CHAPTER I – O N E
Beatrice Prior's POV
Tobias Eaton's Choosing Ceremony

I awaken to the sound of my mother's soothing voice, encouraging me to coax back into consciousness. I wish to capture the remaining moments of rest as much as I can, however, today is not a normal Saturday, meaning, I need to be as selfless as my body can somewhat muster.

Today is the day of the Choosing Ceremony. The day in which every sixteen year old chooses which Faction they believe in, and in which they're best suitable too. Dauntless, the brave; Candor, the honest; Amity, the peaceful; Erudite, the intelligent, and my Faction – Abnegation, the selfless.

It is also Tobias Eaton, my closest friends, Choosing Ceremony.

Of course, I have other friends – such as Robert and Susan, my age; but there was always something about Tobias Eaton which was indescribable to me. I felt a connection to him stronger than anyone else. But this is Abnegation; we're supposed to treat everyone the same way and feel the same way, therefore I have never shared this information with anyone.

I drag myself out of my cosy, secure bed and allow myself to become the contaminated, selfless Tris I've trained myself to become the past fourteen years.

"Good morning, mother." I muster, thanking her for the clothes laid out on my bed and changing before preceding her down the stairs.

While doing the simple tasks of the morning – helping my father preparing the table, making small talk with my brother about how his sleep was, exchanging smiles with my mother, only one true thought can process in my brain.

I know he is going to leaving me.

We've discussed it, in the moments in which we have to act as our true selves. They don't happen often, if Caleb is ill and Tobias is asked to walk me home, the moments passing the halls at school. We are selfless, but not selfless enough, and with his father's behaviour towards him, I do not blame him for leaving. However much it may break me, whatever's best for Tobias has to be best for me, too. I may not be selfless enough for Abnegation, but my priory shall always be Tobias' safety over my own.

Snapping me out of my thoughts, my mother lays a hand on my shoulder. "Beatrice, are you sure you're all right this morning? You seem dazed."

I nod a bit too quickly. "Yes mother, I am fine."

She shakes her head quickly, lightly pressing on my arm and pulling me out of the room. "You're nervous about today, aren't you?" I nod slightly again, not wanting to disturb her placing my hair into a tight bun.

"I can't help myself," I muster, words pouring out like a disarranged waterfall. "I know he's not going to stay, mother, and I don't know what I'm going to do without him. I don't know how to explain it."

My mother smiles, placing her palm on my cheek lightly and chuckling to herself. "Oh, Beatrice. You still have your life ahead of you." She takes her palm of suddenly, removing any visible creases on her already perfect clothing.

All of sudden, I hear a knock at the door. My mother nods, as if everything's slipping into place. "That must be the Eaton's now. Time to go, Beatrice."

I greet Tobias with a small smile and a nod, the expected gesture of an Abnegation greeting. Nothing more, nothing less. Never something more when Marcus is around.

Marcus has abused Tobias ever since his mother died during childbirth when he was young. I was the first person to notice the bruises over Tobias body, marked all over as if a pen on a piece of paper. I couldn't bare it then, and I cannot bare it now. That's why I understand Tobias on his moving of Factions. To escape the danger. He has always warned me that if Marcus asks for me to help him out, at any stage, for me to find a way to decline at all costs in case Marcus starts to abuse me. He said if he ever discovered anyone has laid a hand on me, he'll storm back to Abnegation and kill them himself.

This always makes me believe Tobias is going to transfer to Dauntless. Although every time we try to discuss it we always get prevented by something, or someone, moments like these make me believe Tobias Eaton is truly Dauntless.

We arrive to The Hub reasonably quickly, mysteriously greeted by Jeanine Matthews, leader of Erudite, at the entrance. This is not how it works. In the past five years I have been allowed to attend the Choosing Ceremony, the Faction represented has always met us directly at the ceremony.

"Mr Eaton, Mr Prior." Jeanine says positively, her smile as deadly as a snake's. My father tenses. It's no secret that he has never taken a liking to Jeanine Matthews. "It appears you have brought a child under the age of sixteen to the ceremony?" She asks, her eyes quickly scanning to Caleb and I. "The rules have changed this year. But surely, you must have known this. Children sixteen and under are no longer prohibited to view Choosing Ceremonies. You Stiffs will just have to go home and find some way to amuse yourselves on the road."

My father, clearly not amused, nods stiffly for me and Caleb to leave. Panic rises up inside me. I'm not going to see Tobias' choosing ceremony. I may never be able to see Tobias again. Swallowing the pain which consumes my body, I turn to leave.

"Wait!" Tobias says, quickly covering his urgent expression when he receives a curious look of Jeanine. "Have a safe walk home, Caleb" he says, meeting his eyes to Caleb only briefly, pausing when he meets mine. "Beatrice."

His eyes tell messages his speech didn't have the ability to. I'm leaving today, I wish I could speak to you, I cannot speak to you, I don't wish this to be goodbye.

I don't want this to be goodbye either, Tobias. Can't you see this as hard for me as it is yourself?

I put all the effort into a smile as I possibly could without breaking down and crying then and there. "Thank you, Tobias." Thank you for everything.

After that, I turn and walk away as quick as I can, not caring how far behind Caleb is. I can't handle his selflessness that Tobias or I will never have. Not now, not ever.

Later that afternoon, I hear the roars of the Dauntless soaring as they jump on the trains; some, for the first time. I can't help but hear the freedom in their voices, the freedom I do not have.

Are you with the Dauntless, Tobias? Was I correct? Will I ever see you again?;

I quickly correct myself.

I will find you, Tobias Eaton. In two years, we will meet again.