"A real attack," I concluded. "They're looking for flaws in Erudite and in Dauntless guards."

"But why," Blossom asked again.

"I don't know. But for now we should head back," said Kenny.

Blossom wondered if we should tell anyone what we heard. But Kenny said that right now it's just speculation. Not to mention we weren't supposed to be out of the compound. We would get in total trouble when we told someone. So for now we were going to have to wait. The half watermelon was gone by the time we reached the compound. I really did miss eating that. I knew it wouldn't be season for it soon, so I was glad we caught one before there wouldn't be any.

Not long after walking into the compound, X came running our way.

"Blossom," he called out but she quickly hid behind me. "Come on, Bloss. I didn't..."

"You didn't what, Stiff," asked Kenny stepping in front of the two of us.

"This isn't any of your business."

"Isn't my business? She's my friend so it's totally my business."

X looked past him and I and straight at Blossom. "Bloss, I..."

"Please, just leave X," Blossom replied softly behind me.

"Bloss..."

"Look, X," I said stepping forward. "I don't know what happened but my friend is really hurt right now. And I don't like it when she's hurt. The only way to make it better I think is for you to leave."

X smiled and then shook his head. "Fine. It's fine Blossom. Damn Candor," he muttered.

"What did you say," started Kenny but I pulled him back and let X walk of.

I turned around to Blossom. "You're going to tell me why in the hell I just did that to someone you were totally head over heels for a few days ago?"

"I rather not right now, Ana," she answered. "We had a nice day. I just... Can we just go and get ice cream?"

I smiled and pulled her into a hug. I looked up at Kenny who shook his head slightly. She had told him but wasn't ready to tell me.

"Of course Blossom." I linked our hands together and continued to walk further inside.

We hurried down to the kitchen and were able to get another small tub of ice cream.

"To the pit," Kenny asked.

"To the pit," Blossom and I repeated cheerfully and headed back to that ledge that we sat on when we stole the cake and ice cream the first time.

We sat there, eating the ice cream and pie. Both Blossom and I complained that our stomachs were starting to show, which made Kenny call us a pair of silly girls. After reminding Kenny that we were technically still a pair of teenage girls, he shook his head at us. Blossom suggested that we do a run tomorrow or work out in the training room for a bit, which we decided to do.

Scott, Hec, and Noah were wrestling and pushing one another in the Pit. I wanted to ask Kenny if at any point in their childhood was he close to any of them but something I remember Peter telling me a while ago made me keep silent on the matter. For someone to have total control over you, they cut off any chances of hope. And friends give you hope. Kenny's Dad had control over him, so I was pretty sure that the only friend Kenny had was his brother.

"Kenny," I said turning to him.

"Hm," he looked my way.

"Do you mind if I ask you a question about your brother?"

He smiled a bit and then shook his head. "No, go right ahead."

"Do you think that if he was still training initiates, with our class," I explained as both he and Blossom started to laugh. "You think he would be hard on us, just as Eric and Four are?"

"Honestly," Kenny said chuckling. "He probably would be." He shook his head and kept that smile on. "I would be his number one target. Probably make me run laps, clean the equipment, mop the training room and more if I did half the things I pulled. He definitely would have docked us points for sneaking out of the compound."

"Typical older sibling, then," Blossom added.

"I think he'd be proud of me though right now." Blossom and I turned to him. "Because I broke rules not to cause harm to anyone but to have fun with my friends."

"Is it okay if we lean on you Kenny," Blossom asked after a couple minutes of silence.

"I'd rather you no..." He didn't have time to finish before Blossom scooted over and snuggled to his side. Kenny seemed a little tense, but let Blossom stay there. After I saw his shoulders sag comfortably, I moved over to and rested my head on his other shoulder. "We truly are the three amigos, huh," Kenny chuckled and leaned his head down on mine. I looked over to his arm wrapped around Blossom.

"Maybe the three weirdos," I said which made us all laugh a little.

"That sounds better," Kenny accepted.

