How Allegiant Should Have Ended

Chapter 21

Tobias:

My heart's beating so hard it feels like it's going to pop out of my chest. I'm in the back room of the Church with Zeke lecturing me on what a great best man he is. I stopped paying attention five minutes ago, and he knows that, so now he's just talking to himself.

In less than five minutes, I will walk onto the altar, with Zeke following me. Christina will walk out of the double doors and stand across from him. Then, the doors will open again, and Tris will walk out. We've been over this ten times at the rehearsal ceremony, but something about this time is different, it's real.

"Okay buddy, show time," says Zeke.

"Wait, what?" I say. "I thought we still had five minutes!"

"We did," he says. "Five minutes ago. C'mon Four, let's go."

I don't move. I just stand there. I'm not ready. I've been waiting five months for this moment, and I'm not ready. My hands are shaking and I make the mistake of looking up at Zeke.

"You okay?" he says.

"No," I sigh. "I'm just so nervous. I mean, I'm getting married today! Do you even know how scary that is?!"

"No, I don't," he says. "But I know that you can do this! It took guts to propose to her, and if you can do that, then you can certainly do this. Besides, you're a dauntless legend! You can do anything!"

I stifle a laugh. He always knows how to cheer me up. "Thanks, Zeke."

"My pleasure," he says. "Are you ready now?"

"Yes," I say, because I am.

***

The wedding march plays as Zeke and I make our way onto the altar. In the audience, are many familiar faces of our friends and family. About seventy people total, a small amount for a wedding. Neither one of my parents showed up. I don't know why they would. And Tris's parents were obviously not among the crowd. Caleb's going to be walking her down the aisle.

The doors open. Christina walks down the aisle with a bouquet of flowers. Zeke pats me on the back. "You got this, buddy," he whispers.

Christina stands across from Zeke, like we rehearsed, and gives me a reassuring smile. I smile back.

The doors open again. I turn my head and see Caleb. Walking to him from the right, is the bride. My bride. Tris.