Roommates

Movie Night

Tris

Late August

I'm pretty sure that shopping is just about the most awkward thing possible for me to do with these girls. I really want to be friends with them, and I am so happy that Marlene invited me... but I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to say about the fact that I'm pretty much just tagging along and not really buying anything. I'm not buying anything... because I have no extra money. Besides, when I do buy clothes, I usually shop at those cool second-hand stores-- the consignment type places that have all sorts of cool vintage stuff, as well as more recent styles. Vintage t-shirts are totally my thing.

The thing is, I don't have parents helping me with... anything. I'm on my own entirely, and I have been for years. I don't have spare cash and honestly, it doesn't bother me that I can't buy expensive clothes, because for years now, I've had much bigger things to worry about-- paying for the basic necessities of life. It's just kind of hard to explain it to these near-strangers when I am not ready to tell them all about my past yet. I don't want to see the pity looks that are bound to be just beneath the surface every day forward from the day they find out.

"Come on, Tris, these jeans would look great on you! You have to try them!" Christina chirps. I frown. The tag reads eighty dollars. It's really not in my price range... at all.

I stand frozen with my lips parted, the words I can't seem to come up with caught somewhere on the way to my conscious mind.

"Just let her be, Chris," Shauna scolds. "If she just wants to window shop, maybe you shouldn't push her."

I nod, thanking Shauna with my eyes. She squeezes my arm gently before moving on to the next rack. Christina scowls, but turns and starts shopping for herself once again.

"So, Tris," Marlene says as she pulls a loose, sheer top off a rack, "tell us what you like to do. It seems shopping isn't your first choice."

I laugh. "You're right, it isn't. Uh... I like music, and art... I am thinking I'd like to major in art, actually. Maybe go into art therapy? I'm not sure. I really enjoy photography."

"No way!" Shauna exclaims. "Mar and I love to go out and shoot photos. You should come with us!" Marlene nods eagerly. She always has such a bright, sweet, welcoming smile. She seems so genuine that it makes me trust her... and makes me nervous, all at the same time. I'm not used to people being as nice and inviting as she is.

"I would love that! How about you, Christina?" I ask politely. "Are you interested in photography?"

Christina's smile brightens. "Oh my gosh, yes! I love to have my picture taken. I want to try out for America's Next Top Model." I just smile-- that's not really what I meant, but that's OK. If I ever need a model, now I know who to ask. Shauna, Marlene and I continue to talk about going out to shoot photos, and they invite me to a photo club they've joined. I never thought to look for one before. I did join the school yearbook staff last year, though, and got a lot of photography and darkroom practice that way.

"Soooo..." Shauna drawls, "tell us about Eric, Tris." The other girls have been talking about their boyfriends, and I have learned things about Four that could make it a little awkward seeing him at the apartment later. I tried to just tune Christina out as much as possible.

"Tell... what exactly?" I ask nervously. Eric doesn't really like for me to talk about our relationship much. He prefers keep that between us. If I tell them much about him and Eric later finds out, he might be pretty mad at me. I hate it when he's angry with me.

Marlene laughs. "Well, he's pretty hot! Does he have any piercings we haven't seen? Is he good in bed?" I'm so not answering any of that. If my friends ever see him shirtless they'll know about his pierced nipples, but they really do not need to know about Eric's Prince Albert piercing.