0 9| g e t t i n g  h e r

"Tris. Can we talk?"

The brunnete looked up from her bench, surprised when she saw who was talking to her.Max didn't have a smile on his face as he sat beside her but he seemed like he was trying to look calm. She turned to face him, showing that she had his full attention and he sighed.

"I've been wanting to talk to you for some time now," He admitted, "But I haven't had the chance."

He paused, like there was more he wanted to say and Tris knew there was. Max wanted to say something about Zayne but he withdrew from doing it, knowing it would create a tenseness. She appreciated that and her heart regained the usual thud it always had when he was around.

She was glad that she was back on familiar territory with him. Zayne Mahone was completely new and different.

"I've been meaning to talk to you for years," she snorted before she realised what she had said and her eyes widened, "I mean-"

Max's laughing cut her off and he tossed his black hair out of his face, giving her another of his gorgeous smiles. "Don't worry about it," He reassured her. He wiggled his eyebrows, "I'm flattered."

Her cheeks were tinted red still and she found herself staring out at the football pitch, enjoying the way it looked underneath the grey sky. It was getting late.

Zayne had stayed home after she'd told him to, reassuring him constantly that she'd find another ride. She didn't want him in school when he was still recovering from his attack.

"What are you still doing here?" Max asked after a few moments of silence.

She tore her gaze away from the field and met his gaze again. "Rachel's got hockey practice," she answered, "She's my ride."

Her best friend's twin brother rolled his eyes and chuckled. "I'll give you a ride," He told her, standing up. "She likes staying behind after practice and forgets about everything else."

Tris' heart nearly burst and she nodded slowly even though all she wanted to do was scream. Even while they walked to Max's car she was silent, her hands shaking, her body shivering every time his eyes travelled to her.

She was reminded that she liked Max Grey and not Zayne Mahone.

As soon as they were in the car, she expected them to remain silent but Max spoke. "So here's what we're doing," He turned the key in the ignition and it rumbled to life. Turning his head to look at her, he began to drive, "You tell me something about yourself. Whatever it is. I'll do the same."

Blinking rapidly, she thought of what she could say. This was her moment to actually talk to Max like a normal person without anyone to interrupt them. They were in car for heaven's sake. How could they be interrupted?

After seconds of thought she decided to start with something basic. "I like the colour purple," She shrugged, throwing him a smile. He rolled his eyes, amusement evident on his face.

"I like black."

"Black's not a colour," She answered immediately before she could stop herself.

The look of amusement didn't fade away. "So you're one of those," He said, his eyes still on the road. Sitting back, Tris realised that he knew the way to her house because of all the times he'd dropped Rachel there.

Another smile played on her lips.

"Next fact oh judgmental one," He insisted, shooing away any answer she might have had. She rolled her eyes, a stupid smile on her face and she realised that she had been smiling like an idiot ever since she'd entered the car.

"Fact number two," Tris muttered, "I'm not judgemental. I just state facts."

The dark haired boy looked like he was about to protest but stopped himself, moving his head in an almost sing song manner.

"Fine fine," He said, "My next fact....I hate that I never noticed you all these years."

At that moment Tris wanted to kiss him. But he was driving and she didn't want to die after recieving such spectacular news. Instead she gave him the biggest smile of that afternoon and said something stupid. She didn't remember.She was high on giddiness.

Max didn't turn where he was supposed to turn and the look on his face told her that he knew. She wanted to say something but he gave her a look that told her to relax.

All Tris could do was go along and she was reminded of the distaste she had for the person she was around Max Grey.

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As soon as she saw the other car in the driveway, Tris knew that Max couldn't enter the house.  She handed him the bottle she'd given him and grabbed her coke from the cup holder. "I prefer my beer better," She said, trying not to seem shaken.

The entire time she'd been calm. Even when he'd handed her his beer bottle, his eyes daring her to take a sip. She'd taken two and that was it. She wouldn't drink again.

Max's chuckle faded when he saw the car in the driveway and he furrowed his eyebrows. "Is that..." He drifted off and she noticed the way his hands gripped the steering wheel.  There was a murderous look on his face before he turned to look at her, a smirk on his face. "Let me walk you to the door."

Tris gulped, "It's okay. It's just a few feet away."

He still wouldn't back down,"I insist."

Slowly, the two walked to the door with Tris still trying to give excuses. She knew they both recognised the car but she didn't want to talk about it head on. She hated how she could never take on a problem head on.

As she was unlocking the door, it was opened and behind the door stood Zayne Mahone. His smile faded when he saw who she was with and he opened the door wider, revealing a teenage girl that was passing behind them.

"So you're Tris," The girl said, stopping, "Zayne told me you were pretty but wow!"

The coldness in Zayne's gaze vanished for a few seconds so that he could tell the girl to go away before returning. "Max," He nodded, the bitterness in his tone making Tris gulp again.

Knowing it would piss Zayne off, he smiled, sliding a hand onto Tris' waist. "Zayne," He nodded, "You can take it from here. Keep her safe for me."

Before both Zayne and Tris could figure out what he was doing, he placed a kiss on her cheek. Another heart explosion and a wink later, Max was gone, leaving her to deal with the monster standing at the door.

She tried to smile, "What are you doing here?"

"My mum heard about what you did and came to personally thank you," he answered with the same coldness he'd addressed Max with. Tris tried not to seem shaken by his tone and nodded.

"Where is she?" She asked instead, setting her bag pack onto the table by the door. She was about to pass him when he stopped her, his hand on her elbow.

He looked at her quizically before his eyes widened a fraction and he guided her into the nearest bathroom. She stared at him with wide eyes. "What the heck?" She asked, concious about how small the bathroom actually was. The sink was digging into her back and they were inches apart.

Zayne raised his eyebrow. "I should ask you the same thing," He pointed out, "Have you been drinking?"

Her heart nearly stopped. He could smell it on her? She turned to the cabinet behind them and she felt him shift so that he wasn't so close to her back side. Not thinking about it (although she did turn a shade red) she pulled out the mints and popped on onto her mouth. Next, she hurriedly grabbed her emergency perfume bottle- she had one in every bathroom in the house in case Rachel ever showed up with Max unexpectedly- and sprayed herself.

"Sniff again," She said, ignoring the look of surprise on his face.

He did and he nodded blankly. "Tris, let's talk about this," Zayne talked but she held up a hand, stopping him from talking.

Tris met his eyes, "We'll talk about this later. Let's go meet your mum."

The pair walked out, plastering fake smiles onto their faces with the threat of an argument looming over them.

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