When I pry my sleepy eyes open, I don't know where I am, and my heart starts hammering in my chest. I lean up on my elbows and look around. When I see "Fear God Alone" painted on the otherwise plain white wall, I relax and remember I slept at Tobias' place last night. I peek over the side of the bed and see he's still fast asleep on the floor. I watch the steady rise and fall of his chest. He looks so peaceful right now, like he doesn't have a care in the world, but I know better. I heard him in the middle of the night. His father must star in his nightmares. Everyone in Abnegation thinks the rumors that Marcus' son left because of abuse are false, but I know for a fact they're true. I could kill Marcus Eaton for what he put Tobias through. All of a sudden I realize I'm staring into his drowsy dark blue eyes. He smiles up at me, and I blush crimson from being caught looking at him.
"Good morning," he roughly says, his voice still thick with sleep.
"Good morning," I bashfully say. "I didn't mean to stare. I know that's rude."
"Your Abnegation is showing, Tris!" he playfully says as he sits up. He closes his eyes and stretches his arms above his head. I'm sure it's not comfortable sleeping on the hard floor. I watch as the muscles in his arms and chest contract and relax and feel a foreign sensation way down deep in the pit of my stomach. He gets off the floor, grabs an outfit from his dresser, and goes into the bathroom, leaving the door ajar. I realize I'm still staring so I roll over in bed and stare up at the ceiling. There are heating and air-conditioning ducts and electrical conduit stretching lengthwise across the concrete ceiling. I raise my head and look around Tobias' compact apartment, taking everything in. I've never really looked around before. I'm always too busy looking at him.
The outside wall is made of a natural brown-colored stone chiseled into a brick-look pattern and, of course, is windowless since we're underground. The inner walls are made of plasterboard, at least I think that's what it's called, and are painted bright white. The floors are the same material as the ceiling, plain cold gray concrete. Across the apartment is a very small kitchenette. It has a bank of three black-painted wooden cabinets with a mini fridge. There's no stove and no other appliances, except for the lone coffee maker. I guess it makes sense, he always seems to eat in the cafeteria. He has a black metal desk and chair against the wall about six feet in front of the kitchenette with a laptop on it. Across from the bed is the bathroom, which is very basic: White-tile-lined shower, porcelain toilet, sink, mirror, white tile floor, small linen closet. Nothing fancy. Just to the left of the bathroom door is the closet. I saw Tobias hang up his jacket in there last night. And to the left of that is his dresser and mirror still hanging so high I can barely see the top half of my face while standing on my tiptoes. He doesn't have much furniture, not even a couch. I'm still thinking about his lack of a place to sit down when he comes out of the bathroom.
"Tobias, why don't you have more furniture?" I ask. I think this question catches him a bit off guard because he furrows his brows and looks around the room.
"Honestly, I've never needed it. You're the only person I've ever invited over." My brows raise in surprise. This news stuns me.
"You haven't had a guest in two years?" Maybe Zeke wasn't exaggerating about being his only friend. "Not even Zeke?"
"Not even Zeke," he quietly says, slowly shaking his head. "Whenever we get together it's always in the Pit or his place. I've never had much need so I didn't bother. Until recently, I didn't spend much time in my apartment." He walks over and sits down on the bed beside me. He runs his hand through my hair while staring deeply into my eyes. "Why are you asking about furniture, Tris?" Staring into his perfect eyes leaves me at a loss for words. His close proximity sets my heart racing wildly with a mixture of fear and anticipation. My thoughts are coming in jumbles, and I really have to concentrate on his question. Why am I asking about furniture?
"It'd be nice if you had another place to sit beside the desk chair or the bed," I say, shyly lowering my eyes. I'm sure my face is bright red. My head feels like it's on fire. "Sitting with you on the bed ... sometimes ... it makes me ... feel..." My words drift off. I'm not sure what it is I'm trying to say anyway.
"Would it make you feel more comfortable having a couch here?"
"Yeah, it really would," I say after a while, ducking my head.
"I'll get a couch delivered here today then," he says. He places a finger on my chin and raises my face so I'm looking into his eyes. "I don't want you to feel uncomfortable here ... ever." He lowers his mouth to mine and gives me a quick kiss. He sighs then moves towards the kitchenette.
I scramble out of bed and hastily make my way to the dresser and pick up my clothes. I go into the bathroom and take a quick yet relaxing shower then redress in yesterday's clothes. I definitely have to change before I meet up with Christina, or I won't be comfortable. Who am I kidding? I won't be comfortable until my morning with her is over.
I come out of the bathroom, and Tobias is lounging on the freshly made bed with his back up against the wall. I see he's reading the paper Zeke gave him last night. He doesn't look up so I go to the bed and sit cross-legged in front of him. It doesn't feel too bad. My anxiety level is in check right now. After a minute, Tobias sighs, puts the paper down, and meets my eyes.
"Bad?" I ask.
"Not really. Just more of the same crap: Secret warehouses, rule breaking, etc." He looks at me with a thoughtful expression on his face. "Did you hear the rumors about Marcus when you were still in Abnegation?"
"Just once, the night before my Choosing Ceremony. My dad was upset about an Erudite report he read that day. He said it was unfairly attacking Marcus' character."
