Hi everyone! You might have noticed that I changed the themes of this story: instead of Drama/Friendship, it's now Drama/Romance. I did this because I feel that while the story will have some drama, it's just not dramatic enough to have it down as a theme. However, while I replaced drama with romance, friendship still continues to be the main theme.

Wrenlovesreading: Glad you like it! Thanks for reviewing!

Charms22: Yeah, that's true. Even though I ship Tris with a few other characters, I think that realistically Tobias is the only one she could ever love. Any other pairing would only work in the world of fanfiction. Thanks for reviewing!

LanaTobiasFailAtWriting: Thanks for all the reviews! And don't worry: there will be a little Fourtris in this chapter, and a lot more in upcoming chapters.

VortexWynd: Thank you! I'm really happy you're enjoying my story so far.

Brokenwings35: Thanks for all the reviews!

Thanks to VortexWynd and LanaTobiasFailAtWriting for following and favouriting, and bianconiglio for following!


We sit in the canteen during lunch break, me and Christina and Will and Al. Christina and Will are play-fighting, with light punches and gentle shoves. I wonder when they'll become official. Their feelings for each other are becoming more obvious by the day.

Al seems a little awkward. Since I went to his house last week, he barely glances in my direction. I don't blame him. I would be embarrassed too if that was my dad. But at the same time, I want my friend back.

"Anyway," Will says, turning away from Christina.

"Oh. Did you finally notice that Al and I are here too?" I interrupt, only half-joking. I don't appreciate being left alone with a virtual mute.

He blushes slightly, but continues like I didn't say anything. "You heard the news about Mel Waters, right?"

"Mel Waters? I've heard of her. Who is she, anyway?"

"You don't know her? The popular girl in our year? The one all the guys talk about? She has a new boyfriend."

Will is giving me an odd look, like I should know exactly what he's talking about.

"So?" I say.

Christina, Will and Al share a look.

"I don't think she knows," Christina mutters.

I've never felt so left out. Apparently this is something I'm supposed to be aware of, though I don't see why I should care about a random cool girl. I am not familiar with Mel Waters. I've heard her name being spoken once or twice, but I don't even know what she looks like.

"What is it?" I say. "Tell me."

Christina turns to Al. "You say it."

"Me? Why can't Will tell her?"

"I am here, you know," I say, a little put out. "You don't have to talk about me like I'm not sitting right next to you."

Will sighs and faces me. "Tris, her boyfriend is Caleb. Caleb Prior."

"He's your brother," Christina says. "Right?"

"Caleb," I utter. I laugh and shake my head. "No. Caleb likes someone from our old school. Our neighbour."

Will shrugs. "That's the story that's going around."

"No. He never told me about any girl called Mel. It must be a mistake, a rumour."

"I'd say that too," Will says, "but people have seen them together. Lots of people."

I stare at my plate, trying to take in the new information. We haven't been on good terms lately, but why didn't Caleb tell me? We've never kept secrets from each other. I feel betrayed, like my brother is quickly growing up, away from me.

"Are you okay?" Christina asks, snapping me out of my thoughts. "I know he's your brother, but I don't get why it's such a big deal."

"No. I just... didn't know he had a girlfriend," I answer with a weak smile. "Let's talk about something else."

"Okay. So, Tris. One of you has found love. Is there anyone you have your eye on?"

Tobias's face flashes in my mind, and my cheeks heat up.

"Look at you, you're all red!" Christina squeals, pointing at my face. "So. Who is he?"

At this point, denial is futile. "I... no. I'm not even sure if I like him."

"You must like him in some way. Come on! Tell us!"

I shake my head. "You'd tell."

"I wouldn't!"

"Yeah you would," Will smirks. "You can't keep your mouth shut. We could secure it with duct tape and you'd still find a way to get your voice across."

"I would not!"

"Yeah you would."

"Okay, okay. So I can't keep my mouth shut. Would you rather if I was quiet?" She pouts, and Will puts an arm around her, saying something quietly so Al and I can't hear. I feel like I should leave now, like I'm intruding on a private moment. Their behaviour is flirtatious, and at this rate they'll be kissing, something I'd rather not see my best friends doing. Yes, I should definitely go.

I take my tray, walk across the canteen and place it on the trolley. I hear footsteps behind me; it is Al, carrying his own tray.

