The Distance Between Us | Eric Coulter

eight

There was an extra pep in my steps as I strolled down the hallway on my way to the Pit the next morning. Even sleeping on the cold, hard floor didn't bring my spirits down.

Nope, not today.

Not when I get to witness how utterly pissed off Eric is after discovering what I've done to his bed.

But hey, what can I say? Payback's a fucking bitch.

I'm practically skipping by the time I enter the Pit, humming a cheerful tune under my breath.

Immediately, I'm met with the cold glare that Eric turns on me. Unfortunately for him, the daggers he shoots me seem to bounce right off me and it feels as if nothing this day could throw at me would dampen my high spirits in the slightest.

"Good fucking morning, ex-bestie." I greet with a huge grin as I come to a stop in front of Eric.

"Real fucking pleased with yourself, aren't you?" He says, a little too calmly for my liking.

"Immensely," I chirp.

"Breaking into my room, initiate? That's a little creepy, don't you think?"

"What can I say? I was blinded by revenge," I retort, "The same could be said for you and your apparent obsession with me. What's your excuse, huh?"

Instead of granting me a reply, he says, "So, you're admitting to the crime, then?"

I tut, "Are you really going to be that person?" I taunt, "Fair is fair, Eric. I'd happily call a truce if you agreed to stop messing with me."

Eric snorts at my words, "I'm the one in charge here, initiate. What I say goes, that's not going to change."

"Well, if you hold that much authority, then why am I still here?"

He raises a pierced brow at me, "Are you asking to get kicked out?"

"No, I'm just wondering if there's even a fraction left of the boy I used to know in you." 

A small wrinkle appears between his brows as his brows knit together slightly before he quickly irons out his features.

"Get yourself in check, initiate."

I narrow my eyes at him, "Or what?"

"Or I'll make you," He says lowly.

I let out a scoff, "I'd like to see you try, Eric."

Spinning on my heel, I start to leave when a large hand wraps my arm, turning me until I'm facing him again before he loosens his grip and that same hand reaches up to wrap around my neck.

My breath hitches at the threat behind it, but because he never tightens his grip more anymore than a slight pressure around my throat, it feels more...you know...kinky.

I push all the inappropriate thoughts from my head, turning my focus to the intensity in his eyes as he growls, "Do you think this is a game, Rory?"

"Feels like one," I say, my voice coming out more breathy than I would've liked. But still, I pushed on. "See, I don't think you're actually going to hurt me, Eric. I think a part of you still cares for me, as much as your egotistical self doesn't want to admit it. And you know what? I think I'm going to prove it."

His eyes bore into mine and he remains eerily silent, his fingers flexing against my neck but never tightening any further.

"Giving up on the idea of revenge so soon?" He says after a beat.

"Oh, no. Don't get me wrong, you're still going to get what you deserve." I reply with a smile, "I'm just going to have to do it all while showing you who's boss."

I swear I see the corner of his mouth twitching as if he's fighting a smile. Then, he surprises me by saying, "The old Eric would've been proud to see you standing up for yourself, Rory." The look in his eyes makes it feel like we're just two kids who'd just sworn to be best friends again. But all too quickly, it was gone, replaced by the cold look I was starting to associate with him. "But I...I'm going to tear you apart, Aurora."

He releases me with a light shove, but just that flash of the old him he'd allowed me a glimpse of lets me know that he hasn't truly become an irredeemable asshole.

Eric makes to leave, but his steps falter a little as his gaze fall to the locket hanging around my neck and I seize the opportunity to make my first attempt of chipping away that armour he wears so securely now.

"Just for the record, you were mine too." I tell him, "I still want you to be. But I don't know how that will work seeing as to how you're dead set on torturing me for no good reason-"

"Don't act like I'm the one who fucking destroyed us, Rory." He snaps, stepping towards me again so suddenly that I stumble back. "I am not the one who killed our friendship. You were. There wasn't anything left of us the very moment my blood hit that fucking pile of coals, Rory."

I frown at his words, "What the fuck does that even mean?"

"The innocent act doesn't work very well on you," He grits out as he backs away from me, "And the most fucked up part? Was that I fucking loved you."

I blink, trying to push back the tears that were starting to sting at the back of my eyes as I stared at his retreating back.

Sure, the phrase isn't foreign to Eric and I. We'd said those words to each other before, the way friends say them to each other and in a way both of us knew it was never more.

But this...this didn't feel like he meant it as just friends. It felt like he meant it as more.

I guess none of that mattered anymore.

If you've paid close enough attention, his exact words were that he loved me.

As in, he did. But not anymore.