Happy Thursday! Thanks for the follows, favorites, and reviews! I appreciate it a lot. This chapter was brought to you by my iced coffee addiction that causes raging insomnia to where I only get 5 hours of sleep a night :D

Anyways, hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own divergent.

Tris is startled from her sleep by the sound of firm knocking at her door. She sits up and stretches, perhaps too dramatically, and glances at her alarm clock. It's 7:30 in the morning, meaning her mother just got in.

The itching on her lower back reminds her that last night wasn't a dream, as does the exhaustion prying at her from the mere 5 hours of sleep she got. She thinks back to her dreams and a certain pair of blue eyes that plagued them. She wants to hit herself. "Come in!" She calls out to whoever knocked.

The door opens and her mother enters, ever the image of perfection. Natalie Prior is somewhat of an icon, though it is weird for Tris to think about it this way. She grew up in the Southside of Chicago in a large, poor family. Most teenagers in her situation were just getting jobs to pay the bills and help out around the home but Natalie was lucky in the sense that her parents urged her to follow her dreams and try hard in school. Her hard work ultimately paid off because it sent her to Columbia University, where she double majored in business and visual arts. From there she built her company up. She was ambitious, she dreamt big, and she is the poster woman for any girl who doubts themselves or their abilities. In addition to creating a multimillion dollar company, she's also published a best selling autobiography, had a highly rated docu series made about her, and has been seen on Ellen and other critically acclaimed talk shows. Through all of this, this woman still hasn't aged a day. Tris swears to God she looks identical as she did in the pictures of her at 20 years old.

"Happy birthday my dear." Her mother says fondly. Tris leaps from her bed and walks over to embrace her.

"Thank you mom. I missed you. How was Italy?"

"Well, Italy was Italy. The line is on track to release next month as planned. And we have more buyers than anticipated. I know you've never liked doing these things but it would put a good face on our brand if you wore some items to school and walked around the city in them before the release date. The press would eat that up. And if you possibly agreed to do a photoshoot? No one would represent my clothes better than my own daughter."

Tris sighs. So like her mother, to push her to do something she's obviously uncomfortable to do, first thing in the morning, on her own birthday. She musters up the best smile she can form. "I'll wear the clothes to school and around town mom… but I'm not sure if I'm up for a full on photoshoot." After seeing her mother's signature disappointed look, her lips pressed together in a flat line, Tris goes on. "I'll think about it though, I promise."

Her mother nods, patting her back gently. "I'm sure you will. And I have something for you." She hands her a small black velvet box. "Happy birthday."

Tris thanks her and opens the box, which reveals a beautiful silver diamond Cartier bracelet. Tris has seen similar ones in store priced at 20 thousand dollars. She smiles at her mom, but the thought about who else could benefit far more from this money gnaws at the back of Tris's mind, like it always does.

"Richemont made this custom for you, as an 18th birthday gift. It will go lovely with your dress for tonight and the Harry Winston necklace I put on hold for you as well. Speaking of which, you must get showered and ready! You have a huge day ahead of you before your party. You have an appointment at the spa for a facial, then a hair and nails and makeup appointment, then you have to head down to Belle Femme to get your custom made dress, and head over to Harry Winston to pick up your necklace. Chop chop!"

Tris internally sighs, she thinks all this is much too big a deal for an 18th birthday party, but again, she's Natalie Prior's daughter. She's already exhausted at the list her mother has chalked up for her. "Sure thing, mom. I'm gonna head to the shower. I'll be out in no time."

"Hurry. Alex will be waiting for you outside at 8:30."

Tris tries to be as fast as possible in the shower, but her subconscious simply does not want to do any of the things her mother has set out for her. She can't help but think these activities would be more fun if she had any friends to share them with. Nevertheless, she's out of her building by 8:30 on the dot and greets Alex as she slides into the backseat.

"Hello, Ms. Prior. How is your birthday going so far?"

"It's going well, thank you."

"Did you end up doing something with friends last night?"

"Uh, yeah. Well… I went out and got a tattoo." She admits to Alex, grinning. She honestly just wanted to tell someone. "Don't tell my mom, though."

He laughs. "Your secret is safe with me. I am honored to get to drive you around all day today, though."

