Call Me Six

31: 'Tell Her You Love Her' -Tobias

TOBIAS-

It was like an eternal numbness. Two weeks of merely existing.

I'd wake up, feeling alone even though Tris was at my side. Spend the day just sat in Sophie's room. And lay in bed, simply waiting for the early hour that she'd return home so I could sleep.

Insomnia. She was my only cure.

On Wednesday evening, she didn't come home. I ended up driving around the town; desperately trying to find a girl that I knew, I would not find.

As the days passed, the numbers grew. More and more boys entangled in her web.

She'd go out, come back, and crawl into bed besides me as if nothing happens in the hours she disappeared for.

Her small frame curled up against my own told me she was home; safe; with me; where she belongs. I would always wait, until her breaths evened  out and I knew she was sleeping, before muttering the only words that could calm my mind.

"I love you, Tris."

Those four syllables were like a drug. As long as I admitted it, every night, I knew I could sleep. I knew I could sleep, keeping my final promise to Sophie.

"Promise me you'll get the princess, like in all the stories... Tell her you love her. Make her feel special. I know she's out there, Toby.  You have to find her. Find her, and ride off into the sunset."

"I promise."

What I forgot to mention is that there was a slight hiccup in her fairytale. The prince had already fucked up his chances of ever getting the princess.

~

"Tobias..." I was jerked from the empty dreams that cloud my sleep by the humming of her angelic voice. "Wake up. I made you waffles."

"I'm not hungry," I groaned, rolling over and burying my face into the pillow.

I heard the plate rattle as she placed it down on the table beside my head. And with a heavy sigh, she yanked the covers to the floor. "No," she snapped. Her smaller hand grabbed at my shoulder as she harshly flipped me over.  "Tobias you are gonna get up and eat these fucking waffles before I shove them down your throat. As much as you may try, you can't survive on beer and coffee.

"You are going to eat these, have a shower an then we're going out.

"It's time to change the flowers and you need some fresh air."

Oh shit... She is scary.

All I could muster was a single nod as she dragged me up to sitting and plonked the plate down in my lap piled with waffles and fruit. She sat across from me and just stared with stones eyes until I finally picked up the knife and fork and began to eat.

A proud smile adorned her face, as if somehow having me eat a simple breakfast food was some achievement.

"What?" I questioned - mid chew.

"Do you like them?"

"Yes, you make nice waffles. Thank you."

"Good, Cara taught me how to make them."