Forever and Always

Chapter 2

Tris POV

When I arrive at Science, I realize that there is only a few students here so far. There are at least 15 desks open and I'm about to sit in one in the front row so I pay attention better, because let's face it, I can get bored easily, when a boy waves me over to a seat beside him. The seat is a few over from where I was originally going to sit so it was still in the front row, so I shyly accept the offer.

When I sat down he asked what my name was. "Tris." I answer with my eyes glued to the floor. I'm almost always shy. I felt shy around Four, Uriah, Zeke, Christina, and especially in music. I absolutely love to sing but I have stage fright, I guess you could call it that. Whenever we sing and someone's next to me, I normally either lip-synch, or practically whisper the words. No one knows I like to sing but me, not even my family. I'm that shy.

My thoughts get interrupted by the boy next to me. "I'm Peter." He says. I just nod my head. It doesn't seem like he's just trying to be nice, it seems like he's trying to get on my nerves. Then the bell rings and the teacher walks in. "Okay class, we have a new student," He says. He then looks over at the role. "Tris Prior." He says concluding his last sentence and pointing to me. I guess Mrs. Taylor forward that to all my teachers. I was glad though, I would hate it if anyone found out my real name.

"Alright, that said, let's get into Tidal Waves." The class groans but the teacher ignores them and starts writing on the board. The teacher asks lots of questions that I know about but I don't answer. Then comes this one question, "How long does it take for both high tides and low tides to get to its highest point." (FYI: idk this answer so when an answer comes up, it's not true.) The teacher looks around the classroom and apparently everyone knows this answer but me. Yeah, I have no idea.

The teacher continues to look around the room to pick one of the hands, (my hand is the only one not up), when Peter suddenly says, "The stiff knows." My body freezes with fear. All eyes are on me. "Well, I assume the stiff is you, correct?" The teacher says. This brings laughter to the class. "U-um-" I try. "Well?" The teacher asks impatiently. More laughter arises. "I-um- I- I don't know." I finally say. "You don't know?! This was taught in seventh grade!" The teacher said angrily. "I-I'm sorry." I reply. The teacher sighs. "Well I guess we will have to have at least one incredibly stupid person in each class." The teacher says. The class bust out into even more laughter. That comment stung. So did being called a stiff. (In case you forgot, to be a stiff means that you show no affection in public or anywhere in general. It was to be used as the first one but it can also mean new.)

With the whole class looking at me and laughing, I put my head down. I felt a tear slid down my cheek but made sure that none followed. The teacher continued with class and I was relieved when the bell rang. I looked at my schedule, Math. Room 214. I didn't ask anyone where it was, I was way to embarrassed and upset at what just happened. After only 3 minutes in the hall, I found it.

When I walked in, I immediately saw Four waving me over. Good. At least he's not like Peter. I have to sit with Peter the rest of the year because wherever we sit is our final seat. Unless the teacher moves us, which isn't going to happen because that teacher hates me. I took my seat next to Four and we talked for a minute. Well, really, I just let him talk and I nodded. Then the teacher walked in and we had to start math.

I tried to focus on the teacher, to get my mind off Peter, but math was boring. So, I just drew on a scratch sheet of paper until we had to do a worksheet. I looked at it. Order of Operations. Not to bad. I immediately got started and I finished 20 problems in 10 minutes. I was the first one done but that was only because everyone else was talking. Trust me, I have ZERO skills in math. When the bell rang Four asked me what I had next. "Gym." I answered. "Me too." He said, and we got our stuff out of our lockers, (which mine is only a few down from him) and we walked to Gym.

As we walked I thought about Four. He seems nice and even though I'm a little shy around him, I'm not nearly as shy as I normally am. He kept glancing at me and I kept smiling back. I think I like him.

When we got to Gym, Coach Slay told us to change. I changed into a blue pair of athletic pants and a 'Just Keep Running' shirt on. It was long sleeves because I hate it when people look at my biceps and I was wearing pants because I have marks on my shins. I'm really tough and whenever someone sees that they'll act like I'm some rich kid with a personal trainer. I mean, either that or they'll say 'Oh, excuse me, I don't take steroids.' and walk away.

Coach Slay told us to do 4 laps around the Football field, which was followed by multiple groans. However, I actually love running. I start with a sprint, even though you shouldn't. If I'm not tired, jogging doesn't exist to me. Soon I am up to the front. I realize that Peter is in our class unfortunately. Great. As I pass him he yells, "Well,look at that, the stiff's even stupider than we thought! She's trying to beat me! Well, she'll find out where that leads!" This comment makes my face feel hot. Just keep running, I tell myself. I soon catch up to the person if the very front. I then realize it's Four.

I slow down a bit so we stay at the same pace. "Hey." He says. "Hi." I reply. He opens his mouth to say something else when Peter yells, "Oh look! Now the stiff is running to Four for protection!" I swallow hard and keep running. I hear Four yell, "Shut up, Peter!" Then he looks to me. "So, do you like any sports?" He asks. "Uh yeah, I like Football, Basketball, and Soccer. How about you?" I ask. "The same plus baseball." He answers. I nod. By now we have finished two laps.

The rest of the laps are in silence. When we finish the coach looks surprised that I finished the same time as Four. Our time was 7:45. By then Gym was over and Coach Slay said, "Track tryouts are tomorrow if anyone's interested. Especially Tris and Four." My face gets warm and then he tells us to change.

When I come out of the locker room I see Four. He walks up to me and says, "Hey, do you want to come over to my house to work on homework?" I smile. "Sure. How about 3:30?" I ask. He nods. "Yeah, I'll pick you up. What's you address?" He asks. I take out a sheet of paper and write it down. "Okay. See you at 3:30." He says. "See you at 3:30." I say.