Tris frowns. She doesn't like this. "You know what, Alex… after you drop me off you can have the day off. I would honestly prefer to walk today." Everywhere she's going today is well within walking distance, it seems absurd that her mother is keeping Alex waiting outside every shop for her, just to drive her a few more blocks to the next destination.

Alex seems taken aback. "Are you sure, Ms. Prior? I can surely-"

"No." Tris interrupts him. "I'm sure. Honestly, it would be a great birthday present to me as well. I need the exercise. I'm sure your daughter would love to have you home on a Saturday too."

She sees him smile through the rearview mirror. "Thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means. If you need me to pick you up any time throughout the day, though, do not hesitate to give me a call."

"Of course." Tris says sweetly, even though she's 100 percent sure she won't be contacting him. Alex pulls up next to Tris's regular spa and Tris bids farewell to him as she leaves the car.

Tris's facial is a 60 minute appointment. She's not quite sure of the point of facials anyways, as it seems to her that she looks the same before and after each one, probably just another mindless luxury to raise the rich's self esteem. She will admit though, as she exits the spa and begins making the trek toward her salon a couple blocks down, her skin feels softer and richer against the chilly Chicago air.

There's 3 more blocks until her hair salon comes up when she sees him. Well them. She has to blink a few times to make sure that it really is them and not just her imagination, because, really what are the odds? Less than 12 hours after she saw them last, here they are again, passing by the same street as her at the very same time as her.

Tobias and Zeke are once again, decked out in leather and other tough clothing, and Tris notices a girl with them this time. She looks just as intimidating as they do, but appearances can be deceiving because Zeke is actually quite goofy. With a sudden intrusive thought, she wonders if this girl is Tobias's girlfriend and then curses herself for thinking that question so fast. You're such a weirdo. Tris feels her heartbeat pick up as they come closer to crossing paths. Although she is almost certain that they won't notice her given that it's a busy street, their attention lies elsewhere, and she just met them last night briefly -so why would they even remember her face?- she still ducks her head down in attempts of concealing it.

The odds are never in her favor, though, because she hears Zeke's welcoming voice call out, "Tris? Is that you?"

She could pretend not to hear and just keep walking, but alas; she isn't a bitch. She looks up at Zeke and Tobias and the other girl as if she just saw them and puts on her 'what a surprise!' face, before making her way over. She can hear her heartbeat thumping in her ears.

"Damn." Zeke muses. "What are the odds? Same place, same time again." Tris gives them her best smile, and she hopes it's not awkward looking. "Oh, by the way Shauna. This is Tris. We met her at the tattoo parlor last night. Tris, this is Shauna, my girlfriend."

Tris hates the feeling of relief she has after Shauna is introduced as Zeke's girlfriend. "Hi." Shauna greets kindly, with a warm smile. She seems to be more similar to Zeke than Tobias in terms of friendliness. Tris returns the greeting with what she hopes is of equal benevolence. She's not the best at socializing.

"Also Z, this really isn't a surprise. You guys are at that tattoo place literally every other day. You're bound to see at least one person you've met there in public on a different occasion." Shauna says pointedly.

Tris dares to take a glance at Tobias, to see that he's all of a sudden rather absorbed in the sidewalk. The words 'be careful' keep replaying in her mind.

"So, Tris. Where are you headed to at this hour? Late nights, early mornings. What's up with that?" Zeke asks. He doesn't ask as if it's meaningless small talk, he asks as if he's genuinely curious and interested in Tris's daily routine. It warms Tris's heart a little bit and makes her trust him.

"Uh… ya know. Just running errands I guess. What about you guys, though? I could say the same to you." Tris doesn't want to tell them it's her birthday because then they'll ask her what her plans are and she can't see the conversation getting any better after that.

Zeke shrugs. "Well, Tobias and I are kind of insomniacs as it is. We were at the parlor till like 4 am last night and then just went home and watched some TV. Our apartment is actually back a few blocks. We're picking up some morning donuts."

Tris nods and checks her watch. She's running late. Oh, how she wishes she could go to sleep and wake up at whatever hour she pleases and go wherever she wants. She got a taste of freedom when she got her tattoo last night and now she just wants more. "Well… it was nice seeing you guys again." She looks to Shauna, "and nice meeting you as well. I'm running late, though." She dares to take another glance at Tobias to see that he's watching her now, with his eyebrows furrowed.

