Finding The Courage

Part 21

They were going to try and control us. I had to warn Tris and Four, Wayne, my parents if I could. I waited for the rest of the test to be done, hoping to catch Four before he went off to celebrate with Tris. Finally I got my chance. Four exited the room and saw me waiting. The only thing I could do was point to the injection site before Eric approached me.

"Come on. We'll talk in my room." I followed behind Eric as he led me down corridors I had never been down before. We stopped in front of the door after what felt like a 20 minute walk although part of me suspected Eric had tried to stop me from being able to find my way back here. He opened the door for me and I entered a room much like Four or Wayne's. The only difference was that this room had books everywhere, papers were scattered on top of the free space on the tables. I sat on the edge of the couch while Eric stripped off his shirt and walked into the kitchen. The rest of the apartment looked clean enough and well organized and I could assume the mess had something to do with his work as a leader. I took the opportunity to glance over the paperwork, noticing that it was all the profiles of every member of Dauntless.

"You should know better than to snoop in my room, little one." I felt Eric's breath against my neck as the rest of my body froze up.

"Why do you have all of those Eric?" I feared that Eric was searching for people like Tris or myself and he had somehow figured it out.

Eric turned me around and guided me back to the couch, he gave me a light shove in the direction and a stern look that told me to sit down. Eric took a seat across from me and let out a long sigh.

"What I'm going to share with you is something you can't share with anyone." He met my eyes to confirm that I understood that he was serious and I would be punished if I disobeyed. "I have those files because I've been tasked to hunt a ground of people called divergents. I suspect your friend Tris might be one. You were a suspect but after watching you in the fear simulation I think you're just a good fit here in Dauntless. Tris's test said abnegation and yet she is doing exceptionally well here. They are talking about offering you a position in leadership. Four has been interviewed about you and everyone agrees that you would be a good fit."

My leg had begun shaking again, I was trying to keep it still but the fact that Eric was on to Tris was scary. It meant that Jeanine probably was too and she had suspicions about me as well since she had seen us together and I had to keep myself from giving anything away. Outwardly I met Eric's eyes and blushed,

"You really think so?" I asked softly. Eric nodded and stood up again to pace.

"Your friend is not good at following directions that she does not agree with, however we have not had the same problem with you.You seem to be able to think about the greater good and that is a leader quality. Anyway we should get to the celebration, you are ranked number two." Eric smiled at me as he said those last words. I smiled back at him, allowing myself to appreciate how handsome he really was when he wasn't being cruel.

"Go put on a dress or something pretty, I'll meet you and escort you in. I can finally show interest in you publicly and Max would love for us to end up together. I think Wayne bought you a dress for the occasion." Eric rushed me out the door of his room and dropped me off in front of Wayne's. I entered the apartment and began my search for this dress Eric had mentioned. I was shocked to find out that Eric had been right. I slipped into the short black dress, it was off the shoulder, and fit me like a glove only to flare out in a bouncy skirt, the back was lower than the front which ended mid thigh. I found a silver chain that fit around my waist like a belt to add some sparkle to the dress. For the first time in days I noticed the chain of the necklace my mother had given me fully on display. 

I decided to really do my makeup for this celebration. I did something that made my eyes look sultry along with a winged liner besides my basic eyeliner. I smiled at my reflection pulling my hair into a messy bun to show off part of my spine tattoo. Wayne had left a few plain silver rings and earrings along with some low heels for me to pair with the dress. I found a note under everything. I read it as I walked to open the door for whoever was knocking, knowing it had to be for me since everyone knew Wayne was gone. Wayne's note expressed his happiness at my success and his dismay at not being able to celebrate with me. He also mentioned Tori and Christina had helped him pick out the entire outfit.

I opened the door to find Eric dressed in all black with his usual leather jacket but this time he had a dress shirt under it.I followed his eyes as he traced my body.

"You look incredible. Every guy is going to be jealous of me tonight." He smirked at me.

I left Wayne's note on the couch and locked his door as Eric took my hand leading me down to the celebration. We walked in and as I looked around I watched Four and Tris share a kiss, I excused myself from Eric's side to find a drink to settle the burn of jealousy that was settling in my stomach. Four finally took notice of me as Tris joined me in getting a drink, his eyes trace my body the way Eric's had. I rolled my eyes at him and turned away, I joined my friends dancing. I was pissed enough at Tris and Four that I found myself dancing with Peter. His hand on my waist was light as he whispered compliments in my ear.

 Eric was watching us closely until finally what I could tell was clearly jealousy flashed across his face. He pulled me away from Peter and kept a firm grip on my waist the rest of the night. My friends were distressed that Eric wouldn't let me go but after trying several times to get me away I settled down into Eric's hold. All the initiates had left to go to sleep in our dorms, I was slowly falling asleep in Eric's arms. He seemed to notice when my head finally rested against his side. He excused us from his friends and led me out back towards his place. When I stumbled in my heels he sighed and picked me up. I nestled against his chest and allowed myself to doze off. When we stopped moving I opened my eyes to find us in front of Wayne's place.

"Grab your clothes from inside, I'll take you back to the dorms." He ordered me.I slowly gathered my boots and a pair of pants along with a tight fitting tank top and a leather jacket that Wayne had gotten for me. I left my dirty clothes sitting there and met Eric outside. He locked the door for me and swept me back up into his arms. Once we were back at the dorms he gave me a light kiss before sending me inside. I slipped out of my dress after washing my face, leaving my hair and sleeping in my underwear.