Guys I just saw Jurassic World right before I started writing this and I'm willing to fight all of you for the right to marry Chris Pratt. No joke, bring it on. We're all kinda sharing Jai anyway, I just called Chris Pratt first, so suck it. And oh my god, I really need to start proofreading these. I just realized I had her fight Edward a few chapters after Peter attacked him. I apologize for that, and I'll try to be more careful. Enjoy this chapter!
This morning I almost forgot to get the knife from under my pillow. Wanting to make sure no one noticed, I carefully tucked it into my waistband instead of my sleeve like I did last night. I was very aware of the cold metal against my hip where it angled up and hid under my shirt on my way to breakfast, but now it matches my skin temperature and I keep having to remind myself that it's there so I don't move wrong and make it fall out.
I sip my coffee slowly. My knee still hurts if I step wrong but I'll be okay. Next to me, Thomas is practically falling asleep into his muffin.
"Kid, how are you still so tired? I can guarantee that I had a more exciting night than you." He lifts his head off the table and makes a vague 'I don't know' sound.
"Kept waking up." He grumbles and his forehead drops back against the table, making Christina jump and glare at him for a minute. "What did you do last night?" He yawns. "I woke up and it sounded like you were talking to someone, but I couldn't tell what you were saying. I was too ti- ti-" He yawned surprisingly hugely for such a small person.
"Tired, I got it. And I'll tell you later." I tell him quietly, glancing over at Peter's table where he, Drew, Molly, and the other transfer-what's his name? Xavier?- are whispering urgently amongst themselves. Not for the first time, I wonder what the other three are getting out of helping Peter to be in the first slot.
"Hey what happened to your knee?" Thomas yawns suddenly and pokes it under the table, making me wince softly. "It looks bruised, why'd you wear shorts?" He moves to poke it again and I slap his hand away quickly, not wanting to be probed again.
"Because it's tender, my pants were irritating it. Stop trying to touch it, what the hell is wrong with you people?" I snap and hold both his wrists to make him stop.
"I'm only one people." He frowns, looking at me curiously, and goddamn he's adorable. "Where'd you get it?" He nods toward my leg.
"I told you, I'll tell you later." I sigh and release him, giving my full attention to my unfinished coffee. "Last day of stage one." I nod and take a drink. "What do you think stage two is going to be?" I ask the table. Everyone shrugs or gives me a vague 'I don't know' sound. I sigh and sit back in my chair. "They don't even tell us. I wish there was a way to prepare or something." I grumble and finally stand up. "I'm heading out." I sigh and leave without waiting for anyone else, tossing out my coffee cup on my way to the door.
No one else is in the hall and I idly wonder if Eric and Four are even in the training room yet when I hear footsteps behind me. I turn my head to see who it is, but they must be farther back than I thought because I don't see anyone. Slightly more cautious, I turn back around and speed up, hoping someone is in the training gym already. A few more pairs of footsteps join the first pair as well as several voices. I can't quite tell who it is, but seeing as none of the voices belong to Thomas or Christina I think I have a pretty good idea.
I speed up more, trying to get the hell away from them, and accidentally put my foot down wrong and pain bursts through my knee so unexpectedly that I fall against the wall. It doesn't quite subside, but I force myself to stand up and start walking again.
My pace has slowed considerably and my mind is reeling. If they catch me…. I push the thought away and focus on making it to the training room. The voices and laughter get closer and closer as I limp slightly to my destination. I catch my name in their conversation and a cruel laugh. They steadily approach and my leg continues to hold me back from going as fast as I want to.
My stomach drops as I hear them come around the corner and their conversation stops. I keep going, doing my best to disguise the pain I'm in.
"When opportunity knocks…." Molly says and I can practically hear her smirk. I take a deep breath, silently apologizing to myself for what's about to happen. Before they can do anything, I get the knife from my waistband so I don't lose it and start running for the training room as fast as I possibly can without injuring myself further. I wince softly with every other step and hope to God someone will be there to rescue me.
Eric's POV
The training room is set up and for now, I'm just stuck there with Four waiting for the initiates to arrive. I don't speak to him and think ahead grimly to tonight when the final rankings will be posted. I'll have to deal with crying failures and people begging us to change their rank because they think they did better than they really did.
