A Dying Light

TWO

"Accepted. Congratulations, Miss Prior," I laugh, and thank them, almost crying. This can be my escape from my Dad, my past, and can let me get ready for whatever the future holds career-wise. "Thank you so much," A tear slips my eye, and I'm glad I decided against mascara today. The man laughs alongside me, and he hangs up.
"You got accepted?" Caleb asks, and I cheer. He laughs and hugs me. "I'm so happy for you, Beatrice."

For the first time in my life, I feel free.

+++

I sigh and wander around the school. It's huge, and I can't seem to take it in. It's beautiful, and someone taps my shoulder. I jump and see a tall man, with bronzed skin, and dark eyes. He has a tattoo peeking from behind his left ear. "Hi, new here?" He asks, and I nod. He laughs. "It's easy to tell so, my name's Uriah." I take my hand out, and he smiles. "My name's Beatrice," I shake my head. Why the hell did I use Beatrice?! "Tris," I amend, and his eyes widen in recognization. I scratch the back of my neck and blush. "Tris Prior. You're already brilliant at writing, why are you here?" I blush an even deeper shade of red and laugh awkwardly. I came here to escape my father, the abusive one who's ruined my life. "I came here so I can study Media. Screenwriting to be exact," I say, and he nods along. "How about you? What are you studying?" I ask respectfully, and he smiles. We walk over to his table in the cafeteria, and he tells me about Experimental Studies. He's a fun person, and clever. "Are you boarding?" He asks, and I nod. "That's awesome! So am I!" He cheers and sits in between a blonde girl, and a girl with a shaved head. "Everyone, this is Tris," Uriah introduces me. "This is Marlene, the love of my life," he hugs the blondie, Marlene, beside him, and goes to the other girl. "Lynn, she knows how to kill anyone in a million different ways," Lynn smirks proudly at this. "And Zeke and Four hang out with us at Intervals. They're both teachers," I look over to the teacher table, which two young men stand out particularly due to their age. They are both young, 18 at the most, and the rest are nearing retirement age. "They're prodigies, 18 and teaching," Uriah says, and I try not to stare long. They both have their noses dug into their books, and I don't like to stare. I sit on the opposite side of Uriah, and I ask him where the Media Class is. "Oh, Four teaches that class. He can show you," Marlene says, cheerfully. I see why Marlene and Uriah are the perfect couples, both over the top cheerful, and fun-loving. I nod and smile at her. "Thanks," we all talk, and I don't know how Lynn is friends with these two. She's sarcastic, and mean. That being said, it makes her character interesting.

The bell rings, and I smile. Marlene walks with me, and she greets Four, with a smile. "Hey, Mar," his voice is deep and doesn't crack. He's got deep blue eyes and messy dark hair. His skin is lightly tan, and (if he wasn't my teacher) I'd find him aesthetically attractive. Instead, I find my shoes interesting. "This is Tris, and she's new. In your class," I can feel his gaze on me, and I force myself to look up. He smiles at me, shyly, and I try to smile back. I never smile around people but my fans, and my brother's family. "I'm guessing you have no idea where we're going?" I shake my head, and Four smiles at Marlene. "You can go to class, Mar. We'll be fine," I thought the first time he said "We" was an accident. You can't make the same accident twice in less than a minute... can you? She heads off, holding hands with Uriah, and I walk alongside Four, awkwardly. "Tris Prior, huh?" He teases, and I look up at him. "I must confess I've never read any of your books," I shrug, not caring, and wanting to get to class. "Is The Splintered Bride good?" I almost trip over my foot. "I, honestly, only read it to edit it," I wipe my palms on my jeans. "Ask someone who read it for fun," he nods, and I sigh. He opens the door for me, and I walk into the classroom, which falls silent. I just take any available desk, and there's only one. Everyone watches me, and Four walks in. "Morning," he greets the class, and they stay silent. I look around, and all eyes are on me. Wonder why. A second bell rings and a man with lots of piercings enters the room. I realize shortly, that this was his desk, and I blush. "Eric, why are you late?" Four asks, his voice is uncaring and bored. "Same reason every day, Four," he says, and looks at me. I pick up my stuff, trying not to cause a hassle. "I'll move," I mutter to myself, and Eric, and he smirks. I lean against the wall nearest to the door and try to steady my notebook on one leg.

As Uriah said, Four and Zeke sit with us. "Hey, Tris," I feel a hand on my shoulder, and the first thing I notice is Four's scowl. I look up to see Eric and his smirk. It sends shivers down my spine, because of... Dad. I put on a fake smile, and raise my eyebrows. "I'd like to take you somewhere," he says and forces me to stand. I get dragged along and see my father. "Dad," I whimper, and Eric smirks at me. I try to run.

Instead, my father grabs my wrist and punches me in the jaw.