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

Part 53: The Accident...

I step to him silently. I tap his shoulder and he turns around. My hand smacks him across his cheek so hard that my knuckles sting. I storm out and into my room. I check my clock, 4:39pm. Where did the time go? I sit down on my bed, but don't cry.

Jaden didn't mean that much to me, I mean, I cared about him, but I didn't love him the way I love Tobias. I put my head in my hands and breath. I'm fighting the urge to go back and punch him harder, in the face, in the stomach, everywhere. I shake away the thought and go to get some dinner. I'm really starting to hate Bekkah. She really is what Jess said. She's a relationship ruiner. Bekkah, the witch of home-wrecking, I guess. I grab a tray of food and a bottle of water. I sit down and eat slow, not watching what I'm eating. I pick up a french-fry and accidentally bite down on my finger instead.

"Ow!" I yell, pressing on my finger. Someone laughs and I look over a table and see Uriah. I smile at him, I haven't seen him since Erudite when Marlene... I throw away my food and sit across from him.

"Hey Tris! I saw your little accident." He chuckles.

"It hurt!" I say, showing him my finger. He rolls his eyes.

"Do you know if Christina's still mad at me?" I ask him. He looks up from his cake and nods with a pained expression.

"I honestly don't even remember why..." I say. It's true. I have no idea what I did. I don't remember. I sigh. He looks around quickly and sticks his gaze near the door. Marlene. I nod in understanding.

"Bye, Uriah! I'll see you around?" I say, not expecting an answer.

"Tris! We're going zip-lining with the Dauntless-Born's tomorrow after training! Want to come?" He asks. I nod, happy to get away. He smiles and Marlene sits down next to him. I stand up and walk to my room.

I feed and change the litter box for my cat, who's name I haven't decided yet, and pet her, exhausted. She purrs contently. I get up and shower. It's a cleansing, refreshing shower. I put on some clothes, not caring to match, and walk to the Dorms. I walk in and everyone looks up. They're getting ready for bed.

"You should start to pack your things. Training ends in 2 days, and then you have 1 more day to choose your jobs. Okay!" I say and they all go back to what they were doing, except Jaden. He stands near his bunk, his eyes locked on me. I walk towards him.

"Can you explain?" I say calmly. He struggles for words.

"Okay, there was your chance to save yourself. Your one and only chance. I'm done. Okay, Jaden?" I ask. He blinks slowly and nods. Anger pours through my veins replacing my blood. I raise my arm and slap him, hard, across the face, his jaw bone jabbing my hand. I turn and walk out, I feel the transfer's eyes on me. I close my eyes and walk slowly, letting my feet guide me.

I open the door and collapse to my bed, except it isn't my bed. The smell is too...manly. I open my eyes and look around to see the familiar words on his wall. Tobias's room.