"The three weirdos," Blossom repeated. "The bully, the cheater and the flirt," Blossom added which made us just laugh more.

After much relaxing in the Pit we finally decided to make our way back to the dorms. I hesitated at first especially what happened the last time I showed up in the dorms. Kenny said that he would keep an eye out which surprisingly made me feel at ease. Elena's bunk was empty and her things were gone. No one knew where she was and Kimber and Ace said that Blaze took her for her punishment for participating in my attack. Kimber held no grudge against me and for some reason had the hope that Elena would show up eventually for the final test. Scott and the other guys came in not too long after Blossom and I finished talking to Kimber.

"Hey," Scott said walking by his bunk.

"Hey," I quickly turned back around.

"What did you and Blossom do today?"

"Just hang around, talk story," I looked at him over my shoulder and continued to fold my clothes.

"Did you hear about the fireworks that went off in the east end of the building," Hec asked.

"Fireworks," I looked up at Kenny who was smiling but looking at the wall straight ahead. "Yeah," I smiled too. "I think I heard them go off."

"Uriah thought it was us but we were down at the simulation room today for last minute training," mentioned Hec. "We might go in tomorrow. Did you want to come with us?"

"Thanks," I responded this time turning to face them. "I actually was going to go down with Blossom tomorrow and then probably celebrate or something."

"Celebrate? It's only practice," said Scott.

"Yeah, our final testing isn't until the day after tomorrow," added Hec.

"I know. It's just that tomorrow morning the girls who attacked aren't going to be in the compound anymore, so yay," I tried to make it seem like I was cheering. Both of them chuckled.

"Do you know what's happening to them," Noah came by and asked.

"I think they're being sent to watch the Abnegation."

"Argh," all three of them groaned.

"They're going to Abnegation? Like help them with the factionless," asked Noah.

"I think so."

"That sucks," Noah said laughing.

"Are you feeling better though," Scott asked. I gave him a small smile and nodded.

"Well," Hec said standing pretty quickly. "I think like me and you," he motioned to Noah. "We have something to do."

"We do," asked Noah.

Hec gave Noah a look but Noah still didn't catch on. Hec had to push him out of the dormitory complaining.

"Ana..."

"Scott, I don't think that we should be..."

"No, Ana, just let me say this." He waited a while until I finally nodded for him to continue. "I'm going to do it. I'm going to do what Ryan and Hec told me to do and I'm going to try and meet other girls Ana."

"That's good, Scott."

"But I'm seriously not giving up on us." I looked at him, pleading with my eyes for him to do so. "Ana, I can't. It's like telling me not to breath. And I know this is mean of me to think this way but I know Eric," he said softer and stepped closer to me. "He's just in it for the game of it all. In the end he'll take what he wants and then he'll leave. That's what guys like him do."

"It's not..."

"It's not going to be like that, this time around? Is that what he's making you believe? Come on Ana, you're smarter than that." He took a couple steps to the other side and came to stand opposite me. "Look, you chose him and that's fine. If that's your decision and you believe he'll make you happy, then okay. I want you happy."

"It is my decision. It's mine and Eric's."

"But Ana there's been so many other girls who tried with Eric. It never ended with them being anything other than a lay to him."

"It ended for them like that. Eric and I haven't even had sex..."

"What do you think he'll do after you have, huh?" I shook my head. "You're better than that. When you realize it, you know where to find me."

The second he left, I started to kick the bed and scream. Blossom came over about to comfort me but Kenny put up an arm to stop her and said that she should just let me go. I grabbed the pillow and started to hit the wall, Scott's bunk and then flew it across the dormitory.

"Breaking up is hard to do, man," Kenny said. I grabbed the other pillow and flew it at him. "What," he said with a smile. "I was just trying to make the situation better. You still look like you have some steam to blow. Blossom I wouldn't get too close." He started to chuckle.

"Funny," I threw myself on top the bed.

"He's just getting jealous," Kenny pointed out. I turned to Kenny and Blossom sat down at the end of my bed. "Well, it sounds like it."

