Candor or Dauntless: Truth or Dare (Watty Awards 2013)

Part 6: Capture the Flag

I leave Jess and Dylan. I walk to Tobias's room. I open the door and lay down on his bed. I set his clock for midnight. I fall alseep swiftly.

I dream of Dylan and Jess. They fall in love. They get married and live happy.

I wake up to the sound of Tobias's alarm. Tobias is sitting on the chair facing me. He smiles. I smile too, as I pull a pillow out from under my head. I throw it at his face and he catches it. He throws it back at me and it misses.
I smirk, "Is that all you got, Four?" I taunt at him. His smile disappears as he charges at me. He grabs my waist and throws me over his shoulder. I am still dressed from earlier, but my clothes are all wrinkly.
I slam my fist into his back, "Let me go! Put me down now!" I yell at him.
He just laughs, "What are you going to do about it?" He teases me. I give up and relax. He carries me to the dorms and plops me down. I scowl at him.
I yell, "Everyone up! Be at the train in 10 minutes!"
I yell, but don't leave. Jaden is still in his bed, sleeping. I walk over to his bunk and caress his face, lightly, playing on his emotions.
"Jaden, wake up. Wake up, it's me, Six. Please, wake up." I say in a singsong voice. Jaden's lips purse. I don't kiss him, but I lean in close to his ear, "Jaden!! Wake up!!" I yell into his ear. He jolts awake and blushes, "Come on get up. Be at the train in," I check my watch, "8 minutes." I look at everyone one more time and leave. I walk to the Training Room and grab the boxes of paintballs. Four already has the guns. We walk together to the train.

I stand facing the exit. Jess and Dylan are to first to arrive, then Cleo and Bekkah, then Anna and Alex. Jaden is the last to arrive and he keeps his distance.
"Alright everyone, grab a gun and some ammo and get on the train!" Four yells. They scramble for guns and ammo. Jaden stands in the far back and doesn't move a muscle. He stares at me, I don't look away. I stare back into his green eyes. Taking one large step towards him, he stares down at me. He's about 8 inches taller than me.
I grab his elbow with my hand and yank him towards the pile, "Grab one. Now." I command. He leans down, still not breaking eye contact and grabs a gun and a box of Paintballs.
I point to the train, "Stop staring and get on the train." I say. He blushes and looks away. How the hell am I going to deal with this? I can't tell Tobias. He'll kill him... And I don't need that on my conscience.

We all get on the train and it starts to move.
"Okay! So we are going to play Capture the Flag! Six and I will be captains. The Dauntless-Born will be separated from you for everything, including training. Six will go first and me second." He pauses and huffs, "Got it? Six, choose your poison." He says dramatically.
I smirk, "Jaden." He looks up at me, a look of udder surprise written on his face. I think he might think I hate him, but I don't. In fact, he reminds me a lot of Caleb. I smile at the thought.
Four goes next, "Cleo."

By the end, I have Anna, Jess, Jaden, and Bekkah. Tobias has Alex, Dylan, and Cleo. We get off first.
Anna takes control, "I think we should hide it near the Ferris Wheel, in one of the cars. That way, they would never see it." Anna...An Abnegation? She shows no resemblance of it now, not in her speech or her posture. Everyone nods in unison.
"I'll take it up." I volunteer. She simply nods and hands me the flag. I jog to the Ferris Wheel and put one hand on the first rung. I smile. I climb slowly until I hear creaking below me.

I look down and Jaden's below me. I shake my head and continue climbing. I reach the platform and sit on the edge. My feet hang over. I throw the flag into a rusty car. I stare out at the stars. They are beautiful. Jaden sits next to me and hangs his feet over the edge too. We sit in silence for a few minutes.
I can't take the awkward silence anymore, "Jaden, what the hell is wrong with you? So, you like me...You can't just stand there like an idiot and stare at me! It's weird and creepy, Jaden!" I shriek out.
He turns to look at me, "Six...I do like you. You are beautiful, smart, and I'll bet your a great kisser." He says, a smile curling his lips.
I scowl and look away, "Maybe I am, but that's certainly not your business." He grabs my chin and turns me head. His eyes are closed and I can't move. I can't breathe.

He leans in and kisses my lips. I try to pull away, but his grip on my face is tight. I take my hands and punch him hard in the stomach. He doesn't even wince. I punch his temple with all my strength and he releases me.
"Six, I'm sorry," He pauses, "I'm sorry I was right. You are a great kisser." He tries to lean in again.
I stand and kick him where it counts, "Oh and Jaden...When Four hears about this he's going to kill you." I say.
He's still doubled over in pain but he manages to say, "Why?"
I smirk, "He's my boyfriend, and he doesn't do well with holding back anger." I look at him and move to the other side of the large platform. I sit on the edge and stretch my legs across the edge, so he can't sit near me. I watch the flag, bright in the darkness. I look down and see Four's team charging us. I stand and release paintballs towards them. I smile as one hits Tobias's face. I know it's him because he's larger than the rest of them. I turn and see Jaden. His green eyes, even more vivid in the dark. I know I should feel disgusted by him, but I just can't. I look down and none of our team remains below us. I see movement in the distance, Jess, I think, running with their bright green flag, waving it above her head. I smile and walk towards Jaden.
I touch his shoulder, "Good job, kid. I won't tell Four. I don't need your death on my conscience. However, if you try it again, it won't be on my conscience. I warned you." He nods and I start down the ladder.

I walk to my team. Dylan is hugging Jess. Jess quickly and carefully pulls out a purple paintball from her pocket and squeezes it in his face. He doesn't release her, instead he rubs his face on hers. They laugh together. I smile. I see Four with my purple paint smudged across his forehead and embedded in his eyebrows.
I smirk, "How's my purple paint feel on your face?" I say tauntingly.
He looks angry, "You shot me?'' He asks.
I nod, "Yeah, from all the way up there." I say pointing towards the platform.
He raises his eyebrows, "Good aim, Six." He says while patting my shoulders. I don't see him move, but I do see Jaden's fist strike Tobias's cheek.

I stop with my gun in my hand. I release a shot at Jaden, but he ducks. Tobias is red with anger. His fist strikes Jaden just above his bellybutton and he collapses.
"I told you, Jaden." I say regretfully.
I grab Tobias's arm and pull him forward, "I don't need you beating on our Initiate. The others will do it for you." I say tugging him forward. I point to the train, "Go sit on the train. Cool off." He sighs and walks to the train.
I walk over to Jaden, "Get up." I command.
He looks up at me, tears welling up in his eyes, "No." He cries. I kneel down and grab his shoulder tightly.
"Get a grip! I have a boyfriend! He's a Dauntless Prodigy! He'd kill you in a minute!" I yell into his face, "Get up now." I say calmly. He rises to his feet, as do I. I jog to Tobias and sit down next to him.
He looks at me and smiles, "Six, should we just tell them all? About us?" He asks.
I smile and nod, "Tomorrow, before simulations."

I stand, "GET IN NOW!" I yell to all the Initiates. They all make their way to the train, which pulls out as soon as Cleo jumps on.