Today is the spring fundraiser for Tris's school. It's a night for parents and students to gather at school, to dine on flavorful appetizers, sip upscale beverages, and dress fashionably. It's the perfect opportunity for parents to demonstrate their wealth through the designer clothing their families are spotted in, and through the announcements of their large donations. Ticket proceeds are already donated to the school, but parents can write large checks as well, and of course they do. For the good of the school, but also to flaunt their affluence.

Overall, it's a night that Tris has loathed in the past. After Andrew left it was awful. At least when her father was still present, the four Prior's would attend together as a family. Tris remembers the first fundraiser after their clan dropped from 4 to 3. People whispered, gawked, and the worst moms approached Natalie and gave condescending comments that were masked in pity.

Last year's fundraiser improved slightly. People still stared, but Andrew Prior leaving his family was old news by then. There were other foxes for the vultures to circle that year around. Now, Tris just prays that no one pays any attention to them. Natalie has spent the past 2 years since Andrew left rebuilding her reputation and trying to make a name for herself as an independent woman. It has earned her lots of support and sympathy from fans and spectators, but also lots of scorn from the high society women who have what seems to be a picture perfect family. Still, she is brave enough to attend this event and sit through it year after year. Tris knows her mother will feel a large point of pride when her donation is announced tonight. The pride in knowing she did it all on her own- single mother, self made woman, fashion magnate, empress of her own valley.

Tobias is escorting Tris tonight. Tris isn't sure what her mother necessarily thinks of their blossoming relationship. It's been 2 months since Valentine's Day, and while Natalie seems supportive of the pair, there are moments where Tris feels as though her mother is skeptical. To her surprise, she hasn't seen her name pop up in any more tabloids. Though the photoshoot that Tris did with Peter was published in Elle, Natalie has not tried to force Tris to spend any more time with him, nor has she even brought his name up again.

She is benevolent and kind towards Tobias, and doesn't seem to be using him to her advantage like Tris believed she would. She's honestly surprised… could Natalie Prior have learnt the error of her ways? Tris doubts it… but what other explanation is there? She's left her daughter and Tobias alone for the most part, and Tris and Tobias have only grown closer these past couple of months.

Being with Tobias feels like gliding through the night sky. When he's around, Tris never feels afraid, she can forget about all the worries tugging at her, all the demons underneath her bed. He keeps her safe, and he makes her feel loved. They've balanced his work life and Tris's school life pretty well to make time for one another, and Tobias's gallery is closer and closer to making it.

The website is up and running, there is an abundance of art on every wall, the place is nicely decorated, and the invitations have been sent out for his opening in 3 weeks. Tris adores seeing Tobias this way- passionate about what he's actually doing. She saw a glimpse of that part of himself when he was doing his work on the Christmas Feeding America event, but now the envigored version of Tobias is the man who Tris is most familiar with, and she likes him a lot. She may even feel more for him… but she's not ready to visit that possibility yet. That would be too much for her right now, not when she already has so much going on.

The deadline for submitting a college deposit is in a few weeks time, and Tris still has not uttered a peep about USC to her mother. She has tried… plenty of times. But the perfect moment has never arisen. Tobias will start to nag her about this, but then Tris will give him a pointed look that says 'When are you going to quit Eaton Enterprises?' and that shuts him right up. They make an odd pair, the two of them, but Tris can only hope that once they finally stand up to their respective parents, no matter how daunting the prospect may be, that they will feel a sense of relief and a large weight lifted from their shoulders. Then the two of them can continue their relationship and their lives in content. Easier said than done, really.

The limousine stops in front of Tris's school, and the driver steps around to the right hand side to open the door for all of them; Tris, Natalie, Tobias, and Caleb. Of course they had to show up to this event in style, though practically every parent has a limousine to escort them these days. They all thank their chauffeur as they slide out and make their way up to the front gates of the school.

Tobias offers his arm to Tris and Tris takes it, shooting him a grateful smile. "Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?" Tobias murmurs, gesturing to her baby blue slip dress that is knees length.

"Yes you did," Tris chuckles, "When you first arrived at the penthouse, before we got into the limo, while we were in the limo, and just now."

"Well, I'm not going to stop saying it because it's true. You look like fucking Cinderella."

"That must make you my Prince Charming," Tris muses. Tobias does clean up rather well. It's no secret that he's an attractive man, but something about him in a suit does even more to heighten his good looks. Tris has no doubts that she'll see many women ogling him tonight- mothers, daughters, and everyone in between. She doesn't let that get to her, though. Tobias is hers. They've both proved their devotion to one another during these past few months.

