You And Me Against The World | ✅

Chapter 58

I'm waiting patiently for everyone to arrive in the conference room of the Hub. It has been a week since I presented my proposal to the council regarding the ex-Dauntless. They had the whole week to study the files I've sent them and make up their minds.

One by one every member of the council enters the room, sitting down in their usual spot. By the time everyone is seated I look around to see if I can make out based on their facial expressions if they will accept or deny my proposal.

Unfortunately, they all keep straight faces. Almost all of them. There is one who smirks at me, like he already knows my proposal will be rejected. Marcus. I glare at him but soon turn my attention to Jack who asked me a question.

"Come again?" I ask. He chuckles.

"I said, are you nervous?" he repeats.

"A little bit. I really want this to work out. The way these people were forced to leave the faction was unfair. It's not like they didn't fit in, they were bullied out."

"I know what you mean," he says giving me a small smile.

"May I ask how you will vote?"

"Can't you guess?" he asks grinning. I let out a sigh and I hear Jonah clear his throat, indicating that we will start now.

"Good morning," he says and some reply. "Before we start our regular meeting I have to remind you that last week council member Tris Prior presented a proposal. All of us have received the necessary documentation to study and evaluate this matter," he says and many of them nod their heads. "After studying the files, I hope you came to a decision. Let us vote if the five ex-Dauntless members are allowed to return to their faction." The vote is anonymous, therefore we all right down a "yes" or "no" or even "undecided" on a piece of paper. Every piece is put in a glass bowl and after the last person lets his vote fall on the pile Jonah and Michael start sorting them out. It doesn't take them long but for me it seems like forever. The fact that Marcus Eaton keeps smirking at me like he already won, although I don't know what he would gain by this, makes me feel uneasy.

"We have sorted your votes," Michael starts saying and every pair of eyes is trained on him. "We have five that are undecided, ten who voted no and fifteen who voted yes. This means the council accepts council member Tris Prior's proposal. Congratulations," he says and smiles warmly at me. I spare a glance toward Marcus and I can see disbelief and anger flashing his face, but he keeps his cool. I fight back the triumphant grin and turn my attention back to Jonah who started talking about something else.

For the next three hours, we discuss the remodeling project of the Navy Pier. The fact that the park near the pier received such high praises from all the citizens encouraged us to do more in the city, especially the non-faction areas.

By 12.30 p.m. we leave the conference room and I offer to drive my dad and Jack back to their homes. Now that I'm finally in my car I can smile and be happy that they accepted my idea. This is more than just a small victory, this is a precedent. Showing the council that there are alternatives to make our lives better is more effective than any speech. Someone once said actions are louder than words. I understand now what that means.

"You seem happy," Jack says from the backseat.

"Looks can be deceiving," I say but my smile widens.

"I hope you know what you are doing," my dad says and I look at him.

"I hope so too. But it's the right thing to do. I'm sure of it," I say confidently. "You guys hungry? Wanna come over for lunch?" I ask them.

"Thank you, sweetheart, but your mother waits for me. Maybe some other time," my dad says smiling.

"Alright. What about you Jack?" I ask looking in the rearview mirror.