The Choosing - (Divergent Eric/OC)

Ten year old Eric Coulter sat with his back to the tree in the garden area near Erudite's section of Chicago with a book open in his lap, pretending to be reading. What he was really doing, and had been for several months now, was watching a mother and daughter as they walked, talked, played and laughed. At first he was just curious because most parents were very reserved in the Erudite faction. The fact that the mother is also one of the most loved leaders of the faction intrigued him. His own mother gave small hugs on occasion but never made attempts to be overly warm. The two together were an unstoppable force of brains, kindness, and beauty. Eric loved the times when Lilian Matthews scooped up her daughter Elizabeth and twirled her around. They both had the most gorgeous whiskey colored hair that they let fall around their shoulders in waves. Elizabeth's laughter was infectious and Eric often wondered what it would feel like if he were the one to get her to laugh so freely. From the corner of his eye, Eric could see Charlston Matthews stomping up to Elizabeth and starting to yell about something. He could feel his hands clench and his teeth grit together. He hated Charlston for how he often talked to his sister. He was such a spoiled little brat, it was hard to believe that they were even related!

Sometimes Eric found himself searching for Charlston while they were at school and shoving books out of his hands or just shoving him around in general. His dad would probably say that he wasn't being very proper but he needed to punish him for what he was doing to his own sister!

Charlston moved on away from his family and Eric let out a breath and relaxed as he let the urge to go punch someone release from his body. That was something he had started to notice more as well about himself. He was really starting to want to be more active. Either by jogging or learning self defense from books, anything that kept his body engaged. It worried him because it was very different from what is expected of him. His studies are what his parents want him to dedicate his time with, and while he does enjoy learning very much.....he has started to lose interest in dedicating all his time to them.

A shadow falls over him, breaking him from his thoughts. Looking up to see who has disturbed him, his eyes widen a bit in shock. Standing there in front of him was little Elizabeth herself with a huge smile on her face and emerald eyes shining at him.

" You know Eric, it is very rude to keep a young lady waiting." The precocious little girl starts "And I have been waiting months for you to finally come play! But adventure waits for no man" She finishes with a small nod as if imparting great wisdom.

Eric's mouth twitches at the corners but still looks up not daring to speak.

Elizabeth gives and exacerbated sigh and continues " I have waited ages and ages, until finally I told Mother that we were just going to have to give you a little nudge like Gandalf did with Bilbo!"
And with that she plopped down beside him falling onto her back dramatically then pulled him so he is laying on the grass next to her.
"We do not have pipeweed to send smoke shapes with, but we can cloud watch just at least."

Eric clears his throat "Cloud watch?" he says softly. "So we just....observe the clouds?"

Pearls of laughter ring out "No silly we find clouds that are shaped like something and then tell a story about the shapes. Or we can pretend we are on our way to the Misty Mountains to fight Smaug the Dragon.....but I think Charlston said no to being the Dragon."

Eric gave a big grin "I would like to cloud watch I think!"

The two were soon joined by Lilian who sat gracefully beside the two children helping weave the story the clouds told. They sat there for hours, Elizabeth's hand entwined with Eric's and became the very best of friends from that day forward. No longer did Eric hide and secretly watch, instead he was right beside the little girl as she explored and played.

There were campouts under the stars to look through the telescope. Trips to the orchards in Amity and playing in the fields. Sleepovers where a new book was read or a new video was watched. From the moment that sweet little voice spoke to him Eric knew deep within him that Eliza was his center, and he would be her protector and friend for all time.

Neither could imagine the darkness and pain that was approaching into their beautiful lives.