Chapter 33

The next morning, Amar came in and informed us that we'd have the entire day off. Carla and Pam were cut, and from what I heard, also two of the dauntless-born. Todd was heartbroken, and moments later we learned he'd also opted to leave. We'd started stage one with ten initiates, and now there were only seven.

After we'd returned from breakfast, I noticed that someone had scratched a line across their names; the numbers changing along with the modifications.

Sage

Banks

Dan

Billy

Grace

Howard

Samantha

I tried not to dwell on the fact that Todd and Pam had become factionless, when really I felt it should've been Howard and Samantha. It was unfair, but that was life. Carla's absence was a relief to me, but I knew that even though Grace was toughening up, she was still saddened by the thought.

Frankly, it was a little disconcerting to have the whole day to ourselves. All our time here had consisted of training, training, and more training. Not knowing what to do with ourselves, I'd suggested that we should continue to explore the various shops in the Pitt.

We passed by a piercing shop, where some of the people had so much metal on their faces, I was surprised they weren't struggling to hold their heads up. There were also various clothing boutiques. At Grace's insistence, Dan and I trudged in after her, waiting as she tried on a few pieces and then left without buying anything.

"Well that was loads of fun," Dan complained.

"The highlight of my day," I added.

"Guys, be nice," Grace laughed. "Don't forget I have a killer slap, so behave yourselves."

Dan and I pretended to coward in a theatrical manner, and somehow, we ended up running around while Grace chased us. Admittedly, I realized we weren't exactly the epitome of maturity, but even with that knowledge we continued our spontaneous game of tag. I didn't care that we were getting odd looks. I was in a good mood, and I'd be damned if I let anyone spoil it. Laughing like maniacs, we raced through the Pitt, up and down the various stairs, through winding paths, and past anyone in our way.

Dan and I were just rounding a corner, Grace hot our tails, when I nearly ran over Randi.

"What the?" She yelped as I grabbed her and attempted to use her as a shield against Grace.

"That's cheating!" Grace shouted when she'd caught up.

"Oh my god," Randi laughed as she took in the scene; looking from me, to Dan, and then to Grace. "Are you playing tag?" She asked incredulously.

"Playing? Pshh," I snickered, still not letting Grace get any closer. "This isn't a game Randi, this is war." I said in my best I'm-really-serious-about-this voice.

"It's not fair though," Grace complained as she tried to circle around to touch my arm. "You're legs are longer and I can't run as fast."

"Tough nuts sweetheart," Dan piped up from somewhere to my left.

Randi laughed again, and tried to pull away. I'd just let go when I realized my mistake. Without a moment of hesitation, Randi turned the tables on our game. Winking at Grace, she held out her hand and when she was tagged in, proceeded to turn and tag both Dan and I.

"No!" I groaned childishly.

Dan pretended to stomp his foot in annoyance, and he waggled his finger at the girls. "That was hardly fair." He chastised.

"What was it you said? Oh yeah, tough nuts sweetheart." Randi grinned as she skirted away to join Grace.

"Sweetheart huh? I knew you had a crush on me Randi but please, control yourself." Dan retorted with a mischievous grin.

"Shut up Dan," Randi said, not appearing at all bothered by his teasing. I was relieved, knowing that sometimes people could take his humor the wrong way.

"Well ladies, I'm sorry to say this, but prepare to lose." I said, grinning conspiratorially at Dan.

"Oh yeah?" Randi countered coyly. She gave Grace a quick nod, and then shifted so she was poised on the balls of her feet.

"Yep, you may not know this, but Dan and I are the undefeated champions of tag," I bragged.

"You don't say," she mused, plastering a look of false amazement on her features. "In that case, I think it's only right we get a head start, don't you agree Grace?" Randi prompted, smiling widely when Grace nodded.

Dan and I agreed, and then counted to ten loudly as the girls dashed away. When their time was up, we raced to catch up, closing the distance in a matter of seconds. We were just closing in on them when Randi shouted something to Grace who, after a moment's hesitation, suddenly broke off and ran in the opposite direction.

"They're splitting up?" I shouted at Dan.

"Yeah, I think they're trying to lose us," he nodded, "I'll go after Grace, you can catch Randi." He swiveled, and then disappeared into the crowded mass of dauntless bodies.

I faltered for a moment, and then turned to go in the opposite direction. I'd only taken my eyes off of her for a second and already I'd lost sight of her. I shoved past another group of dauntless and ran towards the last place I'd seen her heading.

Slowing to a jog, I stood at the entrance of the chasm and craned my head as I tried to catch any sign that Randi had decided to hide in there. It wasn't very well illuminated, and I'd just convinced myself that she'd probably decided to hide elsewhere, when I heard the skittering of pebbles from one of the dark corners of the spacious cavern.

