Falling

Withdrawl

I pass the ball to Lynn and she sets it perfectly. I time my jump and spike the volleyball down to the other side of the net with all my might. Powerful. It hits the floor after a girl failed to try to save it.

"Alright ladies, that's it!" Says our coach, Tori. "Great job today! The final cut will be posted after lunch outside the gym. Be sure to check!"

I head to the change room with everyone. Turns out that Shauna can play volleyball too, not just me and Lynn.

After i change we all walk together to the cafeteria to get some food. I need energy: volleyball tryouts at 7:00 am are exhausting.

"Tris, i didn't know you were that good at volleyball." Said Shauna.

I smile. "Thanks."

+++++

"She's a beast," Shauna exclaims. "I did not expect that much power to come from such a small body." I roll my eyes. I guess I'll never escape my friends teasing my height.

Lunch seems to last forever until finally the bell rings. We all throw out our trash and hurriedly walk to the gym to find out who made it. My name is first, and I skim the rest of the list and see that Shauna and Lynn are on the team, too. Zeke gives me a high-five and Christina squeezes my arm with a smile.

Suddenly, i feel a hand sling across my shoulder. It takes me a moment to realize that it's not Four. I turn to look at him, and get even more uncomfortable when his other hand touches my waist and skims across it up and down, with really small strokes. I am too shocked to move.

"Well done, Tris. I saw you play. You're smooth." I have no idea who he is, but his smile is nasty. He looks like a creep.

He walks away and we all glare at him, even though he has his back to us. I glance at Four and his hands are clenched, his eyes are stone cold.

"Who the hell was that?" I ask incredulously, to no one in particular.

"Peter." Answers Marlene with disgust.

"He's a man-whore, stay away from him." Zeke warns.

"No shit." I say.

I'm still grossed out by his touch. His smell reeked of something- what was it?

We walk to class with me and Four behind all of them. I think he can tell I'm still a bit shaky. His hand finds a space on the small of my back and he helps guide me to class. I try to give him a grateful smile, but he is looking straight ahead.

Is he mad at me?

In art class i stand behind him and glance over his shoulder. "What're you drawing?" I ask. I can already see what it is- long flames of fire, but i want him to talk to me. I will him to speak ,but nothing. I will him to at least look at me, but nothing. He is avoiding me. I don't feel special anymore, i feel like all the other girls. Ignored. For the first time since we've known each other , we have lost connection. And i don't even know what i did.

+++++

Instead of going straight home, i take the bus straight to the gym. I need a distraction.

I still have my gym clothes so i change into those and put my earphones on, and start on a treadmill.

Song after song, my mood pushes me and i turn the speed up. I'm running now.

How long have i been here? I slow the pace and I check my phone. 3:17 pm.

I've been on a treadmill for a whole hour? I didn't realize it, but my legs are actually burning. I give out and collapse on the floor. But then i see him.

He is punching the bags. When did he get here? I examine him, and the way his muscles expand and contract with every punch and kick. I don't know what has gotten into me, but i stand up and walk over to him.

"Four." He doesn't turn to look, but i know he knows it's me.

"Four, talk to me."

I can't take it. "What the hell did i even do? Why won't you even look at me?" He keeps punching, harder every time. But still,

nothing.

I give up and leave, too frustrated to put up with him.