TRIS-

I was warm and clean and just about ready for a nap as I pulled my fuzzy socks on. But then there was a hammering at my door.

"Hey Tara, Elaine said you need to hurry up or the soup's gonna go cold. I mean it's not really gonna go cold but I'll eat it if you're not down in ten."

"Gimme a minute!" I called back and rummaged through my bag for a cardigan.

"Cool cool. One mississippy, two mississippy, three mississi-"

"Are you the fucking time police or something?" I huffed and threw open the door.

Shaun was stood there, in white slippers and a bathrobe. "Nope. Just hungry. Come on Trixy, we haven't got all day."

He had already turned and was trotting off down the stairs when I corrected him for the thousandth time. "It's Tris!"

"I know! But you suit Tabatha better! Or maybe Tinkerbell!"

If looks could kill, Shaun would already be decaying in a wooden box, six feet underground.

I trudged slowly down the stairs, pulling the sleeves of my sweater down over my hands.

The soup smelt good, and I swear I was about to start drooling as I finally made my way down to the dining room.

Shaun was already sat down, with a bowl steaming in front of him as he plucked a bread roll from a basket in the centre.

"So how did you two meet then?" Elaine asked as she placed a bowl down in front of me.

"Well," I said, tearing off a chunk of bread, "I went into a Caffè to ask for directions and met Sheila, and then she gave me a drink and said that she'd have Shaun drop me home."

"That's Sheila," Elaine chuckled, "Forever playing matchmaker."

I coughed, and half snorted, half choked on my soup. And as I spluttered in my scalding mess of leek and potatoes, I heard Shaun clear his throat and let out a slight hum. Stupid idiot can actually eat without burning himself.

"Yeah... Gran can't seem to keep herself to herself."

"Well what would be the fun in that, though!"

It was now clear to me why Sheila and Elaine were friends. It was also clear why Caleb was not a huge fan of Elaine. She liked the idea of living like a soap opera.

Shaun looked bored. Again.

"If the wind changes your face will be stuck like that," Elaine sang under her breath.

"Good thing it doesn't look like the wind is going to be changing anytime soon then..."

I took another sip of my soup, this time successfully.

"Don't act like Sheila's meddling is all bad, you wouldn't have met Emily if she didn't hire her."

"I also wouldn't have been cheated on, Elaine."

"Well that's a fair point... But you wouldn't have met me and be sat here
eating soup if she didn't convince me to have you paint that mural!" she chirpped.

"Welp, I guess you're right," he said, "And I think I'd probably be Sat crying in my car if I wasn't eating this soup!" At that, both of them burst out laughing.

"You know you love her meddling really. And even if you don't you've dealt with it beautifully for years."

"That I have," he smirked. "What's your take on my Gran's meddling skills, Becky?"

"That name doesn't even start with a T!"

I could feel myself fuming, and wouldn't have been surprised if smoke started billowing out my ears. Elaine's light laughter only added to my rage. And the fact that Shaun was just sat there, peacefully sipping his soup with a smug grin was the icing on top of the cake.

How dare he, I thought. Who the fuck does he think he is.

"Tris," Elaine said, after her giggles had finally ceased. "He was just joking."

"Yeah, princess, no need to get your knickers in a twist."

Taking a deep breath in and out, I hastily excused myself from the table and trotted back up the stairs to my room.

It's a good things pillows are soft, because otherwise, from the way my face collided with it the second I launched myself on to my bed, I'd have a nose that'd be irreparably broken.

Now, I'm a firm believer in having a good scream to let off some steam, so that's exactly what I did. I screamed into my pillow like an angry four-year-old or angst teenager would. Same difference really. But it felt fan-fucking-tabulous.

Until I rolled over onto my back and started heaving because like an idiot, I'd forgotten how to breathe.

I was pinned down by my own lungs, their emptiness somehow making them heavier.

Mindlessly, I started to thrash about, my arms and legs flying in all directions as I scrambled for breath.

I needed to stop. Right there. Right then.

With one mighty heave, I slammed my hands into the mattress and managed to propell myself up to sitting.

My vision was hazy, and for a while I just sat, running my hands up and down my bare shins.

"What," I choked out.

A/N

Whoop whoop! Your girl has saved up enough to buy herself a car!

And your girl is also incredibly sleep deprived because of crappy schedules, uni applications, driving lessons, work, and immense amounts of homework...

Your girl also doesn't know why she's referring to herself as 'your girl'.

I felt like a proud mama this week though, I managed to set my friend up on a date with a girl from one of my classes and he called me after and said they'd already organised a second one.

Is this how parents feel? I dunno. For now I'm assuming that this is it. The lil baby chicken has left the coop and found himself a swan. Or something along those lines. I dunno but guys (guys... pfft! as if people stick arround to read my ramblings) he was so happy it was like a lil mission accomplished.

Anyway...

As always, I do not own Divergent. But I do own a car. Hell yes!