I'll worry about that later, I should be trying to figure out who stole the knife from the storage closet last night. When we cleaned yesterday they were all accounted for but this morning one was missing. I have a sneaky suspicion that Eve took it on the way back to the dorm last night. As far as I'm aware, she's the only one who would need something for protection. I'll have to ask her about it later.
The door bursts open and she bolts inside, a pained look on her face and I catch a silver flash going up her sleeve. She's out of breath but she seems to relax when she sees me and Four and limps to the corner where we have a small first aid kit. Her knee seems worse than last night and I amuse myself with the memory of her snapping at me and swatting my hand away as she removes a cold pack from the kit and cracks it, making it freeze and sliding down the wall, putting it over her knee. A second later, Peter dashes in, followed by Molly, Drew and Xavier. They freeze when they realize Eve isn't alone in here. I turn to her and notice her glaring daggers at them, still catching her breath. I can't help but think that she should really wear shorts more often….
Before I can dwell on that any longer, more initiates begin to pour through the door. I feel a bit irritated when the Amity transfer scans the room and walks over to Eve. I'm not sure why I care that he's always around her but- no, I know why, but I refuse to act on it. She's an initiate. I'm not about to lose my job over something that's purely physical. At least I assume it's just physical. I try not to think about it that much. I have better things to do.
I notice with satisfaction that Four's eyes follow Amity as he crosses the room. He's not usually this obvious about it, but I can tell he probably has a thing for the kid. I was a bit surprised when I realized that; he doesn't seem like the type, but it's none of my business. I try not to think about Four that much either.
Finally, the last few initiates arrive and we give them a reminder that the final ranks will be decided and announced tonight. A few seem nervous, including Amity and I think glumly about how he managed to stay above the line. I'm not sure why I resent him so much, it's clear they're not an item; he seems to have his eye on Four for whatever reason. It must just be because he's closer to her than anyone has been in the last two years… I don't think they're together, but I'm not sure. She doesn't seem like an approachable person, so how did they become so close? She doesn't really have friends.
I wonder what happened to her, she always seems to push people away. I do too, but the Erudite left in me wants to know her story. Whenever I ask someone else they just shake their head and assume a solemn face. It frustrates me to no end not knowing why she is the way she is. Maybe I'll find out one day.
We dismiss them to do practice what they want and I watch as Thomas drags Eve to the knives, which she still need practice with. My eyes are torn away from her when Peter approaches me, a smug look on his face. I brace myself for whatever arrogant comment I'll have to deal with this time and wonder why he's consulting with me rather than Four since I witnessed him trying to kill Eve only a few hours ago.
Eve's POV
I glance around quickly, making sure no one is watching before putting the stolen knife on the table next to the rest of them. Thomas doesn't notice, he's too busy celebrating his perfect bull's eye to catch the knife slip out of my sweatshirt sleeve. I'm not really in the mood for throwing today so I sit on the edge of the table and look lazily around the room. My heart leaps into my throat when I see Peter talking to Eric and they both look over at me. I quickly turn back to Thomas, hoping to start up a possibly lifesaving conversation, but to my dismay he's already chatting with Four. That asshole. I glance back over and Eric is walking toward me, Peter looking smug in the background as he walks back to his cronies. This has to be about the knife.
I try and focus on the smooth motion of Thomas's knives flying through the air and sticking into the target.
"Tell me you didn't steal a knife on your way back last night." He says lowly behind me and I stiffen up. When I don't say anything, he continues. "Because Peter just came to me with a story about how you threatened him with a knife, and this morning one of these was missing." He steps beside me and gestures to the table. I clench my jaw for a second before replying.
"I had to make it clear that I'm not going to give up that easy." I say quietly, not looking at him. It's quiet for a few seconds before he speaks again.
"As your trainer I should punish you for stealing and threatening another initiate." I nod slowly, still following Thomas's arm as he throws. "But since you're the best initiate and also my favorite," He reminds me. "I won't, because he deserved it." I sigh through my nose in relief and relax a bit. He doesn't leave yet and I start to wonder what he's waiting for. "How's your knee? I noticed you were limping when you came in." He asks quietly and I'm taken by surprise. The last few weeks he's been so different. Is Thomas right? Is he only different around me? If that's the case, why? I'm not complaining, just suspicious.
