Forever and Always

Chapter 8

*so I'm home sick so, I thought I would give you guys an update. Here it is!*

Tris POV

I swallow hard and get up to go to science. Four is holding my hand but it isn't helping a lot. When we get to the break of the hallway, where we have to separate, he says, "Let me know if something happens. Okay?" I nod and we split up.

When I walk into class I sit in my assigned seat next to Peter. Unfortunately he is already there. To get away from Peter, I go hand the teacher the note. He just snorts when he gets receives it. "Whatcha do? Run into a pole or something? You cannot wear sunglasses in my classroom, black eye or not. Take them off." I do so. I have to, don't I? "Take off your hoodie too." I just stare at him. "I said take it off, BEATRICE!" My eyes go wide. He screamed my last name and by now, the class is already here. But what difference does it make? They heard it yesterday. The difference is, I hate that name. If my mom gave it to me, I hate it. I take off my hoodie. "Go sit down." He says. I do so.

Peter is smirking when I sit down. "What?" I ask. "Nothing, I'm just proud of those bruises that's all." I take a quick deep breath and face the front. "Alright, today we are talking about our solar system. I'm sure some of you need the review." He says, looking at me. I take another deep breath and try to ignore his comment. "So. We are going to play a little game." The class cheers. I just stare at him with a raised eyebrow. "Well, kind of a game. See, I will pick a stupid student, I already have one in mind, and I will rotate the the rest of y'all. So, the stupid one, will stand up here and the rest of ya'll will come up with a question about our solar system, and the stupid one will answer. If that person gets it wrong, which is likely, the rest of you will get a point, and if that person gets it right, which is unlikely, then that person will get a point. If the smart team has more points than the stupid one, then no homework for them, but if for some miracle were to occur and the stupid one has the most points, then no homework for that person. Let's just say whoever gets the homework, well it will be a good amount."

The class seems excited, except for the gang and me. "Alright, so the stupid one is Beatrice, by a long shot." Really? Does he really HAVE to use my real name?! I feel my face get really hot. "C'mon up here, that's right, stand up, right leg then left leg, watch out for that desk! Okay, good deal, she made it. Now the rest of you come over here. Now the floor is yours! Have fun!"

Some kid named Drew is the first one to ask a question. "How many planets are there?" Oh great. This is a trick question. So I answer it the best way possible. "No one knows." Drew's face lights up and so does the teacher's. "Alright! You heard her! She doesn't know!" I interjected. "Uh no one knows, so that means they don't either." The teacher gives me a death glare. "I didn't say that they had to know the answer, now did I?" I stare at him in disbelief. Seriously? That's not fare. But I guess nothing is fare in his classroom. I watch him put up a point for their team.

Peter is the next one up. "How many stars are there, Beatrice? Oh wait sorry. You don't like that name. Wait! Maybe I should tell your boyfriend your real name considering your just keeping it from him." What does this have to do with science? I'm confused. But then I hear Christina interject. "Oh what do you know Peter? He happens to already know her real name so why don't you just stick to science." I give her a thank you facial expression. "Just answer the question stiff." Peter says. I swallow hard. "No one knows." I answer. "Point for the smart team!" The teacher yells. The game goes on like this and by the end I have zero points. Great.

"Alright, the smart team wins! No homework!" They cheer. The bell rings but before I can escape I hear, "Beatrice, I need to see you." I turn around and walk toward Mr. Langley's desk. (That's the teacher's name.)
"Yes?" I ask. "Here is your homework. I expect all of it by tomorrow. And I have a question for you. How did you make it out of seventh grade?" I swallow. "Um, well, I don't know." I lie, giving him the answer he wants. "Um mh. Well, I sure don't either. You're free to go. Just remember, by tomorrow Beatrice." My face was getting red from embarrassment and I turned on my heel and left.

