Closer

Chapter 6

I picked at my food, Eric’s words still fresh in my mind. I’ve been asking myself the same question. What the hell was that supposed to mean? I couldn’t get a read off him and I don’t think I would ever be able to.

“So you’re seriously not gonna tell us what happened this morning?” Jake snapped me out of my daze as I looked at him. He was seated across from me next to Aidan while Kristen and Olivia sat on either side of me.

“Maybe one day,” I smirked. 

“Wow. You suck.” he pouted. I gave him a patronizing smile and he rolled his eyes. I looked over Jake’s shoulder and was greeted by the sight of Zeke and Shauna as they approached our table.

“Four told us what happened this morning,” Zeke looked as if he was suppressing a smirk and Shauna elbowed him in the side. “You okay?”

“I’m fine.” I answered grimly. Jake shot me a nasty glare, upset that the two older Dauntless knew what he didn’t.

“Since it seemed you’ve had a rough day,” Shauna started, “we figured we'd treat you and your friends to a little treat.” She smiled at us kindly, but I could tell by her tone that her ‘treat’ would probably end up with us in trouble.

“Oh yeah?” Aidan raised his eyebrow in question.

“Meet us on the roof in after you’ve finished eating,” Zeke looked over his shoulder as Four walked towards us. “Make sure nobody sees you.” As the last word made its way out of his mouth, him and Shauna turned on their heels, quickly making their way out of the dinning hall. They whisked past Four, not giving him a chance to ask what business they had talking to us.

Four shot me a confused look as he finally reached our table. I just shrugged my shoulders in response. Before he had a chance to bring up whatever it was he wanted to ask, I spoke first.

“Was it really necessary to tell them about the Eric thing this morning?” I gave him a dirty look and he returned it with a cold expression. That expression reminding me that he was my instructor, not brother, in public. Talking to him so casually was not something I should be doing, but seeing that I sass Eric all the time I’m sure Jake and the rest of them wouldn’t find it out of place.

“I’m your instructor, I can do whatever I damn well please,” he crossed his arms as he spoke. “I just wanted to come over here and ask if you learned your lesson about mouthing off to leaders?” 

I chuckled and looked up at him. “Nah, I’ve been through worse. Eric’s gonna have to step it up if he wants to do any damage.”

I could physically see his jaw tense and anger line his features. I could tell he wanted to say something brotherly, but was bitting his tongue. Instead, he settled with, “Whatever. It’s your funeral, Stiff.” With that he turned away from us and walked off in the opposite direction. 

I heard Jake sigh, but he said nothing as he got up and out of his seat. “Come on, Little Rebel. Let’s go see what Zeke and Shauna have waiting for us.” The rest of our group got to their feet and followed Jake as he led the way to the roof. I had never been to this part of the compound. I continuously looked over my shoulder, making sure no one noticed where we were going.

By the time we made it to the roof, the sun was setting off in the distance, causing the light to outline Zeke and Shauna as they stood ten or so feet from the edge. They waved us over and we complied. “Ah there they are.” Shauna smiled.

I looked next to the two Dauntless members and saw several beers and a bottle of liquor. “Our welcome to Dauntless gift.” The pair of them handed us each a bottle. Jake and Aidan began to drink from the brown bottles without second thought. It took Olivia and Kristen a moment before the gave in to the temptation and took a sip as well. I on the other hand, stood there staring at it.