Abnegation Life - (Divergent Fanfic)

Chapter 5

 It has officially been 3 weeks since the choosing ceremony. Last week of initiation before I am an official member of Abnegation. Everything is going pretty well. I haven't seen Caleb again since the incident so that's a relief. Life has been pretty much uneventful until today. My mom comes to my room after dinner and sits on the edge of my bed. Her usual spot. I put my book down so I can listen to what she has to say.

"Hi," I say. She can't be here to lecture me. She wears a smile on her face. "Beatrice, what's going on between you and Tobias?" I have dreaded this question but here she is asking it anyway. I have no idea how to answer. My cheeks get hot. "Nothing." I try to say without a smile. "You can tell me. It's not like it isn't obvious." she raises an eyebrow and I pray for the moment to end. "It's nothing. Really. If it was I would tell you." that is a lie. Good thing I'm not Candor. "Alright," She says and her smile drops. We sit in silence for a bit. Then after a while, my mother looks up and asks me, "What was your test result, Beatrice?" She asks with a serious expression.

It catches me by surprise because the question came out of nowhere. What does my test results have to do with Tobias? "What?" I ask. "Your aptitude test. What were your results, Beatrice?" She asks again and the only thing that goes through my head is Tori's words. Don't tell anyone. Should I tell my mom? I can trust her. Who would she tell? "They were inconclusive," I say quietly and look down. I have no idea if I did the right thing. This whole time I thought I should keep it to myself but although only my mother knows, I'm still embarrassed. Embarrassed of being dangerous. For being different. "That's what I thought," Is all she says in return then gets up to leave. Did I make a mistake?

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"Tobias, my mom asked me about us yesterday." Tobias and I are walking toward the factionless sector the next day. I felt this is the right time to talk to him. "What do you mean?" He asks. "I mean she asked what's going on between us. She knows." I didn't know how else to say it without making the sentence seem awkward but he understands the second time.

"What did you say?" He stops for a second and turns to me. "I told her it's nothing because I didn't know if you wanted me to tell her yet." "Why would you think I don't?" "I don't know, I just didn't know what to say." He continues to walk. "So?" I ask. "So?" He says back. "Should I tell her?" How does he not understand? "Do whatever."

I hate when he's being difficult. Especially when I'm asking him a question. "Ugh, Tobias I need a real answer. I don't know what to do. Should I tell her or not?" At this point, I am done being patient. "What do you want me to say, Tris? It's your mom if you want to tell her then go ahead I'm not here to give you all the answers to life." I know Tobias is stubborn and sarcastic sometimes but this time he crossed the line. "What's your problem? I'm trying to plan our future together and this is the opportunity to start and I'm asking you if you're ready to take another step and you won't cooperate! What do I need to get you to give me a serious answer?" I stop again to yell at him. Some people turn around but I could care less. He keeps walking and gives no response. What's gotten into him?

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My day gets worse when I go home and my father tells me that we're invited to Marcus's house for dinner. Why today out of all days? My mother tells me I have to go when I try to object so I just go up to my room and sulk until it's time to get dressed. Even though I'm in a bad mood I get dressed in one of my nicest clothes. A grey long-sleeved plain dress. It is still modest but only to be worn on special occasions.

My mother soon calls for me from downstairs. Time to go. I pray this evening goes well.

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At dinner, we say hello to Marcus and nod our head in a little bow. Abnegation don't shake hands or hug. We say hello and bow in respect. When we sit in the living room- which is exactly the same as ours because the abnegation homes are all the same- I don't see Tobias anywhere. Good start. 

My father talks to Marcus about business and my mother and I listen. Boring. We help prepare dinner and set the table and when everything is set Marcus asks to be excused for a second and comes back with Tobias. "Tobias, you've gotten so tall!" My father says. My mother says hello because she knows him and sees him every day. I say hello politely so Marcus doesn't think I'm rude but I don't look at him again while we sit at the table. The conversations are more interesting now. My mother and I share about volunteering and I tell them I enjoy helping. 

Finally the topic Marcus called us here comes up. "So Marcus, what was the occasion you called us here for? The special news." My father asks. "Oh yes! Well, you all know Tobias is at an age where he will be getting married soon. I have just started looking for someone and I am proud to say that we finally found someone. Tobias is getting engaged." My heart stops.