CHAPTER 23

TRIS POV~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I travel to the window and look out causing me to see the inside of my room.

I realize what I need to do.

"Mom? Dad?" I call from the top of the stairs.

"Yes?" They answer.

I start walking down. "I need to get my stuff from the house."

"Tonight?" Dad asks.

I nod.

"Alright. Tobias will got with you."

I smile as he calls Tobias's name.

"Yeah?"

"We need you to take Tris next door so she can get her clothes." Mom says.

He says okay and off we go.

~~~

I push on the handle after a moments hesitation. This is where my life was ruined.

I travel inside and look around. I feel Tobias's fingers intertwine with mine as he gives my hand a reassuring squeeze. I look to the right where the last beating was.

Somehow, my feet find their way there and I look at the pools and pools of blood. I feel tears making their way down my face. I quickly brush them off and lead Tobias upstairs.

I walk into my room and sit down on my bed. Tobias wanders around it looking at all the trinkets I have.

I sigh as I lay down. I think of all of the times I've had here in this house.

This is just so hard.

TOBIAS POV~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I look over as Tris sits down onto the bed. I look around finding her little small trinkets. They are so cute! When she gets better, I could so make fun of her. Not in a mean way. Just me and her having an inside joke.

I glance at Tris again and see that she is now lying on her bed with a couple tears sliding down her cheeks. I walk over and wipe them away. She stares at me with those amazing big light blue eyes of hers and she hugs me.

I'm taken aback. I mean we cuddle, but we never really hug. I hug back and she rests her chin against my chest.

"Tris." I tell her.

"What?" She asks.

"Think of the good memories you've had here. Not the bad. You don't need to cry. It will be alright because now I'll be here. Okay?"

"Okay." She answers.

"Let's find you those clothes." I tell her.

She nods and walks over to the closet. She opens it and I see a rack of clothes.

She starts grabbing shirts and pants and laying them on her desk. After about five minutes all of her clothes are on the table.

I stare in shock. She only had a handful of clothes. I thought she would have way more.

I realize that Tris is now jumping, trying to reach the suitcase on the top of the closet.

I quickly run over and help her. She smile gratefully at me and puts all of the clothes in the suitcase and then travels to the dresser, opening drawers and shoving bras and underwear in there, too.

"You don't have very many clothes." I blurt out.

"I know. Marcus wouldn't let me go shopping or pay me, so whenever he went away for like a business trip, I would go the mall. The money, well I would just scrape up what I could." She answers.

She drags the suitcase behind her as we travel down the hall, which I quickly took from her as we went down the stairs.

We entered the house and Tris and I went our separate ways. I went to the bathroom the get ready, as she went to my room.

TRIS POV~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I quickly find what I was looking for. My black leggings, a big light blue sweater that says 'hope', and I put on my converse just as mom comes walking in with a box.

"Hi Beatrice."

"Hi."

"I got you something."

"You did?" I ask surprised.

"Here take a look." Mom places the box in front of me.

I slowly open the box and see the most amazing thing.

Light brown uggs. I squeal and tackle mom into a hug.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

"Your welcome." Mom laughs. "I remember how you always said you wanted a pair."

I nod, a smile still plastered in my face.

"Wear them tonight. Have fun." Mom says as she walks out.

I quickly shove off my converse and slip on the boots.

They are amazing.

I walk downstairs and Tobias brings me out to his car and we are ready to go.

AT THE HANG OUT~~~~~~~~~~~~

I walk with Tobias to the front door.

Just as I'm about to ring the doorbell, Tobias spins me around, so that I'm facing him.

"Tris, I have to tell you something about this hangout."

"What is it?" I ask.

"Well, the gang invited one other person and his name is p--" Tobias is cut off by Zeke flinging the door open.

"TRISSYPOO!" He screams.

"FOUR WASSUP MY MAN!" He yells motioning us to come in.

I grab Tobias's hand and pull him in after me.

Zeke leads me down the stairs to the basement.

"TRIS!" Everyone yells. I smile and get engulfed by hugs from the girls. Mainly Christina.

Lynn walks over and high-fives me and then Uriah comes and almost squashes me.

"Uri!" I yell.

"Yeah Trissy-poo?" He's asks.

"Back away or get hurt by the almighty Tris." I say with an evil smirk on my face.

He runs away and hides behind Will who pushes him away and high fives me.

He then hides behind someone who has their back to me. Someone who isn't apart of the gang.

"Christina. Who is that?" I whisper pointing to the man.

"That's Peter." She says. "Lynn's boyfriend."

I stumble back, away from him and in seconds Tobias is by my side.

Peter turns around and starts walking towards me. I quickly try to run upstairs, but Lynn blocks my way. I back up against the wall as he comes closer and closer.

Tobias steps in front of him.

"Hey man, she's scared of you. Back off."

