the heartless [e.c]

12 | honesty

ERIC WAS EXTREMELY talkative during our walk to the tattoo shop. He seemed to be in a good mood , pointing at people he knew and telling me if he did or did not like them. A lot of the people he didn't like. He gave me insight of who I would be around depending on what job I secured after initiation , briefly mentioning himself when talking about becoming a leader.

"And Four works in security when initiation isn't in session ," Eric says.

I shake my head , "I'll be avoiding that job." At the look of confusion , I elaborate. "I don't think Four likes me very much."

I expect him to ask why , but he doesn't. Instead he gives me a wide grin and says , "I guess that makes two of us."

I smile back , curious at to why Four didn't like him. They both seemed similar in my eyes; hard working , quiet , and a bit intimidating. But I don't ask why. I just nod my head towards the tattoo shop.

"We're here ," I say. "Now what ?"

Eric was already inside , looking at all of the artwork on the wall. His eyes squint a little whenever he finds one he likes. As if he was trying to see every single detail. I smile to myself. It was strange to see him outside of training , acting like someone other than my leader. Strange but sweet.

I walk up to him as he held two glass plates with intricate designs. "Which one do you like better ?" He asks , weighing the two in front of me.

"I thought we were here for me ," I laugh while leaning in closer to get a look. He smelt like vanilla and cigarette smoke. I never noticed before he had smoked.

I point at the design in his left hand. It was small with a lot of lines , "I like this one."

He turned his head down towards me , leaving little space between our faces. There was a quick second where he glanced down at my lips. So quick that I almost don't catch it. But I do , of course I do.

I clear my throat , "I think there was something over there that caught my eye."

Pointing behind him , I walk towards the wall of art and began to scan the pieces. I searched for something small and simple , eventually realizing that Dauntless made no such thing.

I glance back at Eric , who was now speaking to a tattoo artist. She had blue streaks in her blonde hair. She was pretty.

Way prettier than me.

I felt foolish for thinking like this , but as he grinned as she touched his arm , I couldn't help it. Jealousy overcame me.

Without thinking , I walked out.

•

I walked back to the dorm without Eric noticing I left. There was no one else in there except Harmony , who was curled up on her bed , book in hand.

I remember how she tried to help me earlier and feel bad. I don't thinks she's a bade person , I think Ashley is just manipulative.

"I'm sorry ," I say suddenly. "For accusing you of being Ashley's pet. I know how persuasive she can be somethings."

Harmony's eyes are glossy. She throws the book down and wraps her arms around my neck , "I'm sorry for letting her manipulate me so easily."

Tears begin to stream down my face out of nowhere and I laugh , "Can we just be friends again ?"

Pulling herself out of the hug , Harmony nods. "On one condition ," she says. "We have to be honest with each other from now on."

For some reason this makes me nervous. What does she want me to be honest about ? "Sure ," I say hesitatingly.

"Okay ," she says. "Tomorrow we can talk somewhere privately. But for now , let's get some sleep."

I nod , now more nervous than before. "Goodnight Harmony."

"Goodnight Stevie."

•

WORD COUNT : 649

A/N : sorry for taking so long to update. i promise i'll be back on schedule <3