Chap. 1

Tris POV

The annoying beeping of my alarm wakes me up. I roll over and slam my hand on the off button, hard. I slowly peel the covers off my body, exposing me to the cold and unwelcoming air. I hop up and take a quick, scalding hot shower. I walk over to my closet, contemplating what I should wear. In the end I choose black skinny jeans with a black off the shoulder top. My clock reads 7:04, just enough time to grab a bite to eat. I sling my backpack over my shoulder and run down the stairs to be greeted with the smell of blueberry waffles.

"Caleb, you really shouldn't have. But I do appreciate it." I lean in for a hug, but instead slide behind him and snatch his last waffle.

"Beatrice! I made you your own waffles, so no need to steal mine!" We give each other a stare down. In the end we both give up, laughing and helplessly rolling around on the floor. I glance at my watch and stand.

"Come on Caleb, were going to be late!" He scrambles up and shoots out the door, leaving me chasing after him. I'm way faster than him though, so by the time he reaches his car I am picking at my nails, leaning against his cherry red Ferrari convertible. "What took you so long?" I ask teasingly. He just rolls his eyes and opens the car door. I open my door and plug in my phone, turing the volume all the way up and opening the top. We jam out all the way to our new school, Chicago High. We pull up in a parking spot, receiving stares from others. Maybe from the fact that we have a pretty dang awesome car. Or maybe from the fact that if you got too close to our car, Three Days Grace (My favorite band) would make you go deaf. I rolled the top back up and stepped out of the car. When I look his way, he is giving all the guys death glares. I am not quite sure why, though. If looks could kill, Caleb would be the last guy alive. I try to keep a low profile, walking alongside Caleb. But, no such luck. I received a stare from everyone, being the new kid and such. We continued to feel eyes burning our backs even as we got our schedules. The receptionist eyes us as she asks our names.

"Beatrice and Caleb Prior." Caleb answers for both of us. She shuffles through a stack of papers before pulling out two and handing them to us. I scan my schedule. It's pretty decent.

First Block - Math (Mr. Zeler)

Second Block - P.E (Coach Eric)

Third Block - Music (Tori)

Lunch

Fourth Block - Science (Mrs. Matthews)

Fifth Block - English (Mrs. Carde)

Sixth Block - Social Studies (Mr. Eddings)

I walk to my locker and tell Caleb I'll meet him at his car after school. I grab my math stuff and hurry to class. When I walk in, every seat is taken except one in the back, next to an olive skinned boy. I end up taking it and drum my fingers, waiting for class to start. The boy taps me on the shoulder.

"Hey there." I spin around and match my eyes with his. "I'm Uriah. You must be new, because I would've remembered a face as beautiful as yours." I feel my checks get hot and I look to the ground. "Are you going to tell me your name?" Uriah asks teasingly.

"I'm bea-Tris. Call me Tris." I like it. New place, new name.

"Well, Tris, I was wondering if you'd like to sit with me and my friends at lunch?" I weigh my options. I'm new, so no friends to sit with. I really would rather sit with Caleb like I usually do, but today I think I'll branch out. I must stop being so reclusive.

"I'd love to." He beams at my reply. The teacher then walks in and begins teaching. I zone out as soon as Mr. Zeler mentions algebra. After what feels like ages, the bell rings, signaling for second block. I shove my books in my locker and rush to the changing rooms. I slip on a black, sleeveless tank with black nike running shorts. After I tie my shoes, I stand up and bump into someone.

"Sorry." I mumble, looking up and taking in her features. She is tall with short, dark hair and tan skin.

"No, it's my fault. I'm Christina. You new here?" We're walking to the track as I answer.

"Yeah, I'm Tris. Nice to meet you." The coach is walking to the track leisurely, like he's not late for class. Christina nudges me with her elbow, although I'm not quite sure why. I express my confused state to her, since the coach is still off frolicking or whatever.

"What?" I whisper so only she can hear. She replies as if the answer is obvious.

"Every guy here is staring at you. Literally every single one. Did you put them under a spell or something?" I can't help but to laugh at what Christina said. I know that we're going to be best friends.

"That's enough of that girls! To warm up, three laps!" Coach Eric shouts. I easily run the three, and end up lapping just about everybody in the process. I finish first, too.

"What's your name?" Eric asks, pointing a crooked finger at me.

"Tris Prior." I answer as confidently as possible. This guy is a little intimidating.

"Since you like running so much, go ahead and run three more. No slowing down!"

The three laps are easy as pie. I finish them in record time. "Good, Prior, but don't be getting too cocky." I give him a simple nod. The rest of the time is spent on crunches, suicides, sprints, and suicides. A lot of suicides. Gym is over in no time and now it's off to music. I'm actually pretty exited about music. As I'm walking to music, someone hugs me from behind, making me let out a high pitched squeal. I turn around and of course, it was Caleb. And he is laughing his butt off.

"CALEB! What was that for?!" I ask with fake anger.

"That, Bea, was for stealing my waffle this morning!" I growl while watching him laugh it up.

"Well, as much as I would love to be publicly humiliated some more, I've got to head to class. You better do the same, HIPPO!" He places his hands over his heart in mock hurt. Hippo is a nickname I gave him when we were toddlers because his diapers were always so big and padded. He honestly looked like a hippopotamus. When I reach the music room, I see Chris and on impulse sit next to her. She elbows me in the ribs for the second time today, and I've caught on to what it means. I huff at her.

