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

Part 41: It suits you, Tris

“What the--” He yells when I slam the door shut.

“Tell me what you and Dylan were talking about. Now.” I say demandingly.

He shakes his head, “Privileged information. You’ll need to torture it out of me.” He says, “Or kiss it out of me.” He smirks. I roll my eyes and walk toward him. I press my lips firmly to his and he wraps his arms around me.

I pull away, “Tell me.” I say, “Now.” He sighs and rubs his face with one hand.
“Alright, Dylan said he and Jess had a...falling out. He thought she loved him. He wanted to...um...” He stops.
“I get the point.” I say impatiently.
He looks deep into my eyes, “But, she didn’t. She freaked out, supposedly, and left him. She broke it off with him and now, his life is in shambles. He said that if she doesn’t forgive him, that he won’t be able to live with the guilt and jealousy.”
It takes me a moment to find my voice, “So, he does still like her?” I ask.
He shakes his head, “No. He loves her.” He says. I nod slowly and lean forward.
I kiss his cheek, “Bye Jaden! Let yourself out.” I say as I grab my jacket and run out the door. I run all the way to the Dorms. Jess is there.

“Jess! He loves...you! If you don’t...take him back...he’s going to...kill himself.” I say, pausing to catch my breath. She sucks in a shocked breath and breaks into a run. I chase after her, having to run twice as hard. We reach the Chasm and see Dylan hanging by one hand over the railing. Jess grabs his forearm and tries to pull him up--no luck. Neither of us, together or not, will be able to help him up. I know only one person who lives closest to the Chasm that’s strong enough to hoist Dylan up. Peter.

I run down the hall and to Peter’s door. I pound rapidly and loudly.
“PETER! Peter! PETER!” I yell. The door opens quickly.
“Oh, it’s you. What do you want, Stiff?”
I ramble, my sentences combining, “Dylan’s hanging over the Chasm. I can’t get him. Come help me now. Please, Peter. Help me before he falls. Please.” I plead. He rolls his eyes and breaks into a sprint. I match his stride and we get to the Chasm quickly. Peter bends over and grabs Dylan’s arms. He yanks him up and over quickly, dropping him on the concrete floor like a stone.

Dylan’s soaked, but alive. Jess embraces him tightly.
Peter looks down at me, “Well, Stiff, looks like you owe me one.” He says, keeping eye contact.
“I owe you? You tried to murder me. I’d call it even.” I say, trying to be menacing.
He just laughs, “Fine. Whatever, Tris.” He says. It sounds so...strange coming from him. He’s never said my name before.
“You’ve never called me Tris before.” I blurt out.
He doesn’t smile, but he laughs lightly, half air, half sound, “Thought I’d try it. It suits you, Tris.” He says my name again.
“I’d never thought I’d say this, especially to you, thanks for saving him.” He nods and walks off. Why is he being so nice? I shake away the thought and walk over to Dylan. Jess has tears running down her cheeks as she yells at him.

“Don’t you ever, ever do anything that damn stupid again! That was so stupid! You were Erudite for Christ’s sake.” She exclaims.
He looks surprised and smiles, “I love you, Jess.”
She looks frightened for a second before answering him, “I love you too, Dylan.”

A.N.

I SHIP JYLAN. Anyone else? No? Oops.....