Happy Hollidays Throw Out (part 1)

I promised my readers a short story for Christmas. However, said short story is already five pages long and still going. That being said , since next week is also a holiday I thought I would bring to you in two parts.

This is my first( an probably only) piece of fan fiction. I was disappointed in how the Divergent series ended. I don't want to spoil it for all who have yet to read it, but if you read this you probably will understand what happens.  My apologies to Veronica Roth for creating my own spin on the story, I just could not help myself. In my opinion Four needs a better ending! So without further ado, here's My holiday throw out. Merry Christmas Everyone.

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Part ONE

                It has been four years since the Chicago experiment was disbanded and its borders opened. I took the first opportunity I could to get out of the fringe and into the city. I never imagined that I would actually have my own apartment, running water, and amenities. Now here I stand, in front of what the people of the experiment once called the hub, getting ready to start my new job. I will be the secretary to one of the Cities representatives, Johanna Reyes.

                I arrived six months ago, with the assistance of a girl named Christina, whose job it is to relocate people like me. She helps people who want a fresh start, people who are sick of fearing for their very existence. I feel blessed that she found me when she did.

               I take the elevator to the tenth floor, stepping off into a lobby that buzzes with life. Around me, phones ring and machines whirr. I step up to a stern looking man with interesting blue eyes, who looks like he is ready to rip the multi line telephone out of the  desk and throw it across the room.

                “Can I help you?” The man grumbles, before throwing a finger up and answering another phone. I wait patiently, fishing the form Christina gave me out of my jacket pocket as I wait. He twists in his chair reaching into a filing cabinet behind him and I see the ghost of a tattoo peeking over the backside of his collar. Turning back toward me and setting the phone down he huffs out a frustrated sigh.

                “I am sorry do you need something, as you can see I am quite busy.” He says snapping at me, obviously telling me to go away.

                I shove the arm holding the paper in his face, almost punching him in the process. He dodges it, roughly grabbing my wrist and twisting it, painfully, before realizing what he is doing, and releasing me. He takes the paper and studies it as I attempt to explain my presence.

                “Christina sent me, I am Mrs. Reyes’s new secretary. “ I say feebly. It does not sound like my voice at all, but then again, it has been quite some time since someone has made me this nervous. He picks up the phone and dials a number.

                “Christina, I could kiss you right now!” He half shouts into the phone, and then slams down the receiver. Standing suddenly, from behind the desk, I shrink back a little. I find myself wondering if he knows how frightening he is. He has short dark hair, stern, angular features, and I am sure he would be attractive if he would smile. From the looks of him, he does not smile much.

                “Yes, well Miss…..” He pauses, waiting for my response.

                “Tahlia.” I say extending my hand. He looks at it, then back at my face, so I awkwardly drop it back to my side.

                “Right, Tahlia, well this will be your desk. As you can see, we are very busy here so you have your work cut out for you. I am Mrs. Reyes’s assistant, Tobias. I help her with her political duties. My office is right there.” He points to the left of the reception desk to an office door labeled T. Johnson. “Mrs. Reyes is out attending a conference at the government compound today, and our former secretary left us quite suddenly. The phone list is here, and so is a cheat sheet with card numbers, and other pertinent information. I think that is everything, so I will leave you to it.” He nods at me then quickly strides into his office half slamming the door in his wake.

                “Four isn’t much of a people person.” I hear a familiar voice say behind me. Christina. She stands behind me, grinning ear to ear, in a form fitting black pinstripe pantsuit. She has a fuchsia shirt underneath it that matches the shock of fuchsia hair that she wears. I smile back and make my way behind the desk with the ringing phone, which has not stopped since I walked out of the elevator.

                “Four?” I asked, unsure of what she is talking about.

                “It’s a pet name I use for Tobias, when he is being especially charming.” She says flashing her winning smile at me.

                I glance at the telephone, which has no less than five lines, all of them ringing. Everything about this day so far has been intimidating, including the phone I stare at bewildered right now. Christina walks over and grabs a headset, placing it on my head, and nods at she hits the first flashing button on the phone.

                “Johanna Reyes’s office how may I help you.” I squeak, and after that, everything is a blur.

               

                At exactly 6:01 pm, the phone stops ringing. I finally exhale and slouch back into my chair. The door to Tobias’s office bursts open, and I shoot up pin strait again. I expected him to say something, anything, instead he just nods, locking his office door, and boarding the elevator. I take off my headset and place it on the holder on the desk. Gathering my things, I make my way to the elevator.

                “How did it go?” Christina asks, catching me off guard once more as she steps off the elevator next to mine. I am beginning to think she is following me, but I know her office is a few floors below mine in the building.

                “Well I only hung up on five people, and considering I have never worked in an office before, I consider that a win.” I grin.

