Dauntless Brothers

[Chapter 40] Protecting your loved ones.

As soon as my extra one hour is complete, I leave the room and head back to the apartment. If I had taken the short cut I would've gotten there in two minutes. But I avoid it because I don't want to run into Tris.

I wish I hadn't thought this.

The moment I step foot onto my hallway, some runs into my arms. I just stand motionless and don't return the gesture.

She realizes this and pulls away. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." I start walking again, but she gets hold of my arm and pulls me back.

"I know it's nothing, tell me." She insists.

I feel like telling her but I know that I have my anger caged and if I let it go then all hell will break loose.

I keep my voice low and say. "How can you keep pretending?"

I don't wait for reply and head inside. There is no one in the living area except Marcus. He looks up and notices my expression.

"What?" He asks.

I at once straighten it. "Nothing." It's the same reply I gave Tris.

"It's that girl isn't it?" He asks, putting down the papers he's holding.

I just nods my head and then after a pause I feel obliged to add. "You were right about her."

He looks at me for a second. Then he gets up and shoves his hands into his pockets.

"Parents always say something for a reason. It's good to know that you finally paid heed to any of my advice."

I decide to come clean. "I did. I did ignore it, till it actually happened."

"Good for you." He pats me on the shoulder and goes to his room. I go over what just happened and come to one conclusion. We're finally bonding.

-Time Lapse-

The next morning, I wake up to a strange aching inside me. I reach up and try to rub it off but no matter how hard I rub, it doesn't stop.

Does it really hurt so much when you loose someone you love?

I push all thoughts of Tris out of my head and get ready for the day. I take a long shower to wash away any remains of hers. Then I change into a new shirt because I don't feel like anything old. I might've wore it when I was with her.

I go down to breakfast but she's not there. I heave a sigh of relief and focus on the task at hand. Eating. Tris shows up somewhere near the end but thankfully there is no place at our table.

I finish breakfast and leave with Zeke and Shauna. When we jump onto the train, he pounces on me.

"Why are you here?"

"I'm going to school." I reply in my 'matter of fact' voice.

"Why didn't you wait for Tris?" He asks, raising an eyebrow at me.

"Why should I tell you?" I ask in reply.

"Because I'm your friend." He states.

"Uhuh? Well, so is Shauna and she isn't asking questions." I tell him, pointing at her who has her nose in a book.

When she senses our eyes on her, she says to me. "I could but I don't feel like it because I have a test."

Then to Zeke, she says. "And you stop it! Shut up!"

"Come on, it's just a test."

"Not for me!" Shauna goes back to studying and Zeke goes back to gazing out of the open door, leaving me alone with my disturbing thoughts.