"What're you guy's still doing out here?" My older brother asks, coming out of the dining hall. I quickly think up a lie, "Oh Tris just had something in her eye, after I got it out we started talking about someone's little surprise, she wanted my advice on it. Right Tris?" I elbow her a little harder then expected. She rubs where I elbowed, "uh, yeah. It's a surprise though so, you won't find out till we get back to Dauntless." She says, and I know my brother all too well. He as a knack for sniffing out lies, he squints his eyes at us for a moment but, he eventually stops. "Alright fine, I won't ask what it is. But can we at least get back to everyone, they're wondering where you two are." He says, buying the lie.
Tris and I enter back through the door my brother held open for us. Four meets me at the door as Tris and Miles head back over to our parents, "What just happened with you and Tris?" He asks, and my expression is sour. "I got a confession, that's what. Let's just get back over there and enjoy today, I'll tell you what happened later." I say to him, and he nods. We join my family and friends again and, hop into the conversation. Eventually we all sit down and just chat, my dad questions how Four had saved my life those times before.
"Well, uh, the first time was because of war games. I decided to climb up the side of a Ferris wheel to get a vantage point, and two of the rungs broke off while I was climbing. Luckily though, Tobias here followed behind me and caught me right before I fell." I explain, and my dad raises his eyebrows at me and Four. "And the other time?" My mother asked, she sat down in the seat next to my dad. I remember back to the second time Four saved my life but, I couldn't form the words to explain. Actually, I didn't want to form the words. I feel a masculine hand grab my own, and I look up to see Four giving me a reassuring look and eventually, a nod.
"The second time, well, I was in the surveillance room and I spotted Natalie near the chasm in Dauntless. I watched her, flipping back and forth through camera angles. And, to this day I'm glad I did because a group of masked initiates targeted her and Tris." He pauses, slightly gritting his teeth. " And I have to say, you two have a pretty selfless daughter." He says to my parents, "She fought all three of them, and told Tris to run. Considering they broke her arm. She ran off, and that's when I raced out the surveillance room, through Dauntless, all the way to the chasm." Four finishes his explanation. And the images of Al's face fade as I remember the next face I saw that night. Four's, and I also remember the expression he had after he subdued all three of them; nothing but pure satisfaction. "He got there just in time, before the three of them got me over the edge of the chasm." I say, squeezing his hand.
He squeezes back. My mom and dad look at us perplexed, "Why on earth would they attack two young ladies? What would they get out of such a heinous act?" My mother questions aloud, "Yes, my question exactly. Who are these three men?" My father questions aloud as well. Four was about to answer but I stop him with another squeeze, "Well, um, two of them were just bullies. Peter and I think Drew, those two always thought they were better then us in initiation. And when they realized just how wrong they were, they decided to rid of the competition. Tris, or better yet, me. The third one who attacked me, well. . ." I trail off, only for a bit though, "He was my friend, our friend actually. His name was Albert. We'd call him Al though." I explain balefully, and now my parents were even more shocked then they were moments ago. "Your friend? Why would he of all people attack you two?" My dad asks, "That, was my exact question. Until I realized, with a little help from someone," I look over to Four, "That he was scared. He was afraid he wasn't going to make it through initiation. And for some people, fear makes them irrational. I get why he attempted it, I do. I just, wished he came to us instead of Peter for help. Cuz god knows that man -if I can even call him that-, has had a vendetta against me since day one." I say, and my brother Miles agrees. "I'm just glad he's out of our hair and in a Factionless group. I'm also glad I got to mop the floor with his ass beforehand." - "Language young man. But, uh, just for the record," My dad starts, and leans closer to Miles, "Did you make him bleed?" He fails to whisper, and my mother smacks his arm.
Yet, she leans in too, "Yes, I did. I was kinda excessive with it but uh, he got what he deserved. Thanks to me and my baby sis's badass leader boyfriend. How'd it feel to tell that asshole off? Give him the ole boot, y'know?" Miles asks Four, and he shakes his head with a smile. "Not as good as it would've been if he was conscious. I made sure his friends knew so he'd wake up to the news. You really did a number on him." He answers, and my brother and him fist bump. "If you saw what I saw, you'd do twice the damage I did. And actually, I take back that I said it was excessive. The son-of-a-bitch tried to kill her once before, and after the second time he tried, I think the amount of force I used was appropriate." Miles says, "After the second time?" Our parents ask in unison. "Let's save that life-threatening story for another day yeah?" I say, looking at Miles and my parents. They nod and I change the subject, "Why don't we talk about this lovely couple over here. Since my relationship has basically been fully discussed." I say, looking over to my older brother, and his 'loving' girlfriend, "Why don't you two tell mom and dad how you guys met and stuff." I add, and yes, I'm definitely doing this on purpose.
If I have to lie to my brother for a week, just for the sake of seeing if my supposed 'friend' can tell the truth herself, then that's exactly what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna lie my ass off, and act like I haven't got a clue about her little façade. Tris looks at me with a blank expression, while my brother goes on and on about how in love they truly are. Explaining how I was the one who introduced them on the train to Dauntless Headquarters for the first time, and how I was the one who made him confess his crush on her. And, not to mention, I helped motivate him to ask her out.
I created this one sided relationship, and now I have to destroy it. Miles finishes and kisses Tris's cheek, "Aren't they just adorable?" I say aloud, and I wink at her. "They most certainly are." My mother says, obviously admiring my brother and Tris. "Don't forget about the brand new couple over there." Tris says, getting the heat off her. She was looking over at my younger brother and Lauren, "Thank you Tris, it's about time me and my future wife take the spotlight." Liam says, kissing Lauren's hand.
