(I own nothing! Divergent and its characters all belong to Veronica Roth. Any other brands, places etc are not mine either, I only own this story. Rated T for some language and some teenage/YA themes.)

TOBIAS' POV

I have a lot on my mind as I walk through the door of the Pedrad's home with Zeke and Uriah. I do take a moment to take in the feeling of walking into a safe home for a moment though.

My mind is fixated on the fireball of surprises that is Tris Prior. Ever since she clapped back at me in math class, my mind has been fixated on her. I truly wish I hadn't assumed she was just another slut trying to force herself on me that day, because she is anything but that. She doesn't seem to care though, because she has actually put in the effort to be kind and try to get to know me as a friend. I'm actually pleased she's coming with us tonight bowling. Her Abnegation parents must be as strict as mine were.

I go straight to my room and stick my earphones in, lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling. What I always do when I need to clear my head and think. I am filled with an unholy rage at Peter Hayes, for starting stupid rumors out of revenge and spite. I don't think Tris is bothered about the angry, jealous girls at all. I think she's bothered about the fact she is being humiliated, and about sex.

As someone from abnegation, she probably doesn't know the first thing about it. And to say she's doing it with me, is beyond evil. It's obviously a very sensitive subject with her. I would give anything to pound the crap out of Peter, but I don't think that would solve anyone's problems. Just deny the rumors if people ask and leave Peter the hell alone. Childish bastard.

I'm worried about my grades too. To be Candor about it, I excel in all the Dauntless stuff like training, knife throwing and things like that. I'm doing well in English, Geography and History too, but I'm failing Chemistry and Math. My end of freshman year grades came to an E in Math and an F in Chemistry. It doesn't matter how much I study, do the homework, or how many times I read the textbooks, I am absolutely awful. I don't understand the first thing. I can't exactly pay for private tutoring either. So I either fail, or find someone good enough in my class to tutor me. The former sounds like the more likely option.

"Four, honey, you should start getting ready for the bowling alley," a soft voice sounds from outside my door. Of all the people who could've become my adoptive mother, Hana was at the top of the list. She's always been sweet, but she always let me come to her house without question when Marcus did what he did. She always understood, and respected my wishes to keep it strictly private. When my parents died in a car crash in France 2 years ago, I was worried I'd be shipped off somewhere to a distant relative. Turns out both of my parents were too lazy to even write down a specific relative for me to go to if they died.

Due to this lack of care, I got to choose a relative or close guardian who could and wanted to take me in. They said I didn't have long to think it over, but almost immediately Hana marched into the social services building I was currently living in and demanded I live with her, to which I happily agreed. I stayed there for a week while a social services woman made impromptu visits to make sure she was a suitable guardian.

Of course, she was, and was granted full custody of me. The night she signed the document, she took Zeke, Uriah and me to an amusement park over 2 hours away, purely because she wanted us to spend our first night together as an official family. That was one of the best moments of my entire life. It wasn't just the speeding rides, the fantastic pizzeria she took us to afterward, or even having the windows down with blaring music that made the night unforgettable, it was the fact that for the first time in my life, I had an actual family. A mother and 2 brothers who genuinely cared about me, even if we look nothing alike.

I can hear Zeke and Uriah bickering about something in the hall, so I take the opportunity to get changed into some dark denim jeans, a grey t-shirt and a black leather jacket. I grab a 20 dollar bill to pay for my ticket, as well as a ticket for Tris. I think there's enough for a slice of cake for myself and Tris. I feel bad for inviting her and having her pay for everything.

I slide my phone into the back pocket of my jeans, before unlocking the door and walking outside to see Hana looking at me with a concerned, and slightly angry face, as well as Zeke and Uriah looking a bit ticked as well. I don't even have to ask what they are angry about. Hana is furiously pressing buttons on her phone, before holding it to her ear and basically shrieking at who I can now hear is Max.