Tris swallows and looks back to Zeke. "Well maybe we'll run into each other somewhere again one day. I'll see you guys." Zeke and Shauna say goodbye to her, but Tobias says nothing. All she gets out of him is an inclination of his head. At least he acknowledged her. The whole time she makes her trek from their meeting point to the salon she is sure her face is bright red.

The next few hours fly by in a blur. Tris is poked and prodded at in the salon until she finally looks brand new. Her hair dresser curled her hair elegantly, but obviously made sure to comb out her hair after so they didn't look like atrocious prom curls. Then the nail technician came by and did a work of art. Honestly, if there's one thing that Tris does love about being a part of this world it's being able to get her nails done at the drop of a hat. She couldn't do her normal style today because her mom had a set, elegant look for her party. She usually gets bright colors and floral designs but this time her nail tech just did natural solar nails. Why does the fun have to be sucked out of everything? Still, they look gorgeous. For Tris's feet she painted them a pure white color, per her mother's request apparently. Probably to go with her dress, which Tris has yet to even see as it is a surprise. She can't even have some say in what to wear tonight.

After nails, a makeup artist came by. Tris couldn't even give any opinions on what sort of look she wanted, not that she had a preference anyways as makeup was never her forte, but still. Another simple aspect of her life, controlled by Natalie Prior. Tris's face is liquified, dusted on, and blended before she's allowed a mirror. She marvels at herself, because she looks completely different now. Her usually limp blonde hair is now volumized and glossy, her pale cracked lips are now a deep red color, her dry skin that was still recovering from acne scarring is now completely smooth and when she moves her head from side to side she sees that her cheekbones are shiny. Her eyelids are dusted with gold and glitter and have an elegant winged liner to accent the look, they even went as far to put false lashes on her. Tris is the image of sophistication and elegance. Funny how she doesn't feel that way at all on the inside.

After thanking them for their work Tris headed over to her mother's store Belle Femme to pick up her custom made dress. Natalie was always obsessed with french culture, some may even call her a francophile, so no wonder she named her company in French. When she got there all of her mother's employees doted over how "wonderful" and "grown up" she looked and how they can't believe she's "already eighteen!", since most of them have known her since childhood. Tris takes all of these comments rather gracefully, she likes to think. Giggling and blushing and giving kisses on cheeks. These women probably thought 'Wow, so charming! She really is Natalie Prior's daughter!' Where Tris was thinking something more like, 'All of this is one big show, and I'm a fraud!' She finally escaped the shop with her mystery dress in a garment bag and headed over to Harry Winston, where she got her diamond necklace. I'm a fraud, I'm a fraud. Tris kept thinking over and over again on her way from the jewellers back to her building.

Honestly, thoughts like that are more comforting to Tris in a way. If she convinces herself that her life is just one big performance and she has a certain part to play, it distracts her from the inevitable feeling that she truly is not happy, and doesn't know when she ever will be. My life is just a game that I have to get through. She would tell herself during particularly hard times, like when her dad left. All of her obstacles are simulated and she just has to be logical and calculated with her responses. She's aware that to an outsider this would seem like a very warped and messed up way to view things, which is why she doesn't share these feelings with outsiders.

As soon as Tris enters her apartment she is smothered by Caleb's embrace. "Happy birthday!" He cries, hugging her tightly. Tris laughs. Her relationship with her brother is something rocky as well, they're not exactly close or best friends, but they definitely have their love and affection for one another.

"Thanks, Caleb."

"Ooh, is that your dress? Oh my gosh and your diamond necklace? Swanky, Tris."

"Caleb, stop distracting your sister and go get ready yourself. Susan will be here soon." Natalie says, approaching. She's already dressed up in a gold dress that is very becoming of her, and as Tris glances around the apartment she sees that there are already caterers and other people setting up.

In just a couple short hours she will have to completely put on her 'Natalie Prior's daughter' mask for the whole evening. My life is just a game that I have to get through, she reminds herself again. She's going to score full points on her performance tonight that will get her a level up.