"Did you believe it?"
"Tobias … I only knew what my dad told me." I'm not sure what else to say to him.
"It's okay."
"No, none of this is okay," I say moving closer to him and taking his hands in mine. "I believed that report because, first of all, I believed everything my parents ever told me as being the absolute truth without question and, second of all, I believed the lie, the image Marcus projects to the world. Now I know better; I know the truth. I just don't understand what Jeanine Matthews gets by doing all of this." We sit quietly for a moment pondering the statement. "Have you ever thought since the reports about your father are true that some of the other things they're saying are true? I only know what my parents shared with me."
"No," he says shaking his head. "The other reports seem so off base. They go against everything I saw outside of Marcus' house on a daily basis."
"I know. I feel a little guilty for even suggesting it." A loud knock at the door makes me jump away from Tobias.
"I'm going to have to get that couch soon," he mainly says to himself with a chuckle, shaking his head. He walks to his door, unlocks it, and opens it to two of the largest Dauntless security guards I've ever seen.
"Can I help you?" he asks, magically transforming in front of my eyes from sensitive Tobias to demanding Four.
"Four, your presence is immediately required in Max's office," the one with purple hair and multiple facial piercings says. I wonder what Max could want with Tobias.
"Listen guys, I'm really not interested…" They don't let him finish.
"This is not a request," says the one with dark blonde hair and a realistic-looking snake tattoo coiling around his neck. "Your presence is needed immediately. If you don't come voluntarily, we've been authorized to use force." At that, I get off the bed and walk to the door. Tobias protectively wraps his right arm around my waist, holding me close. Purple-Hair and Snake-Tattoo both look surprised to find me here.
"Tris Prior," Purple Hair says, "we've been looking for you, too. Your presence is also required." I look up at Tobias and his face is blank. I imagine he's as fearful and confused as I am right now but he'll never show it. I square my shoulders and try to wipe all emotion off my face but I'm not sure I manage.
"Can we stop by the cafeteria first?" I ask.
"Breakfast will be provided in Max's office," Snake-Tattoo says, rudely interrupting me.
"You didn't let me finish," I say using my best Four impersonation. Unfortunately, I'm just not that intimidating. "I have plans this morning, and I don't want my friend to worry when I don't show up." Purple-Hair and Snake-Tattoo look at each other for a moment.
"Fine. Go to the cafeteria and talk to your little friend but report to Max's office as soon as possible." I tightly ball my hands up into fists and start to step forward. Neither of these buffoons seem to be taking me seriously. I figure I can knock one of them out before the other can do anything about it. Tobias must know what's running through my mind because he slides his hand up to my shoulder and holds me firmly in place.
"Fine," I finally mutter. I step into the hallway, turn to look at Tobias, and say, "I'll tell Christina I'll meet her later then come to Max's office." I add in a whisper, "Do you have any idea what this is about?" He shakes his head then kisses me softly on the mouth. I reach out and squeeze his hand. I don't like leaving him alone with Purple-Hair and Snake-Tattoo even though I'm sure they wouldn't stand a chance against him in a fight.
I run all the way to the cafeteria. I'm glad I was paying close attention last night or I might get lost. I stop once I'm inside the door to catch my breath. I look toward my regular table from initiation and see Will and Christina sitting there with breakfast plates surrounding them. Christina is visibly bouncing up and down in her seat with anticipation. When she sees me, she jumps up, toppling over her glass of orange juice, which Will rushes to clean up. This isn't going to be pretty. I walk to the table trying to figure out what to tell her.
"Christina. I'm so sorry but I'm going to have to reschedule."
"WHAT?" she spits. I close my eyes, inhale through my nose, and slowly exhale out through my parted lips. I open my eyes and see her glaring at me.
"Christina, I'm not happy about this either. Four and I were just summoned to Max's office. Purple-Hair and Snake-Tattoo didn't even want to let me come down here and explain to you that I need to postpone. I thought I was going to have to knock one of them out when they told me I could 'talk to my little friend.'" With that admission Christina calms down, although I can see questions in her eyes.
"Max's office? What about?"
"I have no idea but it was an order and not a request. They made that perfectly clear. Four's on his way now. They're waiting for me."
"Purple-Hair and Snake-Tattoo?" she asks with a silly grin on her face.
"Yeah!" I laugh. "Two of the scariest Dauntless members I've ever seen. I'll find you later. I really am sorry." I notice Christina looking me up and down. She has a huge smirk on her face. "What?"
"Are those the same clothes you were wearing yesterday?" Crap. I should have known if anyone would recognize a particular outfit, it would be her.
"No," I say trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.
"You're lying! You're gnawing on the inside of your cheek."
"Fine, I slept at Four's place last night. I didn't take anything with me. Satisfied?" I say throwing my hands up in the air. Christina and Will smile at one another then look back at me.
"Maybe you should change before the Dauntless leaders see you in last night's clothes," Will says, a smile on his face.
"Whatever. Later!" His idea of changing isn't a bad one though, and the dorm is close by. I decide to make a quick detour. Thankfully, the room is completely deserted so I can throw on a clean outfit in peace then I race to Max's office. I take two deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart and knock. A muffled voice tells me to come in. I open the door to find Marcus Eaton standing there, and I freeze.