Hey guys. So, as I mentioned this is one of those, 'Tris and Tobias were best friends in Abnegation and when Tobias left Marcus turns on Tris' stories and sadly I can't even say: 'but with a twist!' because I haven't even gotten any ideas yet. But whatever, here we go!
Beatrice's PoV
"Toby?" I whisper into the shadows behind the school.
"Hey Bea," Toby says, coming out of his hiding place. "Ready?"
I sigh but nod. I hate school. The kids always pick on me because they can. I'm Abnegation, I have to let them have their fun with me.
It's been like this for years. The kids take my lunch, make me do their homework, you know, all that kind of stuff.
It's gotten better though. Since I became friends with Tobias that is. People don't mess with him. I don't know if it's because his father is like, an important government person or if it's just because he's really tall.
Either way, I'm not complaining.
"Let's go," I say.
We push through the doors to the school and Toby walks me to class. I sit at the back, as usual. I have to let the other kids have the front seats. It's only fair.
The first three classes go by pretty fast and I finally get to the lunch room. I take out my lunch and sit at an empty table. Lots of kids buy lunch but it would be selfish of me to but a lunch that another kid would appreciate much more.
Yeah right. No one like's the lunches here.
"Hey stiff!" A Candor boy says coming over. "I seem to have forgotten," He looks over at his friends and tries not to laugh, "my lunch. So you should really let me have yours."
I look down but hand him the plastic bag with my lunch in it. The Candor boy laughs and goes back over to his friends so I just stare down at my hands until Tobias sits down. He's third period is on the other side of the campus so he always gets here after me.
"Candor again?" He asks and I nod.
He sighs and hands me his sandwich. I break it in half and give half of it back. He smiles and bites into it.
"So Bea," Toby says as we're walking home. We can't take the bus. It would be selfish apparently.
"So Toby," I reply.
"I have my test in a few days."
Test. Test. Test. That's all I'm hearing.
Please. You have to stay with me. I want to say. I don't know what I'll do without you. I'll go crazy. I'll- "Right," Is all I say.
"And I want you to know," I nod. "That no matter what, I love you."
I stop and wrap my arms around him. When he says I love you it's not romantic. It's like, I love you as a sister which I'm happy with. Not all guy friends need to be romantic.
I pull away and look up at him. "Do you think you'll leave?"
He sighs. "I don't know," He says ut I can see in his eyes that he does. And I'm not going to like his decision.
It's today. Choosing day. The day I say goodbye to my best friend.
We're walking home from school when I say, "I know what you're going to do."
He looks down at me and sighs. "I'm sorry Bea but I... I have too."
I look at my feet and nod. "I'll miss you Toby," I say.
He stops and pulls me into a hug. "Maybe I'll see you again."
I sigh when he says that. "Yeah. Maybe."
It's been one week since Tobias Eaton transferred. My father hasn't said where and I haven't asked.
I'm walking home from school and I'm almost home when Marcus Eaten comes out of his house. I've never liked him really. He always gives me the creeps.
"Beatrice Prior," He says coming over to me. "You were my son, Tobias's friend yes?"
I nod. "Yes sir."
"Well Beatrice," He says. "Without Tobias around I have no one to help me so I was wondering if maybe you would be kind enough to come over once in a while and help me with some housekeeping?"
No! No, no, no! "Of course sir. When would you like me to come?"
He smirks slightly. "Well, seeing as you're already here, would you mind coming now?"
I force a smile. "Of course."
I follow him into his house and put my bag down by the door. "What would you like me to-" But I cut off when I'm slammed into the wall.
"You know I used to do this to my son before he left. Who knows? Maybe you'll be more fun," He says and starts to slide his belt out of the loops. "Turn around and take off your shirt!"
I do as he says and crouch against the wall, knowing what's coming. I feel the lash on my back an bite my lip so I don't cry out.
Again and again it hits me. Finally he sends me home, telling me to come back every day after school.
When I get home I run up to my room and strip. I then wrap a towel around myself and go to the washroom. I step into the shower and let the cool water sooth my back.
"Where wee you this afternoon?" My father asks at dinner.
"I was helping Mr. Eaton with some chores. He's asked me to come help him everyday after school. Is that alright?" I'm trying to seem selfless. He told me that if I don't come he will go for Caleb. There's no way Caleb could take it.
"Of course," My mother smiles at me.
So I go back the next day and he hits me again. If I'm even a minute late he doubles the amount of strikes. Sometimes he cuts me. On my stomach mostly, or sometimes he cuts open the healing cuts on my back.
And that's how it goes for the next two years.
