A/N: sorry for the big time skip, trying to set up Love Happens! btw Tris is now 18 and Tobias barely 19. Love you all and I hope you enjoy this last chapter!

Chapter 41:

TRIS POV:

It's been a year since Tobias was beaten down by his father. We both went back to school, our teachers understanding in our special situation. We were just given a lot of extra homework because of all the missed days. Tobias lived with me for a week before Zeke and Uriah's mom, Hanna, offered to take him in for the remainder of his Senior year, even though he stayed after for a while.

Tobias graduated exactly a year ago, but refused to attend college until I graduated so that we could go together, though that caused all his scholarships for football to disappear, no one patient enough to wait a year. He told me that he would be fine and not a month later he got a job at a fitness center, training self defense classes from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm. Only three months later did he buy his own apartment.

Christina, Uriah, and Marlene all graduate with me today, while Shauna and Zeke had graduated a year earlier with Tobias. They both immediately set off to Chicago State University, but they often visit us.

Caleb had gotten back a week after Tobias got beaten by his father and told us that he confronted the two girls and one boy who had made my life a misery. He reported to us that Ivan was currently put in jail for sexually assaulting a woman walking home one day, and Mckenna was placed in juvenile detention a while back for shoplifting and stealing, then disappeared as soon as she was released. Rachel dropped out of highschool and became a stripper after her parents disowned her for being pregnant at the age of 17. I'm glad Caleb went as he gave me the ending to all of their stories, clearing up my head and allowing me to move even further in my recovery.

I have officially gotten the "A-Okay" from my doctor as I have gained at least 20 pounds, my pills also doing their job at keeping a healthy dopamine count in my brain. And after everything they went through, my parents are ecstatic to see me graduate today, finally becoming my own person.

Currently, I sit in the graduates section with Uriah on one side of me and Christina on the other, neither shutting up about how excited they are to finally get out of this hellhole they call school.

"Tris, what did you say you got the scholarship for again?" Christina questions, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"CSU gave me a full ride because of my SAT and ACT scores, and despite all the events that happened last year I maintained good grades." I explain, giving her a small smile as she grins at me.

"Damn, I have to pay in full because my grade sucked!" Uriah whines, at the same time Christina squeals, "I'm so proud of you!"

I just laugh at them, staring at the valedictorian, who happens to be Marlene, as she speaks, catching my attention at some of her inspiring words.

"-this is the time we change from being the big bad Seniors to becoming scared little freshman once again…" she pauses, allowing a few people to chuckle, "but this time, we make our own rules. Our choices can transform us. Our choices can destroy us. Our choices can define us. Anger, hate, passion, sorrow, and love has changed us and will change our views on ourselves and others. Fear will cripple us, but we shall not fall to the faces of our enemies but rise above as we learn to control our fears and become free again.

"As we take the next step in our journey in becoming adults, let's not forget the past, but also not let it affect us now. Let's look to the future and aspire to become something great. I'm glad to have graduated with such amazing people, and I hope to see you all soon. Thank you." She finished, taking a bow while everyone claps for her.

When she takes her seat next to Uriah, he gives her a quick kiss, congratulating her just as they start to call the names off the list.

I smile at Christina as I look at her as more and more people stand to get their diplomas, row by row, "Don't trip."

She laughs, looking down at her stilettos, then says, "Have I ever."

Our row finally stands, filing out of the lined up chairs and making their way onto the stage, one by one. I stand behind Marlene and Uriah, Christina behind me. I glance at the crowds, searching the sea of colors, only to find my family as Marlene is called. Tobias smiles as we make eye contact and I can just barely see the pride reflecting in his eyes, but it's there and it makes me grin.

"Uriah Pedrad." The announcer calls, and I look away from Tobias and my family and back up at the stage.

It seems like it takes Uriah forever to exit the stage, but when he does, my name booms from the microphone.

"Beatrice Prior."

I smile as I walk up the stage, accepting my award and shaking multiple people's hands, getting a picture with each of them. They all congratulate me before I leave and then Christina's called.

Everything else is a blur as the ceremony goes on and we throw our hats, though I don't throw mine so high that I can't find it later, unlike Uriah, and then go to our loved ones. The next thing that actually registers is when I feel Tobias's arms wrapped securely around me, holding me tight as he whispers how much he loves me as well as a congratulations in my ear.

When I open my eyes, I'm meet with my mother's, filled with pride as well as what look like happy tears. I let go of Tobias and go to hug my parents, then my brother, all saying their congratulations.

