A/N
I know I normally put these after the chapter but this felt too important to leave at the end. Bear with me but I feel like this will be a bit of a rant...
I know that I can't please everyone with how this story is written and what direction it goes in, and I'm willing to accept positive criticism about how I write it but stating your opinion negatively I won't accept. If this story is beginning to feel like a waste of time then stop reading. Also if, in your opinion, Eric's and Issy's relationship is going too slow for you (Note: If you didn't know, it is a SLOW BURN after all) or its a load of bull honestly, there isn't anything I'm willing to do to change that at the moment. Yes, I realise its taken me a long time to get to where I am with this story (just over a year) and if I could I would happily sit down all day everyday so I can write this story. Unfortunately though, things like life and writer's block stops me from doing that so just bear with me.
With that being said, I know this chapter is looooong overdue and I'll be getting back into schedule soon.
Thank you for reading this and enjoy the chapter! :)
Its another moment before Issy allows herself to relax into him. "Okay."
"Yeah? You okay with that?"
Issy pulls away with a small smirk. "Isn't that what I just said?" She laughs quietly to herself as he lightly punches her side and they watch the world go by, tucked into each other.
The next two weeks didn't drag as much as the first. Each day followed the same pattern. In the morning she'd go for a run, sometimes some of her friends joined her and others they didn't, then she'd join everyone else at breakfast before doing one of four things: drawing in the tattoo parlour, hanging out with her friends, or her brothers, or stocking up on food and essentials in Muldos up until lunch. After lunch she'd go to the training room, continuously switching between combat, knife throwing and firearms so she doesn't start getting lazy.
Sometime over those weeks there was a moment when Issy and her friends felt like they were still in Lower Levels learning new stuff. Issy had been walking with her brothers, Bree, Cody and Noah when they came across something that Issy hadn't noticed before.
"Hey Dec," Issy said with her eyes fixated on the small shelf in the wall. On the shelf in the wall was a screen with a keypad and a few other buttons. "What's that?" She asked, pointing to it.
"Oh that? Have you guys not used one yet?" Those in Issy's class shook their heads and Declan began to gesture them over to it. "Originally to check how many points you had on your card or even to transfer some points to another person's card, you'd have to go up to Leadership to see whoever was in charge of points to check the system. Obviously that'd take time and transferring points took a lot more paperwork than you'd think. But now Erudite found references of these machines where they'd check how many points you've got practically from anywhere. They've only been here a few years but you can check your points, transfer them, whatever, all in a matter of minutes." It was intriguing, to Issy at least. Now she could check her points without the fear of overspending or not having enough in case she needs something important.
Today though had turned out completely different than the other day as today was the squad's last day before they go back to work tomorrow. Thankfully, tomorrow they start their two weeks of day shifts, easing them back into their work nicely. That morning Issy didn't go for her morning run or even to the training room, for once she allowed herself a lie in. The whole day had been a lazy one. Issy had only really moved from her bed to the bathroom or the kitchen. It wasn't until half an hour before dinner that Issy had got a text from Red.
Hey Beta! Me and the rest of the squad are meeting up in the cafeteria. You coming?
Issy frowned, slightly confused to the sudden invitation. Despite how tightly knit the squad was while training and working, they hardly ever saw each other out of work. Obviously they saw each other around but they didn't really run in the same social circles like Issy and Hec did. And, thinking about social circles, neither Issy or Hec had met anyone that was relatively close to their co-workers. 'Maybe that's what this was about.' Issy thought to herself. Maybe they'll finally meet who their squaddies call family and friends.
Yeah, definitely. Issy had typed. When and where?
After she had sent the message, She suddenly felt raring to go until she looked down and realised she was still in her pj's. "Oops." She laughed to herself before quickly changing into a pair of jeans and a baggy hoodie. Issy had just begun to brush her teeth when her phone pinged from within her bedroom. She quickly sped into the next room with her toothbrush still in her mouth and she choked on it when she read Red's very sarcastic response in the form of two messages.
Oh I don't know, I think we decided on Amity…
You're a fucking moron Beta. At dinner in the fucking cafeteria. See you in ten.
Her eyes flashed to the time in the corner of her screen and she did indeed have only ten minutes. "Oh fuck." She ran back to the bathroom, her socks sliding slightly against the wooden floor boards of the hallway as she quickly spat out the toothpaste and rinsed her mouth out before she ran back into her room to shove her boots on and grabbed her phone, sliding it into the front pocket of her hoodie. Issy grabbed her keys on the way out, locking her door behind her and took off towards the cafeteria.
She grinned and waved at the familiar faces while she ran through the hallways. Some of them she recognised from being friends with her brother, others were just fellow squaddies she'd talk to in the garage. As Issy turned one corner and barrelled straight into Rainbow. With a thud, they fell to the floor. All of Issy's honey joints digging painfully into Rainbow and almost in retaliation, Rainbow's elbow clipped her chin painfully. Issy knew it'd bruise and someone near them cracked up laughing.
"Ow!" Rainbow moaned. "Beta! That hurt! I know you don't like being late but fucking hell, watch where you're going."
Issy laughed as she detangled herself from her friend. "Sorry but I kinda only got out of bed like half an hour ago." She offered her hand as she stood up and Rainbow took it, amazement and disbelief covering her features.
"Half an hour ago?" Rainbow shook her head but before she could speak, someone behind them cut in.
"Oh c'mon Erin," Rainbow's nose scrunched up in a slight sneer at the use of her real name as a slender woman with whiteish blonde hair walked closer. "You were just as bad at her age."
"Shut up Elea!" She snaps, rubbing at the bridge of her nose before looking back to Issy. "Beta this is my twin sister Elea." Issy's eyes widen and her jaw drops in astonishment as she looks between the pair. "Elea this is –"
"Oh, I know this is. Second Jumper. One half of Golden Eyes. First Ranker. Beta."
Issy tuts, rolling her eyes at the titles she's earned since being in Dauntless. "I'm only Beta to my squad mates. I prefer Issy." Her words have a slight bite to them and Elea laughs, winking with approval.
"Of course Issy."
"You're such a pair of snarky bitches." Rainbow sighs, pushing them both towards the cafeteria. "Come on! People are waiting!"
Issy followed behