Tris POV

It's been a year. It's been a year since I first walked into the Dauntless compound, unsure of my decision to leave Abnegation and join the ranks of the Dauntless. It's been a year since I learned that I, Tris Prior, was Divergent. It's been a year since Jeanine Matthews tried to turn Four against me. That experience has haunted my nightmares. And it's been a year since the Divergent were in danger. Things feel restless. I'm almost certain danger will stare us in the eye and threaten everything we have. But until then, I'm going to enjoy this state of peace and happiness.

Four's muscles rippled as he tightened his arms around me, enveloping me in a warm hug. I couldn't help but smile, my lips curling up in a girlish grin. My heart still did a little flip every time he looked at me with his loving, sparkling eyes. I didn't want to leave the comfort of Four and my bed, but I gently pushed apart his arms and sat up, stretching.

"Tris…" he murmured, eyes slowly opening.

"Wake up, sleepy head," I chuckled. "If only the initiates saw the mean and scary Four, lying on the bed, too lazy to get up."

He rolled his eyes but smiled. "I'm glad you moved into my house. Seeing your beautiful face makes Monday mornings so much better."

I blushed and gave him a quick kiss. "I'll see you later, Four. It's Christina's birthday today and I promised Will that I'd help him plan a party for her." He nodded sleepily.

Closing the door behind me, I raced to Will and Christina's apartment. I knocked on the door, and listened as the knock resonated through the wood. Will opened the door and frantically ushered me in.

"She's started to suspect something when I pushed her out of the room and told her to go shopping," Will said worriedly. "I hope she doesn't return too quickly."

I grinned. "Don't worry about it. She won't find out about the surprise party until we surprise her with it!" I looked around the apartment and gaped at Will's work. He had decorated the house with pale lavender, Christina's favorite color. Balloons floated around the ceiling, and banners were strewn across the walls. Soft music played from the stereo in the corner. It looked like a picturesque birthday party. But something was missing…

"Will, where's the birthday cake?"

Will stared at me, his eyes widening. "Oh no…" He murmured. I almost slapped my hand to my forehead. Of all things, Will forgot the birthday cake. But I couldn't blame him, he was worried about making this a fantastic party for his girlfriend. Will grabbed his phone and muttered a few brief words into the speaker.

"I have a friend, Jason, who works in the kitchen as a cook. Thankfully he's free today," Will explained. I gave a sigh of relief. Good. Christina's birthday won't be ruined after all. I happily collapsed into the couch, but Will dragged me into Christina's room.

"This is going to be a nice, somewhat fancy party. After all, you know how much Christina likes dressing up. So Tris, you're going to have to wear a dress," Will said. He paused when he saw my face. I hated, hated wearing dresses with all my heart. "Please Tris, I know it would make Christina's day!" I sighed, conceding. All I needed to do was make Christina happy for today. Just today, and I would never have to wear a dress again. I grudgingly slipped into a strapless, shimmery red dress. I quietly admired the dress in the mirror. I still wasn't used to looking in mirrors, since Abnegation frowned upon self-indulgence… which included looking at one's own reflection in the mirror. But now that I'm Dauntless... I grinned, enjoying my new freedom.

It was a really pretty dress, and if I weren't Tris Prior, I would have loved it. Too bad I was me, the Dauntless girl who hated dressing up. I slipped into high heels that Will had handed me. They were a big change from the sneakers I used to wear, and I had trouble walking in them. Oh well. I kept in mind that it was Christina's birthday, and decided to suck it up and make her happy.

When I walked back into the living room, there was a young man standing and talking to Will. He had sapphire blue eyes, brown hair, and a slender figure. His cheekbones were prominent, and he was definitely not ugly. I gave him a curt nod as I staggered into the room in my high heels. Will's eyes lit up.

"Thanks Tris! I knew that you'd be willing to wear it for Christina!"

I rolled my eyes, but smiled. "Of course."

The man walked over and chuckled. "You must be Tris. I've heard so much about you…" He trailed off, looking at my dress. "I've heard a lot about your fearlessness and how you ranked first, but I never heard about how beautiful you were." He said, giving me a charming smile. He didn't say it, but he was also obviously expecting a tough, muscular girl, and not one wearing a dress and high heels. Nonetheless, I blushed at his small compliment. Will jabbed him with his shoulder.

"Be careful with your words, Jason," he joked, "Tris has a nasty mean boyfriend." I laughed and Jason got to work, gathering ingredients. Within an hour, he had baked a fancy, multi-layered cake.

"A cake worthy of Dauntless," I murmured, gazing at the enchanting layers of frosting. Will was also beaming.

"I can't wait for Christina to get back!" He cheered. Will made a few calls to his friends, and everyone started to arrive at the apartment. Four and I ducked behind a sofa and waited for Christina to return home. Will turned off the lights, and we hid in silence.

When the door creaked open, and Christina turned on the lights, we jumped out and screamed, "Surprise!" Just like a classic surprise party. Nothing special, but it felt like we were all a family. Just being with my fellow Dauntless friends made me feel right at home.

As the clock struck midnight, the music dimmed, and the beer bottles grew in number. We all joked around. Eager to get home, however, I tapped Four on the shoulder and asked him if he was ready to leave. I opened the door to the apartment, revealing gusty and freezing cold winds. Shivering, I closed the door again.

"Yikes, it looks cold outside," I muttered.

"Do you want my jacket?" Four offered, pointing at the leather jacket he was wearing.

"No it's okay, I'll just borrow one of Christina's," I replied. I didn't want Four to be cold either. I strolled into Christina's room and hunted for a jacket in her vast closet. I finally found a grey coat that was nondescript and blended in with the Dauntless tradition of dark clothing.

I stepped out of the closet, preparing to walk back into the living room. But the alcohol I had earlier was starting to affect me, and I staggered, tripping over my high heels. I felt myself falling down, but I couldn't do anything to save myself. I prepared myself to hit the tile floor, but the impact never came. I was wrapped in warm and safe arms.

Opening my eyes, I found myself looking into Jason's deep blue eyes.

"Are you alright?" He asked, worried.

"I'm fine," I replied hesitantly, before standing back up. "Thanks." As I stepped around Jason, however, I saw Four' familiar figure framing the doorway. I realized that he probably saw me lying in Jason's arms, and I felt a flash of alarm.

"Four!" I called, walking towards him. His silhouette disappeared, and I quickly ran after him. "Four!" I yelled again, but he was sprinting away, pushing past the hordes of people in the living room. "Four, come back!"

But he was gone, whisked away in the gusts of wind. Right before the apartment door slammed shut, I saw him turn back and give me an expression of anguish and heartbreak.

"Four…" I cried, sinking to my knees. A warm hand rested on my shoulder.

"Tris, he'll come back. Come inside, it's cold outside," Jason said. I shoved his arm off my shoulder, turned around and glared at him.

"Don't touch me."

Throwing off my high heels, I raced barefoot into the soft snow. I needed to find Four and clear things up. Because I don't know what I would do without him.