dissident ｡ nct

8.3 ｡

—Part 8.3—
Contradicting Contracts

"I'm here to propose an agreement, care to hear the terms?"
—Hua—

The feeling of skintight clothes made me feel self-conscious. The leather jacket provided me with some comfort, but looking at everyone around me, I looked nothing like them. Everyone seemed to fit the get-up like a glove. They looked like they belonged here, while I felt out of place.

Did I make the right choice?

I facepalmed at my thought.

You literally just got here. You can't just judge yourself based on clothes. Silly girl.

I crooked a brow as my eyes fell on a familiar girl making her way to the bathroom. My curiosity had gotten the best of me, so I quickly tightened my boots and followed her in.

As I approached the so-called bathroom, my eyes found her instantly. The leather fell nicely around her figure, her level of fitness prominent in the skin-tight clothes. She looked like she belonged here. I felt my face morph into one of jealousy, wishing I looked just as good as her. Wishing I could belong just like her.

Not the time, Hua. Work first, admire later.

I placed an elbow on the wall, leaning casually, hoping to intimidate her.

Don't blow it.

I cleared my throat dramatically, catching her attention as her eyes met mine in her reflection, "well, well, well, look what the cat dragg-ah!"

My arm slid off the wall, my balance barely hanging on as I nearly face-planted into the concrete floor.

One job. I had one job, come on, Hua. Really?

The girl's face morphed into one of amusement, "if that was your way of intimidating me. It didn't work," she mocked, turning around to face me, "and who are you, anyway? I didn't hear you knock."

Man, I need to recover from that.

I raised a single brow, challengingly, "do I have to be in some drabby grey with my hair up in a bun?!" I say in disbelief, frustration seeping into my tone, "or should I add the fucking bread as well, hm?"

The girl tilted her head in confusion, no sense of recognition seeping into her eyes as she continued to look at me.

I rolled my eyes in annoyance, "I gave you that abnegation uniform that you waltzed around in to get here, you buffoon."

A look of recognition finally appears on her face, her eyes widening, "you're the naive abnegation girl that gave me my ticket out of the factionless. Thanks for that," replied the girl, eyes roaming my figure, "Being plain did not suit you at all, by the way."

I shifted my position, controlling my happiness at her backhanded compliments as I walked towards her, "thanks, but that's not what I'm here to discuss," I declare, trying to sound intimidating, "did you somehow forget that we both did something illegal?"

The girl let out a scoff, rolling her eyes at me, "Oh please, you're being so dramatic," she excused, turning away to face the mirror once more, "I wouldn't have fit with you stiffs at all, you take the fun out of everything."

It was my turn to roll my eyes at her, "I didn't come here to get attitude, dumbass," a tone of authority seeping into my words, "if they find out I helped you, I'd be sent into the factionless, and obviously you'd be kicked back to where you started."

"Aren't you a smart cookie?!" Exclaimed the girl, her lack of seriousness annoying me greatly, "you should've transferred in with the glass-ouch!"

I cut her off with a dope slap.

Man, I wanna punch her so fucking-chill, breathe.

She winced at the contact of my hand to her head, a death glare sent my way, "you're the one that should quit sounding like a know-it-all. You sound like my brother, full of retorts," I complained.

"Oh right, Your twin is Erudite, yet you are here?" questioned the girl, the rest of my sentence not registering, "I guess you little stiffs couldn't bare-ouch! What the fuck!"

She deserved that.

"Don't you dare insult me or my brother, and again, if I wanted to be in erudite, I would've transferred there, so for fucks sake, shut the hell up," I criticized, my tone annoyed, "if you're so smart, why didn't you transfer in with the fucking noses, hm?"

I seemed to catch her off guard. Her usual face of mockery turned stoic, paling at the mention of her possibly being an Erudite. I tilted my head in curiosity, choosing to ignore it. For now.

I watched as she regained her composure, all evidence of her surprise disappearing into thin air, "whatever, what do you want?"

I should lose my temper more often.

I smiled at her sweetly, a sense of triumph swelling in my chest, "I'm here to propose an agreement. Care to hear the terms?"

She nods in agreement, crossing her arms as she leans on the sink, listening intently.

"It's simple really, just watch each other's back," I said nonchalantly, shifting my weight to lean on the sink as well, "We both can't get caught, and we both don't want to be in factionless, so I think that is enough initiative for us to work together."

She turned her eyes up to the ceiling, weighing the pros and cons of my proposition, "so you basically want to team up?" I nodded in response, "well then, let's do it. We have more to lose if we don't stick together, I guess."

I stick out a hand for a handshake, "we have ourselves a deal," I start, stopping abruptly, the realization that I had forgotten her name hitting me.

"Nakaya Tsumi, but you can call me, Sumi" she added, placing her hand in mine, shaking it, "and you are?"

"Zhong Meihua, but I'd rather you call me Hua."

The noise grew louder outside, the voices of initiates yelling over each other, all talking about throwing out their old clothes to be burned.

Sumi looked towards the door, "we should go, everyone is leaving."

I nodded in agreement, walking towards the exit with my new ally right beside me.