Into the Night

Chapter 17 - Tris POV

Sunday November 30th

I haven't been able to sleep properly since Thursday night. Every time I close my eyes I see his face. Hear his voice. Hell, I can even smell him. His leather jacket that hangs over my desk chair still gives off his scent and it does me no help what so ever when I try to drift off. He invades my dreams, he throws off my heart beat, and he makes my knees weak. I hate it. But I also love it.

His last email to me left my lungs tight and my heart out of control. I've never thought about a boy seriously like this before, and never imagined he would feel this way about me.

Now that the plan is in motion, Christina has urged me to talk to him and let him in. I'm at war with myself on the issue. I'll have to let him in eventually and tell him my secret if he's going to buy me at the auction the night of New Year's Eve. The thought, again, makes my legs feel like jelly.

Shauna and Matthew let us know yesterday that the best place we should all meet up once we've left, is Washington State. Apparently Max and Eric both have arrest warrants under false identities there. Plus, it's right on the ocean. Granted it is the Pacific Northwest and therefore will be rainy and a bit cooler than most places, but no one seems to mind. I'm excited because the Pacific Northwest has some of the best forests around.

We'll still be going to school though; I'm not going to drop out now. We're currently trying to decide between University of Washington, and Western Washington University. They both look good. Not to mention Western Washington University is very close to Canada which would make for a quick getaway if necessary. Both Max and Eric, and probably a few of his men's passports would be flagged and they'd be arrested on the spot.

It will be our little corner of the world.

"So remember Tris, it needs to be something nice, but not too fancy. It's a classy place, but not five star where you need a reservation two months in advance. How about this?"

I make a humming noise to Christina as she goes on talking. Tonight is the night I meet her mysterious beau. She has finally given me his name. Will. Short for William naturally. William Nickolas Stark III to be exact, and a small description of him. At first it sounds like she's describing a male version of Cara.

"Tris are you even listening?"

My head snaps up to her as I look at a painting on the wall. "No. Sorry."

She sighs. "I know you don't like this, but you need an outfit for tonight, and the quicker you find one you like, the faster we can go home."

I nod and begin to make an effort to look through the dresses on the racks. Christina already has six or seven in her arms. I wonder for the briefest moment how she can carry all those dresses effortlessly, but then I remember, this is Christina we're talking about.

Not really wanting to try a lot on, I become very picky. Almost every dress Christina offers, I decline. Too sparkly, too short, too much cleavage, too sheen.

Finally she huffs and turns her back on me, heading toward the dressing rooms. "You pick out your dress then! I'm going to go try these on."

I wave after her, already knowing which one she's going to choose. The red one she got off the high wall rack. She's been unconsciously feeling the fabric over and over as she grabs other dresses. Not to mention she looks great in a blood red color, and she knows it.

After giving up on the main area and not even daring to look at the wall dresses because of the price range, I walk over to the clearance area.

Initially I go for the size 2's and feel a little self-conscious about my abnormally skinny body. But, with the injections I've been getting, maybe I can fit into a 4.