"So you don't think any of those things are true?"

"Well, first off, I didn't hear who you folks were talking about," said Kenny as I nodded and turned to look at the bed above me. "I can't really say if those things are true or not. But the only reason why he's going to say those things because he either one, hopes that you'll believe his warning and come running after him or two, knows that no matter what you'll stay with the other guy, so he's going to do anything to make that guy look bad and in the end have you ruining your relationship."

"That's it," I said sitting up. "He's just trying to make things up," I looked over at Blossom who smiled uncertainly and nodded away.

"I didn't hear anything that he said but I totally agree with you," she said which made Kenny laugh. I rolled my eyes.

"Thanks. That did kind of make me feel better."

"Now, why does that make you feel better? But what I said doesn't?" I looked at Kenny. "What? And I did hear the mean things he said." This time I started to laugh. "There! I made her laugh. You may have made her feel better. But I made her laugh."

"This isn't a competition. Besides, you've been making us feel better the entire day. I think we should be returning the favor," Blossom responded.

"That's true, Kenny," I agreed.

"You girls already do that though."

"What do you mean," asked Blossom.

"No one has ever needed me before or made me feel important, except my brother. When he died, I didn't think..." He cleared his throat. "It doesn't matter. Anyways, now I have you two."

"Aw," we both said.

"Just shut up already," he started to chuckle and we laughed with him. "If you guys really want to do something for me, I believe we didn't get to steal chicken from the kitchen the other night. So I am owed a dinner date by you two."

Blossom and I looked at each other and smiled.

"Let's do it," I said.

Blossom and I got our bags together to bring some stuff over to Peter's apartment. Kenny followed us as we worked out a plan to get the chicken. It was almost dinner, so the dining hall was going to be crowded. I dropped the bag in Peter's room and told them that I was going to be right back. I had to let Eric know that I would be at Peter's apartment just in case he went looking for me. I had not seen him since this morning and with all honestly I didn't want to admit it but I missed him already. I walked pass the control room on the way to his office.

"Ana?"

I walked backwards. "Dillon," I said walking into the control room. "What's up?"

"Where you headed to?"

"Eric's," I pointed down the hall.

"Why don't we show something," Dillon motioned to Will. Will pressed a couple buttons and I saw a computer screen shut off. They had Eric's office on surveillance and I didn't even notice it. And now, now they didn't want me to see it. I turned to back out but Dillon quickly got up. "Seriously Ana we do have something to show you."

I let out a sigh. I wanted to go and see Eric but they were delaying for some odd reason. "What is it?"

"It's this."

I jumped at the voice behind me. Four came in and slammed a file on the desk next to me. I was motioned to sit down by Zeke.

"I now have my control room under surveillance and do you want to know why?" I shook my head. "It is because you sent that out to someone at Erudite."

I quickly turned in the chair and opened the file. It was my simulations that were supposed to get sent to Jordan.

"Did they reach their destination?"

"Someone at Erudite intercepted them," Four answered. Dammit, that means Jordan didn't get it. "Apparently you used a code. The code was too elaborate for them to find out who you were sending it to. However, they were able to locate who sent it and from where."

"They found out I sent it from here," I asked looking at Four. He leaned closer and he looked pissed.

"Because of that, they log into our system here. They're calling it a breach of confidence that someone from Dauntless is sending encrypted messages to someone at Erudite. It's also being labelled as possible faction disloyalty, meaning that the City Council will hear about it at the next meeting."

"It took them a while to break the code," I asked smiling. He shook his head and moved away from me.

"I wouldn't be so proud of that. Because you did that, they locked us out of their system."

"What were you folks looking for in their system," I turned to in the chair to face him, Dillon, and Will. Four stared at me, trying to read me. "You just said that they, meaning Erudite, locked us which is Dauntless, out of their system. Not our system but theirs, meaning that you all were in their system for something," I pointed to them. Will leaned back in the chair, took a sip from his water and continued to stare at me too. "Is it to find out why all the Dauntless guards are at Erudite?" Again they stayed quiet, staring at me expressionless. "I went on a deferral mission. I saw it."