I turned back around at once, slowly walking in and squinting my eyes towards where I thought the sound had originated. Through the rush of the running water, I managed to hear the muffled sounds of laughter.

"Randi?" I called out in a singsong voice as I got closer. "Randi, I can see you smiling in the dark." I lied, hoping my bluff would help flush her out of her hiding spot.

An unexpected burst of laughter echoed throughout the chasm, bright and filled with elation, and as I dwelled in the spirit-cleansing sound, I couldn't help but feel optimistic about my future here in dauntless. I turned towards where I thought I'd heard her, and as Randi dashed out and tried to get around me, I reached out and snatched her up.

I wrapped my arms around her, enveloping her in a tight bear-hug, and joined in her laughter as she tried unsuccessfully to wriggle out of my hold. I don't know exactly how it happened, but one moment we were sort of wrestling and joking around, and the next we were staring at each other in utter solemnity.

I loosened my hold, but rather than pull away, Randi slowly placed her hands on my chest. Her gaze burned into mine, and as she tilted her head up higher, I knew that this was more than a close moment between friends.

"I caught you," I mumbled stupidly; mentally kicking myself as I realized how juvenile my words sounded. Yes, I was asmuch the king of one-liners, as Banks was likely to be titled most bubbly initiate.

"Yeah, you did," she answered, her voice laced with a hidden meaning. "You have me."

Time blurred and I was both lost, yet completely attentive to every passing second. I could feel that we were on the precipice of something big, and that any action from either of our parts could tilt the scales.

Even though I'd been candor, and I was used to taking note of the details of the people I interacted with, I'd never felt this conscious of everything the other person was going through. I was aware that her steady pulse had skyrocketed, almost matching my own in its pace, that her hands were shaking slightly, her eyes were wide and searching, and that we were both so close that we were practically breathing the same air.

As she parted her lips, I listened closely, knowing that whatever she'd have to say could make a crucial impact on the way things were going between her and me. These were hectic times, and the wiser part of me warned that this was not the appropriate time to explore something beyond friendship. Yet the other side of me wanted desperately to forget all of my afflictions and just live in the moment; to enjoy my youth, relish the life I had, and maybe even fall in love.

"Sage," Randi whispered, and for a heart-dropping moment, I wondered if I'd misread things.

"Well, well. It appears as if you've won, no Sage?" Dan's voice echoed throughout the chasm; amusement clear in his words.

As if she were an open flame, I dropped my arms and leapt away from Randi; leaving a more than chaste distance between us. Shoving my hands deep in my pockets, I felt my face burn in embarrassment and couldn't help but feel grateful that the chasm was so poorly lit. Grace peeked her head from around Dan's shoulder, and I could see a look of utter delight as she tried to muffle a bout of giggles behind her hand.

"Yeah, of course I won." I said, trying to sound nonchalant as I walked forward to meet them. "Like I said, I'm a champ at tag."

"Now don't get a big head," Randi grinned, rolling her eyes as she matched my pace and stood next to Grace. "You only won because I took it easy on you."

"Is that a fact?"

"Indeed it is Mr. Stronghold," she said in a somewhat hammy tone. "If I didn't want to be caught, not even the fastest person alive could trap me."

A knowing smile spread over Grace's features as she stared from me and then to Randi, and I thought I noticed Dan seem a little entertained as he considered Randi's words.

"Ah, young love, such is life," Dan quipped, chuckling as he darted away when both Grace and Randi made to swat at him.

I actually laughed; feeling oddly buoyant and at ease. Even with everything going on, I was glad to see that some things in life didn't change. Though I doubted things would always stay this lighthearted and peaceful, I was happy to take advantage of the times and finally act my age.

"I don't know about you guys, but I'm getting hungry." I said.

"Getting hungry?" Dan gaped, pausing to rub his belly. "I'm starving! I feel like I haven't eaten since so long ago!"

"But you had breakfast with us this morning." Grace pointed out.

"Exactly my point, that was this morning, as in three hours ago." Dan explained. "Three hours guys, that's one-hundred and eighty minutes, and god knows how many seconds. That to me feels like more than an eternity!"

We all broke out in carefree laughter while Dan continued to complain and mope theatrically.

"Well if you're all that hungry, then do I have a treat for you." Randi said when she'd finally caught her breath.

As we made our way towards the cafeteria, I couldn't help but be curious. "So what is this mystery treat we're about to eat?"

She grinned widely, and as we entered the buzzing lunchroom, she said. "Have you ever heard of dauntless cake?"