Emergent (Divergent: Book Four)

Chapter 19-Tris

I cast Tobias a nervous glance as he knocked on the door of the apartment. He gave me what I think was supposed to be a reassuring smile.

Suddenly, I lost my nerve. Like a shy child cowering behind their parents, I dove behind Tobias' back just as I heard the door click open. I took a sharp intake of breath and held it, trying to make myself as small as possible, even though that wasn't necessary. Tobias' muscular form perfectly hid my small one.

"Hey, Tobias!" a familiar female voice greeted. My heart skipped a beat. Christina.

"Um, hey." Tobias scratched the back of his neck nervously. I clutched the hem of his shirt, cringing at the awkwardness.

"What's up?" Christina asked.

"W-well, it's kind of complicated-" Tobias stuttered, but just then I lost my balance and stumbled into clear sight of Christina.

"Ah!"

"Ah!"

Christina jumped back, tripped, and landed on her butt. I stumbled and caught myself on Tobias, almost knocking him over too. Christina stared at me, mouth agape. For a while she just stared, and I got a good look at for the first time in a long time.

She had grown her dark hair out, to where it now brushed against her shoulders in and angled bob, with light brown highlights. She was as slim and slender as ever, dressed in black skinny jeans and a chevron sweater.

Her full lips opened and closed like a fish. "You-how...?"

Unsure of how to answer, I stood frozen, my eyes wide. Suddenly Tobias cleared his throat, startling me, though I didn't move.

I felt his fingers wrap around mine and gently pry them from his arm, where my nails were digging into his flesh without my knowing.

He kneeled next to Christina and helped her to her feet while I hugged my arms over my chest. Christina was shaking her head back and forth, her knees shaking. She laughed abruptly. "I've snapped. I'm going crazy."

"No, you're not," Tobias said. Once he was sure she was steady on her feet, he grabbed my hand and gently brought me closer to the door.

"Christina, meet Tris Prior." I stepped forward hesitantly and extended my hand, going along with Tobias' introduction. Christina stared at my hand for so long that my arm started to cramp, then she ignored it and attacked me in an embrace that almost knocked me over.

She squeezed me so tight I had trouble breathing, but I hugged her back anyway. I could feel Tobias' gaze on us, could see his smile out of the corner of my eye.

I smiled too, tears of joy filling my eyes.

I'm going to get my friends back.