Dauntless High School

Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR

TRIS

Cheerleading practice ends half an hour earlier than football practice.  I take a quick shower and change back into my jeans, tank top, and pull on a hoodie.  I got down here a little later than the rest of the girls; just as we wrapped up practice, I saw Uriah get creamed pretty badly by Peter when blocking the new guy.  The attack was aimed at Four, and it was a dirty play, especially for practice.  I waited to make sure Uriah was alright before heading to the locker room with the other girls.

The locker room is nearly empty by the time I finish getting dressed; only Christina is left, and she stands at the mirror, still touching up her makeup.  She isn’t quite done, so I decide I may as well fix mine a little, too.  I do the bare minimum, as usual, and am still done before Chris, even though she’s been at it for ten minutes.

“You about done, Barbie?” I tease her.  

She rolls her eyes and snaps the cap back on her lipstick.  “I’m headed home,” she says.  “See ya tomorrow, babe.”  Chris has been jokingly calling me ‘babe’ ever since I kissed her for Al’s lame dare.  

We grab our bags.  Christina splits off from me to go to the parking lot, and I head out to the bleachers to I wait for Uriah.  He stayed over after we finished the prank last night, and I rode with him to school today.  There was no way I was taking my truck; we haven’t cleaned the bed yet after hauling all those animals.  Zeke and Uriah promised to clean it after practice.

I see Lauren sitting on the bleachers and Marlene a few rows up and at the other end of the bench.  Good.  I can’t stand Lauren and I don’t want to be anywhere near her.

Marlene smiles at me as I sit down.  “Hey!” I say.  “What are you doing here so late?”

“Al is giving me a ride home,” she says.  There’s no excitement in her voice; she’s only riding with Al because he lives a few blocks away from her.  The two hardly seem to have two words to say to one another, so I’m sure it’s awkward when Marlene rides with Al.

I glance at Lauren, and Marlene follows my gaze.  “I wonder who she’s after this time,” I say.

Marlene snorts.  “Could be anyone.  But, probably the new guy.  I can’t deny that he’s hot.”

She’s right, but I won’t be admitting it out loud.  Those eyes...  “Whatever,” I say.  “So long as she isn’t going after Uriah again, I don’t really care.”  Marlene keeps her eyes on the field and chuckles.  

Coach Amar blows his whistle and calls the team in.  Uriah and Zeke are together, Four sticking close by them, and Al is nearby.  As Coach talks to the players, I can’t hear what he’s saying, but I see Four grin and Zeke clap him on the shoulder.  Everyone gets up when they’re dismissed and Four tags along with Uriah and Zeke as they make their way to the bleachers.  When I glance at Marlene, she’s watching the three boys intently, following their every move.  Al follows a few steps behind.

“Hey, baby,” Uriah calls as they near us.  He tries to pull me to him when they reach Marlene and me but I put both hands on his chest and push him away.

“Eww!” I whine.  “You’re all gross and sweaty.  Go shower first!”  He plants a quick kiss on my lips anyway.

“Fine,” Uriah laughs.  “I’ll be back in ten.”  He turns and jogs toward the locker rooms.

“You hurry up, too, Al,” Marlene says.  “I’ve got so much homework today!  I’d like to get home soon.  If you don’t mind, I mean.”

Al nods.  “Okay.  See ya, Tris.”  He jogs off in the same direction Uriah did.

“Did you hear what Coach said?” Zeke asks us grinning from ear to ear.  I shake my head.  “Four knocked Peter down to second string.”