I will Survive

Part 9: An Attack?

I sleep in Eric's apartment that night. Me in the bed, him on the floor. I find myself longing for him to be in the bed with me.

I'm awaken from my thoughts by the sound of movement coming from the kitchen. I pull myself up and wander towards the noise. My back is sore and my head is pounding. My whole body aches.

I enter to Eric placing a plate of food on the table, gesturing for me to take a seat and eat it.

"I saw you yesterday. Your so thin, I could count your ribs." Eric says. I feel a blush creep up my neck as I remember the night before.

I eat the plate set before me in silence until I remember something.
"Is it true?" I ask. Eric looks puzzled.
"Is it true that you like me?" I say. Now it's his turn to blush. A small smile forms on my face.

"Now what gives you the idea that I like you?" Eric asks lightly. I shrug.

"I heard you say it, that say when you tried to make me fight Four." I say, recall the event.

"Well maybe I do. Would that be bad?" He questions. I shake my head.

"So let's say," Eric begins as he moves his body closer to mine, "I did this, would that be okay?"

I glance down at his hands, playing with the ends of my hair. I look up at his enchanting blue eyes and nod.

"And if I did this?" Without warning Eric leans down and places his tender lips into mine. I close my eyes takin it all in. I realize that this is what I want, no doubt. I want him.

When he pulls back from me I feel empty, but at the same time complete. He checks his watch.

"Second stage of training starts in about an hour," he remarks, slightly out of breath, "you should get going."

I leave his apartment without another word.

I begin to walk the familiar path to the transfer dorms which I have come to know so well over the last weeks. Once there, I grab a loose black shirt and sports bra for under it. I throw in some black jeans and boots and head out the door, my hair hanging from a loose ponytail behind me.

I enter the hall and am instantly greeted by 100+ pairs of eyes. Rumors seem to travel fast.

I scan the crowd of curios states for those of my friends. Instead I see Tobias. We lock eyes for a second before he quickly glances to the door. I get the message and exit that way. He follows a close minute behind.

"Liv." He greets.
"Where were you?" I say, skipping the introductions. He looks down at me. I shrug away his stare.
"Liv look I know your mad," he starts but I cut him off.
"I'm not mad. I don't even know what I am. I just feel... insignificant, I guess." I shrug. I swear to god if I shrug even one more time my shoulders might give out.

"I swore I would protect you when mom died-" I cut him off again.

"Well how's that working out for ya? Cause I can tell you, you aren't doing a great job," I start, "you just leave, no warning no nothing. Not even a goodbye, Tobias."

He looks taken aback but I'm jut getting started. God knows when I start a rant, I won't stop until everything I have to say is out in the open.

"You swore you'd protect me from him again once I hit that damn net, but guess what," I say, pulling down the shoulder of my shirt, "these wounds say differently."

I look at the ground, unable to meet his gaze.

"Olivia...."
"What."
"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you, again, but I have a good reason."
"Well, I'm waiting."
"I think the I think the dauntless and erudite are teaming up to attack abnegation."

Suddenly all my anger is replaced by curiosity.

"What'd you mean?" I question.

"I've been looking through the files," he starts, "they have maps of the abnegation sectors and blueprints for weapons and serums, but as much as they have, they could create an army. I've seen it. The erudite coming every morning, loading box after box. Think about it, when has erudite ever even acknowledged the dauntless? But what do they share? Their mutual hatred of abnegation."

The more that he explains it the more sense it makes.

I decide to forgive him at the end of our little talk. I have enough To deal with, between stage two of initiation to daddy issues, now I just have to add a war to the list.