Being Who I Am

by Sky-0916-1102

Tris found herself in the Arts. She thought she could prosper in the most prestige Art Academy in Chicago, but that was taken away from her when her mom died. Now she has to attend Faction High, a normal high school, with an okay art program. Will she continue to work on her art like her mother would have wanted or will she abandon the way of life she shared with her mother?

Chapter 1

Dear Diary,
Don't give up just be you, because life is too short to be anybody else.

Those were the last words my mother spoke, and they were directed towards me. When I was five my mother decided it would be a good idea if I got involved in an extra-curricular activity. My brother, Caleb was seven at the time and was already involved in little league football, got straight A's, and went to the library for at least three hours after school every single day. According to my father, Caleb was the perfect child, he was the perfect example of what he wanted his kids to be like. And me, well I lived in Caleb's shadow. My mom always believed I would grow up and do great things, which is a lot more then I can say for my dad. She decided it was time for me to get involved in something and she spent all of her free time for almost a whole year. I tried everything from basketball, lacrosse, soccer, and cheerleading to ballet, acting, singing, and jewelry making.

One day my mom drove by the Chicago Academy of the Arts. Even though it is a high school they have art classes for all types of art for all ages. My mom and I both quickly realized I was a natural. The cool thing about how the lessons worked was they did not care about how old you were it was strictly based upon your talent level. There could be a seven year old in a class with fourteen year olds, and that's exactly what happened to me. At first, I just took drawing lessons, but then I went on to painting, sculpting, photography, and computer design. All of my instructors said I could be an art prodigy and I would definitely be accepted into the academy when I went to high school. Ever since my mom found out about that that's all we did. Whenever we were together we did some form of art. It was amazing, and it was the only time I felt like I was important.

My dad did not support my art, but my mom promised me that by the time I was ready to start high school, she would get him to support me and get his permission to send me to the academy instead of the public high school in our town. She did, indeed keep her promise. For my fourteenth birthday I got a card from my parents with a Chicago Academy of the Arts brochure in it. It was official I was going to the Academy the following year. It was honestly the best birthday present I could have ever gotten.

One month later, we found out my mom had a brain tumor. It doubled in size after two weeks, and the doctors said there was nothing they could do for her because any treatment that could possibly help her would be too slow and the cancer would kill her before anything could be gone. I think my mom knew the horrible thing my father was going to do, after she passed. I think that is the reason her last words were what they were because we talked about how I would fit in perfectly at the academy, but not at the public school. She was telling me that even though I would not be going to the school of my choice, I still can express myself and be the person I want to be and the person I am when I'm creating a new piece of art. She was telling me it does not matter where I go, as long as I make the most of it. And that is exactly what I am going to do at factions high, I am going to be the person I would have been at the Art Academy, for my mom.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of my story. I know this has been done a lot, but my story will be different I promise! This is my first fanfic, and I would really appreciate some reviews about how you liked it and if you want me to continue.