Divergent One Shots (Eric & Tris)

Twenty-Seven-I'm Sorry 7.3

Tris

Eric takes me up to the leadership office level.  As we step into his office, he asks for my point card. I dig it out of my pocket and hand it to him. He enters some things into his computer and swipes my card. I hear a familiar chime, like when I ring someone up at work.
"There. You're officially-unofficially in leadership training," he tells me handing me back my point card.
"Okay... I'm just going to say this once. I'm a bit confused by the way you vaguely describe things. What is that supposed to mean?" I question almost laughing.
"It means I'm informing leadership that you have officially accepted the position. The problem is your strength and mental capacities currently. I will personally work with you on training and making sure you're getting the proper nutrition. I'm also getting you a physical and documenting changes in your health because it's required for leadership candidates. Technically, it's as if you're competing for the position—like Four and I did—but you have no competition. Once you're physically capable, we will announce you as the next leader-in-training. But since you currently—technically—don't qualify, it's like a trial," he elaborates.
"That's kind of confusing but I understand. I'm too weak to present me to the faction," I deduce.
"That's right," he nods. "You will be sitting with me at every meal but we won't announce you yet. Just ignore the questions for now. I'm sure people will know but leadership won't confirm you, just like they didn't confirm me until Four dropped out."
"Okay," I nod in understanding.
"Oh... about Four," he says as if just remembering something. "I should probably warn you, he will most likely throw a tantrum."
I chuckle at that throwing my head back in laughter and disbelief.
When I finally calm down, I ask him grinning, "What makes you say that?"
"Because... every time I've ever asked him about you—how you're doing... whatever—he always told me his girl was none of my business," he replies.
I blink in shock. "You've worked together for the last two years training initiates and that's what he's been saying?" I question outraged.
"I thought you were together," he nods. "Because that's what he told me."
I'm actually enraged by him saying that. That's probably why nobody nice has ever approached me. They all assumed I was in a relationship with him. I look back to Eric and he's biting his lip.
"What else?" I ask.
"This year he told me you were married," he admits. "I said I never heard any of the leaders mention marrying you two or granting approval for a religious official to perform it. I looked into the records and saw he was lying. His response was that you were engaged and insisted you were wearing a ring. I said I never saw it. His response was that he doesn't make as much as me and it was small. I actually came to see you because I didn't like being lied to. I also assumed maybe you took it off to work but I never even saw an indentation. Then, I asked you about him and you told me you're friends."
"Why does Four care so much about what you think of us?" I question almost to myself.
"Do you want to know the answer?" he asks me.
"Maybe another time," I say halfheartedly. "I don't think I can handle being any more angry at him than I am right now."
Eric nods and takes me to Max's office. He explains the situation and congratulates me.
"Just work on your diet and strength. You did fine in two weeks before. You can do it again," Max insists shaking my hand. I smile at him. He says he'll tell the others and Eric walks me to the infirmary next. Dana checks me out and says I just need to work on increasing my food intake and exercise. Besides that, I'm healthy.
Eric takes me across the entire Dauntless compound to the other side of the Pit. He escorts me into the most expensive home store in all of Dauntless—I know because I've never been able to afford anything in this store.
"Pick out whatever you want," Eric says waving his hand.
"I don't understand," I mumble to him. "You're being vague again."
"You've got the apartment across from mine and a bonus to buy anything you need. Fill it," he waves a dismissive hand.
I blink in surprise. Hannah Pedrad—Uriah and Zeke's mom—approaches us and greets me with a hug. She actually hugs Eric, too.
"Oh, don't tell your sons she was here. She's got the place across from mine," Eric says.
"My lips are sealed," Hannah smiles as if she understands completely what's going on.
She and Eric talk about the apartment. She says the kitchen is stocked and there's a few things but it'll need most everything. Eric nods and looks to me.
"I have seven points in my account until payday," I tell him and that's two weeks from now.
