Learning to Let Them In | Fourtris

Chapter 42

Tobias's POV

"So, Uriah said something interesting yesterday," I tell Tris.

We've spent the entire day watching movies, taking naps, and just lounging around. I know it annoys her, but now that I know she's struggling with something else, I can see there's more to her annoyance than just being cooped up here all day.

Tori got back home hours ago. Tris and I are in her room getting ready for bed.

She's been quiet the entire day. I know Caleb marked it off as annoyance, but I haven't. Not yet. Other than the one moment we had before she fell asleep for the first time, as she took two additional naps, she's been strangely...disconnected.

Her head snaps towards mine. "What did he say?"

She looks almost nervous. I frown. This could be worse than I thought.

-Flashback-

Uriah climbs into the passenger seat of my truck and I start the drive to his house. It's oddly quiet for Uriah being in the vehicle, and when I look over I can see he's deep in thought.

"Anything you want to share, buddy?" I ask him.

He looks at me, snapping out of it. "Umm...no?"

The way he says it makes me wonder the importance of what he's thinking about. I don't interrogate him any further, though. I respect his privacy.

I finally pull up to his house. He starts to get out.

"Thanks for the ride, Four."

I nod at him. "No problem. Tell Zeke and Hana I said hi."

"You aren't coming in?"

I shake my head. "No. I should probably get back to Miss Runaway."

He cracks a tiny smile, but then it fades.

"What is it?" I ask concerned.

"Four...talk to her."

I frown. "Talk to who? Tris?"

He nods. "I'm not sure what happened, but whatever it was brought up some really dark thoughts. Really dark thoughts. Just...talk to her. Let her know you're there to listen. She needs you."

With nothing else said, he jumps out of the vehicle and goes inside without a second glance. I sit in silence for a while, not moving to do anything. What did he mean by dark thoughts? And doesn't she already know I'm here to listen?

I eventually put two and two together and realize that of course she doesn't know; she's Tris. Sure, she talks to me about the darkness in her past, but never the darkness in her present. I immediately know that Uriah has a point, and whatever it was that he was talking about isn't good.

I sigh and start driving back to the house. I already know that that conversation, whenever it will be, is not going to be the happiest.

"Come here," I tell Tris and pat the empty space next to me. She hesitantly steps over and sits down.

"What did he tell you?" she whispers, avoiding my gaze.