Convergent

Chapter 15

It's been a month since we were officially initiated into dauntless. I've been able to settle into my new life, with only a few bumps in the road. Max has stopped invading my every thought and dreams about two and a half weeks ago. I finally worked up the courage to take up Connor on his incessant asking for a date. Coincidentally, Tomorrow Candor said they would hold a trial against Max for the rape. I just wanted tomorrow to be over, I never wanted to see, hear or talk about him again.

"Lizzie? Are you even listening?" Olivia stabbed my arm with the back end of a make-up brush. I guess I had spaced out.

"Yeah, Of course I was." I lie and look into the mirror at the make-up she painted on my face."

"No you weren't", She finished my eye shadow and went to my eyeliner next, "I said to stop thinking about tomorrow. Once you're under the truth serum they have and everything comes out, They'll fault him and they'll deal with him. Just have fun tonight Lizzie, It's just you and Connor. Maybe he'll kiss you!" She started giggling, meanwhile I was mostly excited, I was also scared. I knew wasn't going to hurt me, but I still felt like something bad was going to happen, but maybe that's just Max's way of still torturing me.

"Do I look alright?" I asked my best friend. I was in a black knee length skirt and a skin tight short sleeve shirt.

"Yes you look fine!" She put the last of my make-up on and ran one hand through my hair. "Connor isn't Max. No one is Max. Relax, you'll be fine." She comforts me and looks for a mirror, despite no longer living in Abnegation any more, I still hid a mirror and very rarely used it. Though I am free of that place, the rules I had grown up on still stuck with me for the most part. Before I could tell her where I keep the mirror. I heard a knock on my door and then Tobias opened the door.

"Your date is here, I already gave him the older brother talk, I think I got him shaking." He smirked and leaned against the door.

"Tobias, please don't, he's a friend." I think, I knew I liked him, maybe even more than a friend. I got up from my chair and walked past him. Olivia and Tobias following me to the living room where Connor stood by the door. Tris was standing by the couch. As soon as he saw me, his eyes lit up. I walked straight over to him and smiled awkwardly.

"You look nice." He looks at me and the corner of his mouth turned upward. I smiled and opened the door so we could leave.

"Have fun guys! Be careful." Tobias said goodbye and with that we were off on our first date.

"where are we going?" I ask Connor once we were down the hall.

"Since were finally members and allowed to wander outside. I figured we can get out of here to that park in the middle of the city." He smiles at me and tries to take my hand. I flinched at first but then let him hold it. I knew deep down that I was safe with him, "I won't hurt you Lizzie. You're safe with me." He reassured me and we kept walking.

We got to the park eventually. It was a place I haven't been since I was little. When I was little and naive about Marcus, he would take me here, usually we would just walk as I wasn't allowed to play with the other kids in other factions. However, I remember picking flowers and giving them to people, Marcus didn't mind that as that seemed to fit the Abnegation selflessness type. Connor led me to a blanket with a basket full of food.

"What's this?" I felt my eyebrow raise as I took a seat.

"A picnic." He smiles and starts pulling out some hamburgers and drinks, "I took some from the cafeteria. I hope this is alright."

"It's perfect." I take my hamburger and dig right in.

It was a good night. We ate and talked about our days, what jobs we were applying for. What other things we like. It was a good distraction from tomorrow. By the end of the night we ended up on top of a roof with a perfect view of the city. I leaned on the wall and looked out into the vast darkness. Connor stood next to me, his arms around me.

"Tonight was a good distraction from tomorrow, Thank you, Connor." I looked over at him. He was staring out at the city.

"Tomorrow is going to work out in your favor. Candor will see him for what he is, a monster. There's nothing to be afraid of." He turned his head to meet my gaze.

"I don't want to be in the same room as him Connor, I don't ever want to see him again." I mumble and looked away. He put his finger under my chin and moved my head to look at him.

"You have me. Four, Tris, Olivia and the rest of Dauntless there for you. Candor will punish him and you can go on with your life." He looks me in the eyes.

"I know, I'm glad for you guys. Thank you Connor." I spoke softly and quietly, my mind racing with thoughts about the next couple of days.

"I love you, Lizzie. I have since we became friends. You're incredibly strong, and not just physically, you're also kind and determined. I know you rejected me during initiation, but were officially members, I just want to know if you feel the same. If you don't feel the same, I'll understand. I'll always be your friend."

I was in shock, I knew he liked me, but I didn't realize how much. I knew I really liked him too. But with how much Max screwed me up. I don't know if I would be a good girlfriend to him. As speechless as I was, I just quickly leaned into him and pressed my lips to his and kissed him. He kissed me back with a sense of urgency and of course passion. Kissing him made me feel like I was on a cloud. It was like we were the only two people in the city. We were both gasping for air by the time we pulled away. Despite our heavy breathing we were both smiling like idiots.

"well I know your answer." He chuckled and smiled at me. I just blushed and looked back out at the night sky.

"I'm sorry, I...I..." I stuttered but he only took my hand and pulled me close to him.

"No need to be sorry." He chuckled, "I liked it. I should probably get you back home to your brother before he kicks my ass." He led me back down the steps. He just held my hand and walked back to dauntless. He walked me to the door of Tobias' apartment and kissed me goodnight, "I'll see you tomorrow, everything will be okay." He took a step away and headed down the hallway to his own apartment.

"Connor?" I called out to him before he was too far away.

"Yeah Lizzie?" He turned around and looked at me.

"I love you too." I smile at him and hurried inside before I could see his reaction.

Tobias and Tris were still up on the couch waiting for me.

"Have fun?" My brother turned his head to look at me as I walked over to the couch

"Yes, it was really nice. We had fun. I'm going to go get some sleep so I'll be ready for tomorrow. Night guys!" I start to take off to my room.

"Wait a second." Tobias stopped me in my tracks, when I turned my attention back to him, he smiled weakly, "Things will work out tomorrow. By tomorrow Max will be factionless, and no longer a threat to you. Keep your head up, it'll all work out. Love you Lizzie."

I walked over to him and gave him a hug. I know, I have all of you guys there for me. I love you too Tobias." I said my goodnights and headed to my room. Though I felt like I was on cloud nine now, I know tomorrow I will end up in the deepest pits of hell.

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