"Caleb, where are the Blacks?" Natalie asks, "We reserved our table with them."

"They must be inside already. You know how they like to be punctual."

They make their way in through the school gates and step down the path that leads them to the dining hall. Tris stares at her mother carefully as they approach the school. Her jaw is set determinedly, and her eyes are cold stone. This is when the machinated part of her mother emerges- all cool, and calculating. This isn't just a fundraiser to Natalie Prior, it's the way she proves her continued worth to the other high society parents.

"Jane! Richard!" Natalie greets Mr. and Mrs. Black, and then says a hello to Susan and Robert who are standing politely behind their parents. Tris and Tobias do the same, and watch as Caleb shakes Mr. Black's hand, hugs Mrs. Black, and then makes his way awkwardly next to Susan. Tris has to hold back a snort. She has no doubt that Susan and Caleb are well compatible with each other, but there's always an air of awkwardness between the pair. Maybe it's different when they're alone, but Tris doubts it.

Mingling lasts for a good 25 minutes. Tris watches as her mother engages in greetings with other parents. She doesn't have to hear the passive aggressive marks to know that they're being made, she can read her mother's forehead lines well enough. It's not everyday that Tris thinks 'Good for mom', but today is definitely one of those days. A woman doesn't have to be married to have value, and Natalie Prior proves that every day. She took the society scorn around her husband leaving her, and let it motivate her into becoming even more successful.

Tris, meanwhile, is guiding Tobias around the room. Introducing him to peers, teachers, and other familiar faces. "Sorry it's so boring here," Tris mutters to him, after they say goodbye to her Mathematics teacher.

"Hey, I could never be bored in a room with you," Tobias lets her know.

Tris can't help the idiotic smile that spreads across her face at those words. "I'm just really glad you came with me. It would have been completely insufferable without you." She shoots a look across the dining hall to see that her mother has now rejoined the Black's and Caleb, and they're all taking their seats at one of the large circular tables. Tris knows she and Tobias should go over and join them now, but she still wants some more alone time with him tonight before they have to plaster on fake smiles and engage in high society conversation.

"Well, it looks like it just got a bit less insufferable, too." Tobias remarks, nodding behind Tris.

Tris turns around to see what he's referring to, and she lets out a joyous laugh when she does. Shauna, Lynn, and Hector are there with their parents. Of course. How did she forget that Hector also attends the same academy as her? That's not all, though. Hana, Zeke, Uriah, and Marlene are also with them.

"Did you know they'd be here?" She turns to Tobias.

"No, I actually didn't."

"Hi guys!" Tris greets, feeling more enthusiastic than she was just a minute ago.

Shauna is the first to embrace her. "Tris! We thought we might find you here! You both look amazing!"

Hugs are exchanged between everyone, and Tris offers that they take up a table near her own, so they can be near each other and she can introduce them to her own mother and brother. They agree, though they seem a bit apprehensive.

Tris figures it's the Larsons first time attending any event like this, same with the Pedrads, so she wants to help them get through it. If these events are torture for her, she can't even imagine what they must be like for families who aren't in the upperclass. Families whose students are on scholarship.

Tris guides them across the dining hall and introduces all of them to Natalie. She watches Uriah, Marlene, Shauna, and Zeke all go a little starstruck at the sight of her mother, and she represses an eyeroll. Natalie Prior, used to this reaction from many people, simply waves it off and shakes everyone's hand amicably.

However, Tris notices Mr. and Mrs. Black practically jeering at both the Larsons and Pedrads lack of designer dress. They are in formal wear, and both clans look very charming, but apparently it's not impressive enough for some people. Susan and Robert stare at the two families in alarm, meanwhile Caleb just looks bored out of his mind. Tris internally sighs. She really had more faith in all of these people, though those were probably stupid expectations that she had. The only one living up to them happens to be her mother, though that doesn't surprise her. Natalie Prior is a lot of things, but she is not a high society snob like a majority of parents in this world.

"Beatrice, Tobias, take your seats. We're going to start eating soon," Natalie instructs them. Tris shoots Tobias a sideways look as they both pull out their chairs and sit down. Let the night begin, Tris muses to herself.