Peter just stares at me and he starts to speak.

"Tris, I never meant for this to happen. It was all Eric, even when we were back in the adoption place. He told me to be mean to you and I thought it would make me cool like him, so I did it. I regret it everyday and night. At school, Eric told me that we had to act like real mean people. He said that if I didn't listen to him, he would kill me and my family. I'm so sorry. Will you ever forgive me?" He asks stepping closer.

I close my eyes and shake my head. No.

"You might end up hurting me again Peter. I just can't trust you right now. I'm sorry." I say my voice breaking as I cry into Tobias's shirt.

"Tris, maybe you should give him a chance. I mean he is a really nice guy. You just have to get to know him." Lynn tells me.

"I thought I did know him. When we were nine. We made a promise to stay by each other's sides and protect each other. But he broke it. He has to prove it to me now. I can't just trust him after all he's done to me." I say wiping away the tears.

"Well then he'll prove it to you." Lynn says angrily.

"Okay. Do you want to play truth or dare?" Zeke asks changing the subject.

We all agree and I sit in between Tobias and Christina.

"Since its my house I will go first." Uriah shouts.

"Marlene. Truth or dare?"

"Ummm...... Truth."

"PANSYCAKE!" He yells.

"Uriah!" Marlene whines.

"Fine. Do you lovvveee me?"

"Yes. Now. Will truth or dare."

"Dare."

"I dare you to let Christina dress you up and you have to go by all the neighbors houses until someone asks you if you are a a celebrity."

"Deal. Let's go."

Christina squeals and her and Will run upstairs.

About five minutes later, Will comes down in a ballerina outfit with a pile of makeup on his face. Let me tell you, he does not look happy.

"I need people to watch me." He says glumly.

Uriah and Shauna jump up and follow Will and Christina outside.

I lean my head on Tobias's shoulder and close my eyes. Lynn is glaring at me angrily. If looks could kill....

I ignore them best I can and just focus that Tobias is protecting me with his hand wrapped around my waist and I'm laying on his shoulder.

I hear noises again, so I open my eyes.

Something's different, though.

"Look Trissy-poo is finally awake!" Uriah shouts.

I rub my eyes. "What?" I ask.

"You fell asleep." Shauna says.

"Oh." I can feel myself blushing furiously. One word. Embarrassing.

"Don't be embarrassed do, Trissy. You were only sleeping for twenty minutes." Zeke says.

"Yeah and it was adorable. Four was so careful not to wake you up." Christina tells me.

I look up at Tobias who smiles down at me.

"Let's keep playing." Lynn says annoyed.

"Fine." Everyone says.

"Peter's up." Four says.

"Okay Tris. Truth or dare?" I immediately find myself stuck in the middle. I don't want to do truth, but I don't want to do dare.

"Dare." I say as confidently as I can.

"Okay umm..... Well I want to see you happy, so I dare you to take an Amity thing."

I immediately shake my head, no.

"Well then, take off your shirt or pants." Lynn says.

She must know I have a thing for not liking to do that.

I look at Tobias who says, "I'm not sure if she's allowed to do that. She's already on medication."

"Well than call her doctor." Lynn must really want this.

Tobias takes out his phone and starts talking to Colby.

A few minutes later he hangs up.

"You can only take the piece of gum one. It's not that strong, but lasts longer."

I groan. "Fine get me the gum." I mumble.

Zeke runs upstairs and comes back downstairs a moment later with a whole pack. I quickly take one and stick it in my mouth.

"It will come into effect in a minute Tris." Zeke tells me looking at the box.

I nod and start chewing.

I start to get the woozy feeling and Christina tells me that I have thirty seconds left of self control until I totally lose it.

I keep on chewing and all of a sudden I am not angry or sad anymore.

"How do you feel, Tris?" Shauna asks.

"I feel...... Like I am floating on a cloud or I'm flying away." I tell everyone.
Even in my weird state of my mind I can hear how weird that sounded.

"Tris, who do you like the best in this room?" Lynn asks.

"I like eevvverryoonneee!" I slur giggling.

"But, who do you like the best?"

I giggle getting up.

"I don't know. Maybe my magical power will tell me."

I walk around tapping everyone's heads laughing like an idiot.

"Fourie." Wait why am I calling a number? That doesn't make sense.

I shrug it off and keep patting people's heads.

"Uri."

"Zekey."

"Marleney."

"Shaunay."

"Petey."

"Lynny."

"Chrissy."

I laugh. I look at everyone's spinning faces.

Maybe if I spin there faces will stop moving!

I start to spin quickly and sooner rather then later, I am in someone's arms.

"Woah!" I say giggling. "That was fun. Let's do it again!"

"Tris, remember I asked you who you liked best. Well who?" Lynn... I think... asks.

"I like this person." I say with my eyes closed and my hands traveling all over their face.

"FOUR? BUT YOU ALWAYS LIKE HIM!" Lynn yells.

"Lynn are you trying to cause trouble between me and my girlfriend?" Fourie asks.

"No I.. I-"

She gets cut off by me.

"Fourie how do you get such big, big muscles?" I slur giggling pushing his arm.

"Not now Tris."

"But Fourie!" I yell.

"Tris. Be quiet for a second!" Four yells with such urgency that it breaks the spell, well somewhat of Amity.

