Author's Note
Hellllooooo, everyone! My apologies that I took so long to write this chapter; it's filled to the brim with drama, and there's more to come, too!
kim4trisntobias4ever: I know: it is sweet! I liked the part when Tobias said: "I'll be cheering for you, number four." I really liked that! What was your favorite part? Thank you so much for your review and support of this story; I appreciate it a lot!
Soccerpup17: It is pretty cute, huh? I liked Chapter Sixteen. Thank you for your review and support of the story!
TrisTobyUri: This was my plan for the story, and I like the way it's unfolding. I did, however, like your idea and what you said. I put some thought toward it, and I might base something new off of what you said, because you had a nice idea! Thank you for your suggestion! I'm so excited that you really like this story! I appreciate it lots! I'm really happy that you think it's original, because I feel like there are a million stories that have Tris playing football. Here's an update, and I hope you enjoy the chapter! Thanks for your review and support of the story; I really appreciate it; I like your name on here!
countryblueeyes: I squeal with you! I'm so happy that you like the story so much, and I liked that part, too! Thanks for your review and support; I appreciate it lots!
samloveseaton: Thanks, I like when I get a new chapter up, too! Here's another one, and I hope you enjoy it! Thank you for your review and support of this story! I appreciate it lots!
Kirsten: I think it's sweet, too! I'm happy you like it so much, thank you! Thanks for your review and support of the story; I appreciate it lots!
Omg: I'm really happy you loved it so much! Thank you! Here's another update! I hope you enjoy the chapter! Thanks so much for your review and support of the story; I appreciate it lots!
Guest: HEY BROWNIE! Yeah, I probably was out . . . . so thank you for leaving a review! I'm so happy you like it so much; the fact that you like it means a lot to me:) How did you know that I was a good writer?! I didn't even know that! Then again, I am me . . . JK! I will try to keep this interesting and well-written and 'amazing' as best I can, and you can text me any ideas you have; that would be great! ;) :D :) Also, sorry that I didn't get the review right away, turns out I had to go check it again:) Thanks for your review and support!
Kiauna Gray: I'm going to respond to both your reviews (thank you!) in one response; I hope you don't mind. I'm glad that you like the story! Thank you for your review and your support! It means a lot to me that you like my writing! Also, I'm trying to keep Caleb protective but edgy like you don't know what he's up to, like in the books. Thank you!
canadianbanana: I was really happy to see you'd reviewed! I love responding to yours, and they make me happy! Do not apologize! It's Summer; you're supposed to be busy and having fun! I'm super happy you say "wow"! Tris does forgive him from the whole Peter thing, but Peter definitely isn't fully forgiven yet! There's much more Peter drama on its way. Four will be at the games, probably all of them. You're right: in fanfics, anything can happen! I'm glad you like the story so much; thank you for your review and support of the story; it means a lot to me!
A special thank you to Brownie, from Blondie, for you help with ideas for this chapter! :)
Enjoy the chapter, everyone!
Wearing His Jersey
Chapter Seventeen
Tris's P.O.V.
"Today's game day!" the overhead speaker screeched with the principal's high voice. everyone in the halls erupted in excitement. I'd been smiling so much all morning, by now my face hurts.
"Tris! It's game day!" roared Uriah as he jumped up over me as if we were playing leap-frog. I laughed. He got released from the hospital the other day, but Marlene will still be in there for a little while longer, maybe three weeks.
"Yeah!" I yelled back.
"Did you know that our first game - today's - is against out biggest rival?" he said.
"Yeah, can you believe it? Our first game is against the Bees and we've never beat them before; we've lost every single time. Did you know that?" He shook his head and I continued, "That's not a tradition I plan on keeping."
"Losing to the Bees?" Uriah asked me.
"No - losing."
Walking into the cafeteria, I could sense the tension, the determination among everyone. We all wanted to win today's game, start the season off well. I skipped over to my table with Christina, laughing.
"You're going to cream them!" she said.
"Speaking of," I began, and sat down in the only empty seat at the table. I set down my brown paper bag I had my lunch in. "Do you all want to go out for ice cream after?"
"Sure," Four nodded and everyone else agreed, too.
"Alright," I smiled.
"I'll see you later," I said to Shauna and took off out of the classroom and down the hall. I grabbed my phone and unlocked it, then went to 'CONTACTS.' I called my mom.
"Hello, Beatrice," she greeted.
"Hi, Mom," I said. "I was wondering, are you and dad and Caleb coming to my game? It starts at four." I glanced at my watch; it's two forty-three.
"Of course! We'll be there a little early, maybe quarter to."
"Four? Quarter to four?" I clarified.
"Yes."
