her luggage.
Tris nodded, and turned to go find her apartment. She finally found the door. Apartment 10. It was on the other side of Dauntless. Tris looked around and practically dropped everything when she stepped inside. It was nice…like, really nice. This wasn't an apartment. It was penthouse. There was a set of swirling stairs that led…she didn't know where yet. The kitchen was brand-new, and fully stocked with anything and everything she could possibly need. The furniture was high end, and she had a patio. Four didn't have a patio, but she did. With a little café table, and chairs. It face out over Chicago, the view was beautiful.
Before Tris could explore more, there was a knock at her door.
"I thought you'd be able to wait longer before coming to see me, Chris." Tris called laughing.
She opened the door and stopped short.
"Tobias."
*What'd you think?! I thought it was pretty good! So here's the deal, I may update again tonight, I'm not sure, but it won't be until later...how many reviews can you guy do until then? Also, thought about/on my title change? All my love, Always, Rosaline*