A/N Wow... third time updating this week...
I think it's because I know where I want the story to go for the next few chapters.
Anywaaay, enjoy!

Disclaimer: No. I'm not Veronica Roth. I cry.

Tris POV

I look at the clock. It's lunchtime. The teacher calls out, "Class dismissed!" I get up and make my way to the canteen. I'm prepared to eat lunch alone. At the back of the hall. That's what it was like at my old school, anyway. I was forgettable. Uninteresting. Nobody felt like it was worth their while sitting with me.

As I pay for my food, I hear my name being called. Christina comes up to me, exclaiming, "Tris! There you are! I was wondering if you maybe wanted to eat lunch with us?" I blink, taken aback. But this is a new school, and a new life. I find myself saying "Sure!"
Christina grabs my hand and pulls me to a table in the centre of the canteen. I feel self-conscious, because there are so many people around me. I'm used to being on the edge, on the outside looking in. I guess I should have known Christina's not the type to be on the side.
I'm pulled out of my thoughts by Christina nudging me. "Let me introduce you to everyone." I nod.
"That's Uriah," she begins, pointing at the boy I saw in Science earlier today, the one who got paired with...
"Marlene," Christina continues. They smile at me; and when I look closer, I see that they sit closer than friends would, but further apart than if they were in a relationship.
"Zeke," Christina says. Uriah interrupts, saying, "Unfortunately, Zeke is my idiot brother."
"Hey!" Zeke complains. The table bursts into laughter, and I start laughing too. I might just have found the place I belong.
"That's Lynn," she says, nodding towards a girl with a shaved head and piercings. Lynn looks up and scowls at me.
"She's like that with everyone," Marlene whispers.
"And that's Four."
I turn my head to see the same boy that sat behind me in class. The one with the deep ocean-blue eyes I could drown in. The ridiculously good looking one that would never, ever be interested in me.
Stop it, Tris.

I've been staring - again, but then, he has been staring back, his eyes swallowing me whole. I blush and look down, sure that I could compete with a tomato. Beside me, Christina stifles a giggle. "Ooh," she whispers, shoving me playfully. "Does Trissy-poo have a crush?"

I look up. "No!" I deny. "Of course not! What makes you think that?"
"Hun, your face is redder than a tomato."
I ignore her and ask, "What the hell of a name is Trissy-poo?"
She just laughs. "I figured that would annoy you. It's nearly time for our next lesson, anyway. What do you have?"
I glance down at my timetable, running a finger down it.
"Gym, with somebody called... Coach... Amar?" I question. Christina squeals and claps.
"I have that too! Let's go!"
I begin to be dragged away by Christina, but Four stops me.
"Tris." He begins, his eyes holding mine. "I was thinking... we could get started on our essay today. At your house." He flashes me a flawless grin, and I'm sure that everyone can hear my heart rate speed up. "OK. Let me just write my address down for you."
I grab a pen from my bag and take his hand. Immediately, a jolt of electricity shoots up my arm, and judging by the way his eyes widen and his face changes, Four felt it too. I finish writing and smile at him. "I have to go. I'll be late for Gym."
"Wait, you mean Gym, with Coach Amar?"
"Yeah."
"Oh, cool. I have that too. We'll walk there together!"
As we leave, I see a girl grab Four's arm. I tense up, but stop myself. Who am I to stake claim? I've known the boy for all of a few hours.
"Hey, Four." she says.
"Lauren," Four replies, his teeth gritted.
"You never called me," she continues, flashing him a flirty smile. My blood boils.
"I'm. Not. Interested. When will you understand?" Four replies. We leave, leaving Lauren staring at us with anger and jealousy crossing her face.

oh no the page broke *gasp*

"Right then, munchkins," Coach Amar grins. "Let's see. Today we're going to be doing fights. I'll begin with showing you some movements and then I'll pair you up and you will fight. Understood?"
We nod. "Four."
"Yes, sir."
"You'll be my demonstrator today."
"Yes, sir."
Four begins to demonstrate on the punching bag that hangs from the ceiling. All the girls begin giggling, staring at his muscles. I roll my eyes and look away. They don't know that I've been learning martial arts and kickboxing since I was seven, and that I have a black belt in my list of achievements. It's my only redeeming feature. Four looks at me, breaking his concentration for a moment. His eyes catch mine, thoughtful. I hitch a breath, my heart rate speeds up, yet again. What is he doing to me?

Soon, Coach Amar pairs us up. I realise I've been paired with Lauren. She's smirking and whispering to the two girls beside her, staring at me with venom. I suppress a snort. She thinks I'll be an easy target, due to my petite frame and small stature.

Well then, I'll just have to prove her wrong.

We're up first. I step onto the mat, staring back at Lauren. Her gaze falters, and for a moment I see the nervousness underneath. I should be sympathetic. I should be.

Tough luck, because I'm not.

We shake hands. "I saw you sit today with Four. Stay away from him. He's mine." she spits.
"Oh yeah? Says who?"
Even I'm taken aback by my comment. I would never have said that at my old school. I guess I've changed a lot, even though I've only been here one day.

"Fight!"

I know she'll make the first move. She stumbles toward me with all the grace of a big brown bear. I duck her flimsy punch and jab at her torso. She falls back, and as she does so, I land an explosive punch on her jaw. She clutches it, groaning, as she rolls on the floor.
"What's wrong?" I hiss. "Isn't your dear Four watching?"
This seems to inspire her. She pulls herself up and swings at me again. I launch a roundhouse kick, meaning she falls down, again. My God, how weak is this girl? It's only been a minute and I've crushed her. Twice.

I raise my eyebrows at Coach Amar. Everyone around him looks shocked, especially Four. I proved everybody wrong. They'll never doubt me again.
You're letting me continue this against her? I ask the coach.
Well, no. I'm not making that mistake. He silently replies.

"Fight over!" declares Coach Amar. Lauren doesn't hear. Just as I'm about to step off the mat, she comes at me again. I can hear her heavy breathing. I don't pause. I launch an explosive back kick and knock her down. "Hun," I whisper in her ear, "he ain't interested."

One of Lauren's minions looks at me with distaste. "That was just luck."
I snort. "I knocked her down with a few kicks and punches. She's lucky I didn't aim in the places that would have knocked her unconscious. It's not luck. Lauren's just crap."
Coach Amar kneels by Lauren. "She's fine. Just a few bruises, but no real damage."
I walk over and pull her up. It's not because I'm feeling kind.
"I always have the last laugh," I whisper in her ear.
"Always."

A/N Ooohhhh... Tris is getting sassy! I've always wanted to see Tris with attitude...

Also, making up for the short chapter before with this long one ^^

I get a warm feeling when I see a review, fave, follow, anything. I would be SO SO SO SO grateful if you guys did any of those :)
Thank you!

~Joanna