Tris Prior's Selection

Chapter Twenty-Four - Visting Day

TRIS' POV

Many people dance with me. Erudite gentlemen explaining to me how my bruises will heal and blue clothed woman fussing about the complexity of my hairstyle and how it stays in place. Similarly, men in black and white clothing talk to me about the looks of those around me and how they think each of the the Elite, including myself, will fair in the rest of The Selection.

"Excuse me," a familiar deep voice says. "May I steal her." The Candor man I was dancing with nods.

"Of course Your Majesty." Tobias hooks his arm around my waist; I've been watching him complete the same ritual with the other three girls already. He carefully helps me lift my sore arm into the right position on his shoulder as the other dance pairs around us prepare for the dance I was practising two days ago; when I first met Will.

The music starts, me and Tobias in the very centre of the ballroom with the other selected surrounding us it's their own partners and then the rest of the guests, and we move slowly and carefully.

"I'm glad you managed to come." He mumbles, his dark blue eyes glancing up at me from under his mop of brunet hair. In beat with the music he moves his hand from my hip to trace the trail of bruises. "Disgusting." He snarls, making me tense.

"Excuse me?" I croak, knowing I cannot pull away from him in the centre of this crowd. His eyes widen.

"Not you Tris." He says softly. "The person who did this too you. They are a disgusting human being." He gently touches my jawline. "You Tris, are the most beautiful thing I've had the pleasure of seeing in a long time. Please never forget that." He adds.

We continue to spin and move with the music until the song ends and Tobias carefully removes his hands from me as Marcus stands up from his throne.

"The Elite, please step forward." Slowly, the other three girls move to the front of the crown near the thrones, different to the ones in the throne room, and Tobias leads me to stand with them.

"You haven't seen or had contact with your families in over a month." Tobias says, smiling softly. "Consider this a visiting day." The other girls' eyes widen as the guards at the top of the stairs begin to announce new people.

"Parents of Lady Patrica Hayes of Dauntless, Harry and Jasmine Hayes." Patrica's parents are as beautiful as her. Both of them wear Dauntless black but clearly expensive, with her Mother in a black dress flowing with gem stones and sparkles. Patrica, however, doesn't seem particularly overjoyed to see them and instead stands with a frown on her face as they embrace her with the same cold manner.

"Parents of Lady Becky Mason of Amity, Johanna and Alexander Mason." Like true Amity's Becky's parents wear the same smile she does in their bright clothing and flower covered hair.

"Parent of Lady Christina Wright of Candor, Stephanie Wright and younger sister Rose Wright." I can only assume Christina's dad left them but this doesn't stop the family of three from looking joyful as they greet each other, Rose in awe of her sisters dress and the new world around her.

"Lastly, parent," I frown, someone hasn't come to see me. "Of Lady Beatrice Prior of Abnegation, Natalie Prior and older brother, Caleb Prior of Erudite." She still looks the same. Despite coming to the palace she still wears her usual grey clothing and hair in a bun as always. Her eyes gaze over the room, trying to spot me, Caleb does before she can. He wears a dark navy suit, looking smart but still like the brother I know.

"Hey little sis." He smiles at me. Without caring how it will look, I run to him. Jumping into his arms with my good arm hooked around his neck. Applause scatters across the room as my mother joins the hug. I can hear people muttering about us being a 'true family' and I can't help but wonder that if that was correct, my father would be here as well.

"Where's Dad?" Is the first thing I mumble when we pull apart. Mum tucks a small loose section of hair behind my ear.

"Your father is being selfish right now darling." She mumbles. "He's been trying to work himself too hard." She adds vaguely. "You look so beautiful sweetheart." She adds with tears in her eyes. "Right," she says determinedly. "You two, off you go and dance then. I need to see my babies have a brother-sister dance before I die." With a smile I let Caleb lead me onto the ballroom floor and instantly fall into step with those dancing around us.

"I bet you're glad I helped Mum and Dad enter you now little sis." He says with a knowing grin. "And the weekly allowance helps around the house loads." He adds. Of course, I forgot, a small amount of reimbursement is sent home from the palace to my family each week I am here.

I nod my head.

"I've missed you nose." I say, prodding his chest as the dance comes to the close; Mum off to the side and close to tears.

"You two both look amazing." She mumbles, letting Caleb lead her off for a dance. Watching them, I stand off to the side until I sense a person next to me.

"Eric." I say with a small smile. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"  He slips his arm around my waist and, when he urges me to, I rest my head on his arm.

"I think you know what I want Tris." He says softly, moving his thumb in comforting circles on my hip bone. I sigh, lifting my head up.

"Eric," I look up at him as I pull away. "I've told you my an..."

"Bullshit." He snarls, glaring. His gaze doesn't meet me though but instead travels to Tobias who stands making small talk with a group of Erudite. "Why would you choose him over me?" He demands coldly.

"Eric..I.."

"It's fine Tris." He says, still looking at Tobias. "But you have to promise me that if he sends you home, you come to me. Alright?" I get the feeling he's finally accepting where I stand and I nod in response. "You know my mother won't let this go as easily as I have." He mutters, running his hand softly across my cheek.

"Can I at least have one dance with you?" He asks, me glancing over my shoulder towards Tobias and Marcus. "The King won't mind Tris, believe me." He says sternly, leading me onto the centre of the dance floor as the music slows. Few people are dancing at this late hour of the ball so we draw attention quickly, mumbles of what I assume is disapproval running through the crowds.

Like Tobias did, Eric helps me move my sore arms onto his shoulders and we move slowly to the music, him chuckling each time my feet knock against his.

"You're a prince," I defend. "You've been practising this for years." It only makes him laugh louder and I can't help my laugh with him, smiling up into his dark eyes. For a few moments his eyes meet someone behind me.

"Keep dancing." He whispers, I open my mouth to ask why when another voice overshadows me.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," Marcus speaks, and as Eric turns me I see a smirk set in the King's eyes. "I think we should all take a look at the wonderful..couple, we have in front of us, don't you think?" His words make me pull away from Eric, standing and looking at Marcus with an incredulous look.

"Don't be like that Beatrice." He says softly. "Dance with Prince Eric." Beside him Tobias stands, watching me with a cold look. Gritting my teeth I walk towards the closest doors I can see, trying to ignore the sick feeling in my stomach as a deep laugh rumbles behind me.

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i haven't spell checked this or whatever
im actually thinking of starting a new account on here with original stories of mine. Idk.
comment something that will make me smile. I need it.