HAI! How ya doin'? Good, good. Me too! Just to let you know, I am SOOOO glad it's a three day weekend! Weekends are good for you, you know. PLEASE ENJOY THE CHAPTER AND I'LL LOVE YOU FOREVER OKAI BUH BYE NOW!

(Oh, and ROTC is catnip851! CONGRATS!)

xxx

Anastasia's POV

"How do you spell gorgeous?" Jason asks from his bunk.

"Oh, I think it goes like I-D-I-O-T, but I'm not sure." Kat teases. I laugh and Jason scowls and sticks his tongue out at Kat.

It's the last day of stage 1, and we have to write an essay on our experience so far. I'm writing mine solely on Alex and his teaching methods. Maybe I'll get some points.

Ok, to say I'm 'crushing' on Alex is a huge understatement. I really like him. A lot. He's funny and sweet and always willing to teach people. I can't help but think he'd be good at the elementary school. One day teaching Jake.

"D'you wanna bail?" Parker asks.

"Nah, let's finish this and then we'll get tats." I suggest.

"Tats? As in tattoos?" Jacob asks, his voice wavering.

"It's fine, Jacob. Then we'll be part of the crowd." Kat says.

"Okay," He says hesitantly.

I quickly finish my writing and reread it.

My time at Dauntless has been great. I love everyone here and my quarters are exquisite. Nothing bad has happened yet, except for the death of Cera Hunt (for which there was a beautiful ceremony. R.I.P. Cera). But my knowledge has been greatly influenced by one of my instructors, Alexander. He has taught me to hit dead-center while throwing knives and taught me many fighting moves that I'm sure improved my ranking. He also helped me win Capture-the-Flag for my team. My time at Dauntless wouldn't be the same without him, and I'm deeply grateful that he was able to teach me. So thanks to Alexander, my rating is 5 stars.

Sincerely,

Anastasia

I smile at my writing and blow on it so to remove any dirt. I then walk over to the box beside our door and slip the letter inside after putting it in an envelope.

The others finish quickly, leaving Jacob to dawdle so as to waste time before his getting a tattoo.

When we get to the tattoo parlor, it's very full. Black lights are flickering up on the ceiling. The loud sound of rock music and people talking is mingling in my ears.

I look at the templates. There's a sun, which Jacob wants. A green butterfly for Kat. A spider for Jason. A lion for Parker. But what for me? I see many beautiful templates, but none that really fit me.

Then I see it. Three small music notes. They represent my secret passion for music. I've never told anyone except for Jake, but he's only one year old. He'll keep quiet.

I walk over to a woman and smile. "I'd like this one." I say and hold up the template.

She turns her head and I can't help but notice she looks familiar. "Tasi." She says.

"Yeah, that's me, but... I don't know who you are." I say.

"I'm Christina. Your mom's old friend. You probably don't remember me." She says.

I nod, showing I didn't. "That's okay. It's been a while." She looks at my template.

"Pretty. Where?" Christina asks. "Collarbone." I reply.

She laughs lightly. "Like your mom. Except she got ravens." She says. I smile and sit in the chair.

The needle stings a little, but it isn't that bad. I just try to think of everything I know about Christina. Transferred from Candor. Same age as mother. Dated Will... and mom killed Will. Oh God.

"So... when was the last time you two talked?" I ask her.

"Years ago. She killed him and I got mad and then we just didn't speak since." Christina says and places an ice pack on my collarbone. It soothes the needle's marks.

"He would've killed her, you know." I remind Christina.

She nods. "I know. It's okay though. Now I'm on my own and I like it better this way." She says with a smile.

"She's really sorry." I say.

"I know. I would've done the same if I was in... her situation." Christina says.

I nod and she removes the ice pack. I see the three music notes, slightly red from the needle.

"Wow." I say. Christina smiles and pats my shoulder.

I stroke them gently and smile at them as if they'll smile back. Then I cover them up, as if to keep them for myself.

