Dauntless Born

5. Looks Like Someone's Got a Crush

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~•~
Tris

Zeke hasn't been home much lately because of his initiate training, and as much as I hate to admit it, I really miss him. He can be so annoying sometimes, and he does get under my skin, but he's still my big brother.

Mom, on the other hand, has been especially emotional. She talks about how much she misses Zeke and how he seems to be growing up way too fast.

Tonight, Zeke invited Uriah and me and all of our friends out to celebrate his initiation. He mentioned he'd be bringing along a few of his initiate friends too, which had me wondering if I might see that mysterious boy with the deep blue eyes.

"Tris!" Uriah calls out, pulling me from my thoughts. "We're leaving in half an hour. Make sure you're ready."

"I can get ready in less than fifteen minutes," I reply, smirking at him.

"Sure, Ms. 'Oh, just one more thing I forgot!'" Uriah teases, mimicking my voice from last week in a high-pitched, exaggerated tone.

"Shut up," I say, folding my arms across my chest and trying to suppress a grin.

~•~

After sifting through my closet, I choose a sleek black long-sleeved cocktail dress with a sweetheart neckline.

As I glance at myself in the mirror, a smile lights up my face. I'm really happy with how the dress looks; I bought it a couple of weeks ago when I went shopping with Marlene.

I slip on my simple black flats and head to the bathroom to straighten my hair. Humming along to a song that was playing on the radio during breakfast this morning, I can't help but feel a flutter of excitement and nerves about Zeke's celebration. At sixteen, I know most of his friends will be eighteen, and the thought of being around them both thrills and intimidates me.

(A/N: in the real Divergent book, I'm aware that new initiates are sixteen, but I am switching it up for this story. I am changing it because the plot I'm creating would definitely appear more believable if Tris was older)

I gather my hair into a half-up, half-down ponytail after finishing up with the flat iron. I coat my eyelashes with my favorite mascara to finish up the look.

"I'm ready, Uriah!" I call out, my voice echoing through the hallway.

~•~

My flats clatter against the marble tiles as Uriah and I walk into the Dauntless Cafe, called 'The Shack'.

"Hey!" Zeke calls out, a wide grin breaking across his face. "You two finally made it."

Inside, the café buzzes with energy, Dauntless members scattered around the bar. I take a seat on one of the bar stools beside Marlene, grateful for the familiar face in the crowd.

"Hey, Uriah, Tris," Zeke introduces us to his friends, gesturing toward a striking girl with long blonde hair and a bright smile. "This is Mia."

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Shauna's scowl; I can sense her irritation from a distance.

Zeke continues the introductions, pointing to a boy with tousled dirty blonde hair, freckles, and vibrant green eyes. "This is Riko." Then, he gestures toward a tall figure with deep blue eyes. "And this is Four."

I can't help but feel a twinge of curiosity about the name "Four." Who names their kid after a number? It seems peculiar, but I shrug it off—there's likely a reason behind it. Despite my thoughts, the name suits him. He looks intimidating, almost formidable.

When our eyes meet, I feel an intense connection, as if he's trying to read my thoughts. The moment stretches thick with unspoken words, until he unexpectedly looks away.

A server approaches our group, jotting down orders as everyone calls out what they want.

"Want to share a tray of fries?" Marlene asks, breaking my train of thought.

"Yeah, that sounds good," I reply, relieved to have something to focus on.

Marlene calls out our order, and I notice a familiar warmth creeping up my cheeks as I catch a glimpse of Four's gaze lingering on me.

"Looks like someone's got a crush," Marlene whispers playfully, trying to tease me. "He's really hot."

I roll my eyes, trying to play it cool, even though I knew it was true. His strong jawline and unique features make him stand out in the crowd.

"That's ridiculous," I say in objection, but my heart races at the thought that he might actually like me.

Meanwhile, Mia and Zeke are deep in conversation at the end of the bar, and I can't help but notice Shauna glaring at the two. It's a tense situation, and I wish Zeke could see it too. I'm sure he has feelings for Shauna, but neither of them has the courage to admit it yet.

"She should just tell him," Marlene says with a sigh.

"I agree," I nod, wishing things could be simpler for them.

Our fries arrive, and the delicious aroma makes my stomach grumble. I realize I haven't had dinner yet, and the sight of them makes my mouth water.

I pop one into my mouth, savoring the salty crunch as Marlene and I dig in, our hunger taking over. The grease coats my fingers, and I know I'll need to wash my hands soon.

"I'm going to the bathroom real quick," I tell Marlene, rising from my seat.

I make my way toward the left entrance, heading into the bathroom. I scrub my hands thoroughly at the sink. I finish up and stroll out of the restroom. Suddenly, I collide with something solid and muscular.

~•~

Who do you guys think it is? Comment down below! I wanted to do a little cliffie to end chapter five :) Make sure to vote if you are enjoying the fanfic so far. Feel free to comment as well.

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-hx7680 <3