A/N: Hi initiates. Thank you for reading this AU story. I'm really glad you like it. I would love to hear more from you, even if it's a question or a small comment. It tells me how you perceive the story and what you think might happen. So, if it's not too much to ask please leave a comment, no matter how short.
For those who follow (or not) my other stories I've updated You and Me against the world, there is a new smut in the Kinky Events series, a one-shot Not the end for us that I've posted a while ago and just this morning I wrote and posted a new drabble in Moments we share. Check them out.
As I've mentioned before there is a secret to this story that I might reveal before the end of it. But for that to happen I want to see if any of you sees where this is going and what this story is about. You don't have to answer this particular question right now, but I'd like you to think about it.
Tobias' POV
It's almost time for school again. Ever since that day at the waterfall Tris and I are inseparable. That same night I asked her to be my girlfriend and she agreed. Our friends teased us for a while, but they were also happy for us. I'm a senior and Tris is a sophomore, but that doesn't bother us. I came to realize that because of her home schooling she is even more advanced in some fields than I am, but lacks knowledge in others. I promised to help her. After we returned from our six week camp it was the beginning of August. I took Tris on several dates, most were to the movies or roller-skating. We also went hiking a few times and I learned many things from her, like how to find my way back in case I get lost or how to figure out if it'll rain or not. In return I taught her all I knew about her teachers and what to expect from certain classes. Her mom tried to convince her to join the cheerleaders but Tris protested. I've told her I wouldn't mind watching her perform during our soccer games and she just laughed. She said even though she would love to spend time with me even during games she would rather join the team and run around like a loony, chasing a ball only to kick it away. She joked she could be our water girl. At that I corrected her telling her that she is only my girl. She smiled and we kissed. Boy, do I like kissing her. For someone who hasn't had a boyfriend before she sure knows how to make me weak in my knees. We haven't done more than kissing and touched each other lightly. If we wouldn't have gone swimming I wouldn't even know how she looked like without clothes on. I mean, with just a bathing suit on. But I'm in no rush. I told her everything about my ex-girlfriends and the few times I had sex. It was more physical than anything and even though I don't regret it completely I wish I would have waited for someone special. For her.
Tris' dad decided to buy her a car. That's why I'm helping her study for the test and give her a few driving lessons. I allowed her to practice with my truck. At first I was nervous. I never let anyone touch my truck, not even Zeke, but she is very careful and listens to everything I tell her. She is actually good at it.
"Did you decide what kind of car you want?" I ask her as she drives carefully down our street. It's so cool that we all live close to each other. We are all in the same neighborhood which makes hanging out a lot easier.
"Yeah" she says vaguely, but doesn't elaborate.
"And?" I ask curiously.
"A tank" she says and I burst out laughing.
"Come on, babe."
"I don't know yet. I wanted to get my license first and then decide" she says. "I also might have thought of begging you to let me drive your truck. I kinda like it and this baby likes me too" she says smiling.
"Nope. This is my baby" I say teasingly.
"I thought I was your baby" she says pouting, although I know she's messing with me.
"You are, babe" I say and lean toward her and press a soft kiss to her cheek.
"I don't know if I want a car. I mean, Caleb has a car and even if he wouldn't drive me to school you could or Christina or anyone."
"What if no one is available?" I ask.
"Tobias, I can trek through unknown terrain for days. Don't you think I could get to school even without a car. Besides, I can always call in sick" she says grinning.
"Nice try, baby. If it ever happens that no one can drive you I'll come and pick you up."
"Aw, aren't you the sweetest" she says and turns to kiss me, paying no attention to the road.
"Babe, watch the road" I say pulling back and she pouts.
"You afraid I might crash us into a dumpster?" she asks mockingly.
"Well, yeah" I say, remembering the first time her dad let her drive. He was sitting shotgun and I was in the back. She mixed up the pedals and crashed into a dumpster. It wasn't that bad for her first time, but both she and her dad realized that the two of them couldn't work together. So I offered to teach her. Mr. Prior made me drive around for a while so that he could see how responsible I am and asked me a million questions first about traffic then about his daughter. He deliberately tested me without her present. He wasn't prying into whatever we are doing in private, although he must have been curious. I can tell that he loves her very much. What he really wanted to know is if Tris gave up on the idea to go to Argentina in November to climb Mount Aconcagua. Tris never mentioned it to me so that's what I told him. He sighed a sigh of relief, but I kept wondering if Tris didn't say anything because she changed her mind or because of what she told me during our first date. It's never good to climb with loved ones. And I'm sure Mr. Prior would go with her.
"That happened once" she defends.
"You're right. But no more kisses until you stop the car" I say and she turns her head toward me briefly, giving me a "are you serious" look.
"Baby, you're the one who can't stop kissing me" she says teasingly.
