Hitting Eric must have been the cool thing to do because everyone afterwards was congratulating her on the way to dinner where Samantha now sat laughing with her fellow initiates. Mark had been trying to balance a spoon on the edge of his nose when it fell into his mashed potatoes and splattered onto his face; the laughter was beginning to wear away the initial shock she had from the end of class, where she had actually hit someone on purpose.
Never in her life had she even thought of doing something like that and when she did it, it felt good to shut him up, even if he threw her to the mat after in revenge. But she had a sinking feeling in her stomach that she might not be able to physically fight with the people who sat around her now. How could she hurt others when there really wasn't any reason to? It was only practice, not the real thing, so why make the pain so real?
She must have been zoned out thinking for too long because Silas was waving his hand in front of her face. "Hey, earth to Sunshine!" He laughed and Sam scowled.
"Don't call me that."
"What, you don't like your new nickname?" He asked sarcastically.
Samantha's expression simply said 'what do you think?'
"Wonder why he chose that name for you." Silas contemplated.
"You heard him earlier, it's because she's so wholesome!" Stacey laughed and hugged Sam's arm.
"I think it's really because your hair is so golden." Berkley proposed.
Sam looked in Eric's direction where he was conversing with his fellow instructor, Zeke, until Kyle and his friends brought his attention her way. She quickly looked away hoping he didn't notice.
"Hey Sam, we saw you give it good to Eric! Head to the nose, nice!" He said loudly, holding his hand up for a high five. Smiling a bit embarrassed she hit his hand with hers.
Kyle leaned in closer and said loud enough for the rest of the table to hear, "Watch yourself though, Eric's known to retaliate when you stand up to him. Rumor has it that last year he made, Tris, who was last in rankings during first stage, fight with a guy ranked at the top because she stopped him from throwing knives at another initiate. Just so you know." Pretty much everyone at the table looked ill at ease.
"Great and the real fights start tomorrow, so looking forward to that now."
Silas chuckled at her comment; Kyle smiled too. "Have any plans for tonight?" He asked her.
"Not really. I was maybe going to get some more clothes and then head to bed, not that I think I will get much sleep anyway but I plan to try." She replied.
Stacey perked up. "Ooo, came I come with you? I've been meaning to get my shopping on too."
"Us too please!" Chimed the other three girls.
"Uh, ok. Looks like I just made a play date." Sam said to Kyle with a grin.
"Well, if you're free on Friday night bring your friends to The Pit Stain 'cause my brother is gonna be the DJ and we can hang out." He said as his friends began leaving.
"Sounds like fun." Sam waved him and his friends good-bye.
The girls eventually left the boys to go shopping in The Pit. When they first arrived, Dauntless only provided them with one set of training gear and a certain amount of points they could use as they pleased each month. Since they had used that one outfit that day and had been sweating in them, it was a good idea to get some more.
Sam browsed the shirt racks for a style she liked. All the clothes were black or red but they did come in many different styles to choose from so she picked out a few black t-shirts and black pants that were good for training in. She was sorting through socks and underwear when Astrid came over to inspect what she chose.
"Is that all you're going to get? T-shirts and pants?" She asked like she was offended.
"Yeah, I wasn't planning on getting anything fancy until I know I won't be factionless, you know." Sam explained with a shrug.
"But what about the party on Friday?!"
Sam looked at her confused. "I'll put clean ones on."
"Are you serious?" Astrid asked her.
"Yeah… In Amity we wear what's comfortable."
"You're not in Amity anymore, lady! We need to get you a dress!" Astrid exclaimed, immediately going to the racks containing the fancier articles of clothing that Samantha avoided.
Samantha smiled at her enthusiasm and let Astrid pick something out for her. She probably would never wear it, but just in case the occasion ever arouse she supposed it was good to have.
Then she headed off to bed, her new clothes folded nicely in the trunk sitting at the base of the bunk beds she shared with Ashlyn. She had trouble falling asleep at first, wondering what tomorrow would bring, until her eyelids finally closed and oblivion came.