"I thought I'd go after you," he says.

"Yeah," I laugh. "I think they'd rather be alone right now."

He smiles, but I don't feel all that comfortable. I'm not sure if I want to be alone with Al, without my other friends there too.

"I got that poster done during the weekend, by the way," he says, putting down his bag and unzipping it. He pulls out an A4 copy book, opens it, and takes out the poster. "Is this okay?"

I take a look. My inner perfectionist points out that the letters aren't well cut out, and there are white, spiky edges on the insides of some of them. But the background is good, and it's certainly good enough to hand up to Max.

"Yeah. It's fine."

"Good. I was worried that I didn't do it right," he says, sounding relieved. He puts the poster and the copy book back in his bag. "The weather's nice today, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it is."

"Um. Why don't we take a walk around the school? May as well enjoy the good weather..." He chuckles. It is a high, nervous sound.

No, my head screams at me to reply. But I don't know how not to make it sound rude, so I smile and accept his offer. Besides, I've never done anything to lead him on, so nothing particularly romantic should come out of this.

His smile broadens. "Okay. Let's go."

We head outside, with Al walking just a bit closer to me than I'd like. I'm not sure how to handle the possibility of my friend being interested in me. A small part of me is excited - this would never have happened in my old school, I was too quiet and forgettable. I am mostly worried, though, for both of us. If I were to reject Al, not only would I upset him, it might ruin our friendship for a while, maybe even permanently. And a third part of me thinks - hopes - that he might not like me that way at all.

"So, Al," I say. "How's school going? Any of the teachers giving you hassle?"

He doesn't look at me, but a small frown is visible.

"Not good," he says. "I've failed three tests already. And I haven't passed one."

"Oh. Um." I'm starting to regret my question. "I'm sure you'll get better after a while, Al."

He laughs bitterly. "Twenty nine percent, Tris. And that's my highest. You need fifty to pass. That means I need to up my grade by, let me see... thirty one percent?"

"Twenty one. But Al, you could do it if you tried, I mean..."

He snorts. "I can't even subtract properly. I used to try, Tris. There's just no point. I'm stupid. Always have been, always will be. Even my parents say so sometimes. It's too much, Tris. It's too much stress." He lets out a heavy sigh.

I don't know what to say. Maybe he was never smart, but surely his grades were better when he tried. He can't expect a miracle if he's going to just give up.

"I hate this place, Tris," he says. "But at least I'm not getting bullied here. That's a pro, I guess."

"You were bullied?" That may explain why he brings himself down so much.

"Yeah. But it was sorted out. Anyway, speaking of bullies. Is Peter still giving you a hard time?"

"How do you know about that?" Apart from the first day, I don't remember Al ever being there when Peter hurt me or called me names.

"I know more than you think," he says, raising an eyebrow. "I hear things. Also, I know a bully when I see one. I've had my share of them in the past."

"Oh. Well... he's the same as ever. Last time he shoved me to the ground, then pushed me into a locker and banged my head off it."

"Ouch," he winces. "Did anyone see?"

"Lots of people." I smirk ruefully.

"Tris, that's terrible. Did no teacher come to help you at all?"

"Yes, a teacher saw but no, she didn't do anything about it. Peter made some excuse and she believed him."

Al shakes his head in disbelief. I don't care for the look on his face. It is an expression of pity, as if I am too weak to deal with that kind of thing.

"He didn't really hurt me though," I carry on. "Not that badly, anyway. You don't have to worry about me, Al."

"But I mean-"

"Al, I'm fine. See? No bumps, no bruises, no cuts. So I'm fine. Okay?"

He nods slowly, unconvinced, as we walk on. In the distance I spot Tobias heading in our direction, talking to his friends. A feeling of nervous excitement builds up inside me. After our conversation in the library I've been thinking about him a lot, more than I should be. He is too old, I keep telling myself; but I can't control how I feel. This is how it must feel to have a crush on someone, and I'm not sure if I like it. I'm not sure if I like the way my heart beats a little faster when I think of Tobias or see him, and I certainly don't like the way I occasionally blush around him.

As he gets closer, his eyes skim my face, eyebrows raising in recognition. He doesn't say anything, but looks at me for a long moment. Then he nods, discreetly, and I give him a small smile in return, though I feel more like grinning. Nobody should have noticed that exchange between us; it's like a secret greeting.

