Dauntless Rising

Rankings

Angie was third.

Ara was fourth.

Melody was seventh.

I was fifth. Fifth. How did I become fifth?

I looked over at Ara and she screamed. "Ana!! You're fifth!!!!!"

"I can't believe you made it up so high! And higher than me, too!" Melody laughed.

"Guys, we all made it up so high! We're all in the top ten!"

I found Tris. "Congratulations on being first!"

"Thanks." She smiled. I walked back to the group.

I looked at the screen. Luke was eighth, James was ninth, and Evan was fourteenth.

Alex was sixth.

I suddenly stopped. "Alex. He made it too, right below me." We should be celebrating right now. "I'm sorry, I need to go."

I started to walk away, tears forming in my eyes. Ara put her hand on my shoulder and motioned for Angie and Melody to stay while she followed me back to the bunk room. I sat down on my bed and burst into tears.

Ara wrapped her arms around me. "Shh. It's okay." She stroked my hair.

"I love him Ara. I can't put him into danger by telling him about me. But I miss him so much. He hasn't talked to me all week!" I sobbed into her shoulder.

"It's gonna be okay. If he loves you, he'll come back. If he doesn't, then he's not even worth your tears."

I smiled and sniffled. "Thanks, Ara." I laid my head on her shoulder. I thought for a minute. "Do you love Luke, Ara?"

She sighed. "I don't know. I think I would if he opened up to me. He keeps everything inside and I can tell he's insecure, but he never acts like it. I just wish he'd let me in. But I care about him, Ana."

I nodded. "And James?"

She got teary-eyed and looked down. "I love James. But he probably doesn't love me. At least not anymore." Silent tears ran down her cheeks. "And I don't blame him."

I put my hand on hers. "It's gonna be okay." She smiled.

She opened her mouth to say something, but Angie and Melody burst into the room. "Guys, you need to go to the Pit. They said they need everyone there right now."

I exchanged a confused look with Ara before we ran to the Pit.