"Hannah? You can check a balance can't you?" Eric questions.
"Sure," she nods. She takes my point card and shows me the balance. I see all those unfamiliar numbers and I feel dizzy. I wake up laying on the nicest couch I've ever seen with Eric in front of me appearing kind of frantic.
"Are you okay?" he questions caressing my cheek.
"Yeah. I'm fine," I say sitting up slowly. I still feel a little lightheaded. "What happened?"
"Eric's not the best at explaining," Hannah teases. "You've got your first month of leader-in-training pay and the bonus for joining. You can buy whatever you need, which is most everything."
"Do you sell used things?" I question.
"Not here, sweetheart," she shakes her head.
"Should I choose?" Eric asks me.
"Let me. I've seen her apartment. I'll get her something she'll be comfortable in," Hannah offers.
"Do it," Eric nods. He passes her a point card and swipes it.
"That place will probably need a thorough cleaning. It hasn't been occupied since the formation of our society," Hannah warns.
"Really?" Eric asks.
She nods and shows him her tablet.
"I sent a cleaning crew over earlier but I didn't know that," he mumbles. "That's interesting."
"I'll select everything and send the linens to the cleaners right away," she says.
"Okay," Eric nods. "Let's go pack your things."
I walk with Eric in a daze back to my apartment.  I glance at the plant shop eyeing the most beautiful plants I've ever seen in bloom. They're not edible, just pretty. I actually think some are poisonous. 
"Do you want something there?" he asks. 
"I don't need anything," I insist shaking my head.  "I just like to look."
"Maybe someday you'll get past this survival mode you've been stuck in for years and actually buy something because you want to," Eric teases chuckling. 
"Maybe," I admit.  "I feel like this isn't real."
"Yeah," he whispers.  I feel his hand at my waist caress me and I push him away the same as Four. 
"We're not together, Eric.  Do I need to treat you like Four?" I question harshly. 
"Nope.  Point taken.  You're not my girl," he answers easily but he looks hurt.  Four just continues so I have to be firm. 
I feel bad for being so brassy with him now but three years of Four doing that just makes me uneasy.  I apologize to him. 
"I'm sorry, too.  I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," he says softly. 
"It's okay," I whisper. 
I unlock my door and pack my bag from initiation.  I don't even fill it up with the clothes I have left.  The shirt I'm wearing has a couple holes and so does just about everything else.  I've mended them so many times.  I stick a few of my other items into my bag. 
"Here are some boxes," Eric says handing me a couple. 
"Where'd these come from?" I question. 
"I had them delivered.  Pack up everything you're taking and I'll have it moved for you," he says. 
"Okay," I nod. 
He actually helps me pack a few things.  I take the sheets off of my bed and use them as packing in a box with my sewing machine.  I close it up and write fragile on the outside. 
"Why don't I just carry that one for you?  I feel like some Dauntless won't understand that," he teases and I laugh lightly. 
"I'll write don't break instead," I reply with a grin. 
I pack up just about everything in my kitchen in one box.  There's not much food, just utensils, dish towels, pans, and other miscellaneous. 
"What should I do about the plants?" I ask. 
"We'll put them in open boxes.  Pack up your lights if you still want them," he says.  I pack them up and use my towels for packing material in there. 
I look through my apartment and I sigh.  I've wanted to be out of this place so badly but I truly appreciated it.  It wasn't Factionless... but at times it kind of felt like it was.  I don't know why I feel a tear fall from my eyes, then another.  I feel strong arms hold me as I cry. 
"Do you want some dinner?" he asks. 
"I'm not really hungry," I admit. 
"Just try to eat a little," he says. 
"Okay," I whisper. 
He takes me to the cafeteria and I methodically put a few items on my tray.  He gently leads me toward the leaders' table and I take a seat. 
"I forgot to ask.  Do you have a phone?" Eric whispers. 
I shake my head. 
"You used to, though.  Will gave me your number once," he says. 