"I know all about your deferral mission," said Four stepping closer. "For your information, yes, we were looking into the guards being at Erudite. Dillon was ordered to do so by Eric. I can only assume now Eric probably only did so because you came back and pointed it out to him."

"I guess," I looked down. Did Eric look into it because I said my father died because of it? It made me feel a spark of happiness. Then guilt filled within me because I knew that they were there to protect Jeanine from the factionless. Yet, I couldn't tell them what I knew. That would get us all in trouble for sneaking out. Besides, like Kenny said, it was just speculation.

"Do you folks know what's going on," I asked.

"No, they locked us out before Dillon, Will or I could get through," admitted Four. "Although my back up plan seems to be working lovely," he smiled and continued to look at me.

"What back up plan?"

"You do remember what I wanted you to do," Four raised an eyebrow.

"And I told you that I wouldn't. Eric is a person, too. Besides," my voice got soft. "I care about him."

"I'm sure you do," Four pulled forward a chair and sat down in it. Did he just have to have that look that could kill? I looked away. "Regardless of how you feel about everything and you're scruples about using Eric, he's taken the bait anyways."

My head shot up at Four.

"What bait? I haven't even asked him to do anything for me or for you...

"You may not have asked him to but he's doing it anyway." I opened my mouth to protest but Four quickly shut me up. "Don't try and deny it. Even Dillon has noticed and Dillon transferred from Erudite like Eric, meaning that he's known Eric longer than I have or most people have here. Eric is taken more with you than I expected him to be. He has Dillon looking into your father's death, basically." I started to panic. How did... "Oh yes, I know about that."

"That's impossible. Only Eric and Abigail knew."

"You see when it comes to you Eric wears his heart on his sleeve, Ana. As much as he likes to think he's hiding it from the public eye, there's things he's done for you that has shown us otherwise."

"Well," I said standing. "I'm not going to be a pawn in this game and I already told you I'm not going to play Eric like that."

"As I stated, there's no need. You already have him hooked whether you know it or not. Things are pretty much the same with you. You're emotionally involved with Eric now. Your attempt to defend him right now is proof." I looked down and fidgeted my feet. "Don't forget some of your fellow initiates already accused you and Blossom of being recipients of favoritism. Please be careful as to who you show your respect for Eric in front of."

"I've pretty much disrespected Eric every time during training so I don't think..."

"I'm talking about outside of training, Ana," Four spoke more sternly. "Walking to his office unattended and leaving his apartment in the morning..."

"How did you..."

"My apartment is on the same floor, remember?" I looked down. "Just watch your back with the other initiates. Six and I made our relationship public the day that they announced ranking. My friends," he motioned to Zeke. "They were happy for me. Her friends on the other hand, it took them a while to come around."

"Well, at least one of them," said Will shaking his head.

"True. Will did ease up eventually on Six but his girlfriend took some convincing," Four eyed him out. "That is going to test you and Eric as well after initiation is over. Just be sure you're ready for that."

I nodded.

"Another thing to be careful for is being here," said Zeke behind me. I turned to look at him.

"I don't understand."

"I'm pretty sure Eric isn't going to be too happy to find out you've been hanging out in the control room."

I shook my head. "He knows where my loyalty lies."

"Come on Ana, Eric marked you. He made you walk around the compound showing it off. He's pretty territorial of you. You sitting here hanging out with all of us, especially with Four in the room. Eric isn't going to be happy about it," explained Zeke.

"Well I didn't intend to. Dillon called me over," I pointed at Dillon. "Besides I was heading to see Eric anyway."

"I don't think you should go over there now, Ana," said Dillon.

"What do you mean," I asked.

"Just don't go right now alright."

"Did he say that no one was allowed there?"

"Well, no..."

"Then why can't I..."

"He's doing something right now that's why," answered Will which ended mine and Dillon's small argument.