Tris throws her head back, guffawing at the crude comment Uriah just made. Finally, the fundraiser is coming to a close. Dinner was difficult to get through. First of all, Columbia seemed to be the hot topic at the table. Natalie went on and on about how excited she was for Tris and Caleb to be attending her alma mater, and Mr. and Mrs. Black also chimed in about how nice the commute between Cornell and Columbia would be for Susan and Caleb. It was also brought up that Robert will be attending Brown. Yeah, it is really not going to go over well when Tris finally tells her mother that she's not going to be going Ivy. She needs to be prepared to be financially independent, too, because she would rather be going to USC while struggling to make ends meet versus not going there at all. She's let herself fall too much in love with it now. The whole ordeal overwhelmed her immensely throughout their meal.

While everyone was eating, the headmaster said a few words, thanking all the parents and students for the amazing school year and whatnot. Then individual families were recognized for their generous contributions to the school, and it was hard to miss the smirk on Natalie Prior's face when her name was announced.

After dinner, dessert and dancing began. Tris and Tobias did a few dances across the room, and at one point she even caught Caleb's eye as he was also dancing with Susan, and he shot her a wink. Tris had smiled back, glad that their brother sister relationship seemed to be repairing itself. Maybe she could even confide in him about Columbia…

Eventually, a father daughter dance was announced, and Tris struggled to swallow the lump in her throat as she looked awkwardly at Tobias, not knowing what to do. She watched glumly as Susan and Mr. Black made their way onto the dancefloor, wishing so badly that she had her own father here for this moment, even if she despises him completely.

Tobias had wrapped a tight arm around her waist and guided her back to their table, quietly asking if there was anything he could do. Tris had just shaken her head, sinking down into her chair and trying to fight off the tears that had come surprisingly quickly. Really, after all this time she still wasn't over it? How pathetic.

Tris had stiffened up in surprise when she felt someone embrace her from behind, and smelt her mother's perfume. "I got you," her mother had whispered in her ear. Then Caleb was there too, kneeling in front of her and squeezing her hand tightly. Next to her, Tobias placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, offering her more silent support. Tris then allowed her tears to fall freely, and for that one song clutched onto her mother, Caleb, and Tobias, feeling grateful for their love. She may not have her father in her life, but at least she still had people who cared for her.

After the song ended, she turned around and hugged her mother tightly. Natalie just smiled, wiping away a few more of Tris's stray tears and kissing her on the forehead. Tris wished her mother would talk about her father more, but she never pushes it, because she knows that him leaving was harder on her than she lets on.

Tobias had then grabbed Tris's arm and murmured, "I know what can cheer you up."

That is how Tris now finds herself standing amongst Zeke, Uriah, Shauna, Marlane, Lynn, and Tobias. They had tracked down their friends outside, away from all the chaos. Shauna had claimed that they needed a breather from all the stuffy rich people, and Tris can't blame them. The spring night air is soothing, and Tris closes her eyes for a moment, listening to the rush of city traffic and her friends' laughs. This is where she belongs.

"So," Tris begins, once all their chuckling has died down. "How would you all rate tonight?"

"Honestly, not as bad as we expected," Zeke remarks.

"Yeah, actually. People were still assholes but the food was good, we got to spend a nice family night together, and it made Hector really happy that all of us were here," Lynn states.

Tris smiles, glad to hear all of it.

"It also was pretty cool to meet your mom, Tris," Uriah adds on. "She's very… down to earth."

"Those are some words to describe her," Tris mutters to herself, only so Tobias can hear.

"Beatrice!" Tris turns to see Mrs. Bartlett, her English and Literature teacher, making her way towards the group. Tris can't fight her smile. Mrs. Bartlett is by far her favorite teacher, and she's going to miss her greatly once she graduates.

"Hello, Mrs. Bartlett, these are my friends," she introduces everyone, and they say a polite hello to her. "I'm glad I caught you, I didn't see you inside earlier."

"Oh, I'm afraid I had to arrive late. And now I'm leaving, too. My cat is sick, you see."

Tris nods, making a noise of sympathy.

"I just got the opportunity to speak to your mother inside, though."

"Oh?"

"Yes, I told her how proud all of us in the teaching department are of you, for getting into USC. Your mother seemed quite surprised at our enthusiasm. I guess this school does have that Ivy League reputation, but we encourage our students to find opportunities anywhere, we aren't as exclusive as we were 20 years ago…"

Tris drowns out the rest of Mrs. Bartlett's sentence, her heartbeat beginning to pound in her ears. Fuck. Her mother knows.