"Are you KIDDING me? You let your students get away with this? Bullying is bullying sir, direct or not. And who is the poor girl who is being humiliated? I'd like to think HER parents are even more furious. Excuse me?! My sons can't hide anything from me, Four included. I would know if they were lying to me, I was Candor once! What I want you to do?! I want you to hold an entire freaking assembly and address this! I want you to give a week's worth of detention to anyone who uses the words Tris, Tobias and sex in the same sentence! Don't you think I won't call the school board if this continues. Goodbye!" she says loudly into the phone, anger laced into her voice. She slams her phone into the counter top before finally noticing my presence.

"Four! I cannot believe this! Is this poor Tris coming with you bowling tonight?" she asks with a concerned and empathetic expression on her face.

"Yeah, mom, she is." Zeke interrupts.

"Good. Then I'm driving straight to her house with you Tobias, I want to talk with her parents." she says firmly. I know there isn't a point arguing now, so we all just agree. Hana drops Zeke and Uriah off at the bowling alley, where Marlene and Shauna are waiting, talking with a familiar, petite blonde girl.

Hana all but drags me out the car towards Tris, who turns around when she sees me, and smiles slightly. Her lips are curved up, but her eyes hold so much sadness, and I can see tears threatening to spill. Hana must notice this, because she gasps and says quite loudly. "Oh sweetie!" before hugging Tris with both arms. Anyone else would've pushed her away and thought her weird, but Tris just hugs her back slightly, and all of a sudden, the dam busts in her eyes and she starts sobbing slightly.

Hana lets her go, but still seems greatly concerned. Tris starts chocking out words.

"M-My D-D-Dad is so, so angry. My mom literally s-started crying, and my Dad l-looked like he w-w-was going to rip someone's h-head off..." she hiccups.

"Tris, sweetheart, would you mind if you and Four came with me to your parents house? You can join the bowling a bit later, I just need to clear this up. Is that OK?" she asks softly.

"Y-Yeah. That would be great actually." Tris says, before turning to me and throwing her arms around my chest. I stand there in pure shock for a moment, but I slowly wrap my arms around her loosely. The hug doesn't last long, because she pulls away and whispers an apology, before ducking into Hana's car and buckling herself in. She looks entirely shaken up, but it's obvious she put some effort into her appearance tonight. She wears medium length black and white striped shorts, as well as a black top with ruffles along the collar tucked into them. She has little black flats on her feet, as well as nude tights so she isn't bare legged. Further proving to me she's modest and genuine.

The drive to Tris' is quiet, except for Hana muttering curses under her breath at Peter and the school, Tris sniffling and pointing out directions, and me rubbing her shoulder comfortingly.

When we pull up to Tris' house, I notice something that sends chills to my spine. Her grey house is only 5 doors along from the one I lived in years ago with Marcus and Evelyn. Tris and I were literally neighbors for years.

Tris must sense my discomfort, as she gives me a small, comforting smile and pats my hand gently. It's then that Hana starts rapping on the door with her knuckles, and it doesn't take long for a middle-aged, clearly angry man to open the door. He is clearly Tris' father, but aside from his jawline, I don't think she inherited much from him. It's then that I see Tris' Mom, a similar age to her father, standing just behind him. She looks like an older version of Tris with a few lines alone her forehead.

Her father suddenly pulls Tris into the house and defensively pushes her behind him, as if to shield her from us.

"I'm sorry Sir, I'm Four's Mom. I'd just like to talk to you for a moment, clear this whole thing up. I can confirm he has not had romantic or sexual relations with your daughter, he hardly leaves the house without his brothers, and they're never out long. I'm furious about this entire thing, I am, but I do want to clear this all up and put and end to it. Poor Tris here was crying when I saw her at the bowling alley, so if you don't mind, I want to make this quick so they can get back to it." Hana says kindly, but firmly.

Tris' father steps aside, and we walk into Tris' house.