                Christina throws her arm over my shoulder. “That’s what I like about you; you always look on the bright side.” She pokes me in the side and I flinch from the contact. “Say, I am headed to meet some friends, you want to come?”

                “Sure.” I smile. I am new in town and have not been around enough to meet anyone, so I cannot justify refusing her offer. We chat as we walk toward the Hancock building. Christina tells me about her sister and mother, the friends we are meeting. Evidently, she was part of the Chicago experiment, and was involved in the uprising that ended with the opening of the city to the fringe. I listen intently, to her stories about her friends, and being Dauntless, amazed at what she went through.

                We arrive at a storefront and walk inside. There is a bar set up along the left side and a dense cluster of tables throughout. A young man with glasses waves at us from a booth in the far corner. We make our way through the maze of tables to the back of the room. Christina grabs the table next to the booth and sets her things down, waiting for me to do the same. I turn toward the booth with a shy smile, waving to its occupants. They nod back, looking to Christina to clarify my presence.

                “Guys, this is Tahlia, she’s new here, just started in Johanna’s office. Tahlia, this is Matthew, Cara, George, and Zeke.” She points to them individually, and they offer a greeting. “Where is Amar, Caleb, and Four? “ She asks. I stiffen at the mention of my new, kind-of boss’s nickname. Cara and Matthew smile at me, likely noticing my adverse reaction to what I just heard.

                “Don’t worry,” Cara says, “he grows on you.” She smiles as the rest of the table starts giggling. The door chimes behind us and Christina throws a hand up in a wave. My eyes grow wide as I hear the voice of Tobias talking to another male. Cara stifles a laugh when she sees my face covering her mouth and pretending to cough. A chair slides out next to me, and a large black man with dreadlocks sits down. I give him a shy smile before plunging my chin into my chest, trying to avoid eye contact with Tobias.

                “Amar.” The Man says reaching a hand out for me to shake.

                “Tahlia.” I say with a tight-lipped smile. I can feel Tobias’s eyes boring into my head as I turn tentatively toward him and nod. He looks different, in a black tee shirt and relaxed jeans. I see more of his tattoo above the collar of the thin fabric.

                Tobias glares at me for an uncomfortable period of time before Christina elbows him and he turns to her, engaging in her conversation. I let out the breath I did not know I was holding, and excuse myself to the restroom.

                I stare into the mirror as I wash my hands. I find nothing remarkable about my reflection. My mousey brown hair and dull green eyes stare back at me. The angles of my face cut deep, leaving the appearance of dark circles under my eyes. The door opens and I see Cara’s wiry frame slip in behind me.

                “You all right?” She asks. “Don’t let the group scare you. We are all good people, just different in our own right.” She quips from behind the stall door. “I think it’s time we had another person join our group, it’s always nice to make new friends.”

                I wait for Cara to finish before returning to the table. She slides in next to Matthew again. From the stolen glance they give each other, I assume that they are a couple. I walk to the only empty spot left at the table, which just so happens to be right next to Tobias. He gives me a forced smile as I slide into my chair.

                “So how was your first day?” Tobias asks. I can tell by the sideways look Christina is giving that she coerced him into making small talk. Tobias does not seem like the small talk type.

                “Fine, a little daunting.” I respond, which incites a not so forced curl to his lips. He slides a beer in front of me and I accept it with a smile.

“Well, I appreciate your help. I was having a heck of a time keeping up out there.” He taps his bottle to mine, and then turns abruptly back to Christina, who gives him a wide grin.

                I sit awkwardly for the next hour or so, making polite conversation with the group. I keep feeling Tobias’s eyes drift to me, but when I would glance in his direction all I would see is the muscles in his jaw clenching. I found myself wondering why he is so hardened. What happened to him to make him so guarded?

                Deciding to excuse myself for the night, I bid my acquaintances farewell. I pull my jacket tight around my body to guard against the biting winter wind. Someone told me people used to call this place the windy city. I now understand why they called it that.

                About a block from the bar, I feel a presence behind me, far closer to me than my comfort allows. My breathing picks up, and I wonder how fast I can run in the dress shoes I bought for my new job. As I round the corner I pick up my pace, I can see the river form here, which means my apartment is not far. The steps behind me keep stride with my own, only I can feel them growing closer. I decide that if I cannot outrun my attacker I may as well face them head on. I reach into my pocket for the knife I keep on my person at all times, a habit that I picked up living in the fringe, unfolding it and gripping it firmly. With a guttural scream, I whip around and slash blindly at the air. About half way through my swing, I feel something smash into my arm and bend it a t an unnatural angle. I release the knife, my only protection, and cringe as it clatters to the sidewalk.

                “Whoa, are you trying to kill me?” The low husky voice of Tobias says near my ear. My backside is pressed to his front, and he breaths heavily in my ear. He loosens his grip and I pull away from him, faster than my body wants me to.