I scold myself. This is ridiculous. I can't be swooning after a sixteen year old. Everyone knows that type of age gap doesn't work in relationships. I should crush on someone my own age. I shouldn't even be thinking about relationships. Ridiculous.

"Uhh... Tris?"

I turn my head sharply, forgetting all about Al amidst all the confusion - all the non-existent confusion, entirely created by myself. It was a simple nod - I just blew it out of proportion. Secret greeting, indeed.

"Tris," he repeats, staring at me with bright cheeks, running a hand up and down the leg of his jeans. "Um, Tris? You... you know how I said about me hating this school?"

"Yeah?" I say cautiously. I'm not sure what to make of his serious tone.

"Well... I guess there are a few things I like about it. I mean, I made new friends here. Will, Christina, they're great. And... I guess I like it here in some ways, just a little bit. I fit in here. Sort of, anyway."

I nod, but a feeling of dread creeps up on me. His tone is too earnest. This is far from a lighthearted comment about how awesome his friends are.

Especially because he hasn't mentioned me yet.

"And..." He clears his throat, his face turning redder. "Of course there's you too."

Oh no.

"I mean, Tris... you've helped me fit in so much. The others did too, but... it's different. When I'm around you, Tris, I feel like there's a chance I might get on fine in this place. Even if it doesn't always seem that way."

I have to stop him. I have to stop him now before I regret it - before both of us regret it.

"Al, I..."

But I can't, I don't know how. I want to tell him that I don't like him, not romantically, but the words stick in my throat, they won't come out no matter how I try.

"And Tris, I... I was thinking if we could go out sometime, and-"

"Al." The words finally free themselves. I feel like a terrible person, but it has to be done. "I'm sorry, but... I don't feel that way about you. I - I'm so sorry."

A painful, awkward silence ensues. I don't look at him, I can't look at him; my hands suddenly seem very interesting. I have prominent knuckles, reddish pink in colour, and my fingers are bony, my nails small and jagged, bitten. I take my attention off my hands, and chance a look at Al. I expect to see disappointment, maybe a trace of anger, but instead, nothing. Emotionless. Indifferent - but I know better.

"Al?" I murmur. The silence must be broken. We can't walk on as if I haven't just turned him down and squashed all his hopes. "I'm sorry. I-"

"It's okay, Tris," he sighs. "I kind of knew already - I just thought I'd take a risk. But I was wondering - who do you like?"

"Al-"

"Don't worry," he says with a wan smile. "I won't tell him. I'm just curious."

There is a long pause as I debate whether I should tell him or not. Eventually, I settle on a third option. I decide to reveal some of the truth, but not all of it.

"He's two years older than me," I say. Then, as if it will make him feel better, "And I have no chance with him."

He thinks about it, undoubtedly trying to think of possibilities, but I don't think he comes up with anything. He nods and walks faster, seemingly satisfied with my response, but his smile is sad when he turns around.

"See you, Tris," are his last words.

I wave at him with a grin I don't feel. Until he gets over his feelings for me, nothing will be the same between us.


I don't sit on the bus with Caleb that evening - I follow Uriah instead. I don't know how my brother feels about that, because I choose not to look at him. Two can play at that game.

"Hi Uriah," I say, smiling sweetly to disguise my anger.

"Tris." He nods. "What's up?"

I whisper so Caleb can't hear. "I'm not talking with my brother. Mind if I sit here for today?"

"Sure Tris, whenever you like." He picks up his bag and places it on his lap, giving me room to sit down. He lowers his voice, then asks me what happened.

"It's a long story."

"Oh. Care to tell me about it? I won't tell anyone. Cross my heart and hope to die."

I smirk despite myself. "Basically he's just being a jerk in general. I kind of want to punch him."

"I do boxing after school. I can beat him up for you if you want. I can get my brother to help out too!"

"Maybe not. But it's just... since we've started school, he's been acting strange. Not talking to me as much, ignoring me if I say hello, you get the picture. And today I found out from a friend that he has a girlfriend - some popular girl in our year."

"Well Tris, about the last part, he doesn't have to-"

"Okay, okay, so he doesn't have to tell me about his love life. But here's where it gets complicated. You see, Caleb and my old friend, she's not in this school, they liked each other for a while. I'm worried about what will happen when she finds out."