"I closed the account after they got married.  I couldn't afford the payments and the apartment," I shrug picking at the macaroni and cheese. 
"We'll get you one.  We have to be able to contact you," he tells me. 
I nod and put a bite in my mouth.  I glance up and I see everyone is looking at me and whispering.  I look back down at my food.  I eat a bite of barbecued pork thinking it's been a year since I've had meat for dinner.  I used to make eggs but then that was too much.  I sigh and it is nice to have food... and not worry about it.  I eat the vegetables and try to eat a little more but I just can't. 
"That's enough if you're done," Eric whispers to me. 
I nod. 
He walks me out of the cafeteria and there's tons of people staring at us.  I just look ahead and try to ignore it.  He takes me up to the leadership level and unlocks a door.  He has me step in first. 
"Geez, this place is huge.  Is this your apartment?" I ask. 
"It's yours," he tells me. 
I feel the dizziness return and then darkness.  I wake on another sofa with Eric just as frantic as before.  "Tris?" he questions caressing my face. 
He sighs relieved when my eyes meet his. 
"Do you want me to take you to the infirmary again?  I think there might be something wrong," he says worriedly. 
"If you want," I say laying my head back down. 
"What happened to the fight in you?" he asks concerned. 
"I don't know.  I don't feel the same as I used to," I admit.  "Maybe I'm not leadership quality anymore and I missed my chance."
"Stop talking like that.  You're the same Tris you always were," he insists. 
I stay quiet laying down.  He remains beside me on the floor.  I sit up eventually and he watches me. 
"Why do you even care?" I ask confused.  "I've been here for three years and I can't even remember us ever having any conversations until recently.  You don't even know me.  You never did."
"I know you," he insists.  "You were always a fighter."
I shake my head and turn away. 
"This is too much," I say looking at the strange space.  "Is yours this big?"
"No," he responds. 
"Why all this for me?" I ask bewildered. 
"Just accept the gift," he laughs.  "Are you tired?"
"Exhausted," I reply. 
"The bedrooms are over here," he says. 
He walks me back and shows me two rooms and a bathroom.  I see my bag with my clothes in it on my bed in the bigger room.  There's new bedding on it and it's already clean.  But this feels too big.  I think I'd be more comfortable in the smaller one.  I take my bag to the other room and I notice Eric unpacking my boxes.  He has a stack of towels in his arms and he turns around seeing me staring at him. 
"What are you doing?" I ask confused. 
"You're welcome," he says walking past me toward the hall closet.  He sets most of them in there before walking to the bathroom with some.  I step into the smaller bedroom and close the door, pausing momentarily that it actually shuts.  I change into my sleep clothes and put my meager things away into the new dresser.  I walk with my bag to the bathroom.  I see that Eric hung some of my towels up in here.  I set all of my toiletries aside and brush my teeth.  I walk out to observe that the vast majority of my boxes are unpacked and put away.  I see the one with my sewing machine in it still there and the open ones with plants. 
"You'd think you tested for Amity," Eric teases.  He's sitting on my sofa. 
"Nope.  I never tested for Amity," I admit moving toward my plants and unpacking them, setting up the lights. 
"What did you test for?" he asks me. 
I snort in response.  "What did you test for?" I joke back.  He goes to open his mouth but I respond quickly.  "You know we're not supposed to ask those questions?"
He shrugs in reply, "Nobody's listening in here."
I laugh at that, "Somebody is always watching... Oh, geez.  I sound like Four."
"Is that the kind of stuff he says?" he questions raising an eyebrow. 
"Pretty much," I nod.  I wipe the dirt from my hands on my pants. 
"Do you need cleaners and stuff?" he questions. 
"I've got a bottle of vinegar," I shrug. 
"You use vinegar as cleaner?" he inquires. 
"It's cheap and an all-purpose cleaner," I reply. 
"Are you always going to be such a penny pincher?" he questions. 
"What's a penny?" I ask. 