In all her 18 years of existence, Tris has never known such silence from her mother. After Mrs. Bartlett dropped the bombshell on her, Tobias grabbed Tris's hand and led her away from their friends, calling to them that they would see them tomorrow. Tris couldn't find words for a good ten minutes, and Tobias had no clue how to calm down his sweating, wide eyed girlfriend. He kept reiterating to her that it would be okay, that at least her mother knew now, so the hard part was over, but Tris just kept thinking about how upset her mother would be to find out this life altering news from someone other than her.

After Tris composed herself, she and Tobias headed back inside. They approached Natalie, who was then standing tersely in the corner of the room, her glass of wine clutched so tightly in her hand that Tris was surprised it didn't shatter in her grip. As soon as Natalie took sight of the pair, she uttered the words, "We're leaving."

The car ride home was awkward. Caleb had no clue why everyone was being so quiet, and after they dropped Tobias back at his place, Tris felt even more vulnerable and nervous for what was to come. Now they are on their way back to the Prior penthouse. Tris can feel her hands trembling slightly, and she clenches them into fists, trying to compose herself, to think of what she's going to say to her mother.

When they arrive at their building, they all slide out of the car, each murmuring a thank you to the driver. The mood is terse through the walk and elevator ride up, Once they enter the penthouse, Caleb looks to both Tris and Natalie with his eyebrows furrowed together, saying an awkward goodnight before he makes his way upstairs.

Maria enters the foyer from the kitchen, taking both of their coats and asking how the event was. Natalie tells her it was fine, and curtly dismisses her, saying she can go to bed now. It isn't hard for Maria to sense the tension in the room after that.

Natalie sits on the couch, looking ahead of her, not at Tris, for a long, long time. It is probably only 3 or 4 minutes, but to Tris, it feels like a century. She grows so tired of this uncertain silence, that she herself, decides to break it.

"Mom, I know you know."

Natalie slowly turns her head towards her daughter, her lips stretching out into a faux smile. "Wow. What an astute observation, Beatrice."

"Well, can we at least talk about this? Like adults?" Tris pleads, hoping for a rational discussion. She knows it's not going to be easy to get through, but not having to deal with her mother's sulkiness and passive aggressive remarks might make it a tad easier.

"Oh, so now you want to be an adult, huh? Because let me tell you something, Beatrice, the adult thing is not to hide something like this. It's not to lie to everyone in your life. You want to be an adult? The first step is honesty."

Tris can feel her temper rising at her mother's words. If her mother wasn't the way that she is, she would have never had to hide this in the first place. "Okay, you want honesty, mom? If I'm being honest, I don't want to go to Columbia. I never have."

Natalie simply rolls her eyes. "It is not about what you want. It is about what you need. And you are too blinded by your fantastical desires to see what you need. Do you think I want you to go to Columbia because I want you to be tortured in a place where you don't want to be? No, it is because I have your best interests at heart."

"I know Columbia is a great school, I know I could foster a great future there, but there are other amazing schools. For example, USC. Schools that are a better fit for me."

"Columbia is the best there is, Beatrice. I grew up with nothing, my parents had no spare penny to spend on me or any of my siblings. When I was your age, I would have jumped at the opportunity to attend this University, paid for fully by my parents, with an easy admission. Instead I had to kill myself just to be in the running. You have no idea how lucky you are, how spoiled you're being by throwing away this opportunity… just because you don't think you'll fit in."

Tris swallows. Just like that, her mother has diminished any points she was trying to make about her education, about her future. Natalie's words even have Tris herself questioning her decision. College isn't just about emotion, is it? It needs to be practical… and Columbia is an Ivy. Her mother's right, too. Tris is immensely privileged… lots of kids would kill for these opportunities, this legacy.

The guilt card that her mother is playing is unfortunately beginning to work on Tris, but she knows she still needs to stand her ground, to remember all the amazing things about USC that drew her to it in the first place. She needs to keep her integrity. She's been imagining this conversation with her mother for months now, and she's not going to roll over and submit to her like she always does.

She exhales through her nose, composing herself slowly. "Mom, I truly admire everything that you've done to get here. You know that. You're one of the most inspirational icons in the world, you don't need me to be telling you any of this, you just want me to feel bad about everything I have, everything that you gave me. Well, I'm not going to. It's because of how far you've come, and how hard you've worked, that I know I also have to stay true to my desires. Despite everything, you still chose Columbia, you chose your degree, your future, and who you wanted to be. And I would have thought that after fighting so hard for what you wanted that the thing you would desire most for your children is the opportunity for them to do the same. Even if it's different from what you see for them, even if you don't understand it.