"It's fine. I just stepped wrong and then kinda had to run for my life. Other than that it's just a little sore." I shrug, trying to stay calm. If Thomas turns around right now he'll have a field day.
"I think you should go to the infirmary just in case." He nods. "If you're not careful it could fracture, if it hasn't already."
"If it were fractured I wouldn't be able to walk, let alone run." I cast a glance over at Peter who seems to be kicking Molly's ass. It still won't be enough to get him into the first slot though, he'd have to beat me. "I'll go later and get a brace or something." He nods but still doesn't leave, just looking over the people dotted around in front of the targets, throwing on one side and shooting on the other. "Shouldn't you be supervising the fights?" I ask suddenly, catching him off guard. Without a word, he turns around and leans against the table behind me so he can fice the fights.
"Shouldn't you be shooting and talking to your little boyfriend?" He asks back, and although I can't see his face, he sounds bitter. He must mean Thomas, but why would he sound resentful if he thinks I have a boyfriend? The more I talk to him, the more my hopes rise, no matter how much I tell myself that he probably mean anything by it.
"I hate to disappoint you, but Thomas isn't my boyfriend. Believe it or not I'm incredibly single for someone as flawless as I am." I laugh shortly. "And yes, I should be shooting." I hop off the table and walk away, choosing which gun I want and going to the farthest target. Fuck. I just told my fucking trainer that I'm 'incredibly single.' I don't know what happened, or why. All I know is that I probably haven't ever been this embarrassed in my life.
Eric's POV
Incredibly single… I can't deny the relief that courses through me when she says that, although I can tell she's embarrassed. She leaves fairly quickly after that and I glance over to where she's chosen a target. I smirk to myself when she shakes her head and mutters 'fuck' to herself. Maybe there's something there after all. I have to find out soon so I can move in after initiation.
Suddenly, I find myself thinking to stage two, realizing that she'll probably resent me for putting her through her worst fears. I hated my supervisors for stage two, so did a lot of other people, and I assume she'll do the same. I'll have to do something about that.
I can either tell her what stage two will be so she's prepared and she'll probably trust me, or I'll make sure she's put in my booth for the actual fear simulations and provide some sort of comfort immediately after.
Or both. Even better. I want this girl and I intend to get her, one way or another. I don't tend to give up on things, and I'm not about to start now. This is going to happen eventually. I don't care how long I have to wait for her consent as long as it happens.
Eve's POV~ after training
"Alright kid, I'm going to tell you what happened last night. But you have to promise not to freak out in any way until I'm done, okay?" I negotiate as I sit on the edge of the chasm, leaning my arms on the railing and dangling my feet over the bridge. Thomas nods and sits next to me, mimicking my stance.
"Does it have to do with," He lowers his voice considerably. "Him?"
"Yes, but you have to hear everything so shut up." He nods again and looks at me expectantly. "So I was on a walk and I wound up near the leaders' apartments. I was about to turn around and come back to the dorm but I felt like someone was watching me so I kept going forward and then Peter and all them came out of no where. They ganged up on me, kicked me in the knee to keep me from running. Kiddo, I would have died if I hadn't wound up where I was. I was trying to unlock the door to his place but they grabbed me and I dropped the key so I started yelling and he came out. They ran and he took me inside for a little while."
"What hap-" I put my hand over his mouth. I can feel him frown and then he licks my hand. I pull away in disgust and wipe my palm on his shirt.
"Nothing, and I'm not done yet." I sigh. "On my way back to the dorm, I stopped by the training room and stole a throwing knife and used it to threaten Peter, that's what you heard when you woke up." His jaw drops and he looks at me in disbelief.
"What'd you do? Is that why he was talking to Eric at the beginning of training?" I nod.
"I stabbed his pillow on the same side of the face he stabbed Edward in." I say quietly. "Poetic justice." He shakes his head and looks down at the water.