"I don't know but it means a cheapskate," he tells me. 
"Thanks for that," I say rolling my eyes. 
He chuckles.  He stops and stares at me for a minute. 
"What?" I laugh.  "Do I have something on my face?"
"No," he shakes his head.  "You're beautiful, you know that?"
I guffaw in disbelief. 
"You don't see it, do you?" he replies evenly. 
"I said I wasn't pretty and Four's response was, So what.  I like the way you look," I divulge. 
"He's so eloquent," Eric mocks.  "And Four's an idiot."
"If he's so stupid, why do you have him training initiates?" I question with my hands on my hips. 
"Touché," he responds. 
I smirk at that response trying not yawn but failing miserably.  Eric rises from my couch and walks over to me.  He places keys in my hand. 
"These are yours.  My apartment is directly across the hall.  I'll leave my door unlocked tonight so get me if there's anything you need.   You can just come in.  I'd normally say call me, but you don't have a phone.  We'll go down to breakfast at seven.  We'll train tomorrow but I'll have to make an appearance with the initiates.  You'll be with me from now on.  Tori has been notified," he explains. 
"Okay but... what are you saying to Four about me?  I know he'll ask," I inquire. 
"Nothing," he says pursing his lips and shaking his head.  "He'll probably throw a fit... but I doubt he'll say anything to me if I ignore him and walk out of the room."
I guffaw again, "You don't know him very well, do you?"
"Not as well as you apparently," he smirks. 
"I'll bet you seven points that he'll chase you out of a room to get the answer," I say smugly. 
"I'll take that bet," Eric smirks.  He reaches out to shake my hand.  I meet his hand and he takes that moment to hug me. 
"What are you doing?" I mumble into his chest. 
"Saying goodnight," he says softly into my hair. 
I try to break free of his hold but he's too strong. 
"This is not sexual.  This is merely platonic," he insists. 
I feel a kiss to my temple.
"Then why are you kissing me," I demand as he continues to hold me in a vise grip.  I try shoving him off but it doesn't work.
"I kiss my sister like this.  Get used to it," he chuckles still holding onto me. 
"Eric, let go," I insist.  He chuckles more and buries his face into my hair.  "Do you want me to slap your tattoo?" I question. 
"Can't reach.  I already have that hand," he points out. 
I sigh realizing that's the hand he shook. 
"Can I tell you something serious?" he asks. 
"If you let me go, I'll listen," I say still trying to break free. 
He actually releases me gently but still holds my right hand. 
"You can't fight with me like this in public.  I'm a leader and you will be, too.  I let the thing earlier go but you can't do that anymore," he says. 
"Are you going to touch me like earlier?" I question. 
He looks to be thinking it over.  "Not intentionally," he admits.  "If I do, ask me respectfully to stop."
I meet his eyes.  "I can do that," I nod.  "No more bear hugs?" I question. 
He wavers at that.  "None in public," he says.  "I can't guarantee when we're fighting, though."
"I have to fight you?" I question in horror.  "It would be like Edward against a feather."
He chuckles at that.  "Spar," he corrects.  "I may pin you, though.  You have to learn."
I seethe at that.  "Alright," I agree grudgingly. 
He hugs me again but lightly this time.  He still holds my right hand but it's not in a vice grip.  I pat his back awkwardly with my left hand and let him go. 
"It's like hugging Christina at initiation commencement," I comment. 
He laughs at that, "Always a Stiff.  You know, there once was a time that you got caught making out with boys," he teases. 
"Nuh-uh!" I insist shoving him.  "Four was my first and only kiss.  You must be mistaken."
"Oh, I could've sworn," he teases but he releases me.  "See you tomorrow, Little Stiff."
I shudder at the nickname.  It feels so familiar... but like a dream.  I stare in confusion as he leaves.  I hear the door lock and realize... he took a key!  I never knew how weird Eric behaved. 
I sigh and go to bed.  I collapse onto the incredible mattress and drift off immediately.