Residual Consequences

Chapter 6

Dylan and I walk into the dining hall after dropping our bags off in my apartment. I have an idea about how my friends will react, but I'm still nervous. I take Dylan's hand and open the door. We walk through the line together. I get a hamburger and Dauntless cake. I make sure Dylan gets cake as well.

We take our trays and sit down across from Christina and Uriah. Zeke sits down on my other side. Christina raises her eyebrows at me when she sees Dylan and gives me a look that lets me know that we will be talking later.

"So," Uriah says in an attempt to break the silence, "what's going on outside the Factions?"

"Well, there's the attacks, but other than that not a whole lot is different," I reply.

I think the silence might be gone but then Tobias sits down across from Zeke and Jess sits down next to him. Dylan must be able to sense that I'm uncomfortable because he takes my hand under the table. He runs his thumb over my knuckles in a soothing motion. I smile at him in response and he smiles back.

"Are you excited about initiation?" Christina asks me. "We only have like five days left."

"Yeah, I guess it's kind of exciting," I say, but I'm not really excited since I'll have to spend all of my time with Tobias.

"I still have a hard time believing that it was us going through initiation just 5 years ago! I mean, so much has changed since then, but it really doesn't feel like 5 years ago!" Christina goes on.

"I know! I can't believe it. In some ways it feels like just yesterday and in others it feels like a lifetime ago," I respond.

"I know! It's so crazy! You know what? We should go work out before dinner. I know I could use some extra work before I have to teach initiates and it's always more fun with friends. What do you say?"

"Yeah, that sounds great!"

We agree to meet around 4:30 in the training room. I knew she'd find some way to separate us from everyone else so we can talk. I'm actually looking forward to telling her though. I know she'll be happy for me.

After lunch I show Dylan around the compound. I make sure he knows how to get around so that if I'm not with him he won't be totally lost. When I'm done giving him a tour it's almost time for me to go meet Christina. I quickly change clothes and head out.

"So, you and Dylan?" Christina asks as soon as the door closes behind me.

"Yeah, me and Dylan," I reply.

"Good for you, you moved on!" Christina walls over and sits down next to me while I tape my knuckles. "Tell me everything."

I tell her everything that has happened so far in our relationship, which isn't really much. We've made out and he took me out on a date. Now he's here and staying with me for two days. Christina is excited about all of it.

When we finally get off of the topic of my love life, Christina helps me catch up on what we're planning for initiation. While it's not going to be too different from our initiation, we are adding some workout routines into the mix. Christina helps me run through a few. Luckily I'm in good enough shape that I can run through the routines without struggling too bad. We agree to meet up again tomorrow so that we can run through the rest. I'm glad because the last thing I need is to look like an idiot in front of Tobias. When I'm with Christina I'm not too worried about looking dumb because she'll always be honest with me and help me fix it. All Tobias would do is judge me.

We walk to the dining hall sweaty and gross, but I feel great. There's something so rewarding about a good workout, especially one with friends. Dylan apparently managed to find his way to the dining hall without getting too lost because he meets us at the table. He's already eating and talking to Uriah about something. I think Uriah is trying to explain Candor or Dauntless to him when Christina and I sit down.