Caleb shrugs and swaggers off to the kitchen. "Darling, you've been on your feet all day. You must be hungry. Come, get something to eat before you get dressed." Tris realizes her mother's right, she feels emptiness and yearning in her belly so she rushes to the kitchen to get a snack.

Natalie sits down at the kitchen table, munching on a low fat yogurt and Tris has to roll her eyes. Maria is wiping down the countertop and Caleb is tapping away on his phone. Probably texting Susan. This is what Tris wanted for her birthday. Just the 4 of them together. As Tris grabs some cheese and crackers from the pantry her mother waves her over and hands her a bright pink card. "From your father."

Tris's chest pangs. She thought she'd be used to the pain of her father being long absent by now, and yes, it has gotten easier. The agony she felt the first few months when the inevitable dawned on her that he wasn't coming back has now dulled into a soft ache. But still, moments like birthdays tend to bring it back.

Tris takes the card and has noticed that Caleb is now looking up with furrowed eyebrows and Maria has tried to appear more busy with shining the granite. "He couldn't have called?" Tris asks tightly, while opening the card. A postcard falls out of it and she reads the words that are on top of the gorgeous scenery. Costa Rica.

Natalie lets out a sigh. It sounds almost exasperated, as if Tris is just too much to handle for her right now. "We've been over this. Different time zones. He's busy. Be grateful Beatrice, he deposited 10k into your trust as well."

I don't want a damn trust, Tris thinks bitterly, I want my dad to use a fraction of that money to buy a plane ticket and come home. She can't voice this outloud to Natalie, though. She'll just call her over dramatic and childish. So she nods politely, as if she completely understands and then reads the card.

Happy 18th. Miss you.

Dad.

Her father isn't very well known for his heartfelt notes, but Tris is still disappointed. She should be used to it by now but she's not. Her entire family had different reactions to her father's absence. Her mother retreated further into her work. Her brother retreated further into his studies. And Tris? She retreated further into herself. The main thing they have in common is that none of them talk about it in the open. She's allowed herself a few moments to cry about it in private, but never in front of anyone else. Life is a game.

After she eats a few crackers and her appetite is satisfied, Tris wants nothing more than to take an hour long nap before she needs to get ready, but alas, that would ruin her hair and makeup. So instead, she retreats into her room and pulls out a book she's already read 100 times before. The Great Gatsby.

Tris isn't sure if she would call Gatsby her favorite novel, being as the characters and the plot and the narration all infuriates her actually. There's still something that keeps drawing her back to it though. She knows what it's like to be trapped in a world full of extravagance and wealth and deceit and lies like Daisy. She also knows what it's like to be surrounded by shallow people who claim to know you but really don't give a fuck about you, and feel completely alone, like Gatsby. There's also something so comforting about jumping into a familiar world when everything going on around you is uncertain. She knows the plot of The Great Gatsby will never change, it didn't change when her brother distanced himself from her, it didn't change when her father left, and it didn't change when her mother started to become more and more disappointed and disapproving of her daughter. And it will never change. Tris can return to the book whenever she wants and practically know the synopsis of what happens on each page.

She just reaches the part when Gatsby introduces Nick to the shady mafia guy when her phone buzzes with a text. It's from Caleb.

Mom says to start getting ready now.

She sighs and sets her book down before entering her bathroom. She moves like a robot. The art of getting ready for high society events is practically ingrained in her by now. She knows all the proper undergarments to wear with a dress, how to put clothes on without ruining her hair and makeup in the process, and how to fasten jewelry clasps on without the assistance of another person.

After Tris is fully ready she assesses herself in the mirror. She truly cannot complain. The custom dress that her mom had designed for her… is very much her. It is a deep purple color, with a sleeveless tight corset style that flatters her waist quite nicely, before it fans out into a chiffon skirt that is mid calf length. She wears black Louis Vitton pumps with a peep toe so her newly painted white nails can breathe, and the diamond bracelet and necklace accent her look quite well. She is Natalie Prior's daughter.

She makes her way downstairs and her mom and Maria fawn over her before her mom forces her to take some photos with Caleb in his designer suit. "This is every girl's dream birthday party." Her mother gushes, which causes guilt to eat at Tris.