"Okay, thanks. I'll see you later; I don't know if I'll see you before the game, though. I'll try. I'll meet you after by the girls' locker room, then i'm going out for ice cream with my friends. Is that alright?"
"Yes, it's fine. We'll see you then, and Beatrice? Beat the Bees; it'll be about time." Then she ended the call. I stood there with my phone up to my ear. What does she mean by 'it'll be about time'? I shook my head and opened my locker, shoving my books in there and grabbing my bag. I closed the door and took off down the hall. As I rounded the bend, I ran directly into someone; I heard a laugh as I fell back and landed sitting on the hallway floor. I looked up and saw Peter laughing along with Drew, Molly, and the other kid I saw when I met Peter behind the school a couple weeks ago. He's fine now, and whenever I see him, I feel no different than if I saw a teacher or another student here. I saw someone rush out from behind Peter and kneel down next to me.
"Beatrice, are you all right?" he asked.
"Yeah, Caleb, I'm fine. Thanks." He picked up the folder that fell out of my bag and held out his hand. I took it and he pulled me to my feet, then handed me my stuff.
"There you go," he said, then turned around to Peter. "I just don't understand why you thought that was so funny. You all laughed, even you, Al. I've never seen you laugh at anyone when they fall. I guess Peter's rubbing off on people." His icy stare turned back to me and softened. "Alright, you're on your way to practice before the game, right?"
"Yeah," I responded.
"Okay, I'll walk you. You know, make sure you don't run into any more people or walls or anything until the game." He smiled at me.
"You don't have to; you'll miss the bus if you wait too long," I said.
"I drove today."
"And you didn't invite to give me a ride?" He shrugged and we walked away. "So are you staying for the game?"
"Yup."
"Okay," I nodded. It was a short walk to the locker rooms, so we arrived quickly. "I'll see you later."
"Good luck," he said.
"Thanks, I'll see you later," I said and smiled at him. He walked away and I turned into the empty locker room. I quickly changed into my football uniform, smiling as I slid the large jersey on over my head.
I grabbed my helmet and scurried out of the locker room; there were only a few guys outside already, and I didn't know nay of them except Peter, but it's not like I plan on talking to him anytime soon.
"All right everyone," Coach Jap called from the middle of the huddle. "Listen up! This is a big game; I don't know if you know this: the team we play today is a team we have never won against before! Now, I believe this could be the year we win! We could win every game this season; you're all really good players - well, most of you." He looked over at me. "Now, let's get to practicing!"
A while later, we were running onto the field, the crowd was cheering, and the Bees stood in the middle of the field already.
"Here we go," Four said beside me; I looked over at him, and he was smiling at me.
"Yup, and we'll win. I can tell."
"How can you be so sure?" I just shrugged, our team talked, we took position, and the clock began to count down.
The ball was passed immediately to me, and I was to run down the side of the field as far as I could, then throw it to Zeke, who was near the end zone; there were also a few players blocking me from the other players, helping me to get as close as I could to the end zone.
I had the ball. I ran down the field, farther . . . farther . . .
And I was tackled. I screeched as I dropped the ball, the side of my right foot hitting the ground, trying to catch myself, but I just twisted my ankle. I was fine, though. I look up and saw the person who tackled me getting to their feet, and saw that it was Peter.
"I'm on your team!" I yelled at him as soon as I was on my feet. I heard someone behind us whistle and say 'Catfight!' I ignored it.
"Sorry," Peter said, turning away. "Thought you were on the other team." I shook my head and told him to be more careful, and we set up for another play.
It was the fourth quarter and we were losing, us having seventeen points, the Bees: 23. If we could get one touch down, we'd at least tie the game and go into overtime. We huddled together and decided our plan.
Back in our places, we decided to try the same play we'd done first, but instead Uriah would run, and I would catch the ball by the end zone. The play began, and I rushed down to the side of the field, and waited for Uriah to throw the ball. He was close when he did so, so I caught it easily and grinned, leaping over the line into the end zone right on time. I yelled and smiled; then an arm came over my front, knocking me to the ground, where I landed with the football under my leg, and my arm twisted oddly behind my back. I screamed and wasn't surprised to see Peter's face above me before I squeezed my eyes shut. A moment later, I felt his weight lifted off me and heard the grass crunching underneath people's feet as they swarmed around me. I opened my eyes and saw one person on the phone, Coach Lee on one side of me, carefully moving my arm out from underneath me to prevent any further strain or damage, and she was handed a few things. I watched her as she moved my arm around, bent it and un-bent it slowly, the whole time her words blurring with the pain, and her face blurring with my teary eyes. I turned my head and saw Four running down from the stands. He knelt by my other side, looking down at me; I saw my left hand clasped in his, and he said three words:
"Be brave, Tris."