Chapter 1: Prelude to Madness (Tris' POV)

My brother just returned from a semester of college at University of Southern California. Our parents are never really home. Our dad works as a senator in Washington DC and our mother is on a Peace Corps mission in Kigali, Rwanda. Don't ask me anymore about it, all I know is that she's somewhere in Africa.

When we were a family we all lived together in the Suburbs of Chicago. Now it's just me, I live in a penthouse in downtown Chicago. I have a maid though, she keeps me company. Her name is Dorota. She does all the cooking and cleaning for me so I'm basically free to do whatever I want. Go partying, roam the city, except for the fact that I don't.

I'm happy that Caleb's coming home for his two week break between semesters. At least it coincides with my winter break so we'll get to be with each other for the full two weeks. Maybe I'll actually do something fun for a change. I never really get out much because I don't have friends. It may be a sad life but I have my books, music, and Netflix account to get me through it. I like to work out too though. Our building has a really nice gym that's open twenty four hours a day.

Dorota knocks on my door. "Dinner is ready Tris," she says, her thick Russian accent seeping into every word she says. I head out into the dining room and Caleb's already sitting down. Doroto serves lamb osso bucco with polenta. My serving is significantly smaller than Caleb's, well at least she's catching on.

I eat about a quarter of what's on my plate before heading to the kitchen to dump the remainder in the trash can. "What do you think you're doing Tris?" He asks me with an eyebrow raised. I return the eyebrow raise but try to give off a confused vibe, "throwing out my leftovers?"

"You barely ate anything Tris. Have you been eating?" Caleb asks and I get offended even though his suspicions are correct. "Caleb! Will you get off my back, I'm not a child anymore I can take care of myself!" I says, yelling at him.
"But you don't know how to take care of yourself Beatrice. Just because mom and dad abandoned you for work doesn't mean you're responsible enough to live this life. Honestly I don't know how they trust you to live on your own," Caleb mutters.

"I swear Caleb I've been eating, I promise," I lie, trying to convince him into believing a falsehood. "I swear to god Beatrice, I'm only looking out for your own good. If you aren't eating you're going to die and I'm not just trying to scare you, I'm telling you the truth. You need food to live. Just eat please," he pleads.

"I've been eating regularly Caleb," I say and he eyes me suspiciously. "I pray that you're telling me the truth Beatrice," He says and I feel a pang in my heart for lying to him. I have to though, he can't know how bad it really is.

"You might want to get changed out of those sweat pants, we're having company over tonight?" He says. I try not to be nosy but my curiosity gets the best of me. "Who's coming?"

"Just a few friends from high school," He says. "Okay fine well I'll try to look decent," I say sarcastically and he laughs.

I head back to my room and take a shower. I blow dry my hair, then proceed to brush it meticulously until I get every single knot out. I apply subtle makeup and frown at my reflection, I'm still not pretty.

I head to my closet and opt for my tightest pair of jeans. I let out an excited squeal when I discover that they're loose on me, one step closer to my goal.

I change out of my jeans and into a pair of black leggings from Lululemon. I put on a pushup bra which turns my B-Cups into almost D-Cups. When I look in the mirror I smile giddily at the sight of my thigh gap which I've worked so hard for. It took me four months but it was worth it.

I pull on a black sheer top and head out into the living room where I see people who I assume are Caleb's friends. Caleb spots me and he walks towards me. "Go change," he commands and I obey.
I head back into my room and pull on a form-fitting USC T-shirt my brother got me when he first started college. I head back out into the living room where people are drinking champagne and reminiscing about their high school days.

One of the guys-or should I say men- catches my eyes. His eyes are a striking shade of blue which I can see despite the distance. I sit down in the recliner across from him so I'm somewhat a part of the group. I look back up at the man and his eyes catch mine once again causing me to blush. Stop it Tris, you're only a child to him… my mind tells me. However the way he looks at me tells a different story.

Caleb heads back to his room to get something and one of the girls turns to me. "Want a little bit of Champagne Tris?" The girl asks holding up the bottle of Moet. Caleb probably told her my name. "No thank you," I say politely. I get up and head to kitchen to grab the bottle of Bushmills whiskey I had a homeless man buy me from a liquor store. I head back out into the living room and I look around. "Where's Caleb?" I ask.

"Oh he went back to one of the rooms with Susan," The girl who offered me champagne says. "By the way, I'm Shauna," She says introducing herself. "Nice to meet you, I assume Caleb already told you my name," I say. "Well Tris, your assumption is correct, I'm Zeke," a guy says.

"Well what do you have there, Tris?" The man with striking blue eyes says. "Whiskey… Bushmills if you'd like to get specific," I say in response before taking a swig.

"Are you going to share?" he counters. "I had to pay a homeless man two hundred dollars to get this me, and I'm not big on sharing with strangers so… no," I say sassily while I sit down.
I tune in and out of their conversation but as my bottle soon grows empty my mind soon becomes blurry. "Aw is little Trissy drunk?" Zeke asks and I nod and giggle in response.

Caleb and Susan emerge an hour later, or at least what seemed like an hour. Everyone leaves except the man with the blue eyes. "I really need a place to sleep tonight," he says. "You can crash in one of the guest rooms I'm sure Tris won't mind," Caleb says. Damn right I won't, I'd love to take that piece of man back to my room and see how fucking mature he is, my drunken mind says.

I head back to my room and fall asleep on my bed. Letting the sweet salvation of sleep take me away