Second Chance [Four/Tobias]

One

ᴀᴠʏᴀɴɴᴀ

I peep out of the window of my car as I see the skyline.

On my sides are farms, growing edible plants.

After living for years in Europe, I decided it's about time I returned home. Former home, at least.

A lot has changed. Chicago became a little less polluted, a little more pure. I can feel it in the air.

The sun is just setting, spreading dull orange light everywhere.

My new house is near the north of the river. All the time in Europe and I want some nice change of scenery, a little away from buildings.

I parked the car and stepped out. The truck with all my belongings stopped behind me.

"Which floor, ma'am?" The man asked.

"First," I answered.

The ground floor was filled, so were the others.

I went before them and opened the door.
The apartment was empty- as it should be- with plenty of evening light coming through the windows.

I can see the far away vast stretch of buildings through one of them.

The movers helped me bring in the boxes. I still need to buy the furniture. I sold all my old ones in Europe.

I put each box in the respective room and sighed. Lot of unpacking to do.

There was a door opposite mine. One neighbour. Not so bad.

Two apartments per floor is a good decision.

I thought of knocking but I didn't have anything to give.

So I drove to the nearest supermarket, which happened to be Merciless Mart, making me laugh.

When I was here, Merciless Mart was a paradise to buy anything you wanted.

No bargains, but you get what you want.

Mike and I spent hours together here.

It was a flood of memories, making it bittersweet.

I bought a chocolate cake and went back to the apartment.

Good relationship with the neighbours is very important. I don't want to spend my time scowling at them.

With that, I knock on the door.

A man opens the door, a confused look on his face. He was tall with dark hair.

He....didn't seem very happy.

"Yeah?" He looked at me.

"Uh, I'm your neighbour." I gave him the cake. "Nice to meet you. I'm Avyanna."

"Tobias." He nodded and took it. "Nice to meet you too."

I nodded and he went in, closing the door behind him.

I stared at the closed door.

No 'Would you like to come in?', or such.

I shrug and go back to my own apartment.
--

ᴛᴏʙɪᴀꜱ

I bring the cake in. New neighbour, huh?

"Who was that?" Christina looks up from the TV.

We all were planning to get together kind of thing this evening and Christina was the first to come.

The others should be on their way.

"New neighbour, apparently," I shrug, putting the cake aside. "She gave us cake."

"Neighbour?" She raises an eyebrow.

"Remember that one opposite mine? Somebody moved in."

"Where is he?" She asked, looking behind me.

"It's a she. Also, why will she be inside?" I ask.

"Wait, she gave you that cake and you just closed the door?" She stared at me.

"Yeah?"

"Four, you have to invite her in!" She groans.

"Uh..." I stare at her.

She sighs and walks past me, outside.

I put the cake aside and follow her out as she knocks on the door opposite mine.

Christina knows things I don't. She is the closest to a best friend to me.

The girl from before opens the door, a surprised look on her face.

"Hi," Christina smiles. "I'm Christina. Nice to meet you."

"Hey, I'm Avyanna," The girl smiles, but she's still surprised.

"Tobias," I nod even though I told her before.

"Would you like to come inside?" Christina asks.

"Oh, your friend didn't seem so happy." She says and her eyes go wide immediately. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that."

Christina laughs. The Candor in her still appreciates straightforwardness without harshness.

Despite all these years, getting factions out of my mind didn't happen. But I'm learning.

"It's okay," Christina grins. "Tobias doesn't mind. Would you?"

She smiles but shakes her head. "Maybe next time, got some unpacking to do."

Christina looks at me. I can see it in her eyes that she likes this new person.

I raise my eyebrows. I don't understand what she wants to say.

She looks back at her, "Unpacking can wait." She pauses. "We have few others coming. It's a nice way to make friends."

"Very well, then." The girl, Avyanna, nods. "I'll see in you five?"

"Awesome. See you, Avyanna," Christina waves and pulls me back into the house.

"Tobias." She folds her arms and stares at me.

"What?" I ask.

"You didn't have to be so...unwelcoming." She sighed.

"I wasn't unwelcoming. You know how I am with new people," I roll my eyes.

"Yeah, yeah," She rolls her eyes too, taking a piece of cake. "Hey, check it out. This cake is awesome."

Christina has a weird thing for cakes. I still don't understand that.

Anyway, I nod and take one. It is a nice cake.

Sort of reminds me of Dauntless cake.

There I go again. I seriously need to get factions out of my head.

"Yeah, it's nice," I nod.

Christina goes back to the couch and texts the others. They're late.
--