Dauntless High School

Chapter 22

TRIS

I dash through the hall toward the back doors leading to the fields, slowing down when I pass a teacher then hurrying my pace again. I usually go straight from gym class to my after school cheer practice, but today I had to meet with Mr. Porter about my physics grade. I failed another test. Mr. Porter gave me a few extra-credit assignments to bring up my grade, but I would have to ace every test and assignment for the rest of the semester to bring my grade up from its current low D to the B-average Dad is demanding.

I also met with Tori this morning. I still have no idea what I would like to do with my life, and the meeting was unproductive. I know she's on my side and wants to help me, but my only option is to get a tutor and it makes me nervous to let some random student see just how pathetic my grades have become... and how far behind I am in understanding the concepts in all my classes. I could always ask Will, as Tori suggested, and I told her I would think about it. If the thought of a near stranger knowing of my failures wasn't horrifying enough, letting my friends know about it might be even worse... especially the smart, hard-working ones like Will and Four.

When I go outside to the practice fields, the football players are scrimmaging and my cheerleading squad is practicing stunts. I had better hurry up and get over there; I'm the captain of the team and really should be there to give direction when we do this stuff.

I'm on my way there when I hear Lauren shout out, "Four!" The football players have just stopped for a quick water break, and Four turns when he hears his name.

My mouth drops open when I realize which trick Lauren, Maria and Skylar are about to practice. "Lauren, don't!" I call out. I don't like Lauren one bit, but that doesn't mean I want to see her get hurt. None of the three girls are experienced enough for the flip she's about to attempt.

But I'm too late. I gasp and cover my mouth with my hand as I watch Skylar misjudge Lauren's landing and I hear the sickening crack when Lauren lands on the side of her ankle, and the ear-piercing scream that follows.

I break into a run. Four and a few other boys beat me to her. Lauren is holding her ankle in her hands, still screaming, tears streaming down her face.

"Damn it," I hiss. I can see just by looking at Lauren's ankle that the bone is no longer in the straight line it should be. I have no doubt that she's broken it pretty badly.

Coach Amar jogs over. "Can someone drive her to the hospital?" he bellows. Half a dozen of the boys' hands shoot into the air, and I notice with satisfaction that none of the boys from our group are among them.

But then Lauren says in a shaky voice, "Can you take me, Four?" And then she bats her eyelashes. You've got to be kidding me. Even with a broken leg she won't let up with the flirting!

"Take her for medical attention, Four," Amar demands.

"Yes, sir," Four mumbles.

Then Amar looks to me. "Tris, I think you'd better go see Ms. Graham." I hold back my annoyed groan. Ms. Graham doesn't come to many of our practices as I am supposed to be in charge, but officially, she's the advisor/coach for our cheer team. Only because the school requires that there be a staff member technically in charge of any school club or team. This is a hassle I really didn't need right now, and all because Lauren wanted to show off for the new quarterback.

Four picks her up bridal style and Lauren lays her head on his shoulder, still in pain but looking content at the same time. I get a headache to deal with, especially since I wasn't there to direct practice, and now Lauren is still getting what she wanted: attention from Four, I think bitterly.