"They are not! I don't like being the center of attention." She raises a brow.

"Oh really? I think everyone heard you squeal in the hall before class. Then you were being accused of stealing waffles. And to top it off you screamed 'HIPPO' as loud as humanly possible." My cheeks grew red and I looked at the floor. "And what's even better is that you are a great athlete and smoking hot." By now my face is so red it would put a tomato to shame.

"Thanks Chris, but that isn't true." This time both brows rise.

"Ask any guy here and they will tell you different." I playfully punch her arm.

"Whatever." The teacher then walks in the room and introduces herself.

"Hi, my name is Tori, and yes you can can me Tori. First off, we need to gather in a circle." The class shuffles into a roundish shape. "This is a deformed circle, but oh well. Let's start to my right, going clockwise. Say your name, your age, and your hobbies." A guy with dark hair, a spare upper lip, and a full lower lip and the deepest blue eyes I have never seen starts us off. The whole time he speaks I am trying to decipher what I saw in his deep blue eyes.

"I'm Four, I'm 17 and I play football, basketball, soccer and lacrosse." He sits and I realized what I saw shielded in his eyes. Years of pain. I ponder on why he would be in pain until my turn rolls around.

"My name is Tris, I'm 16 and I run track, play the piano and sing." I felt my top slide down my shoulder a bit too far, which received catcalls from various points in the room. I think one was from Uriah. Of course, I blush madly and look to the floor. Once everyone has introduced themselves, Tori tells us of a new assignment.

"By next class, you all will have to show your musical talent. Sing, play an instrument, whatever. You can be in groups or alone, doesn't matter to me. The remaining of your time can be spent doing whatever you want. Peace out Girl Scout!" With that Tori left. She is an awesome teacher, and probably an even better friend. I am then tackled to the ground from behind, causing me to let out my second squeal today. I spin around to see Uriah smiling like an idiot.

"REALLY URI. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME TODAY THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME." He just keeps smiling as he replies.

"Sorry, couldn't help myself. It was pretty funny, wasn't it Chris?" She nods and is obviously fighting back laughter. My arms become crossed as I reply.

"Whatever guys." The rest of music is just mindless chit-chat. Then finally lunch rolls around, and Uriah is walking me and Chris to lunch.

"So Chris sits with you Uri?" He simply nods as an answer. "Well, isn't that just a stroke of luck!" I say with mock enthusiasm. Uriah punches me lightly. I return the punch, this time harder. He then proceeds to tackle me, but I knee him in the gut and roll on top of him. I pin him down with my body weight and his wrists. I lean in close and whisper in his ear. "You really don't want to start a fight with a professional kick-boxer and karate black belt." I get off him and Chris looks at me in awe and amazement. That little show also earned me some stares from bystanders.

"Holy crap Tris, did I hear you right? A PROFESSIONAL KICK-BOXER and A FREAKING BLACK BELT IN KARATE?!" I look to the floor as my cheeks grow red.

"Yes. You heard me right. But don't go screaming it to the world. I already told you I don't like being the center of attention." Uriah then speaks up.

"Well that may be a little hard for you." I cock my head in questioning. "Well I'll list some of the reasons. You're smoking hot, fantastic athlete, and maybe because YOU'RE A FREAKING PROFESSIONAL KICK-BOXER AND KARATE BLACK BELT!" My cheeks are so red by now that blood wouldn't look as red in comparison. We walk and talk all the way to the cafeteria. Once inside, I feel like all eyes are on me. I stay silent walking to Uriah's table, then sitting I between him and Chris. They clear their throats. Oh dear Lord, please don't embarrass me.

"Everyone, this is Tris. Aka, the smoking hot athlete that's a singer, pianist, professional kick-boxer and a black belt in karate." When he finishes, everyone's mouth is wide open.

"Shut your mouths, you might catch flies." Chris says to them. I blush insanely red and examine my food.

"Ok Tris, this is Al, Shauna, Marlene, Lynn, Will, Zeke, and Four." I catch Four's gaze and hold it before he looks away. The pain is still there, even if he is trying so hard to hide it. I know pain all too well. I give them a small, crooked smile. They welcome me and make me feel at home. Chris nudges me with her elbow again.

"CHRIS! Is this the same as this morning?" She nods. "They are not! I know you want me to have self confidence, but this is ridiculous!" She just shrugs.

"Believe what you want. But it's true." I roll my eyes and bite into my cake. My eyes widen and I shove the rest in my mouth. I take Uriah's and Chris's. Before they can take it back I scarf it down. Everyone stares at me, then burst out laughing. While they are distracted, I take all of their cake slice and eat them. Once they realize what I've done, they now stare at me like they want to strangle me.

"Black belt, remember?" I say simply, and they return it their food.

"Tris, that was cruel. You have a sick mind." Uriah says. Everyone else agrees.

"What can I say, it was fantastic. And thank you, I try." They laugh at my response.

"Oh Tris, wanna go shopping after school?" Asks Chris. I don't really enjoy shopping, but I guess I could, just this once.

"Sure." She smiles evilly. Uh oh.

"Oh, Tris, I suppose this is your punishment for eating our cake." Says Zeke, I think. Punishment? What did I get myself into?