Familiar

0.2

Tris's POV

The rest of the school day went surprisingly well. Caleb and I eventually did find our way to class, and we were able to sneak in the back. Nobody seemed to notice us, and if they did, they didn't bother with troubling us, which I was glad about.

But throughout class my mind drifted back to Tobias. He was so nice, though I suppose everybody in Abnegation is. Nevertheless I just couldn't stop thinking about his dreamy, dark blue eyes...

Wait, no, stop! You're acting like a giggling Amity school girl, Beatrice. Snap out of it!

I shake my head briefly and focus on the back of Caleb's head as we trudge slowly down the stairs.

I was so in my little world that I didn't even notice the gray-clothed girl walking particularly close to Caleb. I slow down a little to give them some space, but I can still hear her giggles and see the blush appear on my brother's cheeks every time she lays a gentle hand on his shoulder.

I guess I was walking too slow because an older Dauntless boy shoves me roughly out of his way, and I drop one of my history books.

"Move it, Stiff!" I hear him call over his shoulder. I glare at the ground and feel my cheeks heating up. I hastily grab my book and brush off the dirt on my skirt, glad that not too many people had noticed.

"Sometimes the Dauntless are very irritating." I swiftly turn around to see Tobias. He's looking over my head and in the general direction of the way the boy went.

"Though, I guess it's ironic that I made you drop your books this morning, too." He sheepishly smiles and rubs the back of his neck. I laugh shortly, but nod, to let him know I'm not very fond of their faction either.

"I'm sorry that my brother so rudely dragged us away. He just didn't want to be late." I lie. We surprising walk together down the hallway, where the sea of students has died down a little.

"Oh it's okay, I understand. It's probably not a good idea to be late on your first day." I nod in agreement and we continue our way in an awkward silence. Tobias opens the door for me and I blush and mutter a 'thank you'

The bus is, thankfully, still there so we hurry our strides.

I see Caleb in front of the bus, alone this time, tapping his foot impatiently. I guess he's waiting for me.

Tobias must see him too because he says " I'll leave you to go catch up with your brother, Beatrice. Uhm.. It was nice meeting you." Then he scurries up the steps and disappears somewhere in the back of the crowded bus.

I was so busy watching him climb on that I didn't even notice Caleb angrily storm over until he grabbed my shoulder and turned me around to face him.

"I think we should walk home." He mutters darkly under his breath.

• • • • • • • • • •

"How could you, Beatrice! After I specifically told you not to talk to him! You can't just go and flirt with older boys!" Caleb slowed down his slightly aggravated march to walk besides me. I grabbed the hem of my shirt and twisted it nervously.

"Well, first of all, Caleb. We weren't flirting. He's much older than me, anyways. We were just talking. And secondly, who are you to talk to me about not flirting! I saw you with that Abnegation girl on the stairs." I say cockily. He freezes and I almost run into him. He turns around slowly, and his face is a mixture of horror and embarrassment.

"Uhm..what exactly did you see?" Wait. Why is he so nervous? I decide to play along and smirk.

"Everything." I say boldly. His face drops and he wrings his hands. Did he and the girl do more than just talk?

"Uhm...how about if I don't tell mom and dad that you were flirting with an older guy you won't tell them what you...saw." He says. I want to interject that I wasn't really flirting but mom and dad wouldn't be too that happy I was talking with an older boy, anyways. I nod my head and Caleb visibly loosens up and sighs in relief.

"Okay. Let's hurry home, it's my turn to cook dinner." And with that we continue home in a comfortable silence, our minds each on other things, or people.

• • • • • • • • • • •

Caleb heats up the chicken and rice on the stove while I stir the peas absentmindedly. I was never too fond of cooking, anyways.

I just can't help of thinking of why Caleb was so nervous. I'd ask, but, then he'd figure out I was bluffing about that I had saw him, and he would tell Mom and Dad about Tobias Eaton.

Eaton. That name was so familiar. I shrug it off and turn the heat down to pour the peas in a bowl and set the table.

I soon hear the clicking of the lock and the front door being slammed.

"Beatrice? Caleb? Your father and I are home!" I hear my mother call from the door. I wipe my hands on my pant legs ( earning a glare from Caleb ) and we walk over to greet them.

"Hi honey." My dad reaches down to smooth my hair and kiss my forehead.

"Hi. We got dinner ready." I say.

We all sit down and bless the food like every other evening, and Caleb and I silence ourselves and eat the chicken and peas and mashed potatoes.

"So how was work today?" My mom, Natalie, asks.

"Uh, it was okay, I guess. I mean, there was another report from Erudite against Marcus Eaton, so that messed up the schedule." My dad, Andrew, shrugs. That's when it hit me.

I knew I heard that name before. Tobias Eaton. Son of Abnegation leader, Marcus Eaton.

I choke momentarily on my food earning a questioning look from Caleb, but I ignore it.

"What are they accusing of him this time?" My mother asks.

"Oh it's bad. They say he's cruel to his son. It's complete nonsense, Marcus is kind and a great leader. They just want our place in government." My dad says. I drop my fork and it clangs as it hits the porcelain bowl. I mutter an apology and close my jaw.

No, Marcus Eaton would never do that. And besides, Tobias seemed too cheery to have an abusing father.

I shake my head of these thoughts and scoop up some peas.