TRIS
"There is no way you didn't get selected." Tobias grins as he drives me to work from church.
"Um, yeah, because I was the only one who showed up." I laugh. Auditions went so well, mostly in part that I was the only one who came.
"That's not true. Noah came with his didgeridoo!"
I giggle. "Somehow I feel a didgeridoo is not quite the sound you're looking for." Poor guy got sent home with a pat on the back from Zeke. "Why is the turnout so low, anyway? I'd thought that there would be at least ten people for sure. You guys are popular, and we have a huge youth group."
"Yeah, I...I guess." We stop at a red light, and Tobias scratches the back of his neck. "The thing is, we've had a hard time finding good people to join. Plus, most of the people who want to join want to do it for the popularity, not for the worship."
"What makes you think I'm different?" I smirk.
Tobias glances at me, smiling. "Tris, you're too good for that. You know that, I know that, everyone know that. You're too kindhearted and selfless."
"That would be the first time I've heard 'selfless' being applied to me." I roll my eyes and lean my head on the seat. "You've seen my parents. They're not exactly the most impressed by my behavior." I rolled my head around so I was looking at him. "Though they seemed to like you pretty well. My dad said he needed to get 'tips' from your dad."
Tobias stiffens. "I guess." The rest of the ride is silent. Did I say something wrong?
We pull up the the radio station and walk in. Eric has me on air with Christina, since her former partner just left for college. Christina is a good radio partner, especially since she knows how to fill dead air. I've learned a lot of the terminology, and I pretty much know what buttons to press now. The radio station is beginning to feel like a second home to me, with Christina, Zeke, Tobias and I goofing off at every opportunity. I've also been exposed to a lot more cool music, which is something I am definitely thankful for. Lately, it's been my saving grace, the part of my life that has kept me sane.
As the next few weeks fly by, I find myself in a comfortable routine. Sundays are church. Mondays are Bible Study with the girls. I'm glad to say that I'm slowly warming up to Lynn and Marlene, despite their previous comments. Tuesdays are praise team practices, and Wednesdays are youth group. Zeke hasn't put me on the schedule to play yet; he says I need to get into the groove of things before I can play. That's why I go to practices every week. Thursdays are my break, and then Fridays I usually hang out with Christina. Of course, every day I'm at the radio station too. It's not long before June turns into July, and then August is here.
I'm sitting in my room, listening to music, when someone knocks on my door. "Come in!" I yell.
The door opens, and Mom comes in. She sits on my bed. "Hey, sweetie. You've been busy all week! How have you been?"
"Good!" I straighten up and face her on the bed. "Bible study yesterday was good, and I have practice tonight."
Mom beams. "I'm glad that you're fitting in so well with your friends! I guess that's why the car isn't getting much use." I look at her confused, and she explains. "I gave you the keys to the car at the beginning of the summer, and it's barely made five runs since then."
"Oh. Sorry. My friend Tobias keeps driving me places. I guess I forgot that I can drive too!"
"Tobias?" Mom raises an eyebrow. "Hmm, I've heard that name pretty regularly in your stories. Is he a good friend of yours?"
I nod. "Yeah. He's pretty cool, and he's really nice. He's the one who got me a job at the station, and also the one to recruit me to praise team. He's funny too, and he makes time to listen, and-" I realize Mom is staring at me with an amused smile on her face, and I realize I'm gushing. Heat creeps up my neck. "Yeah."
"Okay, well let me know if anything happens." Mom winks at me. "But you have some other things to focus on at the moment. School starts in two weeks."
I feel the color drain from my face. I was so wrapped up in the paradise of summer than I completely forgot about school! "Oh...I don't even remember signing up for classes."
Mom puts an envelope on my bed. It's addressed to me, from Hancock High School. "Here's your schedule. Your friends should have gotten theirs today as well, so you can compare with them." She rises to walk out, but before she leaves she turns around. "Make sure you get school supplies too!" With that, she's gone.
I sigh. School is great and all, but it's so stressful. I rip open the envelope and quickly scan my class schedule. There's eight classes, 45 minutes each. Sounds simple enough.
