I don't own Divergent

I get there and intend to just sit down, but Al decides he wants a hug first. His hands are on my lower back, dangerously close to my butt. I immediately get away, though subtly, and sit down. I stay on the edge so he has to sit across from me. Yup. I know about the "same side of the booth" thing. He is the first to speak:
"So Tris, it's just that it gets lonely, ya know?"
"I don't understand what you're trying to convey Al," I get right to the point.
"Well, I was thinking. I mean, our group is filled with couples..and Lynn, she isn't interested in advancing in that stage. You can tell. Even if she was though, I've always liked you, Tris. I honestly feel like this is a sign that we're meant to be. Everybody else is together, it's really just a matter of time till we are," he concludes as if that would put my mind into the trance that I can't do better.
"Al, you're a great friend, but that's all it is. 'Matter of time till we get together'? Who says we need to date only in our friend circle? There is an amazing girl out there for you, I guarantee that. But that girl isn't me, I also guarantee that. I'm sorry, Al," I've never been good at these..I've never had to be good at them.
"Look, Tris. I think you're the one that's actually confused. Don't worry, though, when you realize we're meant to be, I'll be waiting for you with open arms," he says with a smile. Man, now all I want is to smack it off. So that's exactly what I do.
"Please Al. Don't make this difficult," I try saying without a snarl. What he does next, though, catches me off guard. He kisses me. I don't kiss back. He asks for entrance. I don't allow. He tries shoving it. I don't let him. He tries putting his hands on me. I push them off. He tries wrapping his arms around me. I shove him off.
"What the hell, Al?" I yell.
"I was your first kiss. You'll never forget me now. And, later, you won't regret it. You'll tell our children how you loved me but didn't know it, and how you're thankful I pushed you, or else you would've never realized your true love," he says. Now I'm just thinking he's a psychopath. Wait, first kiss? Uh-huh. Sure. Let's go with that.
"I am your first kiss, right?" He asks, enraged.
I get my things and am about to leave when he grabs my wrist and pulls me back.
"Who was your first kiss?" He asks, anger filling his eyes and venom in voice.
"That's none of your business, Al," I spit his name out and wrench my wrist free. I leave the diner thinking of how big a jerk he is. Even when I said no he just kept insisting. I get some water and rinse my mouth. That had to be the most repulsive thing it has ever encountered. I go home.
+++

"Beatrice Prior!" Caleb, again.
"I'm up. Don't worry, Caleb," I shout. At least I'm back to my house. No more Ian..for now. I just wonder how awkward it'll be with me and Al. If he tries something though, I don't care. I will tackle him to the ground and pummel him. I swear. I get in the car and drive off to school with Caleb. I enter the school and immediately feel awkwardness. I go to my locker and see my friends arguing about something. I hear snippets about the quarrel, but not all.
"She's getting out of her place" Chris
"She didn't do anything" Uri
"It's just the jealousy you have due to her beating you" Mar
"Even I don't have a problem with her" Lynn
"She doesn't listen and keeps trying things with me" Al
By now, I've kinda gotten an idea of who they're talking about.
"Chris, she is your best friend. Think rationally" Will
"She's acting different and not 'Tris'. Once you realize this, we'll be waiting" Chris again.
I trudge the rest of the way to my locker. All of their eyes fall on me. I stay quiet, and so do they. The warning bell rings and I go to class. I have unshed tears in my eyes, but I don't let it show that much. I sit down and try to focus on doing some equations. I can't help thinking, though. Chris, being against me? She's my best friend. And all of this because of a stupid applaud thing? And Al and his lies. But Chris? She literally just broke my heart. A tear has just escaped my eye but I don't let it get far. I look around to make sure no one has seen it. So far, I've gotten lucky, until I spot Four. He stares at me, and I don't look away. He isn't a dog, but the same rules apply. Looking away is submissive. Looking him in the eye is a challenge. It's my choice. Heat rushes into my cheeks. What will happen when this tension breaks? Before the staring contest can continue on any longer, Nita clears her throat. Wow. He's with the same girl two days in a row? No rotation? Damn. He breaks away, but hesitantly. I go back to the equations, not giving any more thought on anything. The teacher starts and I actually pay attention. Even if I already know it. I can feel someone's eyes on me, but I don't care.