We all laugh, as he gets into explaining how him and Lauren met back around the beginning of initiation. I chime in a couple times when he explains the night of the little get together, and how he asked her out in front of all of us. "That's so sweet. Look at all my babies, happy and in love. Now all that's left is for you three to get a little older so you can give me some grandbabies." My mother says, and my brothers and I face palm. "All you ever talk about is one of us giving you some grand-children." I say laughing a bit. "I know I know, let's just say I got granny-fever. I can't have another one of you guys so, I have to rely on you three so I can start pinching cheeks again." Our mother says, and we all laugh, except for my father.
"There will be no grandbaby making," He says, staring dead at me and Four, "that applies to you two especially, I'll kill you both." He adds, nearly glaring at Four now. "But you two on the other hand, no babies till you're twenty-five. Understood?" He says looking at both my brother's. I scoff, "I'll be twenty-five when they're twenty-five y'know, triplets remember?" - "Is that attitude I hear young lady?" My dad asks, and I shake my head no. I hear my brothers laugh, and I roll my eyes. I understand I'm his only girl but, sheesh.
I didn't know it was that serious. My mother snaps her fingers once at my brothers and they stop laughing instantly. I hold back my laughter so I don't get snapped at too. "How does some food sound you all? I've made a big dinner." My mother says, and everyone agrees it's due time for something to eat. My father stands with her and they both look at all of us, their kids.
Me and Miles stand up instantly, knowing the stares all too well. Me and Miles grab Liam on the way, and from then on out we served and catered our guests. Our mother made roast with her famous sides. Sweet peas, carrots, and green beans all mixed up with some blend of seasoning's. It's her little secret recipe, which she still has yet to share with me.
After our guests are served, our parents serve us, and make their own plates as well. Even though we offered to make our own, along with theirs. We eat, talk, laugh and bond together. When our plates were empty and our guards were down, the light in the dining hall dim and I see my mother and father coming out the kitchen. My mother held a pink cake with eighteen candles on it, while my father held two blue cakes with the same amount of candles.
And thus, they began to sing Happy Birthday. Four, Lauren, Tris, Ben and our aunt join in as the cakes are placed in front of us accordingly. They finish, and we each blow out our candles, making our wishes in order. First Miles did, then I did, and then Liam did. Oddly, the second Liam blew out his candle, I felt something in my mind awaken.
It was like, my brain got a surge of electricity. I look over at both of my brothers, and just from their facial expressions, I knew they got that feeling as well. We overlook that for now and enjoy the cakes our mother made. Mine was my favorite flavor, German chocolate. I shared a piece with Four, since he said he was still full from dinner.
I know Miles's cake was strawberry, since my mother would make one multi-flavored cake when we were younger. One side German chocolate, and the other strawberry. I'd always separate the strawberry from my chocolate back then, but now, I'm mixing them. I steal some of Miles's cake and put it on my plate when he wasn't looking. I stuff my face with my stolen goods and he looks over at me, and I smile.
He looks at his cake and I try to hide my plate, "You thief! You horrible thief might I add. You have blue icing all over your mouth." He says, and I let him steal a piece of my cake in return. Everyone finishes their cake and our parents along with our aunt, drag my boyfriend and friends into the kitchen to clean up. I punch Miles's arm hard, but not too hard. "One down, seventeen more to go." I say, and he looks at me with a evil grin. "Are you sure you wanna do this Nat? Cuz I'll go ahead and get all eighteen of mine in right now." He tells me, looking at my arm and I cover it, cringing away.
My brother punches hard, and when I say hard I mean hard. But, I make sure mine are too, I always start off with a small one though, a warning punch. We both back down for now, and we look over to Liam. He does the 'I'm keeping an eye on you' gesture, and me and Miles laugh. And actually, speaking of laughing, I hear my friends and family finally coming out the kitchen.
I turn my head and admire the fact everyone's getting along so well. I stand, looking for Four, and when I don't spot him I ask Lauren where he is. "Oh he's still in the kitchen with Tris. They insisted on finishing up the dishes. Such Stiff's. Gotta love 'em though." She says, and I tense up. "So they're alone together?" I ask her, and I think she just remembered the reason why they shouldn't be. "Oh wait yeah. But honestly, I don't think you should worry. Four wouldn't do that to you or Miles." - "It's not him that I'm worried about." I say just before speed-walking off towards the kitchen.
I walk in quietly, making sure my heels don't click against the floor. I eavesdrop, "You're so funny Four, but is cleaning all the time the only reason you left?" I heard Tris ask, and I peak around the corner at them, they had their backs facing me as they stood at the sink. Four doesn't speak for a few moments and I instantly know why, "You know why I left, you were the only person I told back then." He says to her, and I clench my teeth. "You were literally the only person I could trust, especially after my mother passed. You were surprisingly intelligent for a little girl." Four laughs, and she laugh-scoffs. "Okay, I'm gonna act like you didn't say that." She responds nudging him while rinsing a dish.
"But, I'm glad you could trust me enough to tell me that. I'll take it to my grave." She lies, because I vividly remember when she told me about such 'rumors' of his father's abuse. I become more and more agitated the more they speak to one another. They were close back on abnegation. Closer than I was told. I audibly clear my throat, and they both turn around. Four's face contorts into worry while Tris gives me a side smile.
I hold back the crazy in me and stare Four in the eyes, before walking out the kitchen. He told me he knew her, as in -have dinner together once in a blue moon due to the fact their father's were good friends- type of knew. Not a big brother, little sister type of situation. I hold back the urge to cry as I walk back out to my friends and family. She knew him way before I did, and that fact alone makes me burn with rage.
