Dreaming

Chapter 8

Tris's POV:

I run up to the Tattoo parlor, trying not to be late on my first day. I see Christina walking in and attempt to call her name. It ends up coming out as a strangled breath. But, she still turns around. She runs up to me and I throw myself into her arms before my legs give out. It's been a while since I've run up a flight of stairs and through a long hallway without stoping. I really need to work out with Tobias before Choosing Day rolls around. After Christina lets go of me, Tori also gives me a hug. I'm still not big on giving hugs, but my close friends are the only exception.

"Welcome ladies!" Tori leads us to an enclosed room. "This is our break room." The room is dim lit with the walls painted a dark shade of grey. There's a microwave on the counter, cabinets above it, and a fridge. There's also a small table with five chairs pushed in.

"Cool," Christina whispers. I look around the room even though there's not much to see.

"Come on," we follow Tori out of the break room and into the parlor."For the first few months, Bud will be teaching you how to use the needle and ink. It might be hard at first, but I'm sure you'll get the hang of it."

• • •

"Ahh, my hand hurts so much, Tris!" I laugh as Christina struggles with finishing her first 'assignment'. Bud began teaching us minutes after Tori finished showing us everything else. Once he taught us the basics, the first thing we were to draw was a simple heart and arrow.

"Stop complaining, Christina. This is what you signed up for, literally." She pouts and continues working on the heart and arrow.

Once were finally done, Christina claps excitedly, jumping up and down. I swear sometimes she's just a 5 year older trapped in a 16 almost 17 year old body. Bud congratulates us and so does Tori.

"Wow, didn't think you guys would be this good with just the basics. This is perfect. Wow, imagine what you could do with more practice and more techniques!" Tori sounded genuinely happy to have us work with her and Bud. After learning a few more techniques and practicing them, it was time for lunch break. I had completely forgotten about lunch until Bud even mentioned that he's starving. Then I remember about Tobias.

"Come on!" Christina is still working on the tattoo."You asked me to wait for you, but if you don't hurry up, I'm leaving." I state, crossing my arms. She huffs, putting down the needle and follows me to the cafeteria.

We're moving so slow, by the time we get into the cafeteria, most of the tables are already taken, but my eyes find Tobias almost immediately. I see him and smile.

I forget about Christina being with me and walk quickly to the table where Lynn, Marlene, Zeke, and Uriah are also seated at. I sit in between him and Marlene.

"Wow, couldn't even wait!" Christina throws her arms in the air and sits next to Uriah, who's across from me. I giggle leaning on Tobias.

"How was your very first day?" He grabs a muffin and begins nibbling at it. I follow his actions.

"Pretty good! But I think Christina's better at the whole art thing than me." I mock her. She was struggling with her first tattoo and her second one, constantly messing up. She flings a piece of bread at my face.

"Shut up! I kept messing up and you just laughed at me!" She crosses her arms and pouts.

"Aww!" Will comes and hugs her from behind. "My baby looks so cute when she's flustered!" She blushes furiously not taking her eyes off me.

"Thank god you and Tris aren't all lovey-dovey
with each other." Zeke stuffs his face with all sorts of food. "That would totally make me barf on a daily bases!" He gags exaggeratedly, crumbs of wet food flying out in the process. Shauna sits next to him, slapping his back, rather harshly.