-Tris’s P.O.V-

Soft, instrumental music reaches my ears as I pull out my phone to call Caleb. I dial his number and hold the phone to my ear.

“Hey! Where are you?” I ask him.

“I’m so sorry I’ll be at the school in ten minutes.” He replies.

“But you were supposed to meet me half an hour ago!” I say back to him.

“I know and I’m sorry to keep you waiting. Please just ten more minutes.” He says and then hangs up.

I sigh and look around me. Our school is holding a masquerade ball today. No one asked me so I’m going stag. Caleb’s going with Susan but they said that I could hang out with them. The school building has lights to illuminate the front. I sit down on one of the steps to wait.

“You’re looking good.” My friend Christina compliments, sitting down next to me.

“Thanks. But not as good as you.” I reply. Christina’s wearing a green dress with a matching mask. Her short hair ironed. I’m wearing a red dress with a golden mask and my hair hangs loose around my shoulders. My outfit is simple but elegant.

“Oh! There’s Will. I’ll get going. See you inside!” she says running to meet her boyfriend.

“Hey Tris!” Will says as they walk past me and into the school.

“Hey Will!” I reply playing with hands.

Once they’ve gone in I start getting cold. Caleb’s ten minutes are over now. So, I get up and am about to go in when a voice behind me makes me stop.

“Beatrice who’re you waiting for? Why aren’t you inside yet?” I turn around to find my stepsister, Molly there with her hands on her hips.

“I was waiting for Caleb but I was going to go in now. Why do you ask?” I reply, folding my arms over my chest. Her dress is the same color as mine. The only difference is that her dress is knee length and super tight with a frill running from one shoulder to the opposite side, like a sash. While mine is knee length too but plain with nothing on it.

“Come on I’ll walk you in.” she offers.

“Fine.” I say and follow her in.

We make our way to the gym in silence, walking side my side. When we reach the doors leading to the ball. Molly stops and turns towards me.

“If you do anything to embarrass me in front of Peter, you’re going to pay. Got it?” she asks.

“Yes but what have I ever done that made you feel embarrassed?” I ask her. I know she is lying because without saying anything she turns on her heel and struts in. I follow her in, shaking my head.

There are couples everywhere my eyes go. Some are dancing; others are just standing and talking in groups. I make my way through all the people to the bleachers and sit down. No one looks at me for the first few minutes or so but then a boy walks up to me.

“Hi! You here alone?” he asks extending a hand to me.

“Yeah.” I say nodding my head and shaking his hand. He’s wearing a black tux with a red tie and a red mask. I cannot recall who it is. But I can tell at once that he’s one of the popular kids because of his muscular built which is perfect for basketball players.

“Me too.” He says sliding his hands into his pant pockets.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you before.” He says sitting down next to be.

“I don’t think so either.” I say.

“Do you want to dance?” he asks getting up and extending a hand to me.

“I really want to but I’m waiting for my brother.” I explain.

“Please just one dance. That’s all I’ll ever ask from you.” The boy says putting on his best princely accent.

I laugh and give in “Alright. But just one.”

He takes my hand and leads me to the dance floor. He puts an arm around my waist and holds my hand. I put my other hand on his shoulder. For a few minutes we just waltz around looking really formal. But soon after that the music starts getting to us and I put both my arms around his neck and he puts his around my waist.

The music stops, marking the end of the first dance. But the mood has got to me and I keep dancing with this boy through the next three dances.

The fifth dance starts and I move in towards the boy. There still are a few inches between us. I really want to cover that too but I control myself. Apparently he couldn’t because he leans in and touches his forehead to mine.

I smile and ask “What’s your name?”

“What’s yours?” he asks.

I shake my head, rubbing my forehead against his and say “You first.”

He replies “Tobias Eaton.

I jerk back and out of his embrace. “What?” I blurt out.

“You don’t like my name or is it something else.” He asks, clearly taken back by my shock.

“S...Something else.” I say.

But to myself I think “The nerdiest girl in just danced with the most popular boy in school!”