Chapter 3

Tris POV

I wake up, dreading school. I take a shower, and when I get out, I examine the scars on my body. I sigh to myself. One above my heart, one under my ribs/above my stomach, and one on my leg. I rarely ever wear shorts or go swimming because of it. And those aren't the only scars. There's also the emotional scarring. Maybe that's what I hate the most. I sigh again and go to get dressed.

I find my gray skinny jeans, a black leather jacket and tank top, and my combat boots. I apply only a little bit of makeup. Enough so no one knows I'm wearing any. I like it to stay that way.

Since I got up fairly early, I have time to eat a legitimate breakfast. I eat some waffles and bacon, and wash it down with orange juice. I look at my watch. 7:40. Crap. I hate being late.

Tori already left for the restaurant, so I make sure everything's off before I leave. I get to school and get my late pass. I turn the corner and see two people. One of them I recognize as Lauren, Four's girlfriend. I see who she' s talking to, expecting Four, but it's not. I think his name is Peter. They look very engrossed in their conversation, so I don't think they'll notice if I walk by. They do.

"I don't believe I've ever seen you around here, Stiff." Peter tells me.

I shake my head and try to leave.

Peter grabs my arm. Really hard and really fast. It's starting to hurt. He's stronger than he looks. He looks me up and down, greedily, like I'm a piece of meat. "Please just leave me alone." I say. I try to jerk away, and his grip only tightens.

Lauren looks at me and says, "You tell Four, I'll kill you. Personally."

That's when Peter punches me in the stomach.

I double over in pain, holding my stomach. I can't scream, they knocked the breath out of me. Then they keep laughing and kicking me. It hurts so much. I can see my vision is starting to get fuzzy. I see Peter and Lauren kiss, and I notice someone around the corner. That's when everything goes black.

Four POV

When I wake up, I realize what I was dreaming about. Tris. No, you don't like her. You're dating Lauren. Get that through your head. By the time I shower and am ready for school, I look at the time. 7:50. "Crap." I mutter. Being late to school doesn't bother me that much anyway.

I peer down the stairs to make sure my dad isn't down there. He's never beat me on a school morning, but there's a first for everything. He's not there. Just to be safe, I look out the window. I don't see his car anywhere. I am safe to go.

I get to school and go to the office to get my late slip. The secretary hands it to me and smiles at me. I take my time getting to first period because I don't really care, but I try to go fast.

As I'm turning the corner, I hear something. I decide to back up so they don't see me, but I can see them. Peter. And Lauren. What is she doing with him? I also hear someone. The voice tugs at me, and I see who it is. Tris. "Please just leave me alone." She says. That's the most I've ever heard her say. Then, without warning Peter makes a fist and punches her in the stomach.

Peter and Lauren are laughing at Tris, and her doubled over body, obviously in pain. They laugh some more, and kick her in the ribs. Then they do something unexpected. Peter grabs Lauren's waist, and they kiss.

They walk off in the other direction, leaving Tris there. I can tell that she's passed out. I pick her up and carry her to the nurse. I stay with her, unsure of what else to do. I notice her scar again. An 'X' perfectly carved into her chest. Right above her heart.

Eventually she wakes up, but I'm already gone by then. I'm gone because I need to find Peter and Lauren.

It takes me a while, but I find them. In the janitors closet, making out. This doesn't hurt me as much as it should. That's weird. I open the door and they both just stare, like a deer in the headlights. I look at Peter, fists clenched, and look at Lauren. "We're done." I say.

I look at Peter, fists still clenched, and am about to punch him when Zeke walks past. He sees me and stops me. I leave and shut the door.

Zeke looks at me and says, "What the hell was that all about?" I tell him about me walking in and them beating up Tris, and about me taking her to the nurse. I also tell him everything before that. About how I dreamt of her. He just looks at me and smirks.

"What?" I ask.

"Isn't it obvious? You like Tris."

"What? No I don't. That's crazy."

"No it's not. And yes you do."

He walks away, and I go check on Tris. She's awake.

Tris POV

I wake up, unsure of where I am. Then I realize it's the nurse's office. I'm laying on a cot. I try to get up, but the sharp pain in my stomach prevents that from happening. I look to the door and see Four standing there. When did he get here? How did I get here? Then I remember. Peter and Lauren.

I don't say anything to Four, because I remember her threat.

"How did I get here?" I ask.

"I carried you down here when I saw what Peter and Lauren were doing." he says.

"So you know then?"

"About Lauren? Yeah I do."

I try to get up again, but this time it's Four that tells me to lay down. I do as he says, and eventually he leaves, going to class. I don't remember when I fall asleep, but I dream about Four.