"What is he doing," I asked Will. Dillon shook his head.

"Just wait here until..."

I ran out of the control room and towards Eric's office. I don't know why but Scott's words were echoing in my mind. Did Eric have another girl in there? I knocked on the door. Wait, why was I knocking I should just barge in! I've done it before. The second that I grabbed the handle to open the door a voice spoke from the other side.

"Eric is busy right now. He's trying to be a man," the girl laughed. I knew that laugh. I knew that voice. It was Elsa.

I heard something crash in the office and started to back away. Of course it would be Elsa. They were making them leave today. Did he call her for one last rendezvous? That's exactly what he did. I felt like an idiot. I felt worse than an idiot. I thought back to this morning when we were in his apartment and my heart had just sunk. I walked slowly away but didn't get far. I fell to my knees in the hallway and cried right there.

"What are you doing?"

I looked up to see Four. "Elsa is in there. All that bull you tried to feed me about Eric caring," I stood up with tears in my eyes and pushed Four. "How dare you do that?"

"What are you talking about, all that bull," Four questioned.

"Elsa is in there," I pointed back to the office. "Dillon, Will," I started to scream. "You all knew! You all knew he had her in there. Yet, you! You're sick!" My voice was getting louder. "I'm just part of some big plan to use him aren't I? Well, let's lie to Ana so she'll stay with Eric. Is that what you all were thinking in there? Let's make Ana look like some lovesick puppy!"

"Ana what is wrong with you?!"

"Me? It's you. You boys are all sick!"

"What the hell is going on out here?" I turned around and saw Eric marching out of his office.

"It's nothing," Four answered.

"Did I ask you, Four," Eric snarled.

"Don't get mad at Four, you ass! This is your fault! You and all your lies," I shouted at him.

"Ana, what are you talking about?"

"You! You pretend to care and then you have Elsa up in your office! What was that for? One last bang before she leaves?!"

"Excuse us, Four," Eric said emotionless.

"No, he doesn't have to leave! I'm leaving," I yelled turning around.

But Eric quickly grabbed my arm. I struggled, trying to kick and punch him. I yelled at him to put me down, to stop touching me or to get away from me. Yet he continued in his attempts to subdue me. Eric was grunting as he tried to keep me under control.

"Ana, seriously," he growled.

I stomped on his feet and slapped him endlessly. I looked like a child throwing a tantrum. From what I could imagine, it must have been quite the sight because Four was chuckling next to us.

"Go back to the control room, Four," Eric ordered as he continued to wrestle me into submission. Eric was finally able to push him up against the wall. He held two of my wrists in one hand above my head. One of my legs was being blocked by his and he had pushed my hip back with his other hand. "Cut it out, already Ana," he gritted through his teeth.

"No," I shouted. "I don't want to be near you right now. And I certainly don't want you touching me either! I hate you, Eric! I hate you!"

"Funny, you hate the person who's getting rid of the girls who attacked you!"

"That's what you call it now? Getting rid of them! Is that code for sleeping with them?!"

"Is that honestly what you think is happening right now," he asked easing the tension off of me. I stopped thrashing around and looked up in his eyes and only saw hurt.

"That's not... I thought that you were... You didn't..."

"We're giving them last minute warnings and working out some of the finer details before we send them out," Eric said without yelling.

"We," I questioned.

"Max, Abigail and I," he stated. He noticed I had calmed down and released me. Now, along with the hurt I saw anger starting to form in his eyes. Hurt and anger that I would think such a thing about him.

Why did I let Scott's words get to me? Why did I raise all these suspicions by the way Dillon and Will were acting? They probably were looking out for me like Kenny was. They probably knew that either one of two things, I would have jumped Elsa the second I saw her in Eric's office or that Elsa and all those girls would attack me right there. They already were being sentenced to leave, what else did they have to lose?

"I have to go back and finish the meeting." Yes, it didn't take an Erudite to know that Eric was angry at my accusations and my behavior. It was in the tone he spoke just now. He straightened out his jacket. "Wait for me at the control room," he ordered. I nodded and Eric returned quickly to his office.