Afterward, we find Uriah, Marlene, Christina, and Shauna and Zeke, who are here to see Uriah and the rest of us graduate, Tobias making the announcement that I have been waiting all day to here.

"Congratulations to you all and party at my apartment tonight!" He tells everyone and they all holler back in joy.

I separate from the group, going over to my mother who stands to the side watching all of us as my dad and brother get their car from the parking lot. I pull her aside, making sure that no one is listening. Instantly she gets that this is something to not speak to loud about.

"Beatrice, why aren't you with your friends?" She asks, holding my shoulders gently in a comforting way.

"I...uh… I wanted to ask if I could spend the night at Tobias's place?" I whisper, so quiet I wouldn't be surprised if she couldn't hear me.

But she gives me a knowing look causing blush to rise into my cheeks, "Of course you can, Beatrice, you're 18 now, and capable of making your own decisions."

I smile at her and nod, just about to slip away before she grabs my elbow and says, "Just….please use protection."

I know I tomato red by now, my face is burning as I gently nod my head at her, then go back towards all my friends crowding together talking. I go to where Tobias is and slip under his arm, causing him to look at me. His face quickly turns confused and slightly amused as he stares at what I'm assuming is my still red face.

"Why are you blushing, Tris?" He asks, carefully bringing his hand up to my cheek only causing me to blush even more.

"No reason." I say, hoping he drops the subject, and luckily for me he does.

_Page Break_

The car ride to Tobias's place is relatively quiet, besides the radio that plays songs neither of us really pay attention to. Everytime I look at Tobias, I'm instantly reminded of how I want tonight to go, and all the other possibilities of how it could be ruined.

What if someone knocks in the middle of it? What if Tobias doesn't want to do it tonight? Or what if he doesn't find me attractive in that way? What if he doesn't get turned on by my body? Or what if he thinks it's too soon in our relationship and calls me a slut and breaks up with me?

All these 'what if's' run through my mind as we pull into the parking deck near his apartment building, quickly finding a parking space. We silently get out of the car and I help him carry all the supplies we bought for the small party, into the elevator where he presses floor Six.

Soon enough we are standing outside his apartment door as he jiggles the keys in the door knob, attempting to open it. When it finally opens, Tobias allows me to step in first, abling me to put the heavy supplies down on his kitchen counter. His apartment is very simple, a full kitchen set, along with decently sized living room, accompanied by a flat screen, and a single bed and bath separated from the living room and kitchen by a large wood door.

I watch as Tobias plops down on his couch, twisting the cap of a water before taking a long drink from it while gesturing for me to come sit next to him. I take my seat, though my body refuses to relax at all my previously thought, 'what if's'. Of course Tobias notices my on edge body, and speaks for the first time since we got here.

"Are you okay? You seem a little tense, and you didn't say a word on the car ride here." He accuses, scrunching his eyebrows together in confusion.

"Yeah, I'm fine, I was, um, just wondering if I could stay here tonight?" I say, trying not to sound nervous.

He smiles at me, leaning forward to put his water down on his coffee table, "Tris, you know you never have to ask."

"I know."

I smile back at him before standing back up from the couch and walking over to the kitchen to start setting up for the party. Soon after Tobias gets up and helps me get everything in order before they all arrive.

Everyone finally gets here around eight, the girls all dressed in short dresses, and the guys in simple tees. I'm in the kitchen, sipping at my drink, which is only lemonade, while conversing with Christina about what's next in my life.

I take a quick glance around, making sure everyone is out of ears reach before telling Christina what I've been waiting all night to admit to her, "I'm gonna have sex tonight."

Christina, who had been taking a sip from her cup of champagne, chokes and nearly spits out her drink while coughing. Her eyes are wide as they stare at me in shock. Christina and I have gotten really close since last year, and I would say that she is my best friend...that is a girl at least, but I can tell this came as a surprise.

"What. The. Hell."

My cheeks heat up as I stare at her still shocked face, "Should I not have told you that? It was too much information huh...I'm sorry, I shouldn't have told you. Just forget I sai-"

"No, no, no, no, no. I'm just a little surprised that's all….Did you and Four plan this?" She whispers the last part, leaning toward me.

"...No, not necessarily….I-I want to surprise him….I just don't know how to, um," I pause, looking at the ground, feeling the heat rise to my face, "I thought maybe you could help me.."

