Those Five Words

9.

Chapter 9

FOUR POV

I wake the next morning to Charlie jumping up and down on my bed.

"What are you doing?" I moan. I hate being woken up and Charlie has so much energy.

"Four are you leaving today?" she asks.

"No I couldn't leave you Charlie," I say.

"Are you sure? You're not going to leave me like mummy did?" she asks with tears in her eyes.

"No Charlie I am staying. Plus you have a better mummy now. Sasha loves you lots you know," I say.

"I know and I'm going to be a big sister soon, just like you're my big brother," Charlie says, now with a smile on her face. I can see where Charlie and I are alike. We both seem to jump from one emotion to another quite quickly.

"That's right. You will have to look after our little brother or sister and give them lots of cuddles, just like I do for you," I say. The one person I don't mind touching me is Charlie. I am fine with dad and mum but Charlie is the only one I will willing let close to me.

Charlie jumps into my arms and I give her a big cuddle, "do you want to get some breakfast?" I ask.

"Yes, let's go. Mum and dad are waiting for us," Charlie says.

I get out of bed and give Charlie a piggy back ride into the kitchen where mum and dad are sitting eating breakfast.

"You ready for today son?" dad asks me.

"I guess," I say. I don't have a problem with choosing I know where I want to be. It's the ceremony that I am having trouble with. What if he is there? What if he recognises me? What if. My thoughts are broken by my dad putting his hand on my shoulder.

"Stop worrying about it. I doubt he will be there. Dauntless are officiating this year. So I will be there for you the whole time," dad says.

"Who won't be there daddy?" Charlie asks.

"Never you mind pumpkin. Are you going to go and stand at the net with mum so you can say hi when we get back?" dad asks Charlie.

"No, I'm going to Becky's house to play. I know Four is coming back, he promised he wouldn't leave me," she says.

Dad laughs at this. I know he has been worried about my decision. Not that he doubts that I love Dauntless. I think it's just with everything that has happened over the years he is nervous that I may change my mind. I see his shoulders relax a little as Charlie mentioned those words.

"Well you better go get ready Four. We are meeting Zeke and Amar at the train tracks in half an hour," dad says.

I get up and walk into my bedroom. I am going to miss this room. I wonder what type of apartment I will get when I finish initiation. I am going to miss living with my family. Probably not first thing in the morning. I won't miss Charlie jumping on my bed in the morning but I will miss her giggles as she runs through the house.