"Have I ever told you how scary you can be sometimes?" He teases and elbows me in the side, making me smile.
"Thanks kid." I laugh and look over at him. He's staring into space, obviously trying not to say something. "What?" I sigh. "Go for it, I know you want to ask something."
"Nothing happened? At all? I mean you must have talked at least." he puts his head on my shoulder. "Tell meeee?" He asks cutely, and I smile again, shaking my head.
"Well his couch is comfortable and I was pleasantly surprised by how clean it all is. I guess he must be in meetings and stuff most of the time so there's not a lot of time to make a mess."
"Or maybe he's just a clean person." Thomas pipes up and swings his legs a little bit.
"Yeah, maybe. He got me ice so I didn't have to stand up and he…" I take a deep breath. "He told me I'm his favorite initiate." I finish softly. When I look over at Thomas, his mouth is hanging open and he punches me in the arm.
"You weren't even gonna tell me, were you?" He demands. I shrug and he scoffs, hitting me again and turns back to the chasm. "So this morning when I poked you knee and you said 'what is it with you people?'"
"Yeah, He kept poking it and kinda making fun of me when I said ow, and then..." I laugh softly as I think about it. "I got up to leave and he was laughing, so to make him stop I pretended to collapse because of my knee and he caught me and got all serious…." I laugh again. "Is that the story you've been waiting for, kiddo?" I smirk and look at him.
"Yes!" He says loudly and hug tackles me onto my side. "What are you gonna do now? Are you gonna start visiting him in secret?" He gasps and smacks my arm repeatedly. "If you start dating now maybe you can move in with him after initiation!" He squeals, making me laugh harder than I have in a while.
"Yeah, that's not gonna happen." I manage to get out, laughing all the while. "My main priority is still making it through initiation, this doesn't change anything. Sorry, but you're gonna have to wait a bit longer for your dream couple." I smile and push him off me so I can sit up again. "So, what about you and Four? How's it going there?" He blushes and looks at his lap.
"He came up and talked to me today." He says softly. "We didn't even talk about training; he wanted to know what Amity is like." He blushes deeper and I can't stop a smile spreading across my face.
"He want to learn more about you, T." I hug him tight. "That's a good sign." He nods and holds onto my arm.
"I like him a lot, Eve." He says quietly. "A lot a lot." I nod and rub his arm.
"I know, hon."
Eric's POV
It's one of the few nights I don't have a meeting after working with the initiates. Normally I'd go meet up with some people at a bar or something, but if there's a repeat of last night Eve might not make it inside safely, especially now with her leg. So I start walking home, toward the chasm.
When I near the bridge, I hear quiet voices. I keep walking, intending to just keep walking past whoever is there, but stop when I see Eve and Thomas. I realize that Eve is telling him about our encounter, and he looks very excited.
"Is that the story you've been waiting for kiddo?" She asks and he tackles her onto her side with a loud, "Yes!"
"If you start dating now maybe you can move in with him after initiation!" He says, hitting her in the arm and I have to hold back a laugh at his enthusiasm. I stop paying attention as I find myself wondering what it would be like if she moved in.
I come back to earth in time to hear her say, "Sorry, but you're gonna have to wait a bit longer for your dream couple." Everything stops. What does this mean? 'Wait a bit longer,' what is she waiting for? Damn it, why wasn't I paying attention? Maybe it's initiation. She must be waiting for it to be over. Yeah, I think I remember her saying something once about how she couldn't afford to be distracted.
This is good though. I turn around and start going the other way back to my house as I think. During stage two I'll make sure she knows that she has my attention. I'm still not sure if I really want her or if I just want her. I think I have a good idea, however. As much as I hate to admit it, this doesn't feel the same as when I find some girl in a bar or at a party. I don't think I want it to feel the same though.
Actually one thing is the same. Just like I told myself earlier, I'm not going to give up until I get what I want. Right now it just happens to be her.
This chapter is a bit longer than the other ones in case you didn't notice. As always, leave a good review, follow, favorite, whatever you deem necessary. I think I like doing Eric's side, even if it's kinda difficult. Tell me if you think I should keep it up and if you have any suggestions, go ahead and PM me. Thanks for reading, babes!