"You're saying she's an old friend. Do you still talk?"

"Not really, but-"

"I don't think she'll find out."

"Uriah, you don't understand. She's our neighbour."

"Oh. That makes things a bit more complicated. Well if that's the case, she'll probably find out, especially if he brings his girlfriend over to your house. But Tris... they weren't going out. There was no commitment. I'm not making excuses for him, ignoring your own sister is not cool. Zeke never did that to me."

"Yeah. It's not like we were the type of brother and sister who hated each other, we were best friends until we started this school, and then... We used to tell each other everything, and now he's being secretive. I don't understand it."

"Yeah. It could be that he's made his own friends now. It's still not nice, but there isn't that much you can do about it. And Tris..." He smiles. "He doesn't have to tell you about his girlfriends. I don't even know how many girls Zeke dated before Shauna, he just never really told me. It doesn't mean anything bad. I would say talk to him. And don't get mad."

"Thanks, Uriah."

He grins. "You know, I should sign up for the school magazine, for that advice columnist thing."

I chuckle. The school magazine comes out monthly, and one has already been published. I bought one as they are sold for only two dollars each, and while it's filled with thrash, it's good for when you want something to laugh about.

"I can see it already," he continues. "'Ask Uriah' at the top of the page! And a picture of my beautiful face, of course, that's the most important thing if I want to get readers, right?"

"You'd have to solve a lot of problems."

"Not really. I'm sure not all of them are picked out for the magazine, just the more interesting ones. Plus the magazine committee probably gets a lot of joke problems. So? You think I'd be up for it?"

"Definitely."

"Now the question is... how would I get rid of the current advice columnist? Oh, I know... bribe the cook to poison her dinner in the canteen. Great idea, huh?"

I laugh til tears come out of my eyes. It's not even what he says, it's how he says it. I can always count on Uriah to cheer me up on a bad day.

"But then, how would I solve all of the love problems? I mean, I've had a lot of girlfriends in the past - girls just can't resist me, you see - but they lasted a couple of days at most. Okay, screw that job! Forget I said anything at all."

My laughter peters out. Between Mel, Caleb, Al and Tobias, I've had enough love related problems for one day already.

"Tris? What's wrong? You okay? Is it Caleb?"

"Not this time."

He grins. "Maybe I should consider that job after all. All we have to do is get you to sign all the problems with different names!"

I still don't laugh.

"Eh... look Tris, I'm sorry. That probably wasn't the right thing to say. Anyway, tell me. What is it?"

"Well... I don't want to say who it is, but... today a friend told me he likes me, and me, I don't feel the same way back."

"Ah."

"He's someone I talk to everyday. It's going to be weird being with him after what happened."

He nods. "Yeah. I don't know. I think it'll take time, but if you're really friends it'll be fine after a while."

Just then, the bus comes to a halt before stopping. I enjoyed chatting with Uriah so much, I didn't even realise I was close to my stop.

"See you, Tris," he smiles. "And I hope the rest of the day gets better for you."

"Bye Uriah. And thank you. For talking to me."

Once I'm off the bus, I wait for Caleb. He doesn't seem happy to see me. His eyebrows are knitted together, a sure sign he is annoyed.

"Beatrice," he mutters through gritted teeth. "What is your problem with me? And I know you were talking about me. I heard my name."

"Nice to see you still care about your sister," I comment.

"But what did I do now?"

"Caleb," I say, "I think we need to talk."

"We should have done that ages ago. But go on."

"I don't know Caleb... we used to be so close, and now, I feel like something's changed. You don't talk to me as much, you ignore me at school. And I found out today that you have a girlfriend."

His eyes widen. "Who told you that?"

"Okay, first, don't act so surprised, apparently half of our year knows about it. And second, it was Will who told me. My friend."

"Will. He's that blonde guy you talk to, right?"

"Yes. Do you know him?"

"I know what he looks like. We have a few classes together."

"Yeah. But that's not the point. Why didn't you tell me, Caleb? How come everyone else knew before me? Don't you trust me anymore? We used to tell each other everything..." I cringe halfway through my speech. I sound so suspicious, so possessive, like a girlfriend who isn't sure how much her boyfriend loves her.

