Split Apart

Chapter 6

I stood, rooted in place directly before Tobias. He made no move to conceal the worry on his face. From his expression I was sure that the blood had drained from my face. And his lips continued to move, forming words I could not hear. Another thing played in my ears.

We're expecting a baby.

Suddenly, the cheers erupting around me were finally heard. Tobias's questions were on my well being. And someone was calling my name.

I looked to where the voice came. Standing behind me with a weak smile was Christina. I stared into her eyes, hoping my questions reached her. If they did she sure didn't brother answering them.

"I'm sorry for not telling you." She began, her voice small compared to the Dauntless around. The room was beginning to quiet, but small conversations were popping up.

"When did this happen?" I said, hoping my real question showed in my eyes. Why did you let this happen? You're too young.

Somehow Christina understood the last part.

"I'm not too young." She said, scowling.

"Then, why didn't you tell me?" I said, a hint of accusation in my voice, but of what, I did't know.

"Because I knew you would react this way." She said, walking away to where Will stood near the entrance of the room. I watched as Will comforted her, a brief reminder of how much they cared for each other, how much they were in love. Something stung in my chest from the word. Love.

I knew I was staring too long at them. But as long as they did not turn to look back at me I would be alright. The scene of their consolation caused a wonder of emotions within me. Some I tried to decipher.

Something warm brushed my arm, sending tingles up my skin.

"Are you alright?" Tobias asked me. He must have been the one to touch me, to get my attention.

"I'm fine." I said, closing my eyes. I felt my hand being slipped between two others, making me dizzy from the contact. I opened my eyes to see that Tobias now held my hand.

"Why are you cold?" He asked, but his question held a double meaning. Why are you sad?

I took a moment to consider his question. I'm alone, I wanted to tell him. My family is somewhere else, my friends aren't like me, and the person I love the most might not return my feelings. After each word was thought, I realized I had said them aloud, quiet enough for only Tobias to hear.

Instead of giving me a sympathetic look, he grinned.

"You can't always be sure." He said. I understood in an instant that he was speaking of my last comment. His infectious expression began to spread to me.

"Do you want me to drop you off at your apartment, so you can go to sleep?" He asked, breaking the comfortable silence that had past between us. I nodded.

It wasn't until we reached my door that I realized Tobias hadn't released my hand. I inwardly smiled, my stomach starting to stir again. I missed the emotions he caused me when we touched. It was a reminder that not everything between us was lost. I hoped that the things that were would be found with time.

"Thank you for walking me back to my apartment." I rested my head against the door, counting the feet separating us. One foot. I stepped a bit closer just as I had done after my first simulation. He was just a boy that had walked me to my door.

He wasn't my instructor anymore. I'm older and so is he. This could be possible.

I stopped when I saw Tobias move forward. My heart beat was in my throat as our proximity lessened. It raced even as he leaned to my right side, next to my free ear.

"Goodnight, Tris." He said, his breath tickling my ear as he retracted his head. "I'll see you at breakfast."

The beat of my heart returned to normal, only skipping when Tobias smiled at me.

"Goodnight to you, too, Tobias." I said as he turned away to return to his own apartment.

I lulled myself to sleep that night with the memory of Tobias's hand in mine.