+++

At lunch, my friends are divided. Chris, Will, and Al are at one table. Mar, Lynn, and Uri are at another. I sit down with them because, as I recall, they were on my side.
"Hey," I say. They all say forms of greetings back to me.
"If you're wondering, Will is only there because of Chris. He's trying to convince them you're not the kind of problem they're saying you are," Lynn teases a little. I manage a small smile.
"Thanks, but you guys really don't have to do this," I feel bad for all of this conflict. It's all just because of me.
"Hey, it's not your fault. I mean, Chris is obviously just jealous..but I don't understand Al. He keeps saying you won't leave him alone, but you've never shown any interest in him, whereas he has to you," Mar concludes.
"He was trying yesterday to convince me that we were 'meant to be'..dumbass," I mumble the last part.
"I just don't know what happened to them. Well, Al has always seemed creepy to me. I've always concluded that he'd grow up to be a molester. Chris though, I just hope she comes back to her senses," Uri says. I've never seen him so down. But he still manages to cheer others up. The thought of Al as a pedophile seems ridiculous, but now as I'm picturing it, the only thing that seems ridiculous is the fact that I never though of that. Huh.
+++

Why, music? Why? The place that started all my best friend trouble. Me and the mini group have entered music but it's definitely early. Tori sees us and smiles.
"Hey, what's up?" She asks.
"Just thought we'd get here early. Is there a problem?" I answer for everyone.
"Nope, it's just surprising. Feel free to do whatever you like..that doesn't involve dynamite," she adds wearily after taking a glance at Uri's bright face. He looks like a child on Christmas morning..well, until she delivered the explosives news. We all laugh. I sit on the table with my back to the door, facing my friends. We are all in deep conversation until we hear a wolf-whistle. I turn around and find Four staring at my ass.
"Nice ass Tris. It's just like paper..flat," he says. Peter and the rest laugh at his little joke. I roll my eyes.
"Hey Four, did you get your nickname from your jersey or your IQ?" I shoot back. All my friends laugh and we fist bump and high-five. He rolls his eyes and sits down.
I fake gasp. "Did I actually render 'the big, bad Four' speechless?" I remember him doing the exact same thing with me. He just smirks but still has a small smile on his lips. I mirror his face and let a small one play on mine too. I turn back to my friends just like he does with his. After about five minutes, everybody enters.
"Okay class, today we are doing duets," everybody groans.
"Yes, groan at me because I'm the one who picked this. It isn't my choice. I've paired you guys up with a partner on the board." As soon as she says this, everybody is craning their heads to see. I don't even try because I know I'm too small to see over this.
"Tori, I really think it'd be better if I were paired up with Tris instead," Chris says 'innocently'.
"I agree," says Four. I wonder why he's saying that. Then it occurs to me, and to make sure I'm wrong I push everybody until I'm at the front. I'm not wrong. I'm right. Shit. "Well too bad. I chose this, and I'm not changing my mind," Tori snaps. They both groan. Four comes up to me and asks where we want to meet to discuss.
"We can go to my house, if you want," he says cockily.
"Ya, I'd like that," I say flirtatiously, while running my hand over his chest down to his torso through his shirt. I stop immediately and smirk and then say "but I'd really prefer the park."
"Fine," is all he says.
"Umm..Amity park, okay?" I ask.
"Yeah sure."
I'm definitely not looking forward to this.
+++

I take a nap for a little. When I wake up, I remember I was supposed to meet Four at the park but we never discussed the time. I get dressed and head to the park. I find Four strumming a guitar on a bench and sit down next to him with some space keeping us apart.