I hit my head against the wall in frustration and let myself slip back down to the ground. Why? Why?! Why?! I ruined breakfast and now I just basically went and ruined the rest of our day! I let Scott's words get to me. I accused Eric of sleeping with Elsa when he was actually trying to get rid of her. And he was doing all of that for me! Yes, for you, you stupid Ana! It wasn't long until Dillon came out. Instead of saying anything, he simply grabbed my arm and pulled me back to the control room. He basically threw me into a chair once we got there.

"Eric said to get you," commented Will.

I slouched in my chair feeling more embarrassed. I felt really... I didn't even know how to describe it. I felt guilty for thinking that of Eric when he was actually doing everything he could to get rid of those girls for me. I felt some remorse for blaming Four, Dillon, and Will for pretending to cover for him. Forget the apple pie. Humble pie was what I just got served. My thoughts about Eric were uncalled for and my tantrum was shameful. I could only imagine that Dillon and Will caught it all on camera too. I felt like such a fool.

"Feeling crappy yet?" I looked over at Dillon who was typing in some things and sifting through files.

"Is that what this feeling is called," I asked looking back down. I let out a sigh and rested my head on the table. I was feeling crappy alright. I was one hundred percent feeling it.

"I thought if you went there, you'd get your ass kicked," said Will. I shut my eyes. They were thinking about me. "All seven of them are in there, Ana. Even if Max, Abigail, and Eric and a couple guards are there, I've seen the look in her eyes whenever the two of you faced one another in stage three. Not to mention Dillon said how badly they beat you in the showers, Ana. They would have jumped you the second you walked through the door. That's why we stopped you."

"I recognized that when I was sitting in the hallway just now," I sniffed.

"Hey," Dillon spoke more firmly which made me look up. "Stop crying." I turned my face to hide a tear that was forming. "Answer me this, Ana. Who are you?"

"Who am I?"

"Yes," he said with more authority.

"I'm... I'm Ana," I asked more than I stated. I wasn't certain where he was going with this.

"You're Eric's girl, that's who you are. And can you tell me what you're doing right now?" I was about to say crying but Dillon beat me to it. "You're crying. However, Eric's girl doesn't cry. So stop crying."

"He's mad at me," I placed my hands in my lap and played with my fingers.

"Yeah, he is," Will chuckled.

"You folks have to understand. He's been with lots of other girls before..."

"And there was just no romantic involvement at all between you and Lauren's brother," asked Dillon sarcastically. "Ana, I'm going to let you in on a little secret about us guys. A lot of times, we don't like it when you girls bring up our past mistakes."

"But I'm not..."

"Really," Dillon crossed his arms and stared at me.

"The last time you talked to me about him, you basically warned me that he wasn't a one-girl type of guy."

"It's true," Dillon turned back to the computer. "Eric has been around the Compound. But what Four said is correct, Ana. He's shown you more attention than anyone else. Eric has given extra time and special care towards you. He's willing to leave all of that in the past. It would be best if you did so too and focus on what's going on now."

I waited a while quietly in the control room, until we heard the girls walking past. Dillon grabbed my chair and pulled it to the other side of him, so they wouldn't see me. I turned to Will and asked him to bring up the outside hallway. There they were, all of the girls that were in the bathroom that attacked us, including Tasha. They only had three guards with them, one in the front and two in the back. Max and Abigail were following not too far behind them. They definitely would have gotten in a few good punches and kicks before the guards would pull all of them off of me. And considering that I wasn't in recovery right now I would have ended up back in the infirmary tonight.

Abigail stopped by and looked into the control room. "Well," she said looking at me with a smile. "I hear you attempted to break into Eric's office just now?" I nodded. I looked at Dillon and then quickly walked over to Abigail.

"I thought they weren't supposed to leave until after initiation. Rumor had it that Deacon..."

