Dauntless High

Chapter 12

When I arrive home, I do my homework to get it out of the way. My mum tells me that we are going to have a family dinner together today because it's been a while since we have all sat at the dining table and talked as a family. I cringe at the thought of the awkward silences between me and my Dad. Ugh. I decide to invite Tobias over. I call him and tell him to come over at 6:30.

"Mum, Tobias is coming over for dinner." I say, walking into the kitchen and grabbing an apple to snack on.

"Tris! We were going to have a family dinner, you could have asked permission first! But it's too late now, so never mind." She doesn't look too angry, just a bit upset. I think she doesn't really have a problem with Tobias coming over, it's the reaction I will get from Dad that makes her turn against me. If she acts like it's perfectly fine, my Dad will probably have a go at her, too. Pfft.

When the 6:30 rolls around, the doorbell rings. Before I open the door, I pray that my parents won't be rude and that Tobias doesn't feel like he has to impress them or something. They all need to relax. Wait. Maybe I do too.

Tobias stands there wearing a half-sleeved black shirt dotted with small white dots. He paired it with black skinny jeans and a grey beanie. On his feet, he's wearing brown loafers. He is also wearing a smile. Aw. I like the way he dresses. It's not sloppy but it doesn't seem like he tried really hard to look good. I'm glad he didn't go all out formal since my family will be there. That's a relief.

"Hey Tris. How are you?" He asks politely. I chuckle. He's trying to pull of a good boy act. I play along.

"I'm good. What about you?"

"Great. Can I come in?" He points inside.
"Sure. Welcome to the Prior household... Again." He steps through.

My parents are looking at him. Caleb is probably in the kitchen or upstairs. This is embarrassing.

"So. Tobias, you've already met my mum. This is my Dad, Andrew Prior." I look towards my Dad. He looks... A little agitated. Guess it could be worse. Tobias walks up to him and shakes his hand.

"I'm Tobias Eaton." He smiles. Gosh, that smile though.

"I know. I've heard a lot about you." My Dad says. Can't he be a little nice and maybe... smile? It's the least he can do. Tobias did kinda save my life after the Peter incident. Oh yeah, he didn't know that he did. Great.

"Hope it's good things." Tobias jokes. He chuckles, trying to lighten the mood. When no one replies and I think the atmosphere can't get any more tense, I drag Tobias to the kitchen to 'show him around.'

"That was... Well, that was something." He says, laughing quietly as he leans against the fridge.

"Sorry."

"Oh my God, Tris, stop apologising! You've done that enough already. I didn't say it was bad. Actually, it went better than I thought. I had imagined your father chasing me down the road with a knife in hand cursing at me for bringing you home too late. Be grateful." I laugh a little. He smiles at the change of my mood.

"You look great, by the way." I say. He smiles wider before responding.

"You don't look too bad yourself." I look down at what I'm wearing. A nightie. It's a hello kitty top with 3/4 checked leggings. I blush. I forgot to change. Oops.

I decide to take him upstairs to my room so that my mum can finish preparing the food. He seemed to like my room, but absolutely loved it when he came across some of my underwear lying on my bed. I went a beetroot red. He held up the bra with a smirk on his face.

"What's this Tris?"

"Shut up." I snatch the bra from his hands and shove it into a nearby drawer just before Caleb walks in.

"And who's this?" He asks me, looking at Tobias.

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A/N: Sorry for the sucky chapter. I thought I should try and make it up to you since I didn't post for 3 days. I'm sowy. Forgive me? 😣