Hi!

Charms22: Glad you liked it! And about Tobias snapping at Tris... Was it really necessary? Maybe not, but my theory is that in this fanfic he doesn't open up to people very easily, not even to his friends (let alone a girl he barely knows). Thanks for reviewing!

Wrenlovesreading: I'm glad you like the slow burn, sometimes I still wonder if I'm taking it a bit too slow! I'm happy that it's not a problem with anyone; I just want to focus on Tris's other relationships too. Thanks for reviewing!

Thanks to Krazzyjosy for following!


I spend the next day thinking about Tobias, and how awkward it will be next Monday when we see each other again.

Caleb doesn't walk home with me this evening. He is meeting Mel in our town, near the bus stop - his first real date with her. Lucky for him, Dad approved after an hour of arguing, as long as they don't go further than a kiss on the lips.

When I reach home I see Susan standing outside her house, her mouth set in a forlorn frown. She is checking her smartphone, a device she didn't have before, and her hair, a duller shade of blonde than I remember, hangs limply over her shoulders.

"Hi Susan," I say as I approach her.

"Hello Beatrice," she nods, smiling a little. "How are you?"

"I'm good. How about you?"

"I'm okay."

I am not fooled by her answer. She is not okay. Susan was never one to be open about her feelings, but her face says enough.

"Where's Robert?" I ask. It's unusual to see one of the Black twins without the other.

"He's inside," she says, putting her phone in her pocket.

"Is that a new phone?" I ask.

"Yes. We got one each for our birthday last week."

I immediately feel bad for not wishing them a happy birthday, but I'm sure they understand. I was never good at remembering important dates.

"Well... happy birthday."

"Thank you."

I avoid her eyes as I figure out what to say next. I shouldn't feel this uncomfortable around an old friend. I know her for years.

"How's Caleb?" she asks me after a bit, her cheeks rosy.

"He - he's fine." I bite my lip. I don't want to tell her that my brother has a girlfriend.

"Good."

More silence. I am about to say goodbye and head to my front door, but Susan grabs my shoulder. It feels odd, coming from her. Susan is not a tactile person.

"Beatrice," says Susan suddenly, her eyes wide with worry.

"Yeah?"

"Umm... What... what would you do if you knew your brother was taking drugs?"

"Susan?" I utter. What is she trying to say? For a second, I think she is talking about Caleb. Is my brother on drugs? If so, how come I didn't spot it? No, he can't be - he can't.

"It's Robert," she says in a shaky whisper. "I think he's on cocaine, I don't know what to do..."

My initial relief that it's not my brother is replaced by deep shock. Robert Black? Robert, the boy my parents think so highly of, the quiet neighbour I used to be friends with, is on drugs?

"Susan... are you sure?"

She nods, and her eyes well up with tears. "I found it in his room, and it's not sugar or anything like that. I may be naive, Beatrice, but I'm not stupid." She swallows. "He's been acting weird since we started high school. You wouldn't know him if you saw him, Beatrice. He dresses differently now, his hair is longer. Sometimes I still see the person he used to be, but other times I feel like I never knew him at all."

"If I were you, Susan," I say quietly, "I wouldn't say anything to Robert - but I would tell your parents, before it gets out of hand. Before he gets addicted, if he isn't already."

"I don't want to get him into trouble, Beatrice."

"You're not getting him into trouble. You're looking out for him. You're doing what's best for him. If Caleb was on drugs, I'd go straight to my Mom and Dad. You have to. You can't stay silent about this."

She gives me a doubtful look, and I wonder if Susan was always this idiotic. I don't understand how she thinks protecting his secret is better than protecting Robert himself. It might affect their relationship for a while, but it would be better for all in the long run. In fact, Robert doesn't even have to know that Susan told on him.

Then I realise why. It's not because she is scared, not even because she thinks her way is more beneficial. I think she has grown too used of her quiet, uneventful way of living. The second something serious like drugs becomes involved in her life, she is unsure of how to handle it, so she responds in the only way she knows: leaving it be. Hoping the problem will go away on its own. The passive way.

I also realise how much we have drifted apart in such a short period of time, and just how little we had in common. I like to tackle problems with action, but Susan prefers to accept the situation without trying to change anything. I see that now. The only reason why I didn't see it before is because we were never in a position like this. Now that we are, it is all so obvious.

"Just do what you think is best, okay?" I tell her. There's no point in forcing her to see things my way. I doubt she'll even consider speaking out about it.

"Thank you, Beatrice," she smiles. "I appreciate your help."

I wave goodbye, and don't look back as I enter my house.

Then I really think about Robert.

I don't see the timid, kind-hearted boy I used to play with almost everyday. I see an emaciated drug addict, living only for his next high, but never feeling satisfied for long. I see a thief, stealing from his parents' wallets - all that matters to him is cocaine, not family, not friendships, not grades, not real life. I see him dead in a hospital bed after overdosing. I see his family crying, wondering what they did wrong and what they could have done better. It is just my imagination - for now.

I can't let it become a reality.

So when my parents ask me how my day went, the first thing I mention is Robert. Because I can't stand by while my neighbour gradually turns into that imaginary version of the boy I was once best friends with.


This chapter is a little more serious than the last ones, but hopefully I tackled the topic well enough. It's not something I have experience with, so... please review and let me know what you thought!