I do not own anything, just my ideas!
Chapter 4
TRIS
I wake up before my alarm goes off. Normally I would be at the gym at this time, but Tori made me stay home, just this once. She walks into my room, glad that I actually stayed home this morning.
"Good morning! Today is your first day, don't you want a nice clean, fresh start!" She rips off my blankets just like my mom did on mornings like this. "Come on, I am going to go start breakfast, and by the time it's done, you better be ready."
New day. New school.
At least one thing is familiar: the house.
I love Tori's house. It is one of those old ones built in the early 1900s, but recently remodeled by Tori. Old, polished wood and classic molding line the walls and floors. It's small, but comfortable, with the third floor acting as Tori's bedroom, more than enough room for but of us, and a flat room with a patio set-up. Flowers, dim lights, framed paintings (some from me), and soft furniture are all over the place.
It's comfy. Relaxing. Familiar.
I shrug out of bed and walk to the bathroom. I took a shower last night, so I won't have to worry about that. I am not one of those people who shower in the morning. Most people say it wakes them up, but it does the opposite to me. Since I used a blow dryer last night, my hair looks pretty good; all I have to do is spray some detangular in it and brush it out. I brush my teeth and walk back to my room.
I put on some black leggings that cut off at my ankle. I throw on a light blue long shirt that has a high neck line, and I put a thin cardigan over it. I step into black flats and walk over to my dresser. I put on my mother's ring and tuck it under my shirt and then secure my anklet on and hide it under my pant leg. I don't need anyone to see them; the only one who needs to know about them is me. I dab on some mascara, just like my mom always would.
I walk downstairs and am hit with the amazing smell of waffles. Tori has her IHome blasting Shania Twain's Greatest Hits. It isn't my first choice of music. Or my second. But she was one of my mom's favorite singers, and listening to her always puts me in a good mood. And by the look of it, it does the same to Tori.
"I know you are not excited about starting a new school."
"That is an understatement."
"All I ask is for you to try. If you make one friend on your first day, you are going to do alright."
"I know you are trying to help, but it is a lot easier, and painless, to just go these next two years by myself."
I quickly eat all my food, and I really do eat all of it, without much more talking. I could walk to school as it is right next to the rec center, but Tori wanted to drive me. She drops me off and I head straight to the office to grab my schedule.
Tori knows pretty much everyone in town, so it doesn't surprise me that the secretary recognizes me. Tori already talked to the principal about, well, she told her a cut and dry story of what happened to me. I look down at what I have.
1. French III
2. Physics
3. Gym
4. Government
5. Music
6. Pre-Calculus
7. English
No honors or AP, just a normal, regular schedule. I could have taken harder classes, but I don't want to stand out. I want to blend in with the crowd and go unnoticed. I wanted to take AP Art, but it is only offered to seniors. But there are no art classes offered this semester because they are remodeling that side of the school. I had to take a fine art so I settled on music.
The bell rings and I make my way to my locker and my first class. When I walk in, I see Christina, the girl who works for Tori at 21U. I figure I can avoid her and sit in the back, but she sees me and waves me over. She grabs my schedule immediately and scans it over to see if we have corresponding classes.
"This class, Music, and Gym. Not too bad, but I think some of the others might have these classes."
"You don't have to say anything. I am more of the lone ranger type."
"But why?"
"Why is there only one moon? It doesn't need friends."
"Listen, we are all pretty good friends with Tori, so don't try to avoid us because we're looking out for you, for her."
"Great, so I'm being babysat?" I mumble.
"No," she snaps, then laughs. "I like you."
"You don't know me."
"I could, but you don't know much about me. Oh, where to start."
"That won't be necessary."
"Tris, everyone deserves a friend, and hey, that's going to be me."
"Thanks, but-"
"Bonjour, comment t'allez-vous?" our teacher interrupts and begins class.
The rest of my classes go by pretty quickly, and then it's lunch time. I grab my brown paper bag out of my locker and make my way to the cafeteria. Since Christina's locker is just a few down from mine, we walk together. I wouldn't have minded being alone, but maybe it will be a nice change.
I try not to notice all the people staring, but it's hard. I guess when there is a new student, people want to see what's up. I just wish they'd stop staring. All I can do is anticipate someone to throw something at me or scream a horrible name at me.
It doesn't come, though.
Christina must notice my slower pace, and I must have a horrid look on my face. I can't go one day without it all haunting me. She grabs my arm and brings me to a table with some of the people from the other day at 21U.
"Hey guys, this is Tris. Tris, this is the gang. That's Will, Lynn, Marlene, Uriah, Lauren, Shauna, Zeke, and Four," she says as she points to everyone at the table
"So this is the famous Tris." says Uriah.
"I don't know about that much..."
"Don't be too shy, you're the talk of the school right now. But don't worry, they'll find something else to indulge in." Marlene comments. "And it's not anything bad. Everyone loves Tori, and you are as pretty as people are saying."
I blush. Me, pretty? No, I am too damaged to ever be pretty. They would think twice about that if they knew the truth. Which is why I plan for no one to know anything about me.
"I wouldn't say pretty, and why would people talk about me when the first game is coming up on Friday."
People seem to drop the topic, because they start talking about football. These people seem nice enough, but I don't want to make friends. I zone out and get my IPod out. I put one headphone in one ear and grab my sketch pad, the one Tori got me for my 'New Start'. I look out the window and see some skateboarders doing flips and tricks, and I start to draw that. It calms me, and before I know it, lunch is over and it's time for 5th period.
Author's Note
I want to thank you all for the positive feedback. I really appreciate it! It warms my heart knowing that you guys like my story. I've read some modern day ones that seem so cliché, I wanted one that is really deep and real. (But any story has some cliché moments.) I have a pretty good idea of where this story is going, but I would LOVE to hear what you all would like to see.
Be brave, everyone!
