All That I've Done ~ Eric Divergent Fanfiction

Chapter Nine

As the night drew to an end, I found myself sitting in the living room with not only my parents, but Ellie and her parents as well.

We were gathered in a circle, our legs crossed indian style. Her mother and my own were exchanging childhood stories of us, laughing until their eyes teared. Our fathers, on the other hand, were discussing the dirt in the fields this morning - how dry it was and how badly we needed the rain that continued to pound outside.

"Are you excited for tomorrow?" Ellie asked, bumping her shoulder into mine. "You haven't said a word since I got here."

I shook myself out of the trance I wasn't aware I was in. "What?"

"That's exactly what I was talking about. You were just staring at the wall for God knows how long." She furrowed her brow. "What's up?"

"Nothing...just tired."

"Test took a lot out of you, huh?" 

I shrugged. "I guess so."

Ellie sighed and scooted closer to me, grabbing my shoulders and twisting me so that I looked her right in the eyes. "You can tell me anything, you know. No matter the rules. If something's bothering you, let me know."

"I'm just thinking." I promised, shaking off her grip. "I've got a tough decision to make tomorrow..and so do you."

"I already know what I'm picking. I'm not worried one bit." 

"Of course you aren't." I rolled my eyes. "Everything is so simple for you."

"What are you deciding?" Her voice dropped to a whisper. "What faction did you get? Are you thinking of leaving?"

Leaning forward, I whispered back, "That's none of your business."

"Then make it my business!"

"No." I said, simply. 

She gave me a weird look in return, one that made it seem like she was suddenly very pissed at me. Pursing her lips together, she turned her attention away from me and towards her mother. She tapped the woman on her shoulder and without another glance towards me, excused herself for the night.

She said her goodbyes, hugging everyone except me, and left. My mother watched her go, then looked at me with a raised eyebrow. I shook my head as a silent response and got to my feet.

"If you'll excuse me, I'd like to go to bed now." I addressed, as politely as I could.

"Of course, honey." My father said. "We'll be up in a minute to say goodnight."

I nodded and retreated to my room. After changing into some pajama's, I climbed into bed. For the first time in a long time, I didn't prep a pair of clothes to wear on the train.

Why? Because I wasn't going. 

Seeing Eric would be the worst thing to do. He would sway my decision. I couldn't let that happen.

To keep my mind off him, I thought about Ellie. Why was she so upset? It's protocol not to share our decisions with anyone, not even family nor friends. She didn't have a right to know. It's my decision. One that I've already decided on. There's simply no way she could talk me out of it, so why would I let her try?

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I woke up to the feeling of being shaken. My eyes slide open to find my parents, both leaning over me with a smile on their faces. I blinked a few times as they moved away, allowing me to sit up. I didn't even realize I had fallen asleep.

"Sorry to wake you, sweetie." My mother apologized, softly. "We just didn't want to go to bed without saying good night."

"You've got a big day tomorrow." My father sighed. "One that we've been waiting for for years. We know you'll make the right decision. We support you no matter what."