She thinks for a moment, then says, "Do you have any lingerie?"

"Yeah, I'm wearing some now under my dress...but I didn't mean I need help surprising him...I need help on how to...uh...pleasure him.." I admit, almost immediately wanting to take it back after I say it.

"Oh sweetie, it won't be that difficult, trust me. Will and I's first time was a little awkward, but it didn't take much for him to get turned on. It will hurt a lot, as I'm assuming you are a virgin, but if Four cares enough about you, which I'm positive he does, he will go slow and, much like I did, you should feel safe. The only tip I have is that, guys are naturally wired to enjoy moaning a lot, so don't hold back." Christina tells me with a wink, saying all this as if it is a normal conversation, not holding back on details.

I'm about to respond to her advice, but Tobias's deep voice interrupts me.

"Zeke would like to play Never Have I Ever, and we are all set in the living room if you girls want to come join." He tells us, grabbing my hips, and pulling my body into his from behind.

"Oh we would love to, Four." Christina says, giving me a knowing look before following Four and I as we leave the kitchen and go into the living room.

Everyone is sat in a circle with about 70 shot glasses laid out in the middle containing what I'm assuming is vodka. We take our seats, me next to Tobias and Christina, and Christina next to Will.

Zeke starts the game off by saying, "Welcome to Never Have I Ever. We have laid 64 shot glasses out, eight per person. The way you play is that the person going will say 'Never have I ever…' and then say something they have never done. If you have done this thing, then you must take a shot. We will continue until all the shots in the middle are gone. And I shall start us out! Never have I ever had a threesome."

Uriah and Marlene both hesitantly pick up a shot glass then cheers each other before throwing it back to all of our surprise. We don't question it, however, and we move on the Tobias.

"Never have I ever gone to college."

Zeke and Shauna both take a shot, tossing it back before slamming the glass to the ground.

Now it's my turn, "Never have I ever seen a baby picture of myself."

Everyone takes a shot, then looks at me weirdly, questions gleaming in their eyes. I just shrug my shoulders and mention my conservative parents.

The game continues for about 45 minutes before we only have six shots left, Uriah took twelve, same goes for Christina, Tobias took six, Zeke took ten, Will took seven, Marlene took four, Shauna took five, and I have taken two.

It's my turn again and I bravely decide to drop a subtle hint to Tobias about tonight, "Never have I ever had sex."

Tobias's head whips around to stare at me, I think he's shocked that I would speak of my sex life. Or maybe he's surprised that I would mention it, telling everyone that Tobias and I hadn't yet. Instead though, I see regret in his eyes as he stares intently at me. Everyone in the circle around us takes the last of the shots as we stare at each other until Zeke buts in.

"I can go pour you a shot, Four. Since we drank all the others."

All I can feel is my heart dropping like a dead weight in my chest. Tobias has had sex before. He has had sex with another girl...how is that even possible….? He had to have cheated on me.

My hearing is muffled and my vision is blurry as I seemingly slowly stand, not making eye contact with anyone as I try to run to his bathroom only to trip a few times on my way there. Then in an instant I'm in his bathroom, sliding down the wall opposite of the door. My mind pictures the scene of him and another girl having sex. Her taking his virginity...her not me.

I roughly pull the long sleeves of my dress down, looking at the harsh scars that line the inside of my arm. I think about going back to that place, that dark and lonely place, when the door to the bathroom is shoved open by none other than Tobias. Taking one glance at him, I ignore his presence as I look back down, feeling helpless. No matter his words, he can not take back his actions.

"Tris...Tris, please look at me." He begs, bending down into a sitting position in front of me, gently grabbing my arms, right over my scars and turning them around.

I close my eyes, attempting to breath in through my nose and out through my mouth as he places his large hand on my face, pulling it up to look at him. When my eyes open, they are met with sorrowful and regretful ones. Instantly I want to close my eyes again, but something about his ocean blue irises makes me keep them open.

"Tris, I swear to god that I have never had sex before. I've told you that. I wouldn't lie." His eyes speak more than his words, begging and pleading for me to believe him.

"Then why did Zeke say-"

He sighs, interrupting me to explain, "A while ago, when Zeke lost his virginity, he had been telling me that it was something I should do ASAP. I didn't want to at all, as I didn't have you then, but he kept insisting. So one night I just broke and lied to him saying that I had lost my virginity the night before. He never pressure me into anything like that again, so I never told him that it was a lie. I was a stupid child back then who just wanted to fit in with my friends who were growing up faster than me. I promise you I am still a virgin, and I'm fine with it."

