Roommates

Under the Bridge

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE: Under the Bridge

Tris

Early March

I rush up the stairs to my American History class. It is on the third floor, so it's faster to just take the stairs than wait for the elevator. Tobias forgot to set his alarm last night, and somehow we both slept through mine, so I'm running late this morning. Class began five minutes ago.

I'm a little out of breath when I finally reach the classroom door- this building is farther from the dorms than any of my other classes, and I ran all the way here. I pause to finger-comb my hair- it was windy outside this morning and I didn't take the time search for the beanie I often wear outside in the mornings- before quietly opening the door to the classroom. I barely stifle my groan when I see that my usual seat is filled. The only empty seat... is directly next to Eric; Christina sits on his other side.

He locks eyes with me as I quietly make my way to the desk and sit down, my cheeks burning with embarrassment at the attention that comes with walking into a classroom mid-lecture. At this point, I'm wishing I had just skipped this class today. I tear my eyes from his gaze as I walk past him and slouch down in my seat.

Halfway through the class, the instructor's phone rings. "I'm sorry class," she says. "I have to take this. Just talk amongst yourselves until I return." She turns her attention back to her phone. "Yes, this is Melody's mother," she answers the call as she steps out of the classroom, shutting the door behind her.

The room quickly fills with the din of a dozen conversations. I pull out my phone and open Instagram, but I feel someone's eyes on me. I glance up and see that Christina is talking to someone on her phone, and Eric staring at me. "What?" I snap.

"Nothing, Tris," he mutters, looking down and frowning.

I roll my eyes and proceed to ignore him, but I can still feel his penetrating gaze off and on until the teacher enters the room again and resumes the lecture.

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I have been watching the clock for the past half-hour as it inches closer and closer to the time that marks the end of my shift at the cafe. There's really no reason for me to be so anxious to get out of here since Tobias won't finish work for another hour. I can take advantage of that schedule gap to get some homework done, though.

Only five minutes left. I smash down the nearly overflowing trash in the can under the counter and tie off the top. Before taking it out back to the dumpster, I set the full bag on the floor and double-line the can.

It is on my way back in from the dumpster that I hear Tori. "Can I help you?" she says. I can't yet see her or the counter around the corner, but her voice is unusually cold and razor sharp.

I hear him before I see him. Eric. "Yeah, I'll take a caramel macchiato," he says. "And a hazelnut latte."

"I hope you're not here to see-" Tori starts, but Eric catches sight of me and interrupts her.

"Tris!" he calls. His eyes don't match the smile on his face. I know him well. He's nervous, and that makes me nervous. I'm also wondering who the drink is for; he's alone at the counter, and I don't see Christina anywhere.

I cautiously approach the counter. "Eric," I say guardedly.

Tori huffs as she cashes Eric out and hands him his change. She shoots me a warning look as she moves to the espresso machines to make his drinks. I sigh.