Residual Consequences

Chapter 12

I wake up earlier than normal, but I can't go back to sleep. I keep thinking about Evan and everything that happened last night. It seemed like we could actually make a good couple, but even if he did ask me out I'm not sure that I could jump into a relationship after everything that happened with Tobias.

I finally force myself to get out of bed and take a quick shower before I get dressed. I decide to dress casual since I'm not going to be in meetings or anything. I realize as I'm getting dressed that I'll have to stop by the training room to tell Tobias I won't be there today. I groan to myself. I rush out of my apartment so I can tells Tobias and get breakfast before I'm supposed to meet Tori and Evan.

I walk into the training room and stop dead in my tracks. Evan is standing at one of the punching bags, lost in the rhythm of his attack on the bag. He doesn't notice I'm here. Watching him I can't believe I never realized how good looking he is before today. Suddenly I'm jolted out of thought when the door closes. Evan quickly turns to look at the door and sees me standing there.

"Hey, what's up?" he asks.

"I just came by to tell Four I can't help with initiation today, but he's not here. I'll just come back later," I reply.

"Or you could hang out until he gets here and we could walk to Tori's office together," Evan suggests.

"Yeah, I'd like that."

I sit down on the bench near the door and Evan sits down beside me. He's really sweaty but he still smells good. He smells kind like something kind of bitter but still clean. It's like a mix of metal and leather. His light brown hair is wet with sweat and sticking up in places from where he ran his hands through it. The front is hanging limp though so it touches his forehead. He turns to look at me and smiles. I smile back and can't help but notice how green his eyes are. He really is good looking.

"So, do you all beat the crap out of punching bags for fun in your spare time?" Evan asks.

"No, we hang out and play games and stuff. Some of the more intense members get lots of tattoos and piercings. Others go to parties and get drunk. I stick to hanging out with my friends. We also play Candor or Dauntless," I reply.

"What on earth is Candor or Dauntless?"

"You all have a version of it at the Bureau, but you call it truth or dare. It's like that."

"Then why don't you just call it truth or dare?" Evan laughs.

"Because it doesn't sound as interesting if we call it that! Besides, if we did call it truth or dare we couldn't confuse outsiders like you! Which, admittedly, wasn't a part of it until recently, but it's still fun!" I reply, also laughing.

I tell him about past games of Candor or Dauntless and we laugh about dares. His laugh is infectious and makes me laugh more. I'm telling him about this one time when Zeke dared Uriah to dance in the middle of the Pit when the door opens and Tobias walks in. I suddenly stop talking and laughing.

"Am I interrupting something?" Tobias asks coldly.

"Not really, I just needed to tell you that I can't help with the initiates today. I have to work on stuff with Tori and Evan," I tell him.

"Fine. It's not like it's the first time I've trained initiates by myself."

I awkwardly say goodbye and then leave with Evan. We quickly go by the cafeteria to get breakfast. I grab a bowl of some kind of sugary cereal and a cup of coffee. Evan gets a chocolate muffin and an apple. We then hurry to Tori's office.