Author's Note
Holy Moly you guys! I got SEVEN reviews for Chapter Fifteen! Thank you all so much! I love the way you all support this story; you may favorite, follow, review, or just read for enjoyment, and it means so much to me!
I apologize for not updating on Thursday or Friday, and I was gone this weekend.
DarkFlameJ: We PM, which I'm really happy about! The first sentence of your review is one a read over a few times; it made me happy! I hope you continue to do well with volleyball! Don't be sorry about the auditions, they stunk at first, but now I find it funny! I'm glad you liked the chapter and had different ways of thinking about it. As for you calling me a great writer, thank you very much because that means a lot to me.:) Thank you for your review and support for the story!
Everlark Prior: Here's 'more!' I'm so happy you like my story! Thank you very much for your review and your support of the story! It means a lot to me.
countryblueeyes: Don't shatter any windows with those screams! :) I'm so happy you like this story, and I agree: Four is a great character! He is a senior, but I have some things planned. ;) Thank you so much for calling it awesome, and really: don't worry about the caps: that's how I talk when I'm excitedly texting and such.:) Thank you very much for your review and support of the story; I really appreciate it.
silviaastrid112: Thank you for letting me know where there was confusion in the chapter; Four had had the idea that Tris could take his place on the team. I did finish the "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" series, but not the "Heroes of Olympus" series. Do I need to finish that one first, or can I read "Artemis Fowl" without finishing the "heroes of Olympus" books? Thank you very much for the book suggestion; I'm excited to read it, and thank you for your review and support for this story!
EmelyCue: Here's the update, and I am so happy that you like this story! Thank you lots for your review and your support of the story; it means a lot to me!
Sam loves Eaton: I like you name on here! I'm happy you like the story, and I hope you continue to! Here's the update. Thank you lots for your review and your support of the story!
Omg: Here's the update and I hope you like the chapter! That was a very powerful please! I hope you like the chapter! Thank you for your review and support of the story; it means lots!
I hope you all like the chapter!
Wearing His Jersey
Chapter Sixteen
Tris's P.O.V.
"Tris, calm down. They'll figure it out; we all will. It's going to work out. I mean: how can they not let you back on the team? You were clearly one of their favorites if that one coach felt so threatened by you," Christina pointed out.
I wiped at my eyes; I don't like crying in front of people. I left the office because I didn't want to be seen like this, but she followed me. Honestly, in a way I really appreciate it; it's nice to know how much she cares, that we're really friends.
"Christina, you don't understand though. I want to be on that team a lot. The coaches can't let me on if there is already the correct number of players, and don't want them to kick anyone off the team because of me."
"Tris, I do understand. It didn't happen to me, but I understand, alright? And do you hear that?" She pointed with a finger to the door, where on the other side my friends were arguing for my place for the football team. "Those voices? They're fighting for you right now. We're going to figure this out. Trust us." I wiped at my eyes again and nodded.
The door swung open and I saw everyone still talking to Coach Lee, except Four.
He stood in the doorway and smiled at me. I smiled back, embarrassed about how I bet I looked. I probably had red cheeks and my eyes probably looked that way too. I quickly wiped my hands across my face and took a deep breath.
We walked into the room and the coach turned to me as the voices ran to a pause.
"Tris, welcome to the team." I smiled and turned to my friends.
"How did you guys do this?" I exclaimed.
"Don't ask us. It's Four's story to tell."
I turned to him and gave him a pointed look. He waved it away and spun me back around to face Coach Lee.
"I'll give you a calendar of the games, where they are, times, and the practices, which will always be here." I nodded.
"Thank you!"
"I'm not the one to thank, Tris. Thank your friends." I noticed that her eyes traveled across the room to Four, standing next to the door, before they turned back to me. I turned and looked a him again, and he pointed to Coach Lee. I urned back to her.
"As for your jersey, you will receive that soon." I nodded. "I do not know exactly when, but it should be within the next few days. You will need to bring it to all practices, Tris. And you know: every game, too."
"What jersey number will I be?" I asked, excited. "And how is it that I can be on the team? You said I couldn't."
"You will be number four," she said, then looked over at Four, "right?"
"Yes," he said and smiled. I gave him a confused look.
How does he know what number I'll be? How am I on the team? Why does everyone keep looking over at Four and smiling?
"And about me getting on the team?"
"Someone gave up their spot." I gasped and looked around the room at all my friends: if someone gave up their spot, it had to be one of them. Everyone keeps looking at Four. I'll be number four. I spun around and faced Four. He smiled at me and I ran over to him and hugged him.
"You didn't have to do that," I said, still holding onto him.
"I know."
"Why did you do that?"
"You're my friend, Tris. Why wouldn't I?"
"You worked so hard to be on the team." I paused as a fact slapped me across the face. "Four, you're a senior!" I exclaimed and pulled back to yell at him. He laughed.
"Glad you noticed."
"No, I knew that! If you're a senior, you can't play on the high school team next year! You're going to college!"
"Tris, I know. I think about things."
I turned to Coach Lee. "I would like to give up my place for Four."
Four sighed and rubbed his temple, mumbling.
"Tris, no."
"Tris, yes," I argued. He opened one eye and laughed a little.
"That doesn't make much sense."
"Well, you said 'no,' and I say 'yes.' It makes perfect sense." He smiled and closed his eye again.
"I gave up my place on the team for you because I wanted to, not because I had to. It was my choice."
"But this is your last year here! This is the year that scouts will be out watching people play their sports! I still have the rest of this year, and two more! Four, you should be on the team. I saw you at the tryouts, and I could see how much you love football and you're a great player. You need to stay on the team."
"Tris, just because I am not playing football this year doesn't mean I can't ever play again. I'll be on the college team. Pus, I don't plan on being a professional football player. I want to be a fitness trainer and self-defense coach. For me, football is a hobby. I don't want it to be my career."
"Are you sure?" I wanted to make sure he was alright with me taking his place on the team.
"I'll be cheering for you, number four."