"Where the hell were you?" He asks annoyed.
"I was sleeping. And we never discussed times," I say back flatly.
He just scoffs.
"What are you working on?" I ask. I really am curious.
"Our duet," he replies back as if it's obvious.
"Have you come up with anything?" I ask annoyed with his attitude.
"Wouldn't you like to know? And I don't get how you're annoyed when I'm the one who's been waiting for fifteen minutes. I thought you stood me up and was actually just considering leaving," he says as if it's nothing.
"Aw. Let me guess, that would've been the first time you've been stood up? And you don't have to be such a bitch..we never discussed times," I glare daggers at him.
"Let's just work on the song. The sooner it's finished, the better," he tells me.
"And to answer your previous question: I've got nothing. I need inspiration," he says staring into my eyes. Oh, now you're answering my previous question.
"Well, first lets come up with what kind of song it'll be," I say amused.
"How about..," he taps his chin for effect.
"How about we do one of those cliche songs?" He suggests smiling at me.
"There are too many. You have to be more specific," I say smiling back at him. To which he just laughs.
"Those 'I love you but hate you' songs," he says.
"Ah. The most cliche of all," we both laugh.
"What next?" He asks now serious again.
"The lyrics. Then we can find out how we want the rhythm to be," I say.
We both ponder how we want it to be but come up with nothing.
"Let's go do something. Maybe we'll find inspiration there," he eventually says.
We go down to the lake and sit at the edge of the dock, with our legs dangling over the water. Just then, an idea hits me. I push him into the water and make a run for it. He grabs my wrist right before I leave and pulls me in. He takes his jacket and shirt off because they're still dry and goes underwater. I now feel something nearing me and my suspicions are confirmed when two arms wrap themselves around the backs of my knees. He lifts me up and I giggle while putting my hands on the place his shoulder and neck connect. I am now taller than him due to him lifting me. He then gently dips me back into the water, with his arms still around me. When he brings me back up, I slap his chest and so he drops me. He starts swimming away. Two can play at that game. I start pretending to drown.
"Four!" I gurgle water. I keep calling out his name and he finally looks back at me smiling. He then notices me 'drowning' and rushes towards me. He carries me just like he did a little before and starts whispering soothing words to me. I keep my cheek against his hair covering his scalp. I brush my fingers through his hair. I then push him under the water and start swimming away. Once he resurfaces, he shakes his hair and starts following me. I'm already at the dock so I climb up it. I'm drenched and cold but I keep running. I then feel arms wrap around my waist keeping me in place. He plants a small kiss on the corner of my jaw and then tugs me back. We are both standing at the dock panting. I shiver and he notices. He removes my shirt and I'm about to slap him when he puts his dry shirt on me and his jacket, too.
"Thank you," is all I manage to croak out.
"Let's just start on the song," he says rather rudely.
"Aren't you cold?" I ask worried. I don't want to make him be cold because of me.
"Don't worry about it," he snaps. I'm not in the mood to care. I'm still shivering immensely. I stare at him to make sure he isn't lying and he stares right back. I can't help it and my eyes wander down to his chest and then torso [aka abs]. I gulp.
"See something you like?" He asks, cockily.
I turn away and go back to the bench. He follows. We sit down and he picks up his guitar.
"Come up with anything yet?" He asks.
"No," is all I intend to say.
"Don't tell me you're mad," he says amused.
"Shut up," I snap.
"Why do you have to be so difficult?" He snarls.
"Because you're so damn annoying!" I yell. I'm letting out all of the emotions I have felt today, starting with anger.
"Due to how frustrating you are," he spits.
"Well maybe if you didn't act like you have something shoved up your asshole and wedged between your butt cheeks you could be reasonable, and tolerable!" I shout back at him.
"I generously give you my shirt and jacket so you don't stay cold and you're acting this way?!" He growls. It's a deep growl, one that resides from the bottom of your stomach to the top of your throat.