I hear loud thumping coming from upstairs.

I start to open my mouth to call up the stairs, but Four clamps his gigantic hand on my mouth.

"Tris?" I hear someone yell.

Who's Tris? Oh yeah me!

I try to talk, but Four's clammy hand is still placed over my mouth.

I start to giggle as Four whispers for me to be quiet.

"Tris? It's Caleb. Natal-- mom sent me to give you this. She told me this is where you would be. I won't harm anyone. So, please show yourself!"

Caleb. That name sounds oddly familiar.

Four stands up, laying me on the floor in advance and starts to walk up the stairs while he motions for everyone to stay there.

I hear talking upstairs and footsteps come downstairs.

"Tris? What are you doing on the floor?"

Behind him, Four gives me a look to try to be normal. Which is very hard when you are swimming in the clouds.

"Hi Caleb!" I say too cheerfully.

I hope he hasn't noticed, but by the look on his face he does.

"What are you doing on the floor?" Caleb asks again.

"I uh dropped my phone and I was looking for it." I stifle a giggle.

"Oh."

"Yeah. Bye Caleb." Four says.

"No, I have to give Tris what mom made me come over here for." Caleb says.

"Fine. Hurry up then."

"Mom wants me to give you this. When you drink it gives you a bit more energy, so you can have more fun with your friends."

He hands me a coffee container.

"It's hot be careful, and oh yeah and they want you home by midnight." Caleb says walking up the stairs.

As soon as I hear the front door close, I start giggling again.

Fourie comes over and helps me off the floor. I start to walk towards the couch, but I end up failing miserably.

Fourie ends up picking me up bridal-style and carrying me there.

Two minutes later I realized I was laughing. For what you ask? I have no idea.

I abruptly stop and everyone turns and stares at me from across the room.

"Not cool guys. Not cool." I say angrily.

They all stand up and start clapping as I give them dirty looks.

Pretty soon, Tobias comes and kisses me.

I break away and smile up at him. He smiles back and he takes my hand leading me up off the couch.

We start to walk back to the circle and I immediately cringe.

"Toby." I whisper so only he can hear.

"Yeah?" He asks turning to me.

"Can we lay on the couch and watch a movie instead?" I ask painfully.

"Why? Tris what hurts." Tobias asks urgently.

"Tobias. Nothing-"

"Don't start that with me. Tell me what hurts."

"I need to sit down." I say.

I break my hand away from his and sit down slowly.

Tobias runs up stairs to get something and everyone looks at me asking what happened.

"It's nothing. Why doesn't we just watch a movie instead." I suggest.

"Okay. Which one." They all start fighting about which ones better while I tune them out.

The center of my back, where the most stitches are and the bumps and bruises just hurts from when I was laying on the hard wood floor.

"FOUR MAKE THE POPCORN!" Christina yells.

They end up picking "Blended" a comedy.

Just as it is about to start, Tobias come down with four huge bowls of popcorn. He hands three to Chris, Will, Zeke, Shauna, Uri, and Marlene.

He then sits down next to me and puts the bowl of popcorn down in between us.

Marlene gets up and turns off the lights. As soon as they're off, Tobias gives me something hard and cold.

"Ice." He whispers.

I nod and quickly slip it on my back.

It feels good.

TOBIAS POV~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We are watching Blended, which would be hilarious if I knew what was wrong with Tris.

I keep sneaking glances at her and as it gets later, the more she seems to be struggling with keeping her eyes open.

Her chin goes down to her neckline, but quickly bounces back up.

She is trying real hard to stay awake.

After about seven times of almost falling asleep, Tris's eyes light up.

She quickly reaches for the table next to the end of the couch and grabs the mug that Caleb brought over.

She downs it and she begins to actually pay attention to the movie.

She laughs at all the funny parts and keeps quiet at the right moments.

Not even twenty minutes later, I watch as Tris loses every ounce of energy.

Her head droops as her eyes close. She is sitting up, so her body slides to the right until she is leaning on me.

Pretty soon after that, the movie ends and we all decide that we should go home.

Everybody says "ahhhh that's so cute." Or "look at. They're are prefect."

I carry Tris to the car and buckle her in to the seat to drive back home.

~~~~~~~~

I enter the house with Tris still in my arms to find mom and dad watching TV in the living room.

"So, she fell asleep." Dad says.

"Yep."

"When?" Mom asks.

"Just after 11:30."

"Did she drink the energy booster?" Mom asks.

"Yeah. It only lasted twenty minutes."

"I should have warned her that as soon as it wears off, you're out like a light." Dad says.

"Anyway goodnight. I'm going to bed." I tell them.

"Okay, sweet dreams." They both answer at the same time.

I climb the stairs and put Tris on the left side of my bed and lay down next to her.

She curls into a little ball and nudges her head into the crook of my neck.

I smile into the darkness and let sleep overtake me.

ANOTHER CHAPTER DONE!

Sorry I haven't been updating! I've been so busy with school and friends I just haven't had the time!

I try. I try.

So as always vote, comment, and be awesome!