Sitting at my desk, pen in hand, I pay attention like I'm supposed to, but there really isn't a need. I look up at the clock; 20 minutes left. "Now it's very important that when it's time for you to take your aptitude test, you think long and hard about your results."

Today in our faction appreciation class, we are learning about what will happen during our aptitude tests. The teacher continues on, "This decision isn't to be taken lightly. You are all 18 now; adults making adult decisions. This choice will affect you for the rest of your life. You don't want to end up Factionless, so please, take the time given to you to really think about this."

Yeah yeah. Factions. Simulations. Choices. Being kicked out of your faction and having to become one of the Factionless. I know all about it; my father has drilled it into my head for years. I know I will be textbook Abnegation, but I take the notes anyway.

"Abnegation, Amity, Candor, Erudite and Dauntless. Each faction has their own way of thinking and their own way of living. But by working together, we have made our city of Chicago thrive. Abnegation, known for their selflessness above all else, functions as our cities government. Amity, known for valuing peace above all else, took it upon themselves to supply our city with food. Candor, who value honesty above all else, gives us our laws. Erudite, who value intelligence above all else, is responsible for all our technological advances. And finally, Dauntless, who value bravery above all else, is our cities protection. Now there are many jobs within each faction, such as-"

I can't listen anymore.

13 minutes.

I know I'm not supposed to think about her, but I can't help it. I see her every day. In the halls. In the lunchroom. Walking home from school. She's even been in my house. I haven't said a single word to her, but I can't get her out of my mind.

Not very selfless.

1 minute. My heart skips a beat.

I will be right next to her, and then we will ride the bus home together, and I will follow her home as I have every day for the past 10 years.

Maybe today can be different.

The bell rings, and even though I will be one of the last ones to leave the room, I pack in a hurry. I patiently wait for the other factions to leave before I get up, and then allow my legs to carry me as fast as they can to her. Just take a deep breath. You can do this. I tell myself. Just talk to her.

I slowly make my way around the corner and see her standing there. I'm trying everything I can to get my legs to go to her, but they won't, so I stare. To an outsider it probably seems a little weird, but I just can't help myself. There are plenty of girls prettier than her, if I'm being honest. But her eyes, those beautiful storm gray eyes, there's something in them; a light. A fire even. Yes, fire. I like that fire.

I'm abruptly aware just how long I have been standing here staring at her, because I see that she is staring right back at me. My heart feels like it just dropped to my feet, and then decided to try and shove it's way out of my mouth. I should walk away -look away even- but I'm frozen in place. Take a deep breath Tobias I tell myself. I finally move, looking away while I slowly make my way to my locker. I exchange my books, and walk back the way I came; I sneak a peek over my shoulder, but she is gone.

I board the bus through the rear entrance and walk straight to the back. I know she always stands towards the front, and after being caught staring, I'm hoping to avoid that awkward moment when she sees me again. The ride home is uneventful, as always, and soon it's just the Abnegation left on the bus. I stare at my feet, trying to will myself to disappear, when I feel it. First in my arms, then my legs, and finally it comes to rest on my head. And it stays there. I've never felt this sensation before; I can only describe it as...fire.

I slowly raise my eyes to find hers staring directly into mine. I look away and do a quick survey of the bus. What am I worried about though? We are all Abnegation; we are trained to keep our eyes down and our mouths shut. I find her eyes again and I know that they never left me. I stare back, unable to move like before. That sensation has filled me completely now; head to toe I am on fire. I let out a small smile; it's this small act that finally breaks her gaze, and just like that, the fire is gone. I keep my head down for the remainder of the ride home, missing it's warmth.

The bus stops and I allow everyone else off first, trying to gain as much space as I can between us. As much as I would like today to be the day, I don't get my hopes up. I can barely look at her without forgetting everything else, how am I supposed to talk to her? Another day I tell myself. I gather my things, and slowly get off the bus. I've actually done such a good job at stalling, I am the only one standing here.

Real smooth Tobias.

"Hey." I'm startled, and drop a book. "Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

It's her.

"No! I mean, umm, I just didn't realize anyone else was here. Don't apologize," I manage to squeak out. She quickly bends down and grabs the book that fell.
Idiot!
"No really, it's ok. Thank you though I got it."
"You're Tobias Eaton, right? I'm Beatrice Prior." I bow my head slightly in her direction.
"It's nice to meet you Beatrice," I say in my best polite Abnegation voice- it's the only voice I can find.

Instead of the normal Abnegation greeting though, I am met with narrowed eyes. "Why were you staring at me? In the hall today, at school."
"I, uh. Well, you see. It's umm..." I can't even think right now, so I just sort of lower my face a little bit in defeat, and feel that fire again. I can't believe how hard it is to concentrate when I feel like I could burst into flames at any second.
It takes all the courage I can muster, but I respond with, "Why were you staring at me on the bus?"

It seems impossible, but her eyes narrow even more. She stares at me for a few seconds while I nervously glance everywhere but where she is. She finally relaxes her face and gives a small approving nod.

"Tobias. Would you walk me home please?"
What?
My eyes meet hers, and finally, she returns my small smile with one of her own. I manage to stammer out a quiet "Yes," before we turn and walk towards our houses together.