Erudite's Experiments

Allow Me To Explain

POV Rosalie

I'm standing in the train with a smug look on my face as we head back to the Dauntless compound after Four and I beat Miles and Eric at capture the flag for the third year in a row.

"I don't know if it's because of your stupid exercise or the win, but you need to wipe that look off your face." Eric snaps. I can't help but laugh.

"I'm sorry, but I like being right." I say and he huffs in irritation.

The next day I'm throwing knives at a target while we wait for the initiates. When they come in they gulp at what they see. I grab my knives and pocket them.

"Tomorrow is the last day of Phase One where you will return to fighting. Today we will be working on aim though. Everyone grab three knives and stand in front of a target." Eric orders but they don't move. "Now!"

"He's in a bad mood." I hear Christina say. I press my lips together and look down to keep from laughing. Four slaps my shoulder in response, which doesn't help.

"Is he ever in a good mood?" Tris asks. I have to walk off to the table with the notes on it to keep from giving myself away.

I lean against the table and watch all the initiates work, taking notes after that.

"Al's not going to make it." Sidney whispers to me.

"His knife's not even making it to the target." I respond, shaking my head.

"I think Lynn's trying to get rid of him for us." Sidney says. I look over at the girl and chuckle, seeing the dirty looks she throws at the bigger boy.

"I'm surprised they lasted as long as they had." I say, writing notes on the clipboard in my hands, and he nods his agreement.

"I think the Stiff's taken too many hits to the head!" I hear and look back up. Drew. "Hey, Stiff! Did you forget what a knife is?"

Peter's jaw twitches in irritation at his friend's words. I guess he really had become closer to Tris yesterday. Tris throws the knife in her hand and it hits the target. It doesn't stick, but she's the first to hit the target.

"Hey, Drew! Remember what a target is?" Tris snaps back. I have to look pointedly away from everyone to keep from laughing. Having a smart mouth must be a Prior trait, because she's sounding a lot like me.

How's your second job going? Miles asks roughly five minutes later.

Tris is about to ruin my reputation of brooding wallflower due to her wit, Peter's actually behaving, Drew's being a dick, Lynn is trying to kill Al with a single look, and Al's knives aren't even making it near the target...on the day when Eric is already pissed because he lost at capture the flag for the third year in a row.

What do you think he's going to do?

Something dramatic. I say with an inward eyeroll. It's Eric.

Well, I have a question for you.

What's up?

What are you doing for dinner? Miles asks and I smile down at the papers while I write notes on Myra.

I thought I was having dinner in the cafeteria with my husband and friends. Unless you have a better idea?

Indeed I do, omega of mine. I got us reservations for seven o'clock at that new restaurant in the Pier.

That place is ridiculously fancy and hard to get into! I say, looking forward with a dropped jaw.

"Miles?" Sidney guesses and I hold up a finger.