"Being raised by you has taught me so much, it's why I'm confident in myself with this step I want to take, and where I want my life to lead. You've taught me not to do what other people expect of me, to defy normalities, to create my own sense of self. Well that is what I'm trying to do. And I'm not going to stop standing my ground on this," Tris says firmly, not breaking eye contact with Natalie once.

It is the first time in her life that Tris has seen her mother truly at a loss for words. She stares at her daughter wide eyed, her mouth open slightly, because she has no response whatsoever. Tris is immensely proud of herself, enjoying the sense of victory coursing through her veins.

After a few moments, Natalie's face twists up. "I knew it. I knew this Eaton would have this effect on you."

"Excuse me?"

"Of course, I was worried he would be too much like Marcus, but no, he's all his mother, that one."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"All these delusions you're having, Beatrice. This talk of freedom, as if you don't already have enough. I know you got these ideas from Tobias. Strange to think how foolish he is, just like his mother, when she wasn't even around for most of his life."

Tris feels steam coming out of her ears. Where is all this even coming from? "Tobias isn't foolish. He cares about me. A lot. Sometimes I think he's the only person who does. He encouraged me to chase after my dreams, to find something that makes my spirit soar. But this isn't his doing, mom. Why can't you accept that this is what I really want? Instead you're just grasping at straws, trying to come up with any excuse, because you know that I'm right."

Natalie just continues shaking her head. "You know, Marcus, Tobias's father, I despised him. I never liked him from the moment we met, and I told Andrew, I told him he shouldn't go into business with such an awful man. Of course, your father being your father, he ignored me. But at least Marcus is intelligent. I'd rather you be with someone who is intelligent, rather than Tobias, who clearly got the emotional end of the genetics. He allows his life to be ruled by feeling rather than practicality, just like his mother. You shouldn't be around someone like that, Beatrice."

"So," Tris swallows, "This is why you've kept quiet about me and Tobias. You know I was a little surprised that you didn't jump at the chance to exploit our relationship, to use it to make your image look better. But now I see why. You just don't want me to be happy."

"Being happy is an illusion. A myth. Success is what you attain. Columbia is your best bet at that."

"Are you not happy, mom?"

"I am skilled at what I do, I've worked hard, and I've made a great living for myself. And that is because I didn't let emotion rule my life. I knew if I encouraged this thing with you and Tobias it would grow into something worrisome, and it did anyway, I see. He's not good for you, Beatrice. You need someone who can be a lifelong partner, a good and stable match. And Tobias is far too frivolous and edgy to be of any real use to you."

"Oh my God, do you hear what you're saying?" Tris demands. "Tobias makes me happy, and he wants me to be happy, instead of some puppet that he can manipulate for his own good."

"I married your father on the same premise of being happy and look where that got us!" Her mother shoots back hotly.

"Well in case you haven't noticed, mom, I'm not you."

"Oh, trust me. It's very hard not to notice that right now."

Tris closes her eyes, taking three steady breaths to calm herself. When she opens them again, she says very slowly, "I will not be attending Columbia this fall. End of discussion. I will continue to see Tobias. End of discussion. And until you can learn to accept both of those things, I will not be staying under this roof anymore. End of discussion."

Her mother opens her mouth to interject, but Tris continues. "You need to decide what is more important to you. This faux image that you so desperately try to cultivate for yourself and your family, or your actual children's happiness. Success is great, mom, but it's also subjective. You can have all the fame, and the fortune, but one day, 30 or 40 years from now, you'll be retired. You'll be done. You'll still have all your money keeping you company of course, but then you'll look around for your family, or for anyone who really cares about you. And you will find no one. Unless you change, you'll have no one to blame for that but yourself." Tris holds her mother's eyes for a moment longer, before spinning on her heel and marching to the elevator.

Well, I know it's been about a good 2 months since you've had a chapter from me, and I want everyone to know how apologetic I am. I could list a myriad of excuses about how busy I've been, but when it comes down to it, my mental health has just been atrocious. These past few months have been really difficult for me to get through, and it is just so hard for me to write like I used to. I started writing this chapter at the end of April, and I've only just finished today. I don't like giving up on things, so I am not giving up on this story. It is summer now, I have virtually no obligations at the moment, and fanfiction is one of my only creative outlets right now. I will try to be more frequent with my updates in these coming months, and to anybody who is still reading: thank you for your patience. You are immensely appreciated.

-Kiki