"Deacon can complain his ass off for all I care," Abigail waved her hand in the air. "New evidence was presented to us yesterday. Max decided that it justified us taking them out of the compound much sooner than anticipated."

"Good riddance I say," I crossed my arms.

"Now you can get back to focusing on more important things," Abigail said.

"Like passing my final test," I added. Abigail took a step closer.

"And not sneaking out of the compound," she whispered. I looked up at her confused. "Don't worry. For all I know, you folks just hung out on the roof, right?" I smiled and looked down. "The next time you three might want to take an exit that's not so close to one of the leader's offices."

I nodded and Abigail looked up at Dillon and Will who nodded towards her as well before she left.

"Is it true," I turned to Dillon and sat down. "Does Erudite have the control room here under surveillance?"

"Yes," he answered.

"We're trying to work around it," said Will.

"Do you really think you're able to," I asked.

"You're going to ask two former Erudite if they can hack around Erudite technology," questioned Will with a smirk.

"A lot has changed since the two of you have been there, right? Maybe they developed something new. Something that can deflect whatever you two are trying to do," I pointed out.

Dillon stopped typing and moved his hands away from typing. He pulled up another screen and stared at all the numbers on there. He then turned in his chair and looked at Will.

"When was the last time Erudite came and updated our software?"

"Didn't they come three months ago, like they were supposed to," Will questioned.

"Look at their last entry date on this," Dillon turned back and pointed at the screen.

"That's nearly six months ago," I answered.

"Impossible," said Will standing.

"That means they skipped us last quarter and we have another scheduled maintenance coming up soon," admitted Dillon. "We're at least two updates behind."

"That's why they have the edge on us," said Will walking over to Dillon's computer. "Ana's right. They developed something new and didn't input it into our system here at Dauntless."

"Boys," I slouched in my chair and rolled my eyes. They both turned to look at me. "Obviously I was right. Yet the two of you just didn't want to be proven wrong didn't you?"

"I could say the same about you," Dillon eyed me out.

I listened to them talk more about the computer system. Will still attempted to set up hidden black holes in Dauntless' control room security system, so if Erudite went somewhere they weren't supposed to then they would end up having to dig themselves out. They continued to talk about different things to do to protect what they had. Supposedly Erudite had only gotten into the control room. They were just monitoring Dauntless, from what I gathered. And it seemed to happen all because I sent an email to Jordan. The only problem is that Jordan didn't get it.

"Ana," Eric cleared his throat stepping into the control room. I stood up slowly as Dillon and Will's gaze followed me. It was like I was walking to the executioner.

Every step my feet pounded more to the pavement. My heart was picking up fast. Something hit the railing farther back in the hallway, but the sound echoed in my ears as if it was an explosion. I was scared and everything felt like it was closing in at this moment. I could hear my breathing and wanted to cover my ears. I stopped in front of Eric's door. He moved in front to open the door and the waited for me to walk in. I swear I was getting hot in here too. I felt nothing but heat all around me. I sat down in the chair and just refused to look up at Eric.

Instead of sitting down in his chair, he sat on the edge of his desk and stared at me. One of his fingers started tapping slowly on the bottom of his desk. It was like someone had left the water faucet dripping. But the silence only made it worst.

"What did you do today," he asked after a while.

"I uh..." I cleared my throat. "I hung out with Blossom and Kenny."

"Kenny," he asked incredulously.

"Yes," I answered to which all he did was chuckle.

"Anything happened that I should be concerned about?" The way he said it wasn't filled with worry or concern. Rather it was full of wit, like it was sarcasm.

"Nothing," I shook my head. "Well, we did steal ice cream from the kitchen," I mumbled.

"What was that, initiate," he said this time with anger and a little bit louder. He called me initiate. He definitely is upset.

"We stole ice cream from the kitchen," I spoke up yet said more slowly.

"Nothing too alarming then," he said more relaxed. I shook my head. Well, he wasn't upset about the ice cream, that's for sure. "I'll speak with you after dinner then." That felt more like the old Eric. I looked up and saw him staring down at me. His eyes were cold and distant.

