Dauntless Desires

5

Tris had to save her relationship with Four. She'd put too much time and effort to making it work. Even when her friends told her that Four was having it too easy,  not helping around the house, always off 'training' or at meetings with the factionless for whatever reasons he thought necessary, she'd always stood by him. Now she could feel him slipping away from her.

She couldn't let that happen. She hated to fail at anything even love. Especially not love. So she had made up her mind how best to win back Four's love and trust.

Tris walked into Eric's office for the normal debriefing at the end of the day. She could hardly hide her eagerness to rush home and finish packing. That was until Eric's words made her pause.

"That will be all for today, Tris. Just make sure you're ready on time for our trip to Erudite in the morning. We leave first thing," he informed her. "Please don't make me have to wait a minute longer than necessary."

"There must be some mistake," Tris said with a confused face. "Max said that I've been approved for time off for the rest of the week. I'm not the one going with you to Erudite. Lauren is supposed to go with you." She had it all worked out. She'd requested time off a fortnight ago and it was confirmed by Max last week.

"Wrong," he said coldly, looking up from his files at her. "You need to do your homework. I never approved of any days off for you, certainly not during the Erudite trip."

Tris really didn't want to stand there arguing with him, so she spun around and went to her office. Sure enough, on her desk, sat a time off request which had been stamped 'denied' and been signed by Max himself. She couldn't help her outburst as she suddenly swore out loud.

This couldn't be happening. She rushed back to Eric's office, and foolishly thought she could reason with him. She knew the Erudite trip was important but he could take anyone. Lauren, Edward, even Max. Tris had already promised Four that this time would be different, special. They were going camping out past Amity. If she cancelled for any reason, there was no saying how Four would take it. Oh God, she had to do something.

"Eric, please reconsider. I really need this week for...for personal matters." Begging him was very low, but Tris suddenly felt she had no problem sinking to that level.

"I don't think so. No. For some reason you were hand-picked for this position, and you accepted to take it on. Now I have to travel and need you on board. You'll just have to cancel your plans with number boy."

Tris felt her anger build at his smug words. How did he even know about their plans? He made her so upset with his unfeeling attitude. Her relationship with Four was too shaky to take this new blow. Could she find a way to make Four understand? She huffed in frustration and stomped out of his office.
She thought she heard him chuckle to himself but kept on walking until she was home.