Soon Susan arrives and she kisses Caleb hello and hugs Tris happy birthday. Susan and Caleb are quite perfect actually, off of paper but also on it, considering her family are large investors in Natalie's company. Tris has no doubt that a business alliance between the Prior's and the Black's would be further solidified if Susan and Caleb were to get married. That is definitely what both of their parents want, at least.

As more guests shuffle in, Tris tries to stick close to Caleb and Susan but soon her mother pulls her away, forcing her to be more social and engage with people. This is hellish, Tris thinks to herself, after hugging the fourth billionaire to enter her apartment. She wants to feel grateful for all this, she really does, but at the same time it just seems so pointless. She resorts to her typical tactic and tells herself it's all a game. Yes. Maximum points, Tris. Maximum points.

Tris wonders if she's becoming an alcoholic as she sips her 4th martini of the night. That tequila yesterday did do wonders for her, and now she fears she wouldn't be getting through this party if it weren't for the cocktails that she's been downing. She wonders if using alcohol to her advantage costs her points in her game. It can't. It's just using her resources. It has done wonders for her social skills, and made her far less nervous. Hell, she's even made a few people laugh tonight.

Her mother seemed pleasantly surprised by Tris's new demeanor. That's right Natalie Prior, I can socialize. Fuck your low expectations of me. Tris spots her mother approaching her with her typical radiant smile and she subtly scoots the martini glass closer to the center of the table so it doesn't look like it's her who's been drinking it.

"Beatrice, I have someone you haven't met yet who I would like to introduce you to." She says brightly.

Tris plasters on her best, most Natalie like smile that she's been using all night. "Of course, mother."

Natalie guides Tris over to the foyer and as they approach the assumed unknown people, Tris is very shocked to see, for the very 3rd time in the past 24 hours, Tobias. This time he is not decked out in black leather, but in a navy suit. He stands next to a man who is a couple inches shorter than him but is basically older Tobias. Same stature, jaw, and midnight blue eyes. The only differences Tris can spot is that Tobias is far more tan than this man and they have different noses. Tobias and older Tobias make quiet conversation until Natalie announces her and Tris's presence.

"Marcus! How lovely to see you." Tobias looks up and makes eye contact with Tris and she sees his eyes widen and his face go slack with shock. Tris is sure that she wears an identical look but the only difference is that Tobias composes himself rather quickly, and stands up a bit taller. His demeanor seems quite the same as it was in the tattoo parlor and on the street, the only difference is his new attire.

"Beatrice, this is Marcus Eaton and his son Tobias. Marcus is the owner and founder of Eaton Enterprises. They're a big real estate name in Chicago." Marcus waves his hand as if this is nonsense but Tris sees the cocky way he holds himself and the pleased glint in his eye. Can people just fuck off with the fake modesty?

Tris tries to gather her bearings and remember the game. She's been doing so well. "Very nice to meet you." She holds out her hand to shake Marcus's. Then Tobias's. His hands are warm, smooth, and soft. Not what she'd expect from someone who is usually caught in tattoo parlors wearing biker clothing, but she's also discovered his true identity now.

"Likewise. Happy birthday by the way." Marcus tells her. Tris smiles and inclines her head by means of a thank you.

"So, Tobias," Natalie says. "I've had the pleasure of meeting your father on several occasions but I don't think we've ever crossed paths before."

Tobias opens his mouth to say something but then Marcus cuts him off. "He hasn't usually attended events such as these before. We're trying to change that now."

Tris does not miss the sharp look that Marcus throws Tobias after he makes that statement. She suddenly becomes weary of the energy between father and son and she can feel her mother tense up a bit beside her as well.

"So Beatrice," Marcus addresses her in a much warmer tone than what he was speaking in a few seconds ago. "You're a senior right now, correct?" Tris nods. "What are you thinking about for college?"

"Oh, well I'm applying to Columbia early decision." There has never been another choice for Tris other than Columbia. Both her parents are esteemed legacies, it's where they met after all. Tris has never even let herself dream of another place besides Columbia because if there's one thing that's certain in her future it's that she's going there. Her mother practically wrote it in the stars. Her and Caleb both. College was never a choice for them.

