Black Beauty | 1 → DIVERGENT AU ✓

25 | First Time, Forever

MATURE CONTENT
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ERIC'S POV

PENNY tentatively made her way inside, looking around as if something was bound to jump out and attack her. The place was dimly lit, and all you heard was the soft humming of the fridge. Everything was in place, how I'd left it, but there was the exception of wedding gifts. Tons of them. I placed her small bag on the coffee table, along with the thin velvet box that held her necklace.

"I never told you how nice your place really is," Penny mumbled, nervously playing with the sleeve of her dress.

I chuckled lightly, walking behind her. "It's our place now, Penny."

My hands planted themselves on her waist, spinning her around. I watched in awe how beautiful she was, really. Her shining black hair, with her lightly bronze skin. Her perfect plump lips, that held a small tint of pink. Then there were her eyes. I'd grown infatuated with them over such short time, sometimes losing myself in the beautiful chocolate-brown. I knew, that over the course of time, she'd convince me on anything by simply flashing me those eyes.

"What is it?" She cocked her head to the side, her eyes widening a bit.

I smiled down at her, losing myself in her gaze then responded.

"Nothing."

My eyes watched her closely, taking in everything that I could. Analyzing the way she moved, trying to decipher what she was thinking or feeling. Her body language always gave her away, telling me what was on her mind.

The way she pouted her lips, frowning as she continued looking up at me. She was curious as to what I was thinking, but I'd been an expert in masking my emotions, so she knew nothing. She couldn't see the way I was turning into a fool, falling for her, even in the short amount of time we'd been together.

I couldn't have cared less about her at first, only being completely enraged that I was to marry someone from Amity. Furious that I was forced to get married, despite my higher position in leadership. The fact that they had it all planned for God-knows how long, it completely infuriated me.

She was obviously, and is, beautiful, but I thought she was far too young. I'd talked to her in the past years, but only when she needed help. In those times, I thought she was just some hippie with a pretty face, but that was all. Then, when we showed at her birthday party, I felt the same way. Nothing had changed.

About a week later, they came about announcing the engagement. They were tying me down to an Amity girl who happened to be six years younger than me. The thought seemed surreal but it was happening, and I hated her for it. It wasn't her fault, but a hatred had spurred, bringing me to lash out. My intentions were to never harm her but when she argued on and on, practically telling me how much she loathed me without actually admitting it, I lost it. I hated myself after each time I hit her, wishing the earth would swallow me whole. Her crying broke me even more, but I never showed her. I just kept the tough-guy act on. I don't know what helped me stop, but I was more than glad I could control myself.