Learning to Let Them In | Fourtris

Chapter 29

Tris' POV

AN: This is later in the evening, let's say around 5:30, when they're getting ready to go to Haviland for the fair. They're back at the hotel.

"Tobias?"

We have both been ready to go to the fair for about an hour now; we're just waiting on everyone else. We've been silently watching TV on top of the bed. Well, it's been mostly Tobias watching while I've been curled up into his side trying to calm my nerves. It hasn't been working though. Eric's face and voice keep flashing through my mind and periodically, my breaths will become uneven.

"Yeah?"

I open my mouth to tell him to assure me that everything will be okay; that I'll be okay, but then I realize how childish and weak that would sound, and close my mouth at last minute.

"Tris?"

"Nevermind."

I shake my head at myself and go back to trying to calm myself down.

"Tris, just tell me. Or ask me; whatever you were going to do."

I sigh. I open my mouth to tell him no, but instead it slips out.

"Everything's going to be okay, right?"

I cover my face with my hands and groan. "That wasn't supposed to slip out."

I hear the TV go silent and groan again, knowing he's not just going to let this go.

"Tris, look at me."

"No."

"I'll get your attention somehow."

I shake my head. "I feel stupid."

"Beatrice."

I frown and look up at him. "Did you just call me Beatrice?"

"Well it worked, didn't it?"

I frown for a second longer before I realize that he did get my attention. I look down and bite my bottom lip. It doesn't last long.

He captures my face in his hands and tilts it back up.

"Why are you worried?"

"Ugh! I'm not okay?! It just slipped out of my mouth!"

"How'd it slip out if you weren't thinking it then?"

I feel myself blush knowing that he is right and caught me in my feeble lie, but glare at him. I take his wrist and push his hand away from my face.

"Listen, you don't need to be worried. It's stupid that you are, okay?"

I know that he's not calling me stupid. And I know he only meant good intentions, but it hurt. I don't know why, but it hurt. Really bad.

"I'm fine. I'm not worried," I say in a dangerous tone, trying to cover up the insecurity.

"Hmm...scary, but not scary enough for me to let it go. Want to try again?"