When I got to math class, I put on my sunglasses and hoodie, and handed the teacher my note. She accepted it and I sat down next to Four. "Did everything go okay?" He asks. Everything inside me wanted to say yes, but I just couldn't so, my eyes closed and after a second, I realized I couldn't find any words, and I slowly just shook my head no. My lip was quivering, so I bit it, but it didn't help much because I felt a tear run down my cheek.

I felt his arm wrap around my waist, and I felt his eyes on me, that I knew were full of concern. I sniffle and use my forearm to wipe away the tear. "What happened?" He asked. I couldn't answer anything but, "Ask the gang." He left it at that and when they all came in he left for a minute to talk to them. When he came back he said, "That's it. I'm transferring into that class with you." My eyes looked into his and I gave him a half smile. Then, class began.

All we were talking about in math was about coordinating the x and y, and about negative and positive numbers, and pie. I was pretty bored. When the bell rang for gym, I walked with Four until we had to go into our separate locker rooms. I wore long sleeves and sweat pants. Shorts aren't my favorite because I have belt marks from my mom all across my legs. Some new and deep, while others are healing and some are just big, ugly, scars. You already know why I like to wear long sleeves but, there's another reason too. I cut myself. Mainly on my wrists, forearms, and hands. I know it's not a good thing to do, but I just want control over my own pain. Instead of just my mom. I like to wear really big long sleeves because they cover up my hands, if I'm not wearing any then I wear gloves. No one knows I cut myself, and I mean no one. If they see the gloves then they just think I'm a neat freak. Hey, I can live with that.

When I finish getting ready the whistle blows. "Alright, today I want you too run as fast as you can, for the whole time. We're running the mile today so get ready." We all start stretching and soon, the whistle blows again and we all line up. "Get ready, get set, GO!" He screams and I start sprinting. Before I know it Four and I are neck and neck with each other. I'm a little slow today because of my stupid rib injury. My dad thinks that they're broken and wants to go see a doctor, but I convinced him to wait until today to go see one. The truth is, I'm afraid of hospitals. They've scared me ever since I was 6. Anyway I'm in a ton of pain but I keep going. During our last lap I feel like I might pass out because of the amount of pain. But, I'm almost there.

I finish 3.15 seconds behind Four and my time was 4:26 seconds. Normally I like that feeling right after I finish a run, but today, nope. I hunch over, gripping my ribs, hyperventilating due to the pain. I feel a strong hand on my back. "You okay?" It's Four. I can barely get the words out, "Just...give....me.....a.....minute." I finally finish. "Sure." He says. After about 5 seconds he guides me over to the bleachers. "Sit down. I'll get you some water." He leaves and I'm still gripping my ribs. Pain, so much pain. He comes back with two water bottles and hands me one. "Here." I grab it with one hand, keeping the other on my ribs, and take a sip. Then I put the water bottle beside me. He sits down next to me. "You okay?" I shake my head. "What's wrong?" He asks. "My dad thinks Peter broke a couple ribs and we haven't gotten the surgery yet, that's all." He nods. "When are you getting the surgery?" He asks. "After school." I answer. "Do you know we're neighbors?" I look at him. "We are?" I ask, still hyperventilating. "Yeah, cool right?" I nod. He smiles. "Are you feeling a little better?" He asks. I nod. "Yeah." He kisses the top of my head. "Good." Then Coach Slay comes in and tells us to change. We all do and then the bell rings signaling the end of the day.

Four and I walk to our lockers together and then we break off, he goes to the cafeteria to wait for his bus, and I go to the carline to wait for my dad.

He gets here quickly and we hop in. "Hey princess, hey Caleb, so how was your day?" He asks. "Good." We both answer. Then Caleb starts talking about his day and I stare out the window. When dad pulls up to driveway, and I get out, he calls out, "Get your stuff together Beatrice, pack a pair clothes and some entertainment if needed, we will leave for your surgery in 10 minutes!" Great.

* hey! Hope you enjoyed! I still need a catchphrase! Anyway! Bye!