Count On Me

The Morning After

So far this story has been entirely from Tris POV, but that is about to change right now. We're going to get to hear from a couple other characters in the next chapters. The POV will be indicated next to the date at the top of the scene. Don't forget to vote and if you want to comment...I would love to hear what you're thinking.  :)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2014 | 10:05 AM | ZEKE

Tris is sitting at a table in the back corner of the Starbucks when I walk in. I'm a couple minutes late. I see that she has a cup in her hand and another sitting at the table, so I skip the line and weave between the tables to meet her.

"Iced Americano, right?" she says when I sit down. "Two creams and six sugars?"

"You've got a good memory," I smile at her. She and I had run through a Starbucks drive-thru on our way back from the airport nearly a week ago, but I hadn't expected her to be paying any attention.

Tris shrugs. "I'm observant." She looks down and fiddles with the straw wrapper for her chai tea, flattening it with her thumb then slowly folding it into a small, fat triangle. Tris had texted me about an hour ago asking for my help, but she wouldn't tell me what she needed me to do for her. Said she'd tell me when I got there. And she asked me not to mention it to Uri.

It felt weird making excuses to my brother so that I could go and see his girl, or his best friend, or whatever the hell they are. They seem so close, I don't know what she could possibly be about to tell me that she doesn't want him to know. And she's still not speaking. Seems I'll have to drag it out of her.

I clear my throat. "So... this is nice and all, Tris, and as much as I would love to hang out with you... I'm catching a plane in eight hours so... mind telling me why we're here?"

Tris keeps her eyes on that straw wrapper, smoothing it out only so she can fold it up once again. But at least this time she speaks. "Well um, I think you know what happened between Uriah and me the other night..." She glances up at me, her cheeks turning pink.

"You slept with my brother," I say. Her cheeks turn from pink to red now. "It's not a big deal, Tris. No judgment here. What, are we here for the whole advice thing?"

"Um, no," she says slowly. "It's, um... you see..." she stutters. I sit back in my chair and wait patiently, she's obviously embarrassed and I don't want to make it worse. "I don't think we, um... I don't think we used... protection."

My eyes practically bug out of my head. I can't believe my brother would do something that stupid. Have I taught him nothing?!

"I don't know for sure," she mumbles. "I was really drunk, I don't remember that much. But I don't remember, um..." She buries her face in her hands.

Of course they would be that stupid. Hell, I know there was one night that I was that stupid myself, right after Dad told us about his diagnosis. It was a girl from school, and she took Plan B, but I was still nervous for weeks after till I finally gathered up enough courage to ask her. Had to go get tested for STDs, too, just in case.

What they need right now is not a lecture. People do stupid things when they are grieving. But remembering when I made the same mistake, I realize what Tris needs. I even realize why she chose this particular Starbucks: there's a pharmacy across the parking lot.

"Plan B," I say. "You need the morning after pill."

Tris's shoulders relax as she nods. "Yes. I'm not old enough to buy it over-the-counter. I have the cash, but... can you...?"

"Yeah, yeah, of course. Will it still work? It's been..."

"A little less than 36 hours," she finishes for me. "They say within the first 72 hours, but the sooner the better."