Together: Sequel To Alone

Chapter 18|Trying Together|

Dead silence. Nobody said a word, no one moved. Nothing happened. Then Kayla shuffled forward, looking hesitantly at Ava.

" You're my sister?" Kayla asks. Ava glances questioningly at Tobias and I, having not been told that the duo in front of her was coming. I take a step forward, coaxing Ava to move forward with me.

" Ava, meet Evelyn and Kayla," I introduce " Evelyn and Kayla, meet Ava. Kayla is your half sister"

" Hi" Ava waves timidly, looking surprised when Kayla moves forward to give her a hug. Evelyn on the other hand, slinks around the outskirts of the room to speak to Tobias. I pretend not to notice, standing behind Ava as Kayla smiles brightly at her.

Tobias is behind me a moment later, his hand on my shoulder and a bright smile on his face. He leans down and brushes his lips against my ear, sending a wave of warmth through my body, whispering so that only I can hear.

" Evelyn wants a word with me" He breathes " Take the girls somewhere?"

With a quick nod, I peck him on the cheek and step forward, grinning at the two girls in front of me.

" Do you guys want to head to the mall or something?" I ask

" I don't know about the mall, but I could go for some food" Kayla announced, glancing up at me. I nodded, looking at Ava for her input, which she gave me in the form of a nod.

===

Ava was inexplicably comfortable with Kayla. Which made riding in a car with the pair that much more annoying. For the past fifteen minutes, they had both been screeching out the lyrics to a song at the top of their lungs. And neither of them could sing for their lives.

I couldn't complain though, this was the most I'd seen Ava relax around someone that wasn't her brother or I. I was glad that she could accept the rest of her family so easily, but I did have to admit, I was worried. Worried that Evelyn would make Tobias leave, worried that I would lose him and Ava both.

We had stopped in the parking lot of some hole-in-the-wall diner ten or so minutes away from campus. The other two girls in the car had bolted out as soon as the car stopped, leaving me to sigh and follow them. They were following a hostess back just as I entered the place. We were all seated back in a secluded corner. A few minutes of mindless discussion passed as we decided on our orders, leaving us to really talk after we had told the waitress what we wanted. Kayla was the first to speak up;

" So..." She began awkwardly " What's your major, Tris?"

" Geology" I said with a smile

" Really? That sounds interesting" She gushed " How about you Ava, what do you want to be when you get older?"

" I'm not sure" She admitted

" Don't worry about it to much" Kayla laughed " you'll have plenty of options when you come live with us"

" What" I spluttered, choking on the water that had just been placed in front of me " When she does what?"

" Moves with Mom and I, obviously" Kayla tittered lightheartedly

" So you just decided to make this choice for her?" I ground out, trying not to snap " Ava, did you get a say in this?"

" No" came her small reply

" It's up to you" I assured her " would you rather move up to Montana with Kayla and Evelyn, or stay here with Tobias and I?"