Besties: The Tale of Eric and Four

Chapter Three

Four's POV:

The next morning is the first day of training for the new initiates. I hand each of them a gun while I explain the training process. "We believe that preparation eradicates cowardice, which we define as the failure to act in the midst of fear," I say in the loud, extra deep voice I use for teaching. "Therefore each stage of initiation is intended to prepare you in a different way. The first stage is primarily physical; the second, primarily emotional; the third, primarily mental." I hand the last initiate their gun, then move to the front of the room.

One of the initiates, Peter, I think, yawns and says, "But what...what does firing a gun have to do with bravery?" I flip the gun in my hand and hold it to his forehead while simultaneously clicking the bullet into place.

"Wake. Up." I say in my meanest voice. "You are holding a loaded gun, you idiot. Act like it." This is my favorite part of the job. I get to bully kids and make them pee their pants and I'm praised for it. Here in Dauntless, being ruthless is rewarded, not punished. I keep my face as still as stone, but inside, I'm happy as can be.

I lower my gun and say, "And to answer your question...you are far less likely to soil your pants and cry for your mother if you're prepared to defend yourself. This is also information you may need later in stage one. So, watch me."

I stand with my legs apart and my hands together in front of me. I aim for the center of the target and breathe in, then out. I fire, my aim perfect, just like the rest of me. The bullet hits the center of the target. I step out of the way so the initiates can start practicing, and notice Eric leaning against the back wall. I try my best to ignore him and focus on my students. I try not to spend too much time staring at Tris, but it's hard. I feel bad that she hasn't even hit the target once, but that's not my problem. Oh wait, it is. I should probably go help her, but I can't work up the nerve. Oh well.

"Hey, great teaching tactics!" Eric calls out to me. "I can tell they're all really getting the hang of it!" I walk over to him reluctantly, crossing my arms so my muscles stand out. "So do you just expect them to watch you shoot your gun once and then be perfect at it themselves?" Ugh, can this guy mind his own business for once in his life?

"It's called learning by doing. Or does that not fit in with your new rules?"

"Doesn't seem like they're doing much of anything besides making a fool of themselves and of you."

"This is only their first time. They'll get the hang of it. Maybe it would help if they had more than a week to train before cuts?"

"You know what else would help? If they had someone to actually teach them."

"I know what I'm doing."

"Really? Care to make a bet then?"

"Depends."

"If one of your students hits the bullseye 3 times in a row before lunch using your learning by doing strategy, I'll let you train the initiates all by yourself for the next week. If they fail... You have to tell me one of your secrets."

I consider it for just a second before saying, "Deal." I don't think it's very likely that I'll win this bet based on the subpar talent I'm seeing displayed by my students, but I have more to gain from this bet than I have to lose. Eric is known for being unpredictable and cruel, and I don't want to worry about him taking his frustration with me out on the initiates. It would be great not to worry about him watching over my shoulder constantly while I teach, even if it's only for a week. And telling Eric a secret wouldn't be that bad considering I get to choose what to tell him.

I watch the initiates even closer than before, my heart pounding every time they make a bullseye. I'm proud to notice that even Tris gets at least one bullseye by the end. Only one girl, Christina, gets two in a row, but she misses the center of the target on her third shot. It feels like only minutes before Eric orders the initiates to lunch and I officially lose our bet. Eric turns to me with a smirk on his face, clearly ready for me to spill my darkest secrets. I started thinking about what secret I would tell him if I lost as soon as Christina missed her third shot. It needs to be something embarrassing enough to be considered a secret without being too emotional or trauma-related.

"Ok, you win," I say. "My secret is that I've never kissed a girl."

"Nooooooo, really?" Eric says in a voice like he's trying not to sound sarcastic and failing miserably.

I roll my eyes and say, "Anyway, I'm going to lunch now." I try not to feel offended by Eric's poorly veiled sarcasm, but it still stings. Is it really that obvious? I know I'm no good at dating, but I didn't think you could tell that just from looking at me. I try to forget about it as I walk down the hall to the cafeteria.