"I just... didn't see the point. Besides, you didn't tell me about that big guy you were with today. His name's Albert, right?"

"Al, actually. Nobody our age calls him Albert."

"Oh. Anyway, what were you doing with him?"

"Oh, you know. Just talking."

"Hmm." My face must betray something, because he gives me a long look. "Is there something you aren't telling me?"

"I... don't really want to talk about it."

"But Beatrice... why do I have to tell you everything?"

I try to think of a valid excuse, but I come up with nothing. I don't want to admit it, but Caleb is right. How can I expect him to tell me what happens in his life when I haven't exactly been that honest with him either?

"Okay..." I say reluctantly. "Maybe I've been hiding things too, but why are you ignoring me? You can't say I ever did that to you."

"Look... Beatrice, I'm sorry about that, but you don't understand-"

"What? That you're ashamed of me?"

He nervously licks his lips, and stares at his feet as we walk.

"Beatrice? I'm sorry. I don't know what's wrong with me. I didn't want you there in front of my friends. You see, they're really smart, and I don't think they'd like you, or you them. You see, they kind of look down on anyone who's not as intelligent as them, and..."

"So I'm stupid. I'm too stupid for your friends - can't you see how ridiculous that sounds? - so you don't want me there. You're a strange person, Caleb. Just so you know I got ninety two percent on a test I studied the night before, and I got nearly everything right on a surprise test too."

"Yeah, but they're super smart..."

"So that condones what you did? You're actually trying to win me over with that type of excuse? Look, I don't want to hang out with your friends, I don't even like the sound of them. But I'm sure your precious friends won't object to a quick hello to your 'stupid' sister. And if they do, then they're not really your friends."

"Look, I'm sorry Beatrice-"

"Want to know how many times you said that? Probably ten. How about we change the subject? Caleb, tell me, what's going to happen when Susan finds out about your girlfriend?"

Caleb's face is pale. "She won't find out."

"Why wouldn't she? Don't we live right next to her? Aren't you planning on taking this girl Mel to our house?"

"Okay, okay. Maybe she will find out, but Beatrice... There was no future for us. I liked her, but it was never going to happen. I think we all knew that."

Again, I find myself agreeing with Caleb. The idea of Susan going out with anyone is absurd. I remember last year when I made some remark about a boy in our year. All I said was that he was sort of handsome. I didn't even like him - he was too cocky and obnoxious - but Susan visibly tensed up and changed the topic.

"You know what?" I say. "I think we should forget this happened and start afresh."

"Will you really forget, though?" he says with a shake of the head. "You're not exactly the forgive and forget type. Remember when I accidentally broke your toy cash register when we were five? Mom said you didn't speak to me for a week."

"I didn't?"

"You didn't." He chuckles, and I manage a smile too. This feels more normal, Caleb and I being able to talk to each other again.

"Yeah. Anyway... how did you even meet her? How did you get talking with a popular girl in the first place?"

The grin that forms on his face is almost goofy, the way he used to look when I teased him about Susan.

"Oh, you know. She asked me for help with her math homework at lunch, because she thought I'd be the right person to ask."

"Cocky much?"

"Hey, they're her words, not mine. Anyway, that was pretty much how it started. We became friends from there, and that's how we ended up together."

"That kind of sounds like how Mom and Dad met." They told us that she'd helped him in twelfth grade to pass his exams, and they'd fallen in love from there.

"I suppose it does. Oh look, we're here. And Beatrice... I'm sorry."

I nod. "Let's just forget about it." I laugh at Caleb's sceptical look. "Hey, I mean it this time. And... maybe we're all entitled to our secrets."

"Yeah. Okay. How about we still tell each other some of the more trivial things, but keep some things to ourselves til we're ready to share them?"

"Yeah. Okay, it's a deal."

As I knock on the door and wait for Mom to open up, I can't help smiling a little. I may have upset a friend, but I restored my friendship with my brother.


Mel is an OC who will become gradually more important, however rest assured that she won't overshadow the real Divergent characters at all. Also, maybe Tris is a little more immature (like expecting Caleb to tell her everything that happens, just like when they were kids and were living in a less complicated time), but she is two years younger than in the book - she wouldn't have quite the same level of maturity, though I do think she's still mature for a fourteen year old. Anyway, as always, please review! All reviews are greatly appreciated.