Residual Consequences

Chapter 3

I wake up to my alarm and groggily get out of bed. I wish I could sleep just an hour more but I have to go to work soon. I set a pot of coffee to brew and the hop in the shower. I put on a black pencil skirt, black button up shirt, a black blazer, and black heels. I figure it's better to be over dressed than under dressed. If it's too much I'll change during lunch. I finish getting ready and finish off the last of my cup of coffee before I leave. I eat an apple as I walk through the compound.

"Good morning, Tori," I say as I walk into the office area.

"Good morning, Tris," she replies. "You don't have any meetings today. You didn't have to dress up."

"Oh." I feel my face turn hot and Tori laughs.

"You didn't do anything wrong, I just want you to know that unless you have a meeting you don't have to dress up. You certainly can if you want to though."

"Well, if I don't have meetings then what am I doing today?" I ask, trying to change the subject.

"Well, for the first part of the day I'll be showing you around and getting you settled in. The rest of the day is yours to get used to some of the work you'll be doing here and to get set up in your office."

"Sounds good."

"Let's get started then."

—•—

I collapse onto my couch and kick off my heels after the long day of work. Nothing I did was particularly difficult, but I was busy all day. I stretch out but quickly realize that I won't be comfortable until I change. I throw on some comfortable clothes and lay down on the couch again.

I'm able to relax for a few minutes before someone starts banging on my door. I groan softly and contemplate ignoring it.

"Tris, I know you're in there!" the person on the other side calls. I sigh and force myself to get up.

"What is it Christina?" I ask.

"We need you in the training room to help plan initiation."

"Why are we planning this now? Don't we have like 2 weeks? And besides, what do we really need to change?"

"Tris, we have ten days until a herd of initiates is arriving. There are things that need to be changed and we will work on the schedule. We need your help."

"Give me a minute."

I grumpily change into workout clothes and make myself look at least halfway presentable. I had planned on staying in tonight, but it looks like that's not going to happen. When we leave my apartment Christina looks excited. I'm upset that I'm going to have to see Tobias again today. Things are still very awkward between us and I'd rather just avoid the whole situation.

"You look excited!" Christina says sarcastically as we walk down the hall toward the training room.

"Yep, I'm thrilled," I reply dryly.

"You could at least look like you're not dreading this."

"I could, but I don't want to."

"Why not?"

"Because I was planning on staying in for the rest of the night, not hanging out with my ex boyfriend."

"Point taken."

When we walk through the doors into the training room I see that Tobias has Uriah in a headlock and they're fighting. At first they seem not to notice us but then Uriah decides to drag me into it.

"Tris! Help me!" Uriah yells across the room.

"I'd rather not," I reply.

"Oh, come on! This is the perfect excuse for you to kick his ass for breaking up with you!" Uriah exclaims and I blush. Tobias takes advantage of Uriah's distraction and uses it to pin Uriah to the ground.