My brother's come up to me and they seem to notice, "Nat what's wrong? Are Four and Tris still in the kitchen?" Miles asks, and he looks behind me at the entrance of the kitchen, they were finally coming out. "Nothing at all big bro, but can we see if we can move this party back home? I wanna be in our house." I ask him, he nods and him and Liam go and ask dad. Four comes up and touches my arm, "Natalie," He says, I pull away. "Don't. It should be pretty obvious I don't wanna talk to you right now." I say once, not even looking at him. It hurt to treat him like that but, he's hurt me more.
I walk over to my brother's as my dad announces that we're going to our house. My mother latches onto him, and after my brother's latch onto their partners, I decide to slow down and walk next to Benji. I talk to him as we walk out the main house, and the heels I'm wearing start sinking in the wet ground and grass. Ben stops me, "Piggy-back ride?" he asks, and I gladly jump up onto my bestfriends back. He supports my legs and I wrap my arms around his neck.
"Thank you Benjamin." I say, and he quirks as he follows behind Four and my aunt. He was talking to her, I wonder what about. "Don't call me by my government name, it sounds weird coming from you." He tells me, and we laugh. I don't meet his gaze but I definitely feel my boyfriend's eyes on me. When he looks away I look ahead of me at him, and watch his fists clench as he follows behind my brother and Tris.
I'm not intending to make him jealous by being close to the one guy he doesn't like, I just uh, really can't walk and I don't want him to carry me. I mean, I do but, I'm wholeheartedly upset with him. Just as I fall deep into thought about Four, Ben picks up his speed and I reminisce back to the good ole' days. When Ben and Miles would take turns giving me piggy-back rides near the playground, the same playground Ben passes as he runs in front of the group. "Hey, lemme get in on that." Miles says, and Ben puts me down.
Miles turns his back to me and I hop on, and he takes off around the playground and towards our house, and I laugh the whole way there. He sets me down, opens and holds the door for me and the rest of our family and friends. We walk in and the first thing I notice is the couch full of presents, and I smile. I walk passed the living room into the hallway, straight into my room. I sit on my bed and I notice someone followed me in, my brother Liam.
He sits down next to me, "Okay what happened? I asked Lauren where you were earlier and she said she sent you into the kitchen because Four was alone with Tris, did something happen?" He asks, and I nod. He visibly gets angry, "I'll kill that son of a bitc-," he starts to stand up but I stop him. "It's not like that. He wouldn't do that, I know he wouldn't. He uh, he. . ." I start, "He knew Tris." I eventually end up blurting. Liam looks at me confused, "When he was a little younger then we are now. Tris was like twelve-thirteen but, I'm pretty sure they've known each other longer than that." I explain. "He didn't tell me the whole truth. And now he's getting all buddy-buddy with her again." I add sadly, and he looks at me in disbelief.
"You don't think he'd actually change his mind about you, do you? For her?" He asks me, and, at first, I have this pleasant urge to say no but, I don't really know if I can say that and mean it. "I can't say no. But I'm not saying yes either. I- . . . I just don't know now. I'm scared honestly." I confess, and I think about life if Four left me for Tris, and Tris left my brother for him. The people we love the most would become the cause of our pain. "I don't want to lose him, nor do I want Miles to get hurt along with me. And she knows that I know about her little crush so, I gave her a week to tell him. I have to lie to him for a week if she doesn't have the balls to tell him before then." I tell my brother, and he shakes his head. "You shouldn't give her that long anymore, especially since she made sure she got some alone time with him after the fact she found out that you found out about her crush." He says to me, and I realize he's right.
She's testing the waters now, seeing if I'll react to her attempts. She must really love him, since she's totally disregarded our friendship to pursue a chance with what's mine. I stand, with the intentions to go talk to Tris. I nearly hit the threshold of my room just as someone blocks my way. I stare at a familiar chest before looking up at a familiar face, "I told you. Don't. Which means don't even try okay? I don't wanna deal with this right now." I try to walk past him, but he steps to the side blocking my way even more.
"Please, I can't stand that you're upset with me." - "Well, deal with it, I'll talk to you about what I heard and what you said, when we get back to Dauntless. Now get out there, and act like me and you are fine." I say to him firmly, he tries to hold my hands. "Please, just let me explain-," - "Liam." I blurt avoiding his sad gaze, and I hear my brother stand, "You heard her man, just go. Before this escalates." I hear him say, and I look back up at the man I love. He looks back into my eyes, and nods as the hurt in his own became vivid. He takes his leave and I turn around to my brother and my bottom lip quivers, and he immediately embraces me. I never wanted to treat him like that, it hurt's my heart to shut him down.
I shed only one tear while hugging my brother, and I quickly wipe it away realizing I shouldn't be crying today. "No more tears, at least not today. It's our day today, okay? No matter if family is the only thing you got right now." He says, and I nod. "Now go deal with Tris, so we can get back to being happy." - "Deal with me? So you're telling people now?" We heard from behind me, and I turn to face the blond herself. She steps into the room, "Yes, deal with you. And yes, I told people. I told my little brother, Lauren and guess what? I told my boyfriend as well so, he knows about your little thing for him." I tell her bluntly and she gasped as her cheeks went red. "Why would you do that?" She asks and I roll my eyes, "Because! He's my fucking boyfriend! Then you decide getting closer to him after the fact you told me you love him is okay? On my fucking birthday at that!" I whisper-yell, getting closer to her.
