Faction before blood?

Prologue

I had no idea how something like this could have happened. How could a fun, careless Night, dedicated to the celebration of my best friend's birthday turn into something nightmares are made of. No exaggeration.

That was the question I had to ask myself when I woke up with a pounding headache, in a foreign apartment, only a sheet covering my otherwise naked body. Not even mentioning the man with dirty blonde, shaved hair and dermals above his eyebrows that lied softly snoring beside me. My eyes widened at the sight. I just knew I had to get out of here as fast and as quiet as humanly possible. So I started silently wiggling my way out of the bed, frantically searching for my clothes that were scattered along the kitchen island in the dark apartment, only stopping when I heard a noice from the bed. Freezing, I turned around, just to find that the bed's occupant had shifted onto his side, still peacefully sleeping.

Pulling on my pants and t-shirt, not bothering with the shoes in my hand I dashed out of the front door, praying to an unknown force that he would no longer know who he'd spent the night with.

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Lunchtime was a quiet affair at our otherwise so lively table. I lowered myself in a seat beside my hungover best friend Belle, who had hosted the fatal party last night and convinced me Tequila was my new best friend. Thinking about it, I decided both, the amity transfer and the drink, encouraged me to the seduction of men you should always stay away from.

Uriah, Marlene and Lynn had already finished their breakfast and headed towards their shifts after saying goodbye, while Tris and Christina shared a table with Will at the other side of the cafeteria. Despite being a year younger we all had bonded immediately when Bell and I arrived at the compound.

"Where the hell have you been, Amy? Do you know that Carter had to hold my hair last night? I mean, what happened to our vows, you know where we swore to take care of each other?" Belle whined, while I snorted. "You mean those vows you had me reciting to you just because you knew you could guilt trip me into cleaning up after you? Yeah, that's real friendship right there, taking advantage of Abnegation upbringing", I replied sarcastically. "Besides if you'd really believe in them you would have never let me make a mistake like that one last night." I added whispering.

Belle's head shot up. "What are you talking about? What did you do?"

But just as I wanted to tell her to keep her curiosity to herself until we'd be alone, the last person I wanted to see this morning took a seat opposite of me. Well, maybe not the last person. For all I know he still slept, peacefully unaware of the deeds we committed last night.

"Who the hell are you and what have you done to my babysister?" Four otherwise also known as Toby threw me his no-nonsense, Instructorglare. I flinched. He couldn't know, could he..? No, I'd be dead and buried by now for sure...

"I mean, come on?! Half a bottle Tequila doesn't suit you Amelia. Just like making a fool out of yourself in front of half of the faction. You are aware that all of the leaders saw your little stunt, aren't you?"

"The hell are you talking about? What do you mean? And stop calling me Amelia, it's Amy!", I replied harshly, for once not backing down.

„Well, Amy, I'm sure tabledancing on top of the bar, in front of the leaders is another way to make sure to be stuck in the infirmary doing birthcontrol shots instead of doing real work for the rest of your life."

I blanched, not being able to recall yesterday night's events. Everything was a blur of dancing, drinking, flirting... passionate kisses on the dancefloor, grey eyes glistening dangerously, big, calloused hands gripping my bare thighs...

A cough from beside me brought me out of my reverie. Blushing like mad I glared at my brother.

"Yeah? Like creeping on people and staring at screens all day is any better, just makes you a weirdo. Besides it's a lot more than just those shots and you know that. Remind me not to wrap your hands again after you beat someone senseless, then you will see how much we nurses really help you knuckleheads.

Why don't you go over joining Tris and Christina? I'm sure they would just love your happy-go-lucky-attitude this fine morning." I got up and made my way to the doors leading to the pit, before turning around, shouting "At least I know how to have fun, Four."

With a salute, I stormed through the doors, right into a firm chest. Strong, strangely familiar arms grabbed my waist, saving me from falling onto the hard, cold cavefloor.

"You know just a few hours I wouldn't have believed you, but I think you were able to prove me wrong. The former stiff, not as stiff as she seems, wouldn't you agree, love?" An amused voice and steely grey eyes, that could only belong to one person mocked me.

Dangling a silver chain with a plain locket in front of my face he continued speaking. "However I love to keep trophies of my recent requests, I do believe you left it this morning, when you fled out of my apartment like a bat outta hell. And it looked quite important so I brought it back, like the genuinely nice person that I am."

I snatched it out of his hand, blushing furiously again, I hid my face beneath my long, auburn hair. I mean,really, what is wrong with me today?

"It is. It's my mother's locket." I replied, running my fingers over the smooth surface.

"Well, that's just great for you. Bye Amelia" he said offhandedly, making his way into the mess-haul, but not before throwing over his shoulder "And if it that thing means something to you, don't forget it in a foreign flat again. No matter how much you crave to see the owner once more." And with an arrogant smirk he made his way to the platform, where the leader's table was at.

Staring at his retreating back I came face-to-face with my dumbstruck best friend.

"Tell me you didn't! Oh no, if Four finds out... I don't even know what he's going to do. I mean you basically spent the night with his greatest foe. Even if no one these days says foe anymore. Oh god, I don't want to bury my best friend! What's the verdict for treason? I'm going to call Candor." she rambled wide-eyed, before glancing around and adding in a hushed whisper "Was it any good?"

That put me out of my shock.

"Not here", I hissed, grabbing her arm, dragging her behind me to my apartment, to without a doubt relive a blurry night of passion, shared with a leader of my chosen faction, with my brother's biggest enemy and archrival.

Eric Coulter