It takes a few minutes for my brain to process this new information while Tobias stares at me helplessly. He hadn't cheated on me. He was still a virgin like me.

Now, instead of feeling sorrow, I feel guilty for overreacting, "I'm sorry."

"Tris...what on earth are you sorry about?"

I sigh, a tear escaping past my now drying eyes, "I'm so sorry I overreacted…"

"You had every right to react that way Tris. I have no idea what I would have done if I was in your position. Don't say you're sorry, there is no need for that. Now come with me to say goodbye to everyone, it's getting late." Tobias speaks gently, pulling the sleeves to my dress back down before helping me stand up.

Before we go out into the living room Tobias stops to give me a slow kiss on the lips, only to pull away and say, "I love you, Tris."

"I love you too, Tobias."

And then we walk out of his room and into the living room where everyone is quietly whispering. They stand when they see us, all becoming awkwardly quiet as we stand there.

Thankfully Zeke breaks the silence, "I'm so sorry, Tris. I had figured Four had told you, and I had no idea that it was a lie. I should have known as I had never seen him even acknowledge a girl before you."

I feel the blush creep into my cheeks at the new information that the jealous side or me adores. I look at Tobias and give him a small smile as he wraps his hands around my waist.

"We got it all figured out, thank you for apologizing though, Zeke." Tobias speaks for me, nodding his head in thanks.

"No problem, but I'm a little tipsy, and I think it's best if I go home." Zeke announces, looking to the group, them all nodding their heads as they agree and say they will do the same.

Once everyone has left, Tobias and I stand silently. I'm too nervous to move a muscle as I think about if I really should do this tonight, or if the night has now been ruined. Would he even want to do it now that his mood has changed because of the Zeke thing? I doubt it...but why not try.

"I'm gonna go take a quick shower. I should be out in a few minutes though." I announce, looking at him for confirmation that that is alright.

"Okay, I think I will start to clean up a little, and make my bed."

I roll my eyes at this as I begin to walk towards the bathroom. Everytime I stay here he sleeps on the couch, convinced that if we slept in the same bed that I would be pressured into something I don't want. I've always found this ridiculous but he refuses to sleep in the same bed as me.

Once I get into the bathroom, I make sure that I have my fluffy robe still hanging on the wall and slowly take my clothes off, revealing my lingerie. Turning to look at myself in the mirror, I evaluate my body, of course not as pleased with it as I know one should be. Though, I ignore the fact that I hate my body, and take the lingerie off, now staring at my fully naked form in the mirror. I sigh, to myself softly while trying to suck in my newly gained fat, attempting to contort my body in a sexy way. However this doesn't work as well as I thought it would.

Before I get too upset about my body image, I walk away from the mirror and throw my hair up into a messy bun while turning on the shower. I try my hardest not to mess up the curls in my hair by drenching it with water as I take my shower, but the humidity in the air causes the curls to become loose waves instead.

Stepping out of the shower, I put my lingerie back on, adjusting it so that the fat near my non existing hips doesn't stick out, then put the robe over my body. I tie it in the front for easy access, and stare at myself in the mirror once again. The nerves are evident in my eyes, and my face looks even more plain as I washed all the makeup I was wearing off with a washcloth. I let my hair down, the waves falling to just above my belly button, and I try to fix it so that it looks pretty instead of messy.

Finally with one last glance, I slip out the door and into Tobias's bedroom. I can still hear him in the kitchen, the water running as I assume he is doing the dishes. When I get out of his bedroom, I instantly notice the bed he has already set up on the couch with a simple pillow and blanket. He occupies the kitchen, facing away from me while washing the dishes. I assume he doesn't know I'm out of the shower yet, so I begin to walk towards him.

I can feel my heart rate slowly increasing as I get closer to him, and soon enough I'm standing right behind him. Thoughts of him declining my advances flash through my head, but before I can change my mind I speak up.

"Hey."

Tobias turns around while wiping his hands on a towel, "Hey...woah. What happened to your clothes?"

"Nothing," I say trying to sound sexy, but my voice sounds more nervous than anything, "Tobias...I'm ready."

I watch as his eyebrows scrunch together in confusion as he doesn't catch onto my advances, "What do you mean?"