"Well, congratulations! I'm sure they would be lucky have you." Marcus says. Tris knows that these words have kind intention but they still irritate her to no end. How can he be sure of such a thing when he doesn't even know Tris at all? She internally shakes her head.

"And Tobias," Natalie is taking another shot at getting words out of him. "What are you doing for school?"

"I don't attend college." He says smoothly. "I'm trying to get in the real estate industry like my father so I've got an internship with him and I also look at property around Illinois to invest in on my own." Tris notices that these words sound almost rehearsed, like he's said them several times before. She also takes note of the difference in his voice here, as opposed to the tattoo parlor. Right now he sounds pleasant and poised, as opposed to when he was discussing art history, he definitely sounded more relaxed and gruff. Tris guesses it has to do with the man standing next to him. She is no stranger to having to change your whole manner when you're around a parent.

How old is he? Tris wonders. He's speaking as if he would already be attending classes, had he chosen to go to college, and Tris realizes that he could pass for older than the typical undergraduate age. 24 or 25 at the most.

"For just a 20 year old man who is new in the industry he shows a lot of promise." Marcus says. Well, that answers that question. 20 years old. To Tris it seems far older than her, but at the same time not much at all. Still, by the way he carries himself, Tris believes he seems older than just 20.

"Thank you, father." Tobias says stiffly. Yes. This whole father son act is definitely rehearsed. Tris can see right through it.

"Well, we don't want to keep you. Please make yourself at home, have a martini or some shrimp. It was lovely catching up. Lovely to meet you as well, Tobias." Natalie says.

Tobias inclines his head toward her and Natalie and Marcus bid their farewells. Tris also greets them goodbye and her and Natalie head off.

"How do we know them?" Tris asks her mother once they're out of earshot.

"Oh, Marcus is an old friend of your father's. They knew each other in high school. He was actually your father's first business partner in his company, but then he left to do his own thing early on. I believe his wife, Evelyn, left them when their son was only 6."

All of this is a lot of information for Tris to process. First, what are the odds that this mysterious boy who she's run into 3 different times so far, has a father who goes way back with her's? Second of all, it's not often that she hears about her father's company. He sold it before she was even born for an enormous profit that would ensure that Tris and Caleb would never have to work again if they so pleased. Clearly, her mother was entirely against that, and wanted her children to make names for themselves in high society and actually learn life skills. That's one decision of her mother's that Tris can actually agree on. Thirdly, she muses over the fact that her and Tobias both have absent parents. It's silly but it makes her feel more connected to this mysterious young man who has only spoken a few words to her.

This is a lot. She decides she needs another drink.

Over an hour later and guests are finally leaving. Tris's feet ache with all the strolling around and idle standing she's had to do and she's desperate to take her uncomfortable shoes off.

"Good night Beatrice. Happy Birthday." Mrs. Rogers calls out to her. Or maybe it was Mrs. Rockefeller. She's too tipsy to tell and all these middle aged socialites look and talk the same anyways.

"Thanks for coming! Good night!" She says the same words she's been repeating for the past 10 minutes to various guests. She won't lie. She's been keeping an eye on the elevator to see if Marcus and Tobias have head out yet but it seems that they haven't. But she also might have missed them in the midst of being distracted with something else, such as getting another drink. God, she doesn't even know how many she's had tonight.

On that note, she heads to the dining area to get another, and she sees him standing there. Alone. Even while she's stumbling over drunk it still takes a lot of her nerve to approach him and tap him on the shoulder.

When he turns around to face her his eyebrows raise in mild surprise. "You were the last person I expected to see here tonight." She blurts out to him bluntly, slurring her words a little bit.

He just shrugs. "You were the last person I expected to see in a tattoo parlor at midnight."

Tris's face scrunches up involuntarily. "What's that supposed to mean?" She asks defensively.

He just shrugs again and frustration rises up in Tris. Not just at him but at herself. How can she be so intrigued by someone who is so awful at conversation?

She tries a different approach. "Do you… associate yourself with this world a lot?" She gestures to the room around them.

He just keeps staring at her in that piercing, unwavering way. It makes her feel as if all her deepest secrets are being laid bare and he's uncovering everything about her in just a glance. "What do you think?" He shoots back evenly.

Her curiosity piques. "Well, why not?"

