Chapter 1

Disclaimer: I do not own Divergent

You know how they always say the glass is half full? Well, I think the glass is always half empty. There is always something that can go wrong. There is always something that can happen that can drain the other half from you.

Then again, there is always that fine line of something that can add to your glass. Maybe give it a boost, or give it something to fill up for. If you're lucky, maybe someday your glass will overflow.

My glass isn't even half full anymore.

I never expected to be moving to New Orleans with Tori. She lets me call her Tori, because even though she isn't directly my mother's sister, she is like my Aunt. She gained custody of me from court after my parents and brother were killed in a car accident.

I still have nightmares about it too. Every time I try to dream or nap, or close my eyes, or even when I daydream at the most random points, I see what happened. I went unconscious before I could see it, but I feel like I can see it. It starts off as a swarm of black crows, and then they swoop down and take my father and mother away. They pick and prod at my brother until eventually, they drag him away too. I'm the last one.

The usually sink their talons into me. They drag and claw at my face, trying to scratch away every little bit of life I've ever had. They claw and drag me under, sending me spiraling toward the ground. I always brace myself for impact. But at the same time I would hit the ground,

Something catches me, or stops me. It's like a spasm, or an impulse or something toward someone else. I would immediately snap from the daze, and then everything would be over.

"Tris, are you alright?" I sit at the dining room table, stirring my spoon into my cereal. I haven't been hungry this morning. I was staring nonchalantly at the milk, which isn't new for me.

Tori slides a glass of water across the table. I look up at her and she's sitting on the other side. Next to me, Bud is sitting with spectacles on, reading a newspaper. One of his arms are swung over the back of the chair. His eyes skim across the page.

There's a faint scent in the air. It's the scent of something sweet and distinctly male. The door opens slightly from the front. I don't bother to turn my head. Instead, I just get up and carry my dishes to the sink.

I hear Tori speaking to someone in the living room. Bud is gone too, his spectacles fallen to the floor. I decide to pick them up, being from Abnegation I'm supposed to help others. I feel less and less of Abnegation, but I also feel like someone who is knowledgeable, or brave.

What the hell is wrong with me?

I turn into the living room. There, a sight I wouldn't expect to see. There's a male standing by the door. He wears a dark grey t-shirt to show off his defined muscles. He also wears darkened jeans and grey sneakers, the laces frilled and torn off. He's a little over six foot, with beautiful oceanic blue eyes that looks like they were formed out of gems. He has short black hair, and a full lower lip and you would want to touch.

"Tris." Bud snaps my attention from staring down at the floor, and daydreaming about this guy.

"Yes?" I reply, breaking my contact with the floor. The boy standing by the door seems concerned. His arms are crossed against his chest and his posture is slightly tilted as he leans against the door.

"Another one?" Tori asks me, with a frowned expresion; I don't want to admit what's really going on, so I just give them the slightest of a nod. I try to speak, but I make a grunting noise.

"Anyways, this is Four." I tilt my head a little. "Four, this is my god-daughter. She stays with me now."

Four seems to clear his eyes, a slight incision of a smile coming across his lips.

"Nice to meet you," his voice is very masculine. He walks toward me and extends his hand to shake mine. Once I accept his hand, it's warm and roughly calloused. A spark, a jolt of energy against his touch against my fingertips sends my stomach churning with emotions.

I can't speak. My mouth is too busy grinning like an idiot. He sort of reminds me of Caleb, but I guess it's just because Caleb was tall, but not as tall as Four. Something about him is mysterious.

"Four, like the number?" I say. His expression quickly fades as he shoves his hands in his pockets.

"Exactly like the number." His jaw is clenched and it seems tight. I seem to have struck a nerve, but my curiosity is getting the best of me.

"Is it a nickname?" I ask.

"You know what, what makes you think you can talk to me?" He shoots Bud an apologetic look. Tori clenches her fists at her sides. I want to laugh, but I feel remotely offended.

"Four," Bud cautions. I look between Bud and Four. The tension between Four and Bud isn't as high as the tension from Tori.

"No," I insist. "It's fine; it's obvious he has anger problems. Oh, and it's because you must be so approachable, you know, let a bed of nails?" I try to hide the corners of a smirk coming across my face

My remark catches him off guard. Tori has her arms folded across her chest, grinning from ear to ear. Bud seems slightly stunned, as he cautiously rubs his hand on the back of his neck.

"Careful, lady." He retorts.

"You don't know me." My voice comes out sharp and rigged, like something that I would do to Caleb when he was angry with me. I don't want to let the tears pool from my eyes, but colors begin to smear together.

"Tris, are you alright?" Bud comes over and places a hand on my shoulder. "Do you want me to drop you off at the gym?"

I don't want him to take me. I want to walk around and get to known New Orleans. I want to walk and clear my head, and scream in frustration. But I know if I walk, I'll just make things worse.

I manage a simple nod. "I'll be out in the car." He replies. He walks over to the dish and grabs the keys from the car. He kisses Tori on the cheek and walks out the front door. I stand in silence at the floor between looking back from Four to Tori.

I don't say anything. I just shuffle across the floor, keeping my head down between Four and Tori. I can feel eyes burning in the back of my head. As I look in the direction reflection, I see Tori upset but Four doesn't seem as harsh as he would be.

I walk out the front door, allowing it to stand behind me. I stand on the porch for a few seconds, just to take a breath. I hear muffled voices talking from inside.