                “Why are you following me?” I ask wide eyed.

                “I’m not. My apartment is just down by the river. I just thought we could walk together since we are both going in the same direction. However, you attacked me with a knife. So, now I am not so sure I want to walk with you, anymore.” He raises an eyebrow at me and takes a step back reaching down to grab my knife. I see more tattooed skin peek out from the waistline of his jeans. I avert my eyes. He hands the knife back, as he straitens with a smile.

                “You shouldn’t be walking alone at night, even if you have a knife, it’s not safe.” His features soften for the first time, and in the streetlights, he almost looks like he is blushing.

                “I am from the fringe, I wouldn’t be the first time I was attacked while walking alone” I reply a little sharper than necessary.

                His head ticks back a notch, as if my words slapped him. He trains his eyes to the pavement and his eyebrows stitch together. After a silent minute, he looks at me again, his face-hardens to the almost scowl I am accustomed to. He nods to himself, turning toward the lake and begins to walk. I stand there stunned as I watch him make his way down the hill. About ten paces away he stops, looking to see if I am following. I quickly catch up to him, and walk with him in silence until we reach my building.

                As if on cue, Tobias steps up to the door, opening it for me then follows me inside. I smile sheepishly at him and stand there awkwardly staring at him.

                “Thank you for walking me, I should be okay from here.” I say, graciously. Tobias smiles and starts following me up the stairs. I stop again glaring at him. “Really I will be fine.” I grumble.

                “I live here too, fourth floor.” He says with a wry smile.

                “Oh, sorry. “ I say, cheeks pinking. I continue to my apartment on the second floor.

                                                                                                *****

                The next morning I find Tobias waiting in the lobby of the apartment building. He waits silently for me to pass him before following me out of the building. I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye, but he just kept his eyes trained on the sidewalk, not speaking. I find the whole situation strange, but nothing is normal about Tobias. When we finally arrive at the office, he just mutters, “have a good day,” as we exit the elevator and goes straight to his office.

                The second day is a little easier. I finally meet my boss Johanna. She seems like a nice person. She is exceptionally calm, and pleasant, thanking me profusely for even the slightest things. I know I am going to enjoy working for her. The day rounds out with me only hanging up on two people, and both understood when they called back. 

                As I exit the elevator, Tobias is standing like a sentinel by the doors. He nods and follows me out the door, as he did this morning. We walk several blocks, not speaking. The entire time I am contemplating the purpose of him escorting me to and from work. I imagine him throwing his coat over a puddle, like the men in the old books at the library. A laugh escapes me, and I try to stifle it with a cough.  

                “Something funny?” He asks in a low voice.

                “No, I was just picturing you laying your coat across a puddle so I didn’t have to walk through it.” I giggle again when I see the look on his face.

                “Why would anyone do that?”

                The question in his voice makes me laugh harder, and he arches an eyebrow at me in question. This, in turn, sends me into hysterics. I see anger, or annoyance, flash across his face as he quickens his pace and strides ahead of me. I calm myself and jog to catch up with him.

                “I am sorry. It is from a book I once read, evidently men used to do that for ladies as they escorted them on walks. I just find the thought of you doing that funny. “

                “Glad I could amuse you.” He says grumpily.

                “You are a strange man.” I say flippantly. This man is definitely moody. I guess if he has no sense of humor, I can at least have a little fun teasing him.

                “Oh, yea. How so?”

                “Well, for one, your mood swings are giving me whiplash. Second, you act as if you have something against me, then you escort me home. I just don’t know whether I am coming or going with you.” I say bluntly, I am not good at placating.

                “I am not a very nice person.”

                “I think you are. You are just scared to let anyone else in. I have seen you with your friends. They all love and respect you. That kind of friendship does not grow on trees. “

                Tobias stares off toward the lake, his jaw muscles clenching and unclenching, deep in thought. Finally glancing at me, his eyes drag from my face to my feet and back up. A heavy sigh seeps from his nose as he eyes me warily. I prepare myself for an angry retort, or for him to storm away again, but neither happen.

                “I know you can take care of yourself. You just remind me of someone I once loved, someone I lost.”

                I suck in a sharp breath. I am unsure how to handle the fact that he feels protective of me because I look like an ex-girlfriend.

                “She died fighting for this city, for its people. I can see her strength in you, I saw it the moment I laid eyes on you.” He glances at my eyes quickly, and then looks away.

                I feel warm against the piercing wind that whips up from the lake. If I am not mistaken, I just received a compliment from Tobias. A small smile spreads across my face as I watch him fidget. Tobias does not seem like the type to get nervous. I find myself wondering about this girl, what it was about her that made him love her. I wanted to be that girl for him.

TO BE CONTINUED.................