"Eric, I..."

"Not now Ana," he shook his head. "I'm still very upset about your accusation out in the hallway and I rather us talk when I'm not angry."

The force in which he put emphasis in that statement was undeniable. Not to mention the demeanor that he sat there. He wasn't just upset. Eric was furious with me. I nodded and stood up quickly to leave.

I walked down to Peter's apartment with my arms wrapped around me tightly. How could I have been so stupid to let everyone's thoughts about Eric get to me? Why did I act like that after? I yelled at Eric to get away from me. Why? I didn't even let him explain himself. I really did feel crappy.

I opened the door to see Blossom and Kenny laughing about something.

"Hey, Ana, you alright," Blossom stopped and took the sight of me in.

"Yeah," I gave her a smile and sat down on the couch with them. I was still shaking a little. Was Eric going to forgive me?

"So we were deciding on stealing the chicken and bringing it back here," she offered. "I say we got in and out without anyone seeing us, we deserve to celebrate a little."

I didn't feel like doing it but then I thought anything to get Eric off my mind right now. I asked Blossom what we'd be doing exactly and she explained.

"Sounds like a plan," I said with a small smile. Kenny noticed that I was still a little shaken about something and lifted an eyebrow at me. I shook my head.

We walked down to the dining hall and went to work. I was supposed to distract the girl in the front. Supposedly, she had a thing for me. At least that's what Kenny heard. So I went there with Blossom's shirt on. It was a little bit snug but worked perfectly. It was long sleeve and scooped really low in the front. Not to mention it was totally midriff and stopped right below my chest. I used one of Peter's black cargo pants which were totally baggy on me. Even with the belt, it hung low on my waist, with my part-lace panty teasing to show through.

"Her name is Tawny," Kenny said.

"Tawny," I questioned.

"It's short for something. What exactly, I don't know. She came from Erudite last year."

"What is up with Erudite and girl on girl relationships," I muttered.

"I thought Mina was into Ryan," Kenny lifted an eyebrow at me.

"She is but she's dropped hints a few times that she'd love to try me. Just for the sake of experimentation of course," I rolled my eyes.

"Well, Tawny is into girls, strong girls," I stopped at Kenny's description. "What?"

"You had me wear something like this," I motioned to my shirt which was Blossom's. "When she's into strong girls?"

"That is to help you show some skin. You rarely do, unless it's to show off your boyfriend's hickeys. And those pants add a nice touch."

"It does," nodded Blossom. I rolled my eyes again.

"What about my hair? You told me to leave it out."

"No offense, Ana but I think you should cut it a little too. Maybe not now but eventually," Kenny shrugged.

"Cut it," I asked playing with some of my hair.

"It is kind of long," said Kenny. "Anyways, as cute as you look when you leave it in a braid, the braid was too Amity. Leaving it out, all wavy like that, looks like you just got into a fight with someone or you just ran and jumped off the train you know?" I shook my head.

"Unbelievable. Fine," I groaned and walked towards the counter in the kitchen.

I made small talk with the girl asking about the bread and hoping that it didn't have any peace serum in it. I don't know how I didn't notice it before, but she was totally flirting with me now. She even touched my hair and said that I should dye some strands. I asked her what color and she said red. I stuck out my tongue. Red was what Tasha, Elsa, and a couple of their friends had. I noticed Kenny had already snuck out with a box in hand. I looked over at Tawny and thanked her for the talk and suggestion. Since I probably wouldn't be getting a tattoo soon, I might dye some strands on my hair a different color.

"Whoa, you don't like needles," she said smiling.

"No, I don't," I admitted. "It takes about half an hour and three, sometimes four of the instructors and trainers to hold me down for an injection."

"Four of them? Wow!"

"I know. Well, thanks again for the tip," I waved at her and made me way out of the dining hall carrying only one slice of chocolate cake.

"What held you up? Did you folks agree to a date," teased Blossom.