I am so sorry for updating so many months late! I really have gotten caught up with my last year at university and applying to graduate programs. I plan on updating with much more regularity this semester. Please forgive me, and enjoy this chapter. (PS it might be a good idea to read or skim the previous chapters, since it's been so long!)
Chapter 12: Cold Front
Nina stared at the place where Eric had stood just moments before. She briefly wondered if she had imagined the kiss, but her sore lips and rapid heart beat told her otherwise. She clenched her fists in anger and heat rose to her face. She felt utterly humiliated. Eric had made it quite clear what his priorities were: rules, structure, promotion. Nina's name was last on his list of priorities, if she even was on it at all. Her fingers trembled as she struggled to lock the tattoo parlour door behind her.
She knew she needed rest for the coming day of training, but sleep was the furthest thing from her mind. Half of her wanted to march to Eric's room and tear him apart with her bare hands; the other half never wanted to see him again. And a small, very insignificant part of her wanted to see him to finish what they'd started.
'This is what you deserve for being foolishly love-struck,' she thought darkly. 'This is what you get for being naive enough to think that Eric had any feelings for you whatsoever. He's incapable of feeling anything for anyone other than himself.'
She stocked the halls stealthily, keeping her feet quiet and light subconsciously even as her thoughts were elsewhere. She arrived at the clinic and peeked in, hoping to see her friend awake and in good health.
Her hopes were answered, for Maddie was sitting up in bed, her sharp ears having alerted her to the sound of the door handle being turned. Her countenance was warmer and brighter than it had been in the days prior, and Nina was glad to see that her health was returning.
Maddie made to rise to greet her friend, but Nina waved her hand, signaling her to remain seated. She approached the bed and curled up on its edge. "Oh, Maddie, it's so good to see you well. How are you feeling?"
Maddie smiled. "I'm okay. You worry about me too much."
Nina pried on. "What did the healers say?"
"They said my heart is in good shape as long as I'm careful in the future with physical activities."
"I was so worried." Nina breathed a sigh of relief.
Maddie shrugged and grinned. "I'm fine, really. I'll be back in the training room tomorrow morning, birght and early. I want to hear everything I've missed."
Nina rolled her eyes and sighed. "Nothing important." She picked at a thread at the edge of the blanket.
Maddie laughed and brushed Nina's ponytail away from her neck. "Uh-huh, so this hickey here is 'nothing important'?"
Nina made a face and told Maddie about everything she'd missed. When she got to the part about the kiss, she made the story brief. "It was dumb, really; it didn't mean anything."
"I find that hard to believe," Maddie replied with a raised eyebrow.
Nina huffed. "Well, believe it, cause it's true." She crossed her arms stubbornly.
"Don't shut yourself away from him, Nina," Maddie said gently.
"I don't want to talk about this," she said grimly.
Maddie pressed on. "I know how you feel about him, and I just think he..."
"I really don't want to talk about this!"
"He obviously feels the same-"
Nina cut her off, "Well I don't feel anything for him, so I'm glad we're on the same page." Then she left the clinic, exhaustion having creeped up on her.
Nina jolted awake to the sound of a door slamming. She jumped out of bed, her eyes skimming over the empty bunk-beds. 'Not this again, I'm always late,' she thought as she quickly changed and brushed her hair into a ponytail. She didn't bother to slip on her sneakers, and she rushed to the training facility.
"You're late. I'm docking points," said Eric coldly as Nina stepped into the room.
She pointedly looked away, refusing to acknowledge him. Instead she glanced around the traing room, looking for her friends amongst the group of initiates. She spotted Amir and made her way to him. "Where's Maddie?"
Amir whispered, "I thought she was with you?"
Four was at the center of the room, unloading a set of knives and laying them out in front of him. "This morning I'll be training you in basic knife attacks. In the afternoon we'll being demonstrating some of our other weaponry, and tomorrow you'll be allowed to select a weapon for specialized training." He began to explain the differences between each knife and their uses.
Nina lowered her voice and answered Amir. "How could she be with me, she spent the night in the clinic."
Amir shrugged and cast his eyes around, worry gleaming in them. "Do you think she slept in?"
Nina bit her bottom lip and contemplated. She'd already lost points for tardiness, but she couldn't allow her friend to be late too. She slipped away from the group and turned towards the door. An icy hand grabbed her wrist, halting her.
"Let go of me, asshole," she spat at Eric.
He tightened his grip on her wrist, painfully. "You aren't allowed to leave while we're in the middle of training."
She seethed. "I need to go get Maddie. So fuck right off, now."
