The Daughters of the System (Divergent ff)

Chapter 13: If you'd just listened from the beginning, he wouldn't be winning

Willow walks into the room with a newfound confidence and sense of survival, running straight towards me. She gives me a tight hug, loudly exclaiming she owes me her life.

"It's really no problem." I tell her, sending her towards Vince and Olive who greet her excitedly. I look at them from a distance and just nod. The three of them are great friends and they don't need me. Right now, i'd rather leave them alone than bother them with my problems. Right now, i'd rather beat someone up than drop my problems in their hands.

Again, Eric is the last to enter. He stares at me and i look away quickly, linking eyes with Dean. He waves me over and i decide it's better than talking to Eric. Dean stands behind me, his arms over my shoulders. I don't really mind, he's my cousin. Real family like Jeanine and him is tolerable.

When we turn to the board Eric's writing down the partners. This can't be good.

____________________________________
Transfer Initiates - second fight
Willow vs Dean          Naveen vs Hana  .
Samir vs Farah     Leon vs Emilio    .
Vincent vs Olive Benjamin vs Andy
Pearl vs Steven                                         .
___________________________________

Willow against Dean. I snap my head towards Willow. She's sending me a confused stare all the way across the room. Who does Eric think he is, messing with my friendships like that?

"Dean, could you do me a favour and go gentle on Willow?" I ask him, looking back.

"Andy, i really need to win this fight to end up above the line," Dean sighs "You know i lost my last fight."

"Just, please don't hurt her too much. She's my friend."

"I'll hold back," Dean kissed the top of my head "but i can't lose today."

"It's fine, just don't break my friend." I hugged him as Eric called the two of them to the mat.

Four ordered the rest of us to train in duo's. Vince and Olive both sprint towards me. Vince however is faster. After standing by herself for a good minute, Four ordered Olive to train with Steven.

I helped Vince warm up, already warmed up from this morning.

"What the fuck am i gonna do, Andy? I have to fight my girlfriend." Vince lets out an exasperated sigh as he continues on stretching.

"Eric will have your head on a spear if you don't fight," I object "He is not in a good mood."

"When is he ever?" Vince grumbles "Can't i just lose my fight?"

"On purpose? He'll kick you out before you can say Factionless," I see the look on Vince's face and slap him "You are not losing this fight on purpose. Vince, you could get kicked out! Eric's not someone you want to play games with, believe me."

I let out a tired sigh, thinking about my dream again. Vince stares at me as if i'd gone mad. "Whatever that was, you need to tell me everything."

"If you're still alive by lunch." I say, looking back to Dean and Willow's fight. He was obviously being careful. Eric doesn't notice. He doesn't even notice Dean pausing to check up on Willow. Half of the time he doesn't even look at them. He just stares at us initiates scarcely placed around the room.