A New Life

Chapter 12: Eric's POV #2

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN DIVERGENT, THAT BELONGS TO THE VERY TALENTED VERONICA ROTH.  

The Chasm

I watch as the Candor hangs there, her grip faulting here and there, but overall she's steady. I can't help but watch Tris as she views her friend. I hate that I did this to her, but I can not be challenged. Dauntless don't give up, they don't quite. I hear a shriek and shift my eyes from Tris to the rail again. I see that one of Candor's hands slip. I strongly have to resist the urge to move forward to help her. She needs to do this. I need to give her a chance before I cut her. She can do this, if not Tris will never forgive me. I watch as both of her hands slip and see Tris lunge out of the corner of my eye. Instinctively I reach out and grab her by the waist. She struggles in my grip before Al calls time. I glance at my watch and call it.

"Ok, you can come up." Al starts moving towards the rail before I stop him. "Let her pull herself up." I say and Tris spins around in my arms to push me back and a wave of cool air brushes over me.

"She already proved herself." Tris nearly scolds me before turning around. She starts to move towards the rail but before I can stop myself I push her against the railing, my chest against her back. My hands rest next to her hips and I grip the railing to keep them from moving to touch her. I find myself leaning closer to her and move my face inches from her skin. The sweet smell of fruit radiating from her.

"You know I'm starting to think you want to hang there next." I whisper and feel her tense against me before she pushes against the railing pushing me with her and turns.

"Try me." I watch that flash I long for sparkle in her eyes. I smirk slightly as I rest my hands on her hips and lift her over the rail missing her heat when I let go.

"You really should learn to keep quiet Stiff, before I take it out on your rank." I cross my arms and dig my fingers into my skin as she shifts and slides her feet from the ledge to allow her body to hang.

"I told you I'm no more a Stiff than you are." Her voice is stern and unwavering as she hangs for a matter of minutes without faze, never shifting her eyes from mine. Over the time her eyes suck me in and trap me within her gaze before a voice booms over us.

"What the hell is going on here?" Tris moves her eyes to her brother as he approaches.

"Aw Four ruining our fun." I say still never even glancing to him. Tris' eyes shift back to meet mine. "Come on up, Stiff." I smirk as she glares unconsciously at me and pulls herself up. Candor shoots forward to gather Tris within her arms. Tris cocks an eyebrow at me and that little thing right there drives me crazy. I turn away and smile a little. What is this girl doing to me?

Meeting

I make my way to my office after training and run my hands through my thick hair. I can't get that smile out of my mind. The way she met my eyes and didn't back down once. The way she challenged me like it was a game. This is her life at stake yet all she wants is to prove that I can't get to her. How is she so strong? So brave? How does she have me under this hold? Constantly swarming my mind since the moment she dropped into that net and let that laugh escaped her lips. I make it up to my office and push the door open to see Max sitting in my chair at my desk.

"You know you've been here for two year now. It wouldn't hurt to add a little personality to the room." Max says spinning in my chair. "I mean seriously Eric not even a picture?" He says gesturing to my empty wall and the desk that only holds a computer monitor and a mountain of paperwork.

"Maybe simple is my personality." I shrug and he scuffs. "What can I do for you Max?" I ask crossing my arms over my chest and leaning in the door frame.