His eyes flashed darkly. "You won't find her. She's in a meeting. A private meeting," he emphasized. He shoved Nina away from him towards the group. She huffed and turned back towards Four, rubbing her wrist where a bruise was beginning to appear.
Nina paced the halls in front of the empty clinic during her lunch hour, forgoing her meal. Maddie hadn't turned up to the training room all morning and Nina's stomach was tensely coiled; she couldn't keep food down if she tried. Finally Maddie appeared, her face pale and her countenance weary.
Nina rushed forward. "Where were you? What's wrong?!"
"I'm..." Maddie stammered, "I'm on probation."
"What do you mean?"
"They said I ... have to prove myself. My heart is weak, they want me to show I'm strong enough for Dauntless."
"Or else?"
Maddie didn't need to answer; Nina knew the consequence already.
Nina ran her fingers through her hair. "Okay. Well. You can do it, I'll help you. How do they want you to prove yourself?"
"I have to be ranked top five by the end of the week."
Nina laughed with relief. "Is that it? Maddie, you're already ranked fourth, all you have to do is keep up your score in weapons training!"
Maddie shook her head grimly. "No, Marina. I've been booted to the bottom. I'm in last place."
Nina had barely been able to pay attention to the weapons demonstrations all afternoon. Her concern for Maddie consumed her, jarring her ability to stay focused. She bounced ideas around her head, trying to come up with a solution.
Dinner was solemn. Amir and Maddie tried to pretend nothing was wrong, but their efforts were futile. Nina finally bunched up her napkin and blurted out what had been on her mind all day. "I'll go with you."
Maddie lifted her eyebrow and continued to pick at her food. "Where?"
"If they kick you out, I'm going with you," she said with resolution. A life Factionless with her best friend would be better than being in Dauntless alone.
Maddie slammed down her silverware. "Don't be ridiculous."
"I'm dead serious."
Maddie's eyes watered. "I won't let you."
"You can't stop me," Nina stated firmly.
Maddie's eyes flooded with tears and she stood up so quickly that her chair teetered on its edge. "I won't let you throw away your future for me!" A hush came over the dining room briefly at the sound of her loud proclamation. Maddie stomped out, and Amir chased after her.
Nina stared at her unappetizing plate before shoving it away from her. She got up and marched over to the leaders section. She leaned down and placed her mouth near Eric's ear. "I need to speak with you."
His shoulders tensed. "I'm busy."
"Now."
His steely eyes met hers briefly. He pushed away from the table and followed her to the chasm, where the rushing water would block the sound of their voices.
Eric crossed his arms. "What do you want?"
"You know quite well what I want," she replied firmly.
He clenched his jaw. "I can't help you."
"Bullshit," she said incredulously. "You're a leader here and you're up for promotion. You have the power to revoke Maddie's punishment. Use it."
"You aren't above the rules, Nina, and neither is your friend."
Nina threw her hands up. "Fuck the fucking rules!" She turned her back to Eric and focused on the sound of the rushing water, trying to get her temper under control. "Why won't you help me? I thought we were friends."
He paused for a moment and her heart skipped a beat. "You thought wrong," he stated coldly.
Nina pressed her eyes closed, willing the hurt inside to go away. 'Fuck Cupid and fuck his stupid arrow too,' she thought miserably.
Suddenly her eyes flashed open and she spun around. "That's it. Arrow."
Eric rolled his eyes. "What are you talking about?"
"Maddie's a fantastic archer," Nina paced as she walked, solidifying the plan in her mind. "She'll be top five with a bow and arrow in her hands, no problem."
He scoffed. "Archery? Really? That's out-dated."
Her eyes flashed with determination. "It's not any more out-dated than the chain, so give me a break."
Eric began walking away. "Well, we don't have any bows. Tough luck."
Nina jumped in front of him, blocking his path. "And if I can get my hands on one?"
He narrowed his eyes. "Marina, don't do anything reckless."
"What do you care?" She cocked her right eyebrow defiantly. "We're not friends, remember?" She turned away and paused, "Oh, and don't call me that ever again."
Nina lay with her eyes shut for an hour, pretending to be asleep. When she was sure that all the initiates were sleeping, she slipped out from under her sheets and quietly approached Q's bed. She put her hand over his mouth and shook him awake. He jolted up and stared at her with incredulous eyes.
"I need to do something tonight, and I can't do it alone. Can you help me?"
Q contemplated for a moment then nodded.
"We could be in danger - if we get caught. Do you trust me?"
Q smiled in answer and slipped on his sneakers, then the pair stealthily made their way out of the dormitory and out of the Dauntless compound.
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Expect another update within 2 weeks. Cross my heart., hope to die!
