22Days usually go by fast. That's how Tris always felt about them. But now, something has somehow changed. It's possible for her to grasp and absorb every moment. Feeling a hundred emotions instead of feeling nothing at all. Seeing the world in a hundred different colors, unlike before where every shade of blue was just blue. Right now, there's sky blue, aqua, turquoise and there's ocean blue.
Life has been something Tris was used to. She was used to the disappointments coming because expecting the worst out of things was a habit of hers. "Expect the unexpected", many people would say. So that's what she always did. But she never expected the ups in her life. She never expected this.
"See you tomorrow," was said.
"See you tomorrow," was nodded and answered.
She never expected to hear Tobias say that. She never expected her to answer that back either. How did it happen? Why and what is this? What is this going on, this thing taking her on a roller coaster of emotions, feelings, thoughts that are simply messing up with the flow of her life?
Tris contemplates but the answer is already in front of her. She just doesn't know what it is.
"So, what's this specialty of yours?" she asks Tobias.
"Well, it's no other than," he uncovers the bowl and there it is, "burnt toast sundae."
She grins, "Wow." He sits down on the chair across from her and hands her a spoon.
"And," Tobias adds. "French vanilla. Your favorite." He pushes the coffee cup that smells like heaven forward.
"Tobias, it's twelve A.M. You drink coffee this late?"
"Well, it's technically morning so I would consider it early," he smiles. "And yes, Tris. I do. And if you don't want it, I'll drink it."
He grabs the cup but Tris stops him by putting her hand over his. "No, no. I want it. Just give it to me."
Tobias' eyes are wider than usual but he doesn't notice it. But she does. He just nods and says, "It's all yours."
Tris scoops vanilla ice cream with her spoon and is filled with delight. Tobias takes a sip from his coffee and he watches her, filled with contempt, happiness and something more. Desire, that is.
"Tris," he starts, a little uncertain. "When did you realize that teaching math was your thing?"
She stops mid-scoop and sits back. "I don't know. I guess I like how it feels like whenever I see the looks on the faces of those kids whenever they understand a lesson or how proud they are when they recite the multiplication table to their parents. Or maybe I just feel capable of much more things because it's like I can actually help kids with their lives and give them a start before they head to the future.
"I also like how the numbers just seem to spill out of me. I'm not really a mathematician and it is still my first year of teaching but I feel as if I was meant to do it. Also probably because I enjoy solving math problems. Kinda weird, yeah. But I don't know. I probably am not making much sense right now."
"You make a whole lot of sense," Tobias says seriously. Seriously concealing emotions.
They continue to eat their dessert and Tobias stands to start cleaning up. Tris helps and puts the dishes to the sink.
"Your dessert was amazing. Thank you."
"You're always welcome."
They stand next to each other in front of the sink, both not knowing how to end this visit, both not wanting to end it, either.
"Tobias," she faces him and looks straight into his eyes, ocean blue. "I, I-"
She can't even finish her sentence because she doesn't even know how to start. Because she doesn't even know what to say. But she doesn't need to. They're standing very close to each other, enough for Tobias to touch her, so that's exactly what he does. He slides his hand from her wrist and brushes it up all the way to her shoulder. The simple contact of his skin is enough to make her shiver. He notices this and he can't deny how much he likes it.
He keeps his right hand on her right shoulder and he repeats what he did with his other hand until Tris' breathing is rapidly increasing in speed. Inhale, exhale, she keeps on telling herself to focus. But it's not working. She closes her eyes when Tobias squeezes her shoulders. Sliding his hands to her back, he takes a step closer. Her hands suddenly go to his arms because she needs support. She feels like she's about to fall, pulse so fast, heart in throat. He searches her face for discomfort but he can't see any kind so he places his hands on her waist. This causes Tris to take a fast intake of breathe and it also makes her bite her lip. Tobias' hand reaches up to her lips and he strokes the side of her face slowly. "Don't do that. You're torturing it."
This makes Tris laugh, but it's strained. How can she laugh if she can hardly breathe under the intense gaze of the blue eyes in front of her especially with Tobias' arms all over her? She finds the courage to pull him in closer and she wraps both of her arms around his neck.
"Mmmm," she hums. "So."
"So," he repeats.
She shakes her head and closes her eyes, leaning in until their foreheads are touching.
"You said you teach because it just feels right, like you were meant to be there doing just that," Tobias tells her. "And I know we've only knew each other for a month and a half but that's exactly how I feel when I'm with you."
Her eyes flutter open but then they suddenly fall shut when she feels his lips on hers. He kisses her softly and slowly like he's savoring the moment so he could keep it forever. She kisses him back with the same amount of passion, every bottled up feeling slowly flowing out because the contents is just too much. Neither of them can describe what their feeling but they both know something's there. Tobias' right hand goes to her neck, pushing her closer, while the other goes to her hair. Their lips together, their bodies moving in sync, their hands grasping with need eventually separate and Tris stares into his eyes with a mix of care, desire, lust and happiness. "Me too."