A Different Divergent: Everyday Love

21

Chapter 21

Within minutes we're all on the train, bright eyed and slightly breathless, the atmosphere in the gently rocking car electric. It's been such a rough week for me and Tobias that we really need not only the distraction but the fun. He is keeping me close, his hands resting low on my hips. As a matter of fact, with the exception of running to catch the train, he's had one or both of his hands on me in some fashion since we were at that ancient parking structure working on our differences. I guess he's craving intimacy right now just as much as I am. I lean up and brush my lips against his neck and he looks down at me.

"You read for this?" he asks.

"I am," I say.

"Remember, you don't have to do anything you don't want to do," he says and I know he's referring to the drinking. We've enjoyed wine a couple times with dinner but I've never drank anything stronger, and I'm a bit nervous and a little intrigued. I've always wondered what it tastes like.

"I'm going to take a drink just like everyone else," I say. "It's no big deal."

"That's the spirit," he says.

"How long will this take?" I ask, looking around the crowded car.

"It really depends on where the dares take us. I've played with less people than this and it went all night long but then again I've played with more and it only lasted a few hours." He lowers his voice and says, "Why? You in a hurry to get somewhere else?" I coquettishly smile up at him as I wrap my hand around his neck and pull his mouth to mine. I immediately thrust my tongue between his moist, parted lips and make love to his mouth. I soon pull away, not letting the kiss deepen and see his eyes dilated with desire. "This is going to be a long night." Yes, it is.

"Hey! I'm only going to say this once so listen up," Zeke calls out, gaining the attention of the entire car. "The game is dare. The first person picks someone and gives them a dare. You can't refuse and you can't trade, you have to do that dare."

"So if you're a pansycake you can leave right now," Uriah says.

"Hey, idiot!" Zeke roughly pops his brother on the back of the head. "Did I say you could speak? I begged Mom and Dad for a guinea pig but no they had to give me you instead." He disgustedly shakes his head while glaring at his brother who pouts as he rubs the back of his head while the rest of us snicker. "I don't need any help. Sorry for the interruption. Where was I? Oh, yeah. The person who is going to do the dare takes a drink from the sacred dare flask then does the dare." He holds up a large silver flask that's seen better days and wiggles it back and forth. Tobias clears his throat and Zeke says, "Right, drinking is no longer mandatory, and recklessness will not be tolerated or this night will end a hell of a lot earlier than anyone wants it to. Once the dare is done that person picks their target and so one. The night is done when everyone has done a dare – or died trying."

"Has someone actually died playing this game?" Al's doppelganger asks, his pitch that of a squeaky teenage girl. Laughter erupts in the car but I notice it's only coming from the experienced players and those born in Dauntless.

"No one has ever lost their life during a game of dare but believe me, with some of the dares I've witnessed, people have tried to kill themselves or others," Shauna says. "With that in mind, let's have fun tonight and let's get everyone home in one piece."

"Bruises, scrapes, and broken bones are highly acceptable though," Uriah says as he chuckles maniacally, and I can't help but roll my eyes. He must already be drunk or well on his way.

"All right, let's get this show on the road," Zeke says. The excitement already running through the car like an undercurrent explodes and everyone cheers. "Since I'm the keeper of the flask now, I'll go first." His eyes scan the crowd, and they momentarily land on Tobias with a mischievous glow, which doesn't surprise me but then he looks away, which does. I thought his mission in life was to torment my husband. "Ana."