Disclaimer: I'm pretty sure Veronica Roth wouldn't give me the rights to Divergent, if I asked.

Chapter 7: Tris POV

I woke up to a constant tapping at my window. My eyes fluttered open as I frowned and glanced around the room, searching for the source. I glanced over at my window and saw something ricochet off the sill. Pushing myself off the bed, I wander over to the window and open it, glancing down. Tobias stands there with a pile of something small and round. I was having difficulty seeing anything in the dark.

"Tobias?" I whisper-shout. "What are you doing here at-" I glance at my alarm clock quickly before turning to the window, "1:46?"

"Um-" he replies, his voice sounding strained. Immediately, I realize something must be wrong.

"Hold on, I'll be right there!" I shut my window, making sure to lock it, and grab my robe. I make sure to go quietly down the stairs, but not be too slow. When I get to the back door I pull it open and find Tobias standing there, a pained look on his face. "What's going on?"

"Can I come inside?"

"Yeah, of course," I said, mentally face-palming myself for not inviting him inside. I step aside and he walks in, careful to take his shoes off. I notice he cringes every time he moves. I put a hand on his back and he groans in pain. I move my hand quickly, it coming away red and wet. Blood. I gasp.

"Tobias, what's going on?" I exclaim, making sure to keep my voice down. He looks away from me and shifts uncomfortably.

"I-I need help," he mutters. He turns his head back to me and I find myself getting lost in his deep, blue eyes again. I shake my head; now's not the time to daydream.

"Follow me," I whisper, leading him up the stairs and into my bathroom, locking the door behind me. "Alright, Tobias. I'm going to need you to take your shirt off."

"Are you asking me to strip, Tris?" he smirks. I can't help it; I blush. Slowly, he pulls his blood-stained shirt off and I wash it in the sink for him, until the water is no longer red. I hang the shirt up to dry before attending to his back. I dab a wet towel at his cuts and I can't help but notice there are scars all over him. This must not be the first time it's happened.

"Tobias, why is your back bleeding?" I asked, trying to analyze the situation for the third time.

"Uh...My dad got drunk and whipped me with his belt," he says quietly. He glances around the bathroom, not really looking at anything, but trying to distract himself.

"Tobias, has this happened before?" He refuses to look up from one of the grey bath tiles in my shower stall. "Tobias, would you look at me please?" Slowly he turns around and stares at me, his eyes full of fear.

"He's been doing this to me for a long time, now. Ever since my mother died." I then remember that I forgot to wrap his back in bandages.

"Don't go anywhere. I have to get the first-aid kit, but this conversation isn't over." I slipped out of my bathroom and went as quietly as I could into the laundry room, getting the first-aid kit before slipping back into the bathroom. I find Tobias in the exact same spot I left him in. When he sees me come back in he grunts, and gets on his knees so I can wrap his back in bandages. "How long has your mother been dead for?"

"When I was 8," he replied. 20 years. His mother has been dead for 20 years!

"Is this it? Just whipping you with a belt?"

"No. He's thrown things at me, pinned me up on a wall, beaten me with different objects he could find. His belt was his favorite." I felt a tear roll down my eye.

"Why haven't you ever said anything?" I asked, finishing wrapping his back.

"I don't need that all over the press," he said coldly. I could tell there was more, but I left him at that. He slipped his shirt on and turned around to look at me now.

"There's just one more question I have. How did you know that was my window, or that this was my house?" I'd never invited Tobias over before, and I'd never told him my address, let alone where the window to my bedroom was.

"I-uh," he muttered, scratching his neck and looking at the floor. "I used to stand out there, trying to work up the courage to ask you out. Of course, by the time I'd worked up the courage, you were dating somebody else." I felt my heart beat quicken.

"Did you just say that you used to like me?" I stuttered. Then I became aware of how close we were, how I could feel his breath on my skin. If I took two steps towards him, our bodies would be pressed up next to each other's.

"No, I said I liked you, but I never said I stopped," he said. Then, with two quick, small steps, we were kissing each other. It wasn't a long make-out type of kiss. It was a light kiss, but it still made my heart flutter. "I can't tell you how long I've been waiting to do that for."

"No," I said suddenly. "We can't do this."

"What?" I saw a look of hurt flash across his face and my heart seemed to break a little.

"Our dads, if they find out. If your dad finds out. We can't be involved in anything, at least not right now."

"Tris, that's ridiculous," he said. I took two steps back and he took a step forward leaning close to my face. One more step away, and now my back was up against the door. "Tell me there's something here. Tell me I'm not the only one who's feeling it. I know I can't be the only one feeling this."

"You need to go," I whispered. He took a step closer but I opened the bathroom door. "I'll see you around, Tobias." He walked out the door, but turned around before he was completely out.

"No."

"What?"

"I said no. Tell me to my face that you want me gone. I don't believe you."

"You have to go now," I said. I could feel tears begin to fall down my cheeks. He reached out a hand to wipe away one of my tears, but I slapped his hand away. "Please, go right now. Please Four." I saw a flash of hurt cross his face, and then I saw the mask he wore around everyone, the one he used to take off around me, cover his emotions. He turned and walked away and I heard the door shut quietly, downstairs. I sank into the wall and let the tears roll down my cheeks.

A/N: I am feeling super guilty for not posting for a while. I wasn't really excited about writing this chapter, but I know it's a very important one. Please review! I need inspiration and support right now. I'll try and post something this weekend. It all depends on how many reviews I get. So click that button below!