"That was low, Four. She has already been through a lot. It's her first week here, you really expect her to not be asking questions?"

"Tori, you know me better than anyone." He seems almost content. "And you know that I can't stand it when people talk about my name."

"No one is going to call you T-"Four cuts her off as I walk down the stairs. I want him to make it noted that I do not like him. Not only can I not stand him, but he plucks my nerves. No matter how attractive he is.

I climb into the car with Bud, trying my best not to slam the door to the side of me. Bud looks up at the mirror, and then turns to me. He slides the key in the ignition with a sigh.

"What?" My comment is too defensive. My voice is croaking and I'm still on the verge of tears. He looks at me with empathy.

"Tris, I know he isn't the best person-"

"Not the best person?" I interrupt his talking and he falls silent. "I don't care who he thinks he is. He can't talk to me like that."

"Well," Bud says to me. "I agree with you on one thing."

"What is that?" I ask, trying not to seem nervous all of a sudden.

He nudges my shoulder, and pulls the car out of the driveway. "Well, he is exceptionally approachable." He has a great deal of sarcasm. I guess it's why I get along well with Bud. He reminds me of Caleb, but more of my dad. He wasn't that strict person you would expect him to be.

With each sound of the rolling tires, I see gravel flying in the rear view mirror. Colors and shades pass us by, whizzing by as we drive down the road. Soon after breaking off from our small intersection, my view is overtaken by the sight of the city.

New Orleans is a really beautiful city. There are large buildings, skyscrapers, stretching as far as anyone could look. Even when I tilt my head back in the seat, I can't see the top of the buildings. People around the area ride on skateboards and bicycles.

As Bud pulls into the drop-off zone for the gym, I find myself becoming nervous. I don't really know anyone in the city, except for that number boy. Yeah, that's going to be my new nickname for him.

"The gym is free to newcomers." Bud's voice snaps me from my thoughts. "You can use my card if you need to." He reaches down to the glovebox and pulls out his wallet. Inside, he reaches for a few shingles of cash in his wallet.

Rolling down the window, he stretches across and offers me the cash. I can't tell how much it is, but I hesitantly accept the money.

Bud smiles at me, his eyes glinting with happiness. "Don't be a stranger, Tris." He rolls up the window and pulls away from the curb.

Around me, colors and lights boom to life. Colors flashing from the neon signs are bright in my eyes. I try not to squint, or look directly at them without fear of blinding. Excitement lurks around every corner, and unfortunately so does the people. I doubt anyone would notice a new girl, especially in a city that's pretty over populated.

I'm about to enter the gym, when I feel someone bump into me. I fall back, but grab on to the wall to steady myself. I look over to the young girl who bumped into me. Leaning over her cautiously, I reach down a hand. She accepts it, and I help to pull her to her feet.

"I'm so sorry," she says. "I didn't watch where I was going."

"It's fine." I reply. "Are you alright?"

She crosses her arms as if I did something wrong. "I should be asking you if you're alright." She seems more concerned about honesty. My family never really valued honesty. You did what you had to do to help others, even if it meant deceit.

I shake my head at her, directing my gaze from the ground. "I'm fine."

"What's your name?" She asks me over the sudden breeze of the wind.

"Tris Natalie Prior." I reply, and she smiles at me.

"I'm Christina Winchester." She turns around and picks up her duffle bag, slinging it over her shoulder. The bag is all black with a flame around it, accompanied by the symbol of sizzling coals. She seems to notice my interest in her bag.

"I'm in a group at a high school. Well, it's more like a group of maybe fifteen of us? Anyways, our group nickname is the 'Dauntless'. We tend to do sporty stuff, like athletics and we mainly focus on becoming stronger." She goes to hold open the door for the gym. This school sounds interesting.

"Are you coming in?" She asks me. I'm hesitant, but I nod. I did come here to blow off some steam because of Four after all, but I doubt she would know who he is.

I walk into the gym, Christina letting the door shut behind her. Around us there are numerous different activities. I wonder what Dauntless is like. I decide to walk around the gym and explore.

In a back corner, behind some steal gates are a row of punching bags. They're coated with a little dust, but nothing to the extreme. There is tape and gloves located on the top of a small cabinet.

I walk over and reach up to grab them. I tape my knuckles, not wanting to use gloves. I walk over to the bag and practice a stance, mainly because I have no idea how to do this. Christina was over by the elliptical machine chatting away with some guy. He had shaggy brown hair and green eyes, and was a little bit taller than I.

I try to emit force into the bag but it doesn't move. I realize not only am I weak, but I might be doing something wrong. I have good health condition, but I don't have the right tactics.

"Tris," I hear someone saying my name from behind me. I don't turn around, mainly because only two people know my name.

Footsteps are coming toward me, but are they really? The sound of shuffling feet against the floor makes me realize whoever it was may have gone away.

That's what I thought until a strong pair of hands wrap around my waist.

There you go! Chapter 1! What do you guys think of the tension between Tris and Four? Who was Christina talking to? Who's the guy that wrapped his hands around Tris?

Easy, easy questions for all you Divergent readers, and seriously I don't think they could be any easier.

Anyways, I've got a poll I need.

What should I name the school Tris attends?

New Orleans High

Divergent High

R High

Submit an option.

Note: If I like your name of the school, you will receive a shoutout on my bio and in my next chapter.

I'll pick after five reviews!

Okay?

~Leigh