"Take it!" I yell. I take the jacket off and midway as I'm taking the shirt off he stops me and just puts it back on. He then puts the jacket around my shoulders, takes my arms one by one, and puts them in the sleeves gently.
"Keep it," he says sternly.
"Thank you," I shiver.
He keeps his arms around me. I'm not done though.
"I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you," I clarify.
"Well at least I'm not the one who has her friends hate her," he says outraged. Just hearing that reminds me of the betrayal I now have associated with Chris. It channels my sadness and the anger dissipates. I break down right in front of him, with his arms still around me. He tenses and immediately, almost instinctually, pulls me into his lap.
"What's wrong?" He asks holding me to his chest. He grabs my chin when I've finally calmed down a little and makes me look him in the eyes.
"I need to buy a filter for your brain, so you actually process what you're about to say before you say it," I hiccup.
"I'm sorry. Tell me what's wrong," he says softly. I shake my head.
"You wouldn't care," I manage to get out.
"Tris, it's okay. Just trust me," he pleads. I shake my head again. I start writing down on the notepad he brought. I get off his lap.
"Well, I was thinking it could have something to do with lies and betrayal and hell," I say focusing on the song.
"Tris, stop trying to change the subject," he tells me.
"Just gonna stand there and watch me burn, but that's alright because I like the way it hurts. Just gonna stand there and hear me cry, but that's alright because I love the way you lie. I love the way you lie," I sing softly.
He grabs my hands.
"Who is this song about exactly?" He asks a little angry.
"You said we're going to do one of those cliche songs. That's all I'm doing. It isn't exactly about anyone," I say normally.
"Why were you crying today?" He asks me.
"That's none of your business. Can we just work on the song?" I snap.
"Okay, that can be the chorus. Now we have to find how it is going to be played. Sing and I'll play," he tells me.
I start singing while he plays. It actually sounds beautiful. Once he strums the last chord we look at each other at the same time. We get lost in each other's eyes. He's leaning in now and so am I. It's like we are under a trance. He puts his guitar aside not breaking contact. We wrap our arms around each other and just before our lips are about to connect, I pull away.
"Why do we keep doing this?" I ask to no one in particular.
"What do you mean?" He looks completely bewildered. I internally laugh.
"I think you know pretty well what I'm talking about. You won't break my heart. Did you hear me? I won't let you have me vulnerable and then have me crushed. You can't break me." I say enunciating every word.
"I know I can't. And that isn't my purpose," he says with a troubled look.
"Then what is your purpose?" I ask impatiently.
"I'll tell you that once you tell me why you were crying..both of the times today," he says with a smirk.
I keep quiet.
"That's what I thought," he grumbles.
"So what should be next..for the song, I mean?" I change the topic.
"Let's put some up-beat into it. Such as rap. Everybody loves it in songs," he says.
"You can rap?" I ask amused.
"There are many things you don't know about me," he says with a dark expression.
"Well rap is out of the question for me..so you?" I want this assignment finished as soon as possible.
"Now that I've gotten what you want with the song, I'm pretty sure I could come up with things for the rap. You come up with the singing. We'll meet up once we've come up with enough, and put it together," he glares.
"We should have two rap parts. It should also kinda be like they're replying to each other but not exactly. And I'll come up with two parts also and then the song starts with the chorus and ends with it," I conclude. He just nods. I pack up my things and get ready to leave. Before I can make my escape he catches my wrist. He turns me around so I'm facing him.
"You can trust me, you know. In fact, what could you possibly have to hide?" He asks snakily.
"Wouldn't you like to know? You'd be the last person I'd go to, so don't dwell on it," I snap.
"What secrets could a twelve-year old have?" He asks indirectly.
"Too bad you'll never find out," I hiss. To which he just growls. I leave and I can still feel his eyes on me. Whatever. I will never end up with that douche-bag.