Kat runs over to me. "Tasi Tasi Tasi Tasi Tasi Tasi!" She exclaims and pulls up her shirt to reveal her belly button. A very intricate green butterfly is imprinted above it.

I smile. "I see! Very nice." I say and gently touch it. She jumps up and down and giggles. I widen my eyes and chuckle.

Jason runs over and pulls up his brown hair and shows off his tattoo. It's a spider that appears to be crawling up to his ear. I shiver at how realistic it is.

Parker shows his lion tattoo covering his entire back.

Jacob pulls down the waistband of his pants to reveal a sun on his hip.

"Show us yours!" Kat says.

I look down at my collarbone. "I didn't get one." I say.

"What?!" Jason asks.

"Sorry, but I couldn't find one I liked." I reply. For some reason I want to keep them secret. To keep my passion a secret.

I adjust my shirt and the notes are well covered. My passion is secret and safe.

We all go to the dining area and I get a turkey sandwich. The others get the same as me. When I finish, I decide to go by the chasm.

The water roars in my ears. The iron bridge is very damp since the water is high tonight. I gently run my index finger along the rail, gathering dewdrops on my finger.

Then a finger gently taps my nose, leaving a wet spot.

I whip around, fists raised.

Jason laughs and holds his hands up in surrender. "Easy." He says.

I grin. "Hey, smooth criminal." I say.

He smiles back. "Hola, angel." Jason says.

Then he leans next to me and mimics me, keeping his hands on the rail.

His arm wraps around my shoulders. I rest my head on his shoulder, a little unsure of what he's feeling and what I'm feeling and if they're the same.

Jason turns his head and I do the same so we're looking at each other. I smile and prepare to put my head back on his shoulder, but I'm distracted by the pressure of his lips on mine.

Jason just kissed me. My life-long best friend, yes, but not my boyfriend. I pull away push him back.

"What?" He asks.

"What?! What! You ask 'what' when you just kissed me?" I ask.

"Uh... yeah, I do when you pull away!" He replies.

I sigh and press my fingers to my temples, whose bloodflow is racing.

"Jason, why?" I ask.

"Why? Because I love you, god dammit! I have ever since we were three years old!" He exclaims.

I shake my head and remove my hands from my temples.

"I'm flattered, Jason, really, but we're just best friends. Nothing more. Nothing less. We've always been just best friends." I say.

"I don't want that, though. I want to be with you! I love you. And I know that if we work on it, you'll be able to feel the same." He says and begins to lean in.

I push him back with such force that he falls to the ground.

"You can't just grow to love someone, Jason! It's not called 'growing in love,' it's called 'falling in love!' It's supposed to be unexpected but expected at the same time." I remind him.

"But I fell in love! With you!" He says and jumps to his feet.

"But Jason, I-" I stop and sigh. "Jason, you need to understand that although you love me, I don't love you." I say and walk away, leaving him alone with a stunned look.

Alexander's POV

I run from the chasm, tears rushing down my face. Jason kissed her! Jason kissed my Tasi. I ran away before I could see anything more.

He kissed her, and she didn't do anything. Just stood there, probably enjoying it. (A/N: Remember, Alex didn't see Tasi pushing Jason away or their argument, he just saw Jason kissing Tasi and her standing there for a moment. THEN he ran away. Great time for that, Mr. Handsome-pants!)

I thought she kind of liked me. But I guess she just has feelings for him. He isn't anything like her! Well, I guess you could count that they're the same age and instructors aren't permitted to date initiates. But Four and Tris dated when he was 18 and she was 16! And I'm closer to Tasi in age. It's just all unfair. I loved her... hell, I still do love her. And she most likely has a boyfriend now.

Well, one thing's for sure.

My feelings grew.

xxx

Poor baby Alex! I just wanna crawl into this world and give him a big hug! Anybody agree? :)

Please review, and HOPE YOU ENJOYED!