"Be that as it may, I don't want us to crash and not just because of my truck. I don't want you to get hurt."
"What about you?" she asks with furrowed eyebrows.
"What about me?"
"You could get hurt too" she says.
"I'll be fine."
"Cut the macho crap, Tobias" she says firmly.
"Okay. We both could get hurt. Now, watch the road." We drive around for a while until she decides it's enough for today. She drives to my house and expertly parks the car. She is actually really good at parking. I've noticed she doesn't lack the skill to drive, she is just a little unsure. But with some exercise and my help she'll do just fine.
We get out of the car and I invite her inside. Mom and dad went with Rose to the zoo today, so Tris and I are alone. Even though we aren't doing anything it's still nice to have her up in my room without worrying that either my baby sister or my parents barge in to ask us if we need something. I think it's odd for them to see a girl in my room. All the other girls I went out with never even got close to the house let alone my room. I doubt they even know where I live. But with Tris that's different. I want her not only to know where I live, but to feel always welcome.
Rose loves her. All the other girls in our group treat Rose like a baby, which she kind of is, but not Tris. She treats my little sister with respect and takes her opinion into consideration. She doesn't use silly baby voices and she talks to her like to an adult. Rose thinks she's the best. I think so too.
My mom was a little skeptic of her when I first introduced her to my parents. Obviously dad loved her immediately. I think he would have loved her if she were a hobo living under a bridge as long as I was happy. But mom is different. She wants the absolute best for me, because she still feels guilty for what happened when we still lived with Marcus. But soon enough she got to meet Tris and got to know her. She still thinks Tris could be a little more girly, but they get along well.
I send Tris up to my room, since this isn't the first time she is here she knows the way, and I get us some snacks and drinks from the kitchen. When I get to my room Tris sits on my bed, legs crossed under her looking through one of my books.
"How the hell do you even understand what this means?" she asks pointing at an equation.
"You'll get the hang of it. I'll tutor you" I offer.
"Deal" she immediately accepts.
We decide to watch a movie. We lean against the headboard and I decide to watch Star Wars with her. We've watched them already, all of the movies, but I have no idea what else to watch. Plus, since we already know what's happening she won't mind if I randomly distract her and make out with her.
It's almost seven p.m. when my parents come back. I left my bedroom door open, because the house was empty and I didn't want Tris to think I'm expecting something. I mean I wish we could… you know… but it's fine with me to wait until she's ready. The first person to come into my room is Rose. When she sees Tris she leaps into her arms and hugs her tightly, ignoring me completely.
"Hey, munchkin" Tris says and kisses her head.
"Hey, Tris. Guess what?" Rose asks excited.
"What?"
"I went with mom and dad to the zoo. They have a new animal family there. Yuk" she says and makes a disgusted face. Both Tris and I start laughing and then my parents enter my room.
"Oh, hi, Tris" mom says and Tris says "hi" back.
"Hi, Tris" dad says. "I see my son tortures you with another Star Wars marathon" he says wiggling his eyebrows. I might have gotten the idea from him.
"Not at all, Mr. Anderson" Tris says politely.
"Tris, please call me Clark. I feel so old when you call me Mr. Anderson." Tris blushes and nods.
"Are you staying for dinner, sweetie" mom asks.
"I don't want to intrude."
"Nonsense" mom says. "But we only have pizza" she adds.
"Alright. Thanks."
We go downstairs into the kitchen and I help mom set the table. We sit down and eat a slice each, when Rose remembers she was telling us about her day at the zoo.
"Tris, have you ever seen a yuk" she says the word wrong again and we laugh. "Why are you all laughing?" she asks pouting.
"Sorry, Rose. The word is yak not yuk" Tris explains. "And I haven't only seen a yak I had the pleasure of riding one" Tris tells us.
"Wow" Rose says with wide eyes. "Did they allow you to ride one at the zoo?"
"No. I was in Tibet. They are used to carry loads up mountains" Tris explains.
"I always wanted to go climbing a mountain" dad says.
"I could take you sometime" Tris offers. "But it won't be a tall one. Maybe 2.000 meters tops" she says taking another bite.
"How's that not tall?" mom asks.
"Well I guess it is tall, but not so much for me."
"What's the tallest you have ever climbed?" dad asks genuinely interested.
"Everest" Tris says casually drinking from her soda. I already knew that so I look at my parents who practically choke on their food. Dad coughs a few times before he can breathe again properly.
"Excuse me? You climbed the tallest mountain in the world?" dad asks incredulous.
"I'm sure she's joking, dear" mom says looking from me to dad and then to Tris. "Right?"
"Uh, no. I climbed it in May this year."