"I've been close to him this whole time, we knew each other back on abnegation." She says, and I fake gasp, "Oh! oh my god, thank you so much for telling me the bullshit I already fucking know. Guess what though? That doesn't change the fact he'll never feel for you, the way he feels for me. I mean, if you want him so fucking bad why didn't you try to go for him before he was mine?" I ask rhetorically, and she tries to answer. "That was a rhetorical question so don't bother answering, I won't care anyways." I add, getting even closer. This female, is no longer my friend. And that alone hurts me. "Are you sure about that though? About how he feels?" She asks, and I realize, she wants to be less than just that.
She wants to be my enemy. I get into her face, "Yeah, I am, because I love that man way more than you ever could." I spit, "And uh, by the way, you will tell my brother the truth when we get back to Dauntless, today. I don't want to make our birthday a reminder of the fact a careless whore played with his feelings but, I won't hesitate to do it if you won't. You wanted a fight bitch? Alright then, I'll do you one better and give you a fucking war." I say to her, and the expression on her face was absolutely priceless. "Now get the fuck outta my room." I demand, and she clenches her jaw before taking her leave. I look back at my younger brother and he smiles at me, "Mann, we're related alright. It's like you're me, but a girl." He says, and we laugh as we exit my room together. We walk through the hallway but, he turns his head and stops at a door.
Me and Miles's nursery door, I stop and I watch him. I watch him run his hand over me and Miles's many handprints on the door. He loses his smile once he touches the extra space next to my line of hands. I frown a bit, "Let's go in again, yeah?" I ask, he agrees and opens the door. He first goes to the shelf in-between our cribs, he smiles for a little when he picks up Miles's Me-Me but, he loses it as he touches the shelf.
"My uh, my crib would've been right where this shelf is huh? If what happened never happened." He asks softly, and I feel my heart break a bit. I go to him and slowly wrap my arms around him, and I hold him tight. "Yes, it would've been baby brother. I'm just as upset at the fact we couldn't grow up with you. I'd kill to find a way to change the past, if that's what it took." I say sniffling, as Liam cries a bit on my shoulder. "Here, I know exactly what'll cheer you up." I say and I wipe his tears and pull him out the nursery, back into my room and I get something out of my closet. I pull him back over to the nursery door and I close it shut, and open what I got out.
"Dip your hand in." I tell him, holding a bucket of blue paint. He smiles wide and doesn't waste anytime to dunk his hand in. He pulls it out and looks at me, before putting his handprint onto the top of the door, lining up with our last big handprint's. And even though, the lower handprint's for him were missing, it felt right. I smile and my brother pulls me close with one arm, and kisses my temple.
"Thank you for this. I love you, so much sis." He says, holding his dripping blue hand up. Just then, I notice a flash of a camera. And I turn around to see my family admiring our moment. Miles smiles, and our mom and dad are basically gushing with joy while our aunt tears up as she shakes the picture she took. "I got an idea!" Miles comes over and takes Liam's blue hand, and uses his finger to draw a one on his own right cheek.
I see where he's going with this, and I use Liam's finger to write a two on my cheek. As well as a three, on Liam's cheek. "Awee that's so cute! Pose you three!" My aunt says, and we get in order and lean in, putting our faces together. I put bunny ears behind both their heads as we make funny faces, and she snaps the picture. "Ooo lemme see!" My mom says excitedly, and our aunt hands it to her. Our aunt lets her keep that one too.
"Alright you three! Present time!" Our dad says, and from there on out me and my brother's opened all our gifts. Benji's mother and little brother had came over to surprise Ben, and I jump up to give them hugs. His mother gladly hugs me back and wishes me happy birthday. Before I get the chance to thank her, Bell tackles me into a hug. Bell is Ben's slightly younger brother, I call him Bell but his name is actually Bellamy.
"Wow you didn't hug me that tight, and I'm your brother." Benji says, and Bell punches his arm. "I missed Natalie much more than I missed you monkey-butt." He says releasing me, "But, I won't have to be missing you guys soon though." He says, and me and him look at Bell confused. "Bellamy, what're you saying?" Ben asks him seriously, and Bell smiles. "I'm saying, I'm choosing Dauntless when the time comes. So we can be together again." He explains excitedly, and Ben frowns. "Bell no, you . . ." He watches his little brother's happy expression fade, "You can't leave mom too. You're all she's got right now. If you leave, she'll be alone." He says to him, and Bell shakes his head vigorously.
"No she won't, she has Mr. Michael." He answers in annoyance. "What do you mean she has Mr. Michael? Our school teacher?" Ben asks in a huff, the vein on his forehead became prominent, and I know why. They lost their father about a year ago, and the both of them have been devastated at the fact. He passed away from a heart attack and now, their mother has moved on, with our old teacher. "I was going to tell you Ben." Their mother says, and Ben looks at her in disgust.
"It's been a year. So that's it huh? So dad means jack shit to you?" He asks, and his mother steps closer to him. Ben steps away. "Baby please," She begs, and Ben shakes his head at her and turns to me, "Can we go for one of our walks please? I really can't be here right now." He asks me, I nod and take his hand before heading out the front door. I take off my heels at the front door, and I hold onto Ben for balance. We get onto the path but Ben starts to pull me towards the play ground, I then notice the tears falling from his eyes.
"Come here." I say and we sit down on the playground stairs and he lays his head in my lap, I comfort him. I play with his hair as his tears continue to roll, "Natalie?" He says through his sniffles, "Yeah Ben?" I ask, and he wipes his face. "I love you." He says, and I smile. "I love you too Benji." I respond and he lifts his head off my lap shaking it. "No, you don't get it." He says, and I quirk at him.