I close my eyes taking a deep breath in, and as I slowly release it, I also untie the front of my robe, gently letting it fall from my body, ending up pooled at my feet. I keep my eyes closed for a few more seconds before opening them to see Tobias's reaction.

His eyes are wide and filled with love and lust as he stares at me, looking all the way down my lingerie covered body before glancing back up and then repeating his gaze again. He's dropped the towel he was holding, his hands now at his sides, and his body seems frozen except for a small situation in his pants that seems to be growing larger by the second.

"Tris….I-I…" He doesn't finish, all he does is shake his head and I hope that that is a good sign.

"I, um, I thought that I could surprise you….because I have been ready for a while now, Tobias, I just wanted to wait for the perfect night. I thought my graduation was the best night because I'm taking the next step in my life, and I want to take the next step in our relationship too. So…" I trail off as I take a step closer to his, my body almost pressed against him, "Do you want to take the next step in our relationship...or do you still think it's too soon."

"I-I...mmmm…" He moans while slowly sliding his hands onto my waist, pulling my body to his, "Oh god Tris….You have no idea how beautiful and sexy you are."

I smirk at him, slowly bringing my lips to his ear, whispering, "Then show me."

Next thing I know is I'm being carried off to his room, the door slamming shut behind us.

_PAGE BREAK_

I wake up as light streams in through the window, allowing me to see the godly sight my head is resting on, Tobias. His chest slowly rises and falls with every breath he takes, his lips slightly parted and his eyes still closed. I lay on my stomach, his arm wrapped around me as my head rests on his chest, the sheets only covering our still naked bodies up to our lower halves, my chest pushed against him and the bed. He lays facing up, my body moving with his breathing, and our legs tangled together under the sheets.

Last night was one of the best nights of my life, even though it was extremely painful at first, I've never felt so close with someone physically and emotionally as I felt with Tobias. Gently I untangle my legs from his, attempting to get him to release his arm from around me so I can get up and use the restroom, but as soon as I move my upper half, his arm wraps even tighter around my body.

"Mmmm, don't go so soon." He whispers, cracking his eyes open to look at me, grinning when we make eye contact.

"Well I need to use the restroom, but I will be back." I laugh lightly, trying again to escape from his tight hold.

He sighs before letting me go, "Fine, but don't put any clothes on."

I ignore him and sit up, feeling his eyes on my body as I reach down and grab his shirt off the floor, sliding it on over my head. The shirt is big enough that when I stand up it goes past my butt, covering everything necessary, but if I lifted my arms, my whole lower half would show.

I hurry to the bathroom, doing my business then washing my hands and teeth quickly as I stare at myself in the mirror. My hair is a complete mess, my down stairs is extremely sore and my eyes are slightly glazed over, looking almost of pleasure and sleepiness. But I smile to myself as I think of last night once more, loving the idea of what's to come later in life now that we have taken that next step.

When I exit, I notice that Tobias still lays in bed, nude with the sheets only covering his lower half. I grin as I walk over to him jumping in bed next to him, then climbing so that I'm on top of him. He groans when I lean down and give him a small peak on the lips, then sitting back up on his lap.

"Tris, I love you so much." Tobias says, gazing at me with love and passion filling his eyes.

"I love you too, Tobias." I reply, the grin on my face permanently etched there.

He smiles right back before whispering six words I thought I wouldn't hear for a long, long time, "Will you move in with me?"

I can feel all the emotions held within me spill out at his words, asking me to live with him, and I can barely manage to mutter a, "Yes," before bursting into happy tears.

As I stare down at Tobias, I imagine my future with him and what it took to get here. All those years ago when he left me, I felt crushed and then the depression came. I never thought I would ever see him again. I thought he had been ripped from my life, never to return. But, here I lay with him years later, my deepening depression gone, new and better emotions replacing it. Sometimes life surprises you, fate happens, and it leaves you with the most amazing thing that you have ever had in your lifetime. Love.

So...its been a while...and trust me no matter how many times I do this late update thing I feel terrible about it every time. I just really wanted to produce my best chapter for the last one. This is by far the longest one, and I am sorry about the time skip, this chapter was ending this story and setting up Love Happens. I don't know when the first chapter of Love Happens will be up, or even if you guys still want me to write a sequel. I have a few really good ideas as to where that story can go, but if you guys have any other ideas go ahead and PM me or review them! I loved all the feedback I got on this whole story, and thank you so much for favoriting, following, reviewing, and even just reading this story! It means the world to me! Thank you! I love you all so much!

~divergent24-7