Chapter 1 (revised)
The sound of something pounding wakes me. Who the hell is knocking on my door now? Maybe if I ignore it, they'll go away. Wait… I don't remember coming home last night. Or was it this morning? All I remember was drinking with my friends and eyeing this guy across The Pit. He had blond hair and icy blue eyes. I had thought I'd seen all the cute guys since I'd pledged my allegiance to Dauntless a few years back, but this guy was hot. I remember flirting with this blue-eyed stranger; he flirted back. But after that everything was a blur. I should really stop drinking so much.
Suddenly, hot breath brushes my neck and someone's arm wraps itself around my naked waist.
Oh, no, Victory, you didn't! The stranger's arm brings me closer to a hard chest. He doesn't have a shirt on. Dammit! This is why I have to stop drinking; a one night stand isn't something sober Victory does. Hopefully it isn't Sam, my ex. I will never forgive myself if it is, and Sam will never forget this. I look down at the arm; fair skin. Sam's skin is tanned, not fair. Thank god it's not Sam. But that leaves… it must be the guy from last night! Or was it this morning? I don't even know his name. The aftermath of many drinks from last night hits me and I'm thankful it's Sunday and I won't have to go to work. The pounding echoes around my room again. Whoever the fuck it is better have a good excuse. Slowly and softly, I raise the arm away from my waist and place it on his side. I raise myself from the sheets and go to the door. There's a trail of clothing all the way to it. Grabbing a random shirt and pulling it over my exposed body, I open the door. Standing there is a skinny guard, looking frustrated. Once he sees me, though, his expression goes neutral.
"Victory?" he asks.
I nod as I lean against the door. This better be good.
"Leader Max has asked to see you in his office at once." he lets me know. "I am to escort you there."
Max wants to see me? Oh, shit. I hope I'm not in trouble. I mumble an okay. Closing the door, I start to look for something to wear. I look down at myself; the shirt I'm wearing gets down to my thighs and is too big for me. I put on a pair of jeans and a leather jacket. Looking into the mirror that's in my closet, I see my hair is all over the place and my chocolate skin has make-up smeared all over. Dammit, Victory, get yourself together! I pull my curly hair into a messy bun and slip on a pair of combat boots. Then, I grab a towel and rub it against my face, getting rid off the make-up. Once my face is clean, I look over at the figure in my bed. I don't remember much about him last night but if he wakes up alone in the room, he'll probably get the hint and leave. Wasting no more time, I follow the guard to Max. The halls leading out of the apartments are scare and the only sound I hear is our boots against the floor. Now that I think about it, I've never met with Max in his office. We usually meet in the halls of Dauntless . I never speak to the leaders, actually. Most of us in the infirmary only talk among ourselves. Apart from the nurses, Tori, who works in the tattoo parlor and who I met through Sam, was also my friend.
So deep in thought am I, I don't realize we've arrived at a door. The guard knocks before opening the door and letting me in. max sits behind a big desk, like the ones crime bosses used to have from movies hundreds of years old. In front of him is Teresa, my best friend from the infirmary. She's still wearing her outfit from last night; skin tight leather dress and five-inch heels. Why is she here? She's hanging forward over the chair with a waste bucket held tightly in her hands. I narrow my eyes at it.
"Victory, thank you for having the time to see me," Max says with his deep voice.
It's not exactly like I had a choice. Max's deep tone only worsens my headache. My eyes shift from Teresa to Max.
"It appears one of your nurses broke one of our trainer's arm in two places." Max informs me. "He will not be able to train the Dauntless transfers."
One of my nurses. My eyes go back to Teresa. She's the only one capable of such a thing. I should know; I barely got out of the ring myself. I shudder at the memory.
"I apologize for the violence, Max. I'll make sure whoever is responsible is disciplined thoroughly." I nod.
Teresa gags into the bucket loudly. I guess I'll have to take care of her today. Max leans over, completely unpleased.
"Unfortunately, he's the only trainer for these initiates and I have no one else to take over his duties. That's were you come in, Doctor," Max says.
Wait, what? No. he can't be serious. This is beyond my responsibilities and skills as a doctor. I belong in the infirmary, not with a bunch of bratty teenagers. Before I can debate on whether or not I should express my complains, Max places a tablet in front of me.
"You will pick up where he left of. Training is from eight to six, including a lunch break." Max continues, not leaving room for argues. "They will be training from Monday to Saturday until the final exams takes place. Thank you for cooperating, Victory." Max's tone is dismissive.
That son of a… he can't do this, can he? The look he's giving me leaves me unable to question his authority. Sucking up my pride, I grab the tablet and put it under my arm at the same time I grab Teresa's arm, forcing her to her feet. Without a word, I lead her out of the office.
"You're going to kill me, aren't you?" she asks, stumbling to catch up to me.
"Oh, yes." I sneer. "Once you're sober."
It takes me about an hour to clean Teresa up and get her into bed before being able to leave to my apartment. I'm exhausted but decide to read some of the files, anyway. I can't believe Max is making me do this. I have no experience working with teenagers. Huffing, I open my apartment door and slam it close. Damn, I'm pissed. Suddenly, I freeze. I'd forgotten about my one night stand, who was probably still sleeping. Luckily, my bed is empty. Thank god he left. I was in no mood for the awkward chitchat. It was always the same; is this going to happen again? At least, let's be friends? Yeah, no. I leave the tablet on the table, realizing I need a shower.
Once I'm clean and my whole body smells of delicious vanilla, I slip in a pair of boxers and a sports bra. Braiding my hair, I sit in front of my desk. Checking the tablet, I examine the schedule and the initiates' physical results. One name makes me pause; Tobias Eaton. Isn't Abnegation's leader named Eaton? Yes, he is. I remember because of the rumors going around the Factions. Rumors that say he physically abuses his son. This is interesting. It's not commonly seen that someone would transfer from peaceful Abnegation to ruthless Dauntless. Maybe Tobias Eaton transferred because the rumors are true, but I won't believe it 'til I hear it from the Lion's mouth. I rub my temple; my headache has evolved and is almost unbearable. I turn my head to the window, realizing with a start that it's sundown. Have I been reading for that long? Time flies. I get up and grab a glass of water and some aspirins from the kitchen before lying down on my bed, deciding to call it a day.
I will like to give a HUGE thank you to titieli for editing this chapter! She is simple amazing, and I will like to give a huge thank you for everyone who read and reviewed this story so far. I am honored that you took the time to read it! I am now finished chapter 2 and I hope to publish it soon. So please tell me what you think of Victory so far.
From your favorite cat lady, MsJennyLin.