Secluded

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Secluded 17

The next few weeks flew by, I had completed the painting inside, removed the hideous wallpaper that lurked on half the walls, and started our herbal garden (which Eric insisted on helping, he kept saying how he read the book several times before starting. He seemed excited about getting his hands dirty that day). We finished most of the siding except for the walls that will be around the new bedroom and so today we are half way done with putting up the walls. Last night we agreed I really needed to spend a day at Amity so Eric was going to focus on the house and I was going to be at Amity all day.

"I'll be home by dinner, I promise" I say to him gathering some paperwork and finding a pencil. You never know.

"Don't be late, I have something special planned for us tonight" he says smiling at me.

"Oh?" I ask curiously

"Try and be back by sunset, that's all I ask. And dress comfortably." He says

"Are we going on a date?" I ask

"It's a surprise, Tris. Go and work, I'll be here all day working and thinking of that sweet ass of yours." He says

"I cannot believe you said that. What a gentlemen" I say sarcastically and walking towards the door. He catches me by my waist and I swing around to put my arms around his neck. He doesn't kiss me at first he just looks at me.

"I like this." He simply says. And I completely agree. It feels normal. I press my lips into his and his hands grip my waist tightly.

"I'll see you later." He says letting go.

I begin walking towards Johanna's office while looking around at the bustling working day. I keep trying to convince myself that I really am observing the amity people rather than keeping an eye out for Nina. I focus on my task and walk inside the barn like office and walk towards the stairs.

"Tris, I wasn't expecting you. Please, come up to my office" she says from the top floor looking down towards me. I hustle up the stairs till I reach the top.

"How are you? Eric and I have been so busy lately and I thought today was a good day to come and observe and do whatever you tell me to do" I say chuckling

"Yes, we should discuss some things before I send you out to observe. I hear from your leader you have finished all your paperwork and worksheets. I'm glad because today I will be quizzing you. Don't worry if you get something wrong. You are here to learn after all. Now, part of your job as a co-op leader is that you need to learn your specified factions. You have been assigned Amity and Abnegation which means you will need to understand the people. I'm not saying act like them but study their ways. In your report it says you defected from Abnegation so you are well acquainted with them. In Amity, you will need to concentrate on what goods Dauntless and Amity trade, you will observe the farming process and how it is distributed. You will then observe some of the training new Amity members go through. Then you will observe our markets and cafeteria and how the process is done. I then challenge you to talk to three to four people on their daily lives here in amity. Find out their stories and what it means to be amity. You don't have to complete all of this today but I would like a progress report back. I believe you have less than nine months. "

As I listen I nod and jot down everything she says on my paper I remembered to bring. It all seems too easy and I could get all of this done today.

"Are your new Amity initiates doing any training today that I could observe?" I ask

"There are a couple but it's close to the end of training so I would put that at the top of your list. Great question. I'm glad you are following" She says smiling