Chapter 12

Tris' POV

Going back to school is a pain in the ass. The halls are filled with tired groans and with some people struggling to stay awake.

However for me, the minute I arrive on campus, I burst through the double doors and march towards Christina's lockers. I grab both Chris and Marlene's arms and drag them away into somewhere private.

I ignore they're "Happy New Year" comment and turn towards them.

"I like Tobias." I cross my arms in front of my chest.

"What?" They both exclaim.

"You heard me. I. Like. Tobias." I say once more.

"Hey, are you okay?" Chris feels my forehead.

"Wait, yeah, why? I'm perfectly fine." I answer.

"So your not on drugs or anything. Have you been drinking?" I can't tell if Mar is joking or not.

"I haven't! I don't know! It started on Christmas Eve. He left me a gift on my bed."

"Gift? On your bed? Was he laying half naked on your-"

"No! No! Oh my gosh, Mar!" I scold. "It was a necklace. A necklace, Mar!" I emphasize. "And then after we finished our dinner with our grandparents, I went to Uri's house."

Christina interrupts me. "Hashtag no invite."

"Tyler and Mar came as well."

"Now I'm glad I wasn't invited. I'd hate to be the fifth wheel." I hear Christina say.

"I was wearing the necklace because I wanted to try it on." I say.

"Right. 'Try it on'."

"Oh Shut up." I say, because they're right. I don't exactly hide my flushed cheeks that easily. "Tobias and Zeke ended coming like a few hours later. But I don't know, every since all I've been thinking is him. Every damn thing. I'd be watching TV and then my thoughts would end up on Tobias. Eating dinner, jogging, whatever."

"Oh."

"But Tyler." I say. "I don't want to lead him on. I mean, I love him. But, I don't know how I feel anymore. He's been so sweet and so caring and I'd feel horrible for doing that to him, you know?"

"Well, you can...or you can- No, I got nothing." Christina seems to be struggling.

"What about, at the end of the week, if you know for sure you don't have any feelings for Tyler and that you do like Tobias, then end it. If not, stay with Ty." Mar comes up with an idea.

"But if I'm already have second thoughts about our relationship, shouldn't I end it anyways?"

"Yeah. The worst thing you could possibly do is cheat or lead someone on. Worst I tell you, and that's from experience." Chris points out.

"Okay, deal."

Guilt.

Guilt.

How can I be such a terrible person?

All Tyler has been to me is exceptionally sweet, and what I'm might break it off because of some petty crush on Tobias? I'm such a terrible person.

It doesn't make it better when he walks towards me during lunch.

"Hey." My chest turns out of nervousness.

"Hi."

"You okay, you look like you just saw a ghost."

"Oh. Sorry, I'm just a little tired." It's not entirely a lie.

"Okay. I'll see you later. Coach wants me to do some extra practice, so I'll be headed there."

"Okay, see you later then." I hug him one last time before he leaves.

What is wrong with me? Just last week I was happily in love with him? Was that just teenage love? Was this some phase or something?

I hate this. I really hate this.

"This will look so adorable with that scarf of yours!" She hands me a top an motions me to try it on.

"You mean the light blue silk infinity scarf?" I ask.

"Yes, that's the one!" Mrs. Evans is the nicest person on the planet. I feel more than terrible for having to break up with Tyler.

"I know that look." She rests the clothes back on the rack. "Well I'll be damned."

"Hm?" What is she talking about?

"Sit down Tris, we're going to have a talk. Did I ever tell you how I met Ty's father?" I shake my head.

"Well Dalton and I met in college. I was dating another boy. What was his name? Oh, Noah. Noah and I were friends since high school we had met junior year. He was so friendly to me. At first, he would come and flirt, like full on flirt. It was adorable, how he'd embarrass himself just for me. Until I couldn't take him embarrassing himself no longer so I made the first move. Of course I had feelings for him. He was the ideal guy.

"We went to college together. Same UC. He was amazing- so sweet and kind-hearted. I met Dalton some the during the first year of college. We ran into each other, literally." She smiles at the memory.

"He was always so persistent. He was too flirty alway trying to talk to me somehow. I developed feelings for him while I was dating Noah. At one point, everything between me and him were gone and I had it big for Dalton. I broke up with Noah a little too late. He caught me kissing Dalton.

"Tris sweetie, don't do what I did. Of course I love the fact that you and Tyler are together, but sometimes things come to an end."

"You're not mad?"

"No. As long as you and Ty are still friends. I love our shopping trips." She smiles.

"Thanks Mrs. Evans."

"For the hundredth time, you can call me Cheryl."

"Okay, thanks Cheryl."

I walk into my house with three bags on each arm.

I text Tyler that I'm heading towards his house.

Coming in five.

I don't bother to see if he texts back.

When I make my way to his front door steps, the door flings open.

"Hey, babe." His arms goes around my waist.

"We need to talk."

"Okay?"

"I don't. I don't." I can't do this. How do you break up with someone? I've never done this before. "I think we should break up."

Can you be anymore forward, Tris?

"What?" He looks like a puppy who has just got his bone taken away.

"I'm I'm sorry." My eyes burn and I feel it start to water. He wasn't my first love, I wish he were, but he's not.

Tobias just had to make his way into my life and twist and turn it. He naturally had a charismatic personality and dragged me straight into it. He's my first love. And I learned no matter how hard try not to, you always end up forgiving them for all the terrible things they've done.

"Did I do something? If I did, then I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"No! It wasn't you. It's me. It's my fault. I-"

"Did- did you cheat?" His voice cracks.

"No! God, no, I would never do that to you, to anyone." I explain.

Shouldn't tell him the truth?

"I don't know. I think I like someone else." I close my eyes as I feel my face soak in with tears. I feel terrible. "I love you. Love you. You were so kind to me. All you've been is understand, kind, trustworthy. I loved you to death, and I with this would have never ended. I'm sorry." I start to leave but he stops.

"Wait! I love you and I don't want you to leave."

"I'm sorry."

"Can we at least be friends? And I mean actually friends, j don't want us to ignore each other, friends. Please?" He's desperate and I don't blame him, I would be trying to do the same thing if I were him.

"Give me a week, but yes. I need time off."

"I love you, Tris."

I take a deep breath. "I love you too Ty."

A/N: this chapter though. I wasn't planning on breaking them up so soon, but it was bound to happen sooner or later right? Let me know what you think. The break up part was so difficult to write. Hope you have a great day, bye!