"Of course I get it," - "No, you don't. Cuz if you did, you'd know." He says, "I'd know what?" I ask him, and he looks me in my eyes. "You'd know that I don't just love you, Natalie. I'm in love with you. I've been in love with you, since we were little." He confesses to me, and I'm taken aback. "Benjamin I-I . . ." I stumble and struggle with my words, "It's okay, you don't have to say anything. I know how you feel about Four, I just . . . I just wanted you to know that. Just, never stop being there for me. Never stop being my bestfriend. Can you do that?" He asks, and I smile. I gently hold his chin and I kiss his cheek, just this once. "Of course I can. You've been there for me so many times in the past so, I'm here for you. Always." I say and I lean my head on his shoulder, and watch the sunset with Ben.
I notice his mom walking up and I give him a look, and he nods. I pat his knee and stand, just as his mother approaches him. She thanks me for being there for him, and I give her a smile before heading off back to my house, to give them some privacy. I get onto the path towards my house and I decide I need to take some time to myself, so I walk a little slow. I clear my mind of any negativity going on at the moment, which was kinda hard, considering I'm ignoring my boyfriend, threating my "friend", and lying to my brother.
But, I manage to do it anyway, and I find myself happy once I reached my old home. I grab my heels and go inside, and I notice my aunt's taking pictures. "There she is! Alright, your mom says she wants a couples photo, just like the one we took this morning. Cuz I'm keeping this one." She says, and I nod and Four looks over at me nervously. I gesture for him to come here, and he does. I hold his bicep for balance as I get my heels back on. "This does not mean we're good yet," I say, and I turn around wrapping his arms around me.
Making sure to line up with my brother's and their girlfriend's. He pulls me close, and the way he holds me feels different. Good different, even though I'm upset with him. We all smile, and my aunt takes the picture. He releases me, but holds my wrist.
He doesn't say anything though. All he does is pull me to him, and kisses my forehead. I can't help but smile a little bit, and I entwine my hand with his. He eagerly holds my hand, "Does this mean we're good?" He asks, holding up our hands. I shake my head, "No, it doesn't. This is just me, letting you know I still love you. I'm upset with you because I love you. We'll talk more later, I promise." I say to him, and he kisses my hand before letting go.
I walk away and see my dad look at his watch, "Well, I think it's about time you all start heading back now, since I heard you have other friends and present's waiting for you three." He says, and me and my brothers hug our parents, and we also hug Bell along with their mother, who of which came back just in time with Ben. We tell our parents we love them and we head back to the truck next to the main house of Amity. Four hops into the driver seat, and I hop in the passenger seat, while everyone else piles up in the back of the truck. I take off my heels, and he takes off and before we know it, we're pulling up to Dauntless headquarters. I hop out, holding my shoes and a bag full of the presents I got.
Four comes up to me, offering to take and carry both. "I'm still your boyfriend, let me help." He says, and I hand him the bag while I keep carrying my heels. We make it inside and finish this party in Lauren's apartment, where Will and Christina seemed to stay and watched Jasper. We walk in and they all greet us at the door, "Hey guys! How was Amity?" Chris asks, and me and my brothers start explaining our fun day. Or, at least their fun day.
Mine was kinda shit but, their were good moments. Jasper jumps up onto my calf's, licking and whining. "Well hello to you too my little guy, I missed you so much." I say, picking him up. He licks my face while I try to give him kisses. I sit on the couch with him, and I notice my brothers are being sat down by Christina.
Will comes over and sets a few presents in their laps, along with handing me one. It was from them both, and it turns out to be two bracelets, friendship bracelets. There was a pretty charm bracelet, and a braided one, with a short gold chain that had a single charm on it. The charm was a heart, and it said 'Peace, Love, and Happiness.' in small cursive words. It was obvious the first was from Chris and the second was from Will.
I look up at them and they show me their matching ones, "And I just want you to know, the charm on mine says what it says because, all you've brought in our lives is exactly that. Peace, Love, and Happiness. I don't think I'd be with the woman I love if it weren't for you." Will explains, and I tear up as I stand. I walk over and give them hugs while thanking them. I release, and put the bracelets on. Ben comes over with a tiny present, "There's one more, it's for you Nat. From Four." He says, handing it to me. But before I could even think about opening it, Four gently takes it from my grip.
"Let's wait on that one." - "No, lemme see it. I wanna see it." I say, reaching for it while he tries to put it in his jacket pocket. "Are you sure?" He asks me, and I become very curious. "You asking me that just made me even more curious then I was before you asked so, yes I'm sure." I respond, and he eventually pulls it back out and sits right next to me. He opens the gold wrapped box and pulls out an even tinier black box, and opens it. I hear gasps as I'm faced with a beautiful ring, it was shaped like a Tiara.
And it was encrusted all along the peak shaped, rose-gold crown. He takes it out the box, "It's a promise ring, and I got it for you because I wanted you to know that I say what I mean, and I mean what I say when I say I care about you. Or when I say I love you. You're everything to me Natalie, and if my words don't cut it then, allow me to show you exactly what you mean to me. Let me show you, and prove to you that you're the only girl that I want. I promise to devote myself to you, and only you, till the day I make it official by replacing this ring, with a diamond one." He says, pausing, "Now, the question is, will you promise me forever, in return for my promise to you?" He says, looking into my eyes. I shed a couple tears, and sniffle as I hear our audience 'awe' and whisper. "I will, I promise you forever, Tobias." I say nodding, and everyone bursts out cheering, whistling, and clapping as he happily slides the ring onto my ring finger. I admire it as I place my hand on his cheek, and I decide to kiss him.
