Daring to be Divergent

Chapter 18

Hello!! Sorry for not writing last week guys. I went on a vacation with some family friends and didn't get the chance to write (obviously). I'm gonna take a second to thank you guys. So thanks for taking the time to read my story, commenting, and voting! My cheeks always hurt from smiling so much after reading your comments!! Now for the usual: V.Roth owns the Divergent series and if you enjoy this story or want to critic something please comment/vote. Thanks again my lovely readers!! Hope you enjoy!!

~~~~~~~~~~~Chapter 18~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The roar of the water is louder than I remember.

A gust of wind and mist blows from my left, which makes me shiver. It is colder down in the chasm than above, but thankfully Collin's hand is warm. We have only been down here for thirty minutes but already Collin and I sit side-by-side and hand-in-hand like we did years ago.

"I can't stop thinking about the rankings," Collin says, not taking his eyes off the raging waters. "If your dad hadn't got shot, we would already know how we were ranked."

"Collin, how do you think we did?" I sigh. We both look at each other. I almost laugh at how ironic this is. Years later, Colin and I are still friends, doing the same thing, at the same place. Time is such a strange thing.

"Do you want me to lie or be honest?" he says.

"Hmmm," I smirk. "Lie."

"Well, I think we both did amazing- wait, let me rephrase that. I think I did amazing. You- well, you are lacking a few skills. No offense." Collin teases.

"Excuse me. I'm lacking?" I protest. He pretends to examine his nails for dirt and then gives me some strange look.

"I don't want to brag but I, without a doubt, am first in ranking." Collin brags.

"Are you now?" I ask. "What about me?"

"You? Well let's just say I had no competition. Did I mention that I have great combat skills?" he raises his arm and flexes his muscles. This time I can't help but laugh.

"Wow. Someone has a high ego of himself." I chuckle. As soon as those words come out of my mouth, my mind goes straight to Aden.

He jokes around like that too. I wonder where he is. The last time I saw him was the morning he sat and ate with me at my table. He did not even come to the hospital when I was waiting for my dad. I was there for two days! Where is he?

"Where is who?" Collin looks confused.

Oh crap. I said that out loud. I think to myself.

"Um, I was wondering where Aden was. I haven't seen him lately." I avoid Collin's gaze because I know how he gets when I mention Aden. His mood completely changes and I can cut the tension in the room with a knife. Unfortunately, I am right again, his mood automatically changes, but this time it is different. 

Collin looks depressed and sad, but is quick to hide it from me. He pretends to act calm and normal, like we are having a regular conversation.

"I haven't seen him around either." Collin swallows and looks at me. His facial expression seems normal but in his eyes, which I have seen so many times, I can still see the sadness.

I am not sure what to say next but I know I am ready to change the subject. I open my mouth but Collin speaks up first.

"Are you two a thing?" he asks quickly. "Do you like him, Ella?"

His voice is what surprises me the most. I've never heard him sound like this before. Collin sounds so vulnerable.

For some odd reason, a lump forms in my throat and I can't say anything. What do I say? Are Aden and I a thing? We have kissed and I definitely felt something then but I do not know if you can call us a thing yet? Do I like him? I'm afraid to answer that one. I'm not so sure Collin would be happy about my answer.