His lips press into a flat line, and then he says, "The same reason why it's so obvious that you hate it."

Tris takes in this statement for a few seconds and what it all means. Clearly him pointing out similarities between them also means that he feels a connection to her as well. No. She's crazy. "Is it really that obvious?" She asks him, not bothering to deny it.

He smirks a little, and Tris worries about what the mere sight of his lip quirking up in that manner does to her legs. It's probably just the alcohol, she insists to herself. "You look as if you're heading to your execution. Not like it's your birthday." She feels insulted. She thought she was putting on a pretty good act for everyone. The thought crosses her mind again, that Tobias is observing Tris in this way because they have this attitude in common and he's pointing out another connection.

Still, guilt begins to eat at her when she thinks back to what her mother said about this being every girl's dream party. "I want to be grateful for it all, and in a way I am. It just feels like I didn't choose any of it, ya know? Like," she gestures to the centerpiece, "I didn't even get to decide what flowers. Or what food was served. Let alone who the guests were." She closes her eyes after her mini rant and wonders if she over shared with Tobias. After all, they barely know each other.

Silence. And then, "I used to be just like you. Trapped here. Until I finally stood up to my father and just told him that this isn't what I want anymore." Giddiness rises in Tris when she realizes that he is indeed forming a connection with her. She tries not to look elated.

"Well it seems like you're back in this world." She observes.

He shakes his head. "I have my feet in 2 different worlds. Or I guess I have one arm in this world and the rest of my body in the world that I actually enjoy." Tris thinks back to Zeke this morning and remembers how he mentioned that they live together. How the fuck did he pull off moving out with a father like Marcus? He seems ten times worse than her own mother.

As if reading her thoughts Tobias continues, "I need to be financially stable. Me and my dad… we have an understanding. And believe it or not I actually enjoy some of the work I do for him."

It's Tris's turn to smirk now. "I think this is the most I've heard you speak at once." She muses.

She could swear that Tobias's face flushes scarlet, and it's honestly a bit gratifying. "Sorry I'm not the chatterbox type." He says tightly.

She shrugs. "Neither am I, I suppose." Another question eats at her and she decides to just blurt it out, because why the hell not? "What tattoo did you get yesterday?"

His face drops back into its cold demeanor and there's silence. For too long. She went too far, she realizes shamefully. She's just about to walk away when he begins speaking. "A caged bird. Or… I guess it was more of a bird leaving its cage."

Tris doesn't have to be a genius to know why he got this tattoo. After everything that he'd been talking about, subtly hinting at their similarities, it's honestly a tattoo that Tris would consider getting too given her circumstances. The only difference is that she hasn't gotten to escape her cage yet, and she envies Tobias who seems like he's finessed and manipulated two different worlds into giving him exactly what he wants. Teach me. She wants to beg him. She does not. Instead she says, "where is it?" She hopes to God that he doesn't take this question as a request to see it or anything, she's simply curious.

"My rib cage. Right here." He pats the area where his upper rib cage is, close to the side of his abdomen.

Tris cringes. "Ouch."

Tobias just shrugs. He really does love to shrug, Tris muses. Then they're standing in silence again, and she looks up at him. He meets her eyes steadily and it seems like they don't look away for an eternity, when in reality it's probably only 5 or 6 seconds.

"Beatrice!" She hears her mother's familiar voice shout out and she nearly jumps out of her skin. She tries her best to mask her irritation and turns around.

"Yes?"

"The Hawthorne's are leaving. Come say goodbye!"

"Be right there!" She turns back to Tobias, a little unsure of what to say. "Well… I gotta go now. Thanks for the uh- interesting conversation." She giggles a little. There is no reason for me to be this god damn awkward.

She's surprised when Tobias smiles back at her. A real, genuine smile. "See ya, then. Happy birthday, Tris."

The feeling of elation that consumes Tris when he says her name is probably greater than what women whose suitors have written symphonies in their honor have felt. Before she can form a response or a proper goodbye though, he walks away.

And as Tris heads over to her mother it shames her to know that out of her whole night at her own birthday party, the best part of it was a 5 minute conversation with a young man who she barely knows. I hope I get the opportunity to know him better, she thinks.

EEE! LMK your thoughts? So fun to write!

-Kiki