"Oh my God" dad says. "That's amazing" he adds and gets up. He walks past mom's and Rose's chair and stands now in front of Tris extending his hand. Tris looks at him and then turns to look at me, not really knowing what's going on. To be honest, I don't know what's going on. "Please, allow me to shake your hand" he says and Tris extends her own. They shake and my dad smiles warmly at her.
"This is awkward, right?" Tris asks turning to look at me again.
"Yeah" I say and eat the last bit of my pizza. Dad sits back down and drinks from his beer.
"Your parents told us that you like climbing, but they never said anything about climbing such tall mountains" mom says.
"Well, they don't always know" Tris says honestly.
"What's that supposed to mean?" mom asks eyeing Tris.
"It means sometimes they know exactly where I'm going other times I might bend the truth" she says and looks away ashamed.
"So, you lie" mom says disapprovingly.
"It's not that I don't want to tell them. I know that they would say no because they want me to be safe. In the end they know they can't stop me and frankly they never did. The reason why I'm not telling is simple: I don't want them with me on the mountain."
"Why not?" dad asks. I know the answer to that question and grab Tris' hand under the table, squeezing it lightly to show her my support. She smiles at me before she turns to look at my dad.
"I usually climb mountains taller than 4.000 meters. On mountains that high or higher a number of things could go wrong. As a mountaineer one must be prepared to…" Tris stops and looks at Rose before she continues "leave someone on the mountain and be aware that one can be left on the mountain." Dad nods, but mom doesn't understand.
"I'll tell you later, honey" dad tells her. "Did it ever happen to you?" he asks Tris and I squeeze her hand. Mom looks confused between dad and Tris.
"A few times. And yes, Clark, it's very hard to do. I don't even want to find out what it will mean to have a loved one there" she says seriously.
"Why is everyone upset?" Rose asks.
"No one's upset, sweetheart" mom says caressing Rose's cheek.
"I'm sorry, sweetie, for making you think we got upset" dad tells her.
"It's okay. Tris, will you take me climbing too?" Rose asks.
"Sure. In the spring we can go to the mountain not far from here. It's not that tall and my dad took me there when I was five. It's nice, but during spring it's a bit warmer. Maybe we can make a weekend trip out of it" Tris says.
"I never went climbing" mom says.
"You should try it out. If you want I can figure out a path for us to take" Tris offers.
"Yeah, maybe" mom says unsure. We then drop the subject and after we all finish eating I walk Tris back home.
"I think your mom doesn't like me much" she says after a while.
"No, she does. She just isn't outdoorsy."
"You sure?" she asks looking up at me with furrowed eyebrows. I lean down and kiss her softly.
"Positive." She smiles and wraps her arms around my neck.
"You know, I really like kissing you" she says grinning.
"I like kissing you too" I tell her. We pull apart and I walk her to her front door. "Tris?" I ask and she stops turning to look at me.
"Yeah?"
"I wanted to ask you something."
"Go ahead."
"Your dad mentioned the other day that you want to go to Argentina in December and he asked if I knew about it" I say. I watch her carefully. She looks at me seriously but I can't figure out what she's thinking.
"Did he tell you to convince me not to go?" she asks.
"No. Do you plan on going?" I ask her.
"Yes" she simply states. I'm a bit surprised.
"Why didn't you tell me?" I ask her a little too aggressive and she lets go of my hand. "I didn't mean it like that" I quickly say.
"Yeah, you did." She turns around and walks up to her front door.
"Tris, come on" I say.
"Not that it is any of your business, I wasn't sure I was going. If I would have decided to go I would have told you. Good night" she says and goes inside.
"Tris" I shout after her but she doesn't come back out. What the hell just happened? I look dumbfounded at the door. I feel myself getting angry and decide to just leave. If Tris isn't mature enough to talk, then I sure as hell won't stay here and make a fool out of myself. I turn around and start walking home.
"Four, hey Four" I hear Zeke call after me.
"Hey" I say.
"What's up, man?" he asks and starts walking next to me.
"Nothing" I say abruptly.
"Hey, everything alright?" he asks.
"Yeah."
"Come on, Four. I'm your friend" Zeke says. I sigh.
"Tris and I had a fight. Sort of" I say and stop walking.
"What does that mean?" he asks confused.
"A few days ago, when I went for a test drive with her dad he asked me if Tris mentioned that she wanted to go climbing in December. Since she hadn't mentioned anything I told him I didn't know. Tonight I asked her and she said she would go. When I asked her why she didn't tell me she got mad and entered the house."
"Why would she get mad?" Zeke asks as surprised as I am.
"I don't know."
"Girls. They are all crazy" he says. "Wanna hang out? Play some video game" he asks and I nod. We walk to his house and go to his room. All this time we play I keep thinking about Tris and our argument. I really don't get what happened.
A/N: Did Tris overreact?
Does Evelyn think Tris is bad news?
Will Tobias and Tris break up or solve whatever problem they have?