Split Apart

Chapter 4

I stared at him, wondering why he was here. He could have been waiting for his date from what it looked like, but Christina had invited our initiate class, which could have included our instructors.

In spite of there being a second reason, the former provoked a deep ache within me. Almost as if he could feel the sensation consuming me, Four turned to where I stood. As he took in my appearance, I did the same. He wore a light jacket paired with a black t-shirt under. It seemed similar to that of which he would where whenever I saw him near the pit when he was not on duty.

His attire confirmed my suspicion of his true reason for appearing here.

My thoughts vanished when his eyes met mine with an unreadable meaning.

The threatening room slipped away and it was only us. Our shared gaze was the only thing, I thought, that prevented us from falling into the black abyss the world around us had escaped into. Even after that, I believed, our transparent figures would have stayed standing. It was these thoughts that brought me satisfaction at the idea that I was one of the things he relied on to keep himself collected.

Unfortunately, our connection broke when Four turned away. I could feel the frown that tugged down on the corners of my lips when I saw that it was a girl who had tapped on Four's shoulder. Though this was no ordinary girl.

It was Christina.

My worries disappeared at the realization of this for I knew Christina had Will. This also gave me a chance to speak to Christina on her decision to invite our initiate class. And, if I was fortunate, a minute to talk to Four about what had just happened.

With all the courage I could gather up, I walked toward Christina with my hands folded in front of me. It looked as though the conversation was going nowhere when I had joined them. They both immediately turned and greeted me with more looks of awe.

"You look amazing!" Christina exclaimed grabbing my hand and lifting it above my head, making me twirl. "Don't you agree Four?"

Christina looked at Four for a response and once she released me I looked at Four as well. It took him a moment to answer.

"You look gorgeous."

I could feel the blush creeping up to my face as I looked down at my feet.

"Thank you." I said, looking at him from under my lashes to see the corners of his mouth quirk up. A comfortable silence passed before Christina piped in.

"I'll go talk to Will, while you two try to mingle with others." She excused herself.

"Okay." Both Four and I said, simultaneously. I looked up at him and saw he was looking at me, but had an a far look in his eyes.

"Did Christina invite you?" I asked him, interrupting his reverie. He glanced at me before speaking.

"No, I just came to help her decorate." He explained. "Your not the only one that's short."

A gave him a well deserved glare that he brushed off with an amused smile. I was angry at his remark, but I couldn't help to feel relieved. This flood of relief made me remember what had happened before.

"Four, can I talk to you?" I questioned him, which he replied to with a nod. "Outside?"

The last part confused him for a bit, but he complied.

We exited the gigantic room and strolled away from the decreasing number of dauntless, toward the end of a hallway. I swallowed the knot that had developed in my throat. It threatened to choke me.

I turned around to look up at Four, who loomed like the room we had just left, but there was no way to escape him.

"Four-" I began, but he abruptly cut me off.

"I need to ask you something, Tris." His voice was soft, though I could sense how important his question would be, so I nodded, the deadly knot returning.

With a smile he spoke his urgent question that left me speechless.

"Would you be willing to join me for breakfast tomorrow?"