P1: AP Statistics, Pedrad
P2: AP Chemistry, Matthews
P3: AP Biology, Reyes
P4: AP Music Theory, Black
-LUNCH-
P5: Study Hall, Black
P6: English 11 Honors, Kang
P7: American Studies II Honors, Wu
P8: Team Sports, Coulter
At first, I cringe. It's not the fact that I have four AP classes; it's the fact that they're all in the morning. I'm definitely not a morning person. I'm excited for AP Music Theory though. I've been dreaming of taking that class since I heard about it! Periods 6 through 8 seem simple enough. I wouldn't have taken Team Sports, but I needed a physical education credit and that seemed like the easiest one. I definitely wouldn't consider myself athletic. My skinny body is due purely to a rapid metabolism, and its lack of muscles speaks for itself.
It's not long before I get a call from Christina. "Tris! Have you checked your mail yet?" I jump, her loud squeal startling me.
"Yes, geez, calm down! I got my schedule. What classes do you have?"
"Hold up. There's an easier way to do this." I hear some paper rustling, and then the click of a phone being hung up. I shrug. She must have a reason.
Sure enough, soon my phone buzzes. Christina's set up a group chat with our entire discipleship group.
C: Hey guysss! Send a pic of your schedule so we can compare with each other
A few vibrations later, I finally figure out that I'm an outlier in this group. Most of the guys are taking classes like Strength Training or just having work study, while the girls are taking classes like Independent Living and Child Development. In other words, relatively easy classes compared to my AP-packed schedule. I sigh. Then I realize I haven't seen Tobias' yet.
TP: Is it just me, or are we missing one?
Someone instantly responds.
TE: chill, I'm almost home.
A few minutes later, I see his schedule and breathe a sigh in relief. He has math, chem, music theory, study hall, and gym with me. Christina, Marlene, and Uriah have history and english with me, and everyone is in team sports with me.
S: Niiiice, Tris, you signed up for team sports without our guidance ;)
Z: That's like our traditional class fyi
TP: sounds good
TOBIAS
As soon as I got Tris' text of her schedule through the group chat, I was ecstatic. I signed up for a lot of the classes that Tris had. Sure enough, when I cross checked my schedule with hers, there were only three classes that we didn't have together.
Attached to the schedule was a list of school supplies. I took the opportunity to text Tris.
TE: hey, do you need to go school supply shopping?
After a moment, she replies. I've gotten used to texting her over the past two months.
TP: yeah actually. Why?
TE: we can make a trip to Staples if you want. School supplies are best not to be braved alone :)
Was that too cheesy?
TP: haha sure, as long as I pick you up. You've been driving me around all summer long when I have a car AND a license!
TE: lol it's all good, I like driving you places.
Hope that wasn't too obvious. Was it too obvious? I always overanalyze my actions when I'm talking to Tris.
TP: you sure?
TE: yes! Seriously.
TP: if you say so!
TP: so you're picking me up and driving me somewhere so we can spend time together...is this a date? ;P
My eyes widen as I read her text and something rises in the back of my throat. I hadn't thought of it that way. I realized the ball was in my court. I could say yes and pray that she's okay with it, or I could say no and accidentally drive her away.
TP: Tobias, I'm kidding, chill xD
I breathe a sigh of relief.
TE: I know xD soooo Thursday, how does that sound?
TP: good. See you tonight
TE: tonight?
TP: praise team practice?
TE: right right. I'm picking you up!
TP: No!
TE: Yes. No ifs ands or buts.
TP: Fine. I get to pick the song on the way though.
TE: Deal.
ZP: Heyyy Toby doesn't even let ME pick the song on the way, what is this unfair world
Zeke?!
I quickly check the top bar of my phone screen, and sure enough, Tris and I have been talking in the group chat. Wonderful.
TRIS
Oh no...I've been denying accusations from the girls all summer that I may like Tobias. I've been able to hold them off for two months, and they've just been starting to calm down.
I have a feeling that they're about to get all riled up again.
A/N This is a pretty short chapter, I know. I'm also going to apologize for the whole schedule thing...I know high school Divergent has been overdone but the characters can't exactly stay in summer all their lives. I'm going to try to make it traditionally original (if that's a thing). If you have a feeling that it's getting a little too stereotypical or cheesy, then let me know through reviews or PMs. Love you guys! ~skutti2000