Dauntless High

Chapter 18

The next day, I pick out my outfit and head to school. Tobias doesn't show up by the gate but he's probably coming a bit later on. I go over to Christina who's standing by the gate and talk to her.

"So." Chris says, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Tobias, eh? Good choice." I blush and look at my shoes.
"Hey. Look at me." She gently holds my chin and tilts my head up. "He's a nice guy. He'll take care of you. Just... Don't do something you'll regret, okay?" Her eyes are brown and glistening under the light.

I nod slowly, and smile. I hear the bell ring and head off to my first lesson. At lunch, when I read our table, I notice Tobias isn't there. He doesn't arrive throughout all of lunch and at the end of the day, he's not by the gate. Why was he absent today? I decide to call him once I get in the car.
It keeps ringing. I try again. Someone picks up, but it's not Tobias.

"Hello?" Says a rough voice. Who is that?

"Oh, Hi. Is Tobias there?" I ask.

"No. Who are you?" Well, talk about rude.

"I'm his g-... Friend. I'm his friend." I don't know whether I want to tell this guy about our relationship. I don't know who he is.

"Tobias is ill. He won't be coming to school tomorrow either."

"Oh." I sadden. What happened to him? He was fine last night.
The line goes dead.

"Who was it?" My Dad asks. He's gone back to normal now.

"Well, Tobias didn't show up at school today so I called him but this other guy picked up. He was rude and said that Tobias was ill. The he cut." I sounded upset.

"I'm sure he's fine. You should text him and ask for his address so you can take him some flowers or whatever they do these days." Whoa. My Dad likes Tobias enough to advice me to buy him flowers. Don't miss this chance, Tris.

"Good idea, Dad. Can you drop me off here so I can get some?" He nods and parks the car. "Thanks dad. Really." I smile at him and get out of the car. Whilst I walk to Asda, I text him. Fingers crossed it's not that rough voice guy. Couple of minutes after I text him, Tobias replies with his address. I ask him about the guy. He says he'll tell me later.

I buy the nicest flowers there and a box of fancy chocolates. I make my way to Tobias' house, which happens to be quite close to here.

I ring the doorbell and wait for someone to open the door.

Tobias opens the door and he has a cut lip.

I rush up to him with anger.

"Who. Did. This?" He smiles but winces.

"Tell me. NOW." I demand. The pained smile on his face fades and he looks down.

"Marcus. He's my... FATHER." He emphasises the word father to show that he doesn't mean it.

"What that who picked up the call?" He nods.

"That's it." Tobias steps away and I step into the house. It smells nice. Apple and cinnamon. I take a seat on the sofa and hand Tobias the flowers and chocolate. He's limping.

"Where is he?" I'm showing no emotion whatsoever. This guy is not touching my boyfriend again. I wonder if I look like Tobias on the day he was protecting me from Peter.

"He's gone out for a bit. I don't wanna be rude, but I think you should go before he comes back. I don't want him to hurt you." Says Tobias. He looks so worried.

I hear the door open and Tobias does a small gasp. He sweats noticeably. I've never seen him so afraid. It's because of this man. I'm ending it today.

Marcus walks in.