♘ Be Brave ♘

XCVIII

I head to the greenhouse, forcing myself not to run. Don't drop Cassandra, don't drop Cassandra. Once we're inside, I reluctantly put her down, and we walk hand in hand to the table where Johanna is seated at. She looks up when she hears us come up to her. "Cassandra Reyes, what are you doing here?" Cassandra's smile falters, and I squeeze her hand.

"Sorry, ma'am, it's my fault. I dragged her over here because I had something to tell her. Um, I mean, tell you. Both of you." Johanna leans forward. "Yes?" In response, Cassandra lifts her hand up. "I'm getting married!" Johanna blinks. "What?" I grin. "I asked your daughter to marry me, and, surprisingly, she said yes."

Johanna's eyes widen. "Oh, sweetheart, that's great!" Johanna gets up and reaches over to hug both of us at once. "I just can't believe it. My little girl's getting married!" Cassandra laughs. "I'm not so little anymore." Johanna sighs. "Don't remind me. Have you set a date yet?"

Cassandra glances at me expectantly. "How about now?" Johanna chuckles. "You're joking, right?" I shake my head. "No. Not really." Johanna rolls her eyes goodnaturedly. "You can't be serious. We need time to prepare everything!"

I try not to let my annoyance show. "How long." Johanna is silent for a moment. "A week." She must have seen the look on my face, because she says, "Five days." Too long. "Three." Johanna sighs. "Deal." I grin.

"Thanks, Mrs. Reyes." Johanna hold her hand up. "Call me Johanna. Now, would you be so kind as to leave us so that we can discuss Cassandra's gown? It's bad luck to let the groom look at or even picture the dress before the actual ceremony."

Cassandra turns to roll her eyes at me. "Go, or she'll change her mind and make us wait a year to get married." I laugh. "See you soon." I give Johanna one last hug and leave the greenhouse. All good things to those who wait.

Before I know it, three days have gone by, and I'm standing in Matthew's room, having him fix my tie. "This is it." Matthew smiles. "Yep. You nervous?" I smirk. "No, of course not. It's not like I'm getting married or anything." Matthew laughs.

"Very funny." I put on my suit jacket, then turn to face him. "Is everyone coming?" I asked Matthew to invite the entire Dauntless community. Like it or not, they'd soon become my fellow faction members. Cassandra's too, I remind myself.

Matthew would make sure of it. Even though I'd already forgiven him, I was still grateful about the deal I'd made with him weeks earlier. I wanted Cassandra by my side for the rest of my life, and the only way to assure that was to be certain that she wouldn't be kicked out.

I ignore the guilt starting to gnaw at me and focus on my upcoming wedding instead. "Yeah." I grin. "Good, because Lauren would probably stab me in the back if I didn't let her be there." Matthew slaps me on the back. "Well, time to go, son."

Stop stalling, I tell myself. "You're right. Let's go." Matthew stares at me for a moment. "I'm proud of you, Four." I embrace him, and then head out to the train tracks alongside my dad. My real dad. I stop walking halfway out the door.

"Matthew, wait." He frowns. "What's wrong? Not getting cold feet, are you?" I shake my head. "No. I just have a question. Did you ever meet one initiate a few years ago named... David Reyes?" His face hardened. "Why do you ask?" I turn to face him. "He was Cassandra's brother. And... he committed suicide."

Matthew laughs bitterly. "He didn't kill himself. He was murdered." I knew it. "What? Why?" He glances around, probably to make sure no one is within earshot. "I don't know who did it, exactly. But I know he had no reason to end his own life. Of all the initiates that year, he was one of the least hostile ones. He ranked first throughout the entire initiation, and he was very athletic. Very strong. When we started the fear simulation tests, he got out faster than any of the other transfers."