I could tell my actions were a little unexpected when he melts into my kiss harder then usual. I pull away just as he gets into it, and he visibly pouts. Just like I'd do when he'd pull away before I'd want him to. He stops his pout and smiles as he wipes my tears. I hug Four, and kiss his neck once, "Don't think you're getting off scott-free because of this mister, we still have some words to share." I whisper near his ear, and he nods.
"I know, I haven't forgot. But uh, can I . . ." He trails off a bit, and I squint at him, "can I get another kiss though? It feels like I haven't kissed you all day." He asks, and I run my thumb over his big bottom lip. "After we talk, I'll be glad to give you another kiss." I say, and he nods, even though I could tell he really wanted another. "Sorry to interrupt you two lovebirds but, we have something for our beloved sister." My brother Miles says, and I look to see him and Liam sitting down onto the coffee table in front of us. He hands me a folded piece of paper, and I eagerly unfold it with a smile. I begin to read aloud,
"
The woman I call sister,
Is someone who is there,
The woman I call sister,
Is someone who always cares.
The woman I call sister,
Can make me smile when times are blue,
The woman I call sister,
Is someone very true.
The woman I call sister,
By choice, is my best of friend,
The woman I call sister,
Will be there till the end.
The woman I call sister,
Is the blessing from God above,
The woman I call sister,
Is the sister that I'll always love.
"
I finish, and I fall in love with the poem. I tear up again, "You- . . . you guys wrote this for me?" I ask and they nod, I start crying again and I wrap my arms around both of them at the same time. And I then realize my mistake when the building starts quaking the moment I do. I release them quickly and it stops, just like last time. I look around at everyone to make sure they're all okay but, they all started to look at me crazy.
"Oh my god Natalie," I hear my older brother say, and I look back to him confused. "What? What is it?" I ask worried, "Your- . . . Your eyes, t-they're glowing! And your veins too!" He says, and I immediately look down at my veins as they glow a bright orange-yellow, almost gold color. I run to the nearest mirror, which was nailed onto the outside of Lauren's bedroom door and watch the glow travel. It travels down my legs, up my arms, pass my shoulder's and to my scalp. I also notice my eyes, they really were glowing gold.
My veins glow stops, and eventually the gold in my eyes absorb and the hazel color comes back. Four stands in front of me, obviously concerned. "Natalie, are you okay?" He asks, and I look at my arms, and back into the mirror at my eyes. "I don't know, I feel oka-Ahh!" I drop down to the floor covering my ears as the frequency of them heightens, and I hear nothing but the piercing, mind-numbing sounds of everything. I hear thumping heartbeats, the tap of a shoe, the tick of a clock but, the difference is amplification and range.
I could hear conversations clearly through the walls of Lauren's apartment, I could hear the sound of air whooshing in and out of each and every person's pair of lungs in a fifty mile radius, and it sure was painful. "Everybody shut up and stop moving!" I yell, and my own voice betrays me, and pierces my eardrums harder. Four holds me while I'm on the ground writhing in pain, and everyone listens to me. I now hear nothing but the outside sounds around me, along with heartbeats and breathing, since they can't stop those. I put my head on Four's chest and I try to focus on hearing his heartbeat only.
And it eventually begins to work, even though his heart was racing. I take my hands away from my ears, and I look at his chest, focusing harder on hearing only his heart. And I end up doing more than just hearing it. I- . . . I see it. I see his heart, pulsating in his chest.
Along with his collarbone, ribcage and lungs. I gasp, and I look over at everyone, and try to do it again. I try to see their hearts, and it happens. I gasp again, "Nat what is it? What're you seeing?" My older brother asks, kneeling down in front of me and Four. "I can- . . . see through you, I can see all of your hearts beating. I-I can hear them too, I can hear everything actually." I explain, still trying to control my hearing.
"It hurt a lot at first, but If I focus on what I wanna hear, and how loud I wanna hear it, the pain goes away." I add and I suddenly feel this rush of energy surge through me, just like when Liam blew out his candle after Miles and I did. But this time, it was more powerful, and every hair on my body stood up. Four stand's himself, and he helps me onto my feet, yet keeps his hands on me just in case. When I took his hand though, I could feel a lot more than I did moments ago. I felt every curve, and every ridge on his big masculine hand. It was kinda weird but, it was an interesting feeling as well.
"Is that- . . . all, you're feeling right now?" My younger brother asks, standing next to Miles. And I shake my head no, as I feel the energy that instilled in me move to my hands. I stare down at them, and I focus on that energy, and the more I do, the more my hand begins to glow red. I focus even harder and flame ignites from my palm, and I yelp as I close my hand and lose focus. I look around at everyone, they're all wide eyed and speechless, just as I am.
I open my palm again, but this time, with a smile. I focus and close my eyes, and my hand ignites the flame again. I open my eyes and stare at the flame, making it move and grow. I lift my other hand, and begin to shape the flame, and it's a surprisingly painless process. I shape the flame into a ball, and I begin to throw it back and forth from hand to hand.
Everybody watches me in amazement as I quickly make two more balls of flame and begin to juggle them. I eventually catch all three, and form them into a bigger ball of fire. It spins above my palm as I get an idea. I concentrate hard and blow on the ball, and out flies butterfly's, made of flame. I make many of them, and have them fly around everyone in the room, being careful not to touch anyone or anything.
"Ouch!" I hear. Or, at least, tried not to touch anyone or anything. But I recognize the voice, and I try my best to suppress my laughter, sOrRy Tris. I close my palm and they all disappear at once. "We- . . . we have powers. Real powers. Miles, you were right." Liam says, looking down at his hands. Miles does the same, "How come we're not feeling anything though?" My older brother asks, looking over at Liam.
I go out on a lim and make an assumption, and I step in front of my brothers. I hold out my hands for each of them to grab, and they both look at them. Miles scratches his head, "Well, hold on for a minute, what if there's a catch to this? What if something bad happens?" He asks us, and I think about it. "Well, if there is, I'd kinda rather not go it alone. I know I may seem like I know what I'm doing but, I'm honestly clueless. And, I think I'm gonna need my brother's. I'll understand if you don't want to but, if you do, just know we'll figure this out. Along with whatever bad happens, if it does happen. And we'll do it Together." I say, looking at both. I set my hands out again, and I feel each of them grab one without hesitation.
They look at me, "Together." They say, and I watch as what happened to me, happen to them. Their eyes glow gold, as their veins flood a orange-yellowish color. I let go of their hands, and watch the bright colors absorb into them the same way, "Get ready, this is gonna hurt." I warn, and they prepare themselves by scrunching their faces. They both fall to their knee's, but only Miles cradles his head in pure agony. Tris made sure her lap was where my older brother fell, just as Four did for me.
Lauren falls to her knee's in front of Liam, who of which kept his eyes open as his posture remained straight. He seemed to be seeing something, because his eyes were moving, yet, he was unresponsive to Lauren. It only took a few moments for Miles to recover, and I watch as the surge of energy visibly washes over him in goosebumps. Tears began to fall from Liam's eyes as they continued to bounce back and forth from place to place. "What's happening to him!" Lauren yells, and she holds his face as he slowly comes out of whatever-the-hell he was in.
"Oh my god Liam, are you okay? What just happened?" Lauren asks him, and all my brother does is look dead at me and Miles. "Liam, what exactly did you see?" I ask him, and he looks to be still in shock. "I saw- . . . everything." He says, slowly standing. Lauren stands with him, "I saw our family." He says, and I quirk. "You saw mom and dad?" I ask, and he shakes his head. "No, not them. Our families. I saw you and Four's wedding, I saw your children, along with Miles's and my own. I saw, everything. I saw our lives. Here. In Dauntless." He explains, I'm taken by surprise.
"I-It was fucking amazing." He says in awe. "Like, you could literally ask me anything about your futures and I could tell you the exact answer. According the comics books I read up on, telling you could or could not change whatever it is you ask me though. " He says, and I ponder a question. "Alright let's test that. Since you said something about wedding's, who's comes first? Out of us three?" I ask, and he looks at me with a smile. "Yours does. He proposes to you before I get the chance to propose to Lauren." He answers matter-of-factly, "Can you uh, see if it changed that? Or anything at all? To practice?" I question, and he furrows his eyebrows, for only a moment though before nodding, and closing his eyes. I could tell he was focusing on trying to see the future, just like I was focusing on trying to ignite and control my fire ability.
He sits like that for only a few seconds until his eyes literally pop back open and he looks straight at me. "No, It didn't change anything. It's like, my vision of your wedding is set in stone by someone. Because their actions, determine what happens and what doesn't happen." He tells me, closing his eyes again. I look at his head and focus, and I eventually start seeing his skull and brain. It was like it was growing inside. "Who is it? Do you know?" I ask, and he looks over at Four.
And that was all I needed. I smile wide looking over to Four. He gives me a cheeky wink and I laugh a bit, "So, me and him really are gonna last?" I ask, and Liam nods unhesitant.
"Mhm, it won't be perfect but, you guys seemed to stay together for years." He answers aloud, and I sneak a look at Tris. The devastation on her face delights, yet agitates me. "How many kids do we have?" Four asks him, and Liam looks at me, seeing if I'd want the answer to that as well. "You may answer, and also, who has one first out of all of us?" I ask, and he smiles wider, "You two do. And you're gonna have four, at respectively separated times though. You want gender's? Name's?" He asks, trying to show off his ability, and I shake my head. "Nopee, I want that to be a surprise." I say, but Four takes my hands, "Just one? Pleasee. I really wanna know." - "I don't know," I say, thinking about it.
"Please, for me?" He asks again, "Y'know I could just tell him in a whisper off to the side." Liam says, and I shake my head again. "I'd hear it, weird enhanced sense shit remember? And anyways, I don't wanna be the only one in the blue so, go ahead Liam. Only one though, and no more." I finally agree, and Liam takes a few seconds to make his choice. "Your third child, will be a boy. His name is, or will be, Jameson Theodore Eaton. He's adorable by the way, all Four of them are." He answers, and I'm in awe at the new information. I look to see Four smiling wide, probably ecstatic at the fact we're gonna have a boy. "Okay my turn! What about me and Tris, how many kids?" Miles asks, and Liam's smile slightly fades as he looks over at Tris.
I remember the whole ordeal with Tris, and I decide it's time. "Now would be the time Tris." I say out loud, and she looks at me crazy. "Time for what?" Miles asks, looking at her confused. "I-I . . ." is all she manages to say while looking into my brothers eyes. "Wait, before anything is said or done, out into the hallway please. For privacy reasons of course." Lauren suggests, and me, my older brother, Tris and Four head out of her apartment.
"Can someone tell me what's going on here? Because I'm starting to not like this." Miles asks, and I look at Tris. "Well, go on Tris, tell him." I say, and she aims disgust at me. "Do you really need to be out here? This doesn't really involve you." She says to me, obviously stalling. "My brother, my boyfriend. So, yes this does involve me. Now stop stalling, and tell him. Before I do." I spit at her, and Miles finally see's the aggression I have towards his girlfriend. Miles looks at Tris with concern all over his face, "Just tell me, please. What ever it is, It can't be that bad." He says to her, rubbing her arms.
I can tell she's frozen at his touch, I look down where her heart is and I watch it jump in her chest. "I-I . . . I can't." She stutters, and I see she's backing away. Flame jumps out of my hands as I step toward her, "Leave and you'll regret it." I raise my voice, holding up my hot hand. She jumps at my actions and steps back into the spot she was in as I fizzle and back down. "Miles, I want you to know that I love you, with all my heart." I start, taking his hands, "You're my brother, and just like you don't wanna see me hurt, I don't wanna see you hurt. And it sucks because I have to tell you something, that's gonna hurt you. It sucked to go hours without telling you, and originally I was going to go a week without telling you, to give Beatrice here a chance to tell the truth herself. A chance to still be my friend and maybe even your friend after the fact but, I realized she isn't worthy of such chance so, I'm telling you now." I say, and it breaks my heart to watch his face dim more and more with each word I say.
"I know I said she'd love you the day I made you confess how you felt about her but, I was wrong. She doesn't love you. She never has." I say, and my brother breaks down into tears on me, and I hold him tight. I hear Tris crying into her hands beside us, and I wonder as to why, considering she's the one breaking his heart. Miles lift's up off me and stands in front of Tris, wiping his tears, "Can I please hear why from you? Can you at least tell me that? Why don't you love me? Like I love you?" He asks, and I shed a tear watching him speak. Tris looks over at me for some reason, and I could feel my eyes glaze gold as I grimace at her. "B-Because I-I, . . . I-I'm in love with somebody else." She cry's, and I watch my brother's eyes shine like a solid gold brick.
"Who?" He asks aggressively, and just as I was about to explain, "Me." Is what I hear from beside me, coming from Four. Miles looks over at him, "Why on earth would she be in love with you?! Have you given her a reason to be? Cuz if you're leaving my sister to be with my girlfriend, I swear to go-," - "Miles wait, It's not like that. Please calm down." I get his attention, and I notice black smoke sucking back up into his hands. I over look that for now, "Miles, I love your sister. Actually, I'm in love with your sister." - "Alright then, tell her that. Tell Tris exactly how you feel about Natalie, and then tell her how you feel about her in front of me and along with my sister." Miles demands, and Four nods. He turns to her, "Tris, I have very strong feelings for Natalie. And as you heard in there from Liam, I am going to marry her. She is the only female I am ever going to feel this way about so, with that being said, I have absolutely no intent nor desire to feel the same way about you. I know we've known each other for years, I do. But this is getting out of hand. I'm more than willing to still be your friend but, this in love with me while with my girlfriends brother thing has to end in order for that to happen." He says, looking dead into her eyes. I loved every word that came out of his mouth until 'Friend' flew out, "Excuse me?" I blurt, and Four looks at me.
"More than willing?" I ask disgusted, putting a hand over my chest. "I'm sorry but, anything AND everything between you two ends today. Friendship included." I say looking at Four, and he furrows his eyebrows at my statement. Here we go. "Oh yeah? Well, if that's the case, same goes for you and Ben. He's in love with you and as another man, I can see it, and I don't feel comfortable with you being his bestfriend." Four argues, and I get a read on his eyes. And the only words I see are, 'Two, can play this game.' I scoff, "Well I guess we've got ourselves a problem then, don't we? Because I just promised him I'd never stop being what I've always been to him. His bestfriend. And nothing more. Do you not trust me, is that what it is?" I ask him, and now he's the one scoffing.
"I could ask you the same question. She's been there for me before I found you, and for me it's been in a brother-sister sorta way, and that's it! That's all it'll ever be on my end!" He shouts, and I jump at his voice. I notice how tense he got trying to defend his friendship with Tris, "Are you sure about that? Because you're getting pretty defensive over a measly little friendship. I've known Ben basically since birth and you don't see me shouting at my boyfriend trying to defend what we have, now do you?" I say, slipping off the ring I just recently got from Four. I take his hand and put it in his palm, "We're taking a break, I'll gladly take this back once you realize your friendship with her," I use my eyes to point at Tris, "should end way more than my relationship with Ben should. Now leave, both of you." I say, and I look up at Four expecting to see hurt in his eyes. But I don't see that, I see something new. Something that has never been directed towards me from him.
I see anger, and frustration, and no pain in sight. He takes it and puts it in his pocket, and does as he's told without even another glance in my direction. Tris follows him, bumping into my shoulder as she goes past. I snap my fingers and give her a hair cut, burning inches in length to ash. She doesn't notice, but I sure do.
I realize they're talking as they leave down the long hallway, and I listen closely. "Let's go to your apartment, yeah?" I hear her say, and before he could even answer, "Go in the same direction together, and it is over Tobias!" I yell, and I watch Four stop in his tracks as my heart races. "She heard me? Didn't she?" I also hear Tris whisper as she stopped with him. "I sure did fucking mop-head! Now I suggest you think carefully, because you're steps away from losing me completely Four." I say aloud, making sure they can hear me. I clench my fists and bite my lip while he just stands there.
He turns his head towards Tris but, no words were said. He takes off towards his apartment, while Tris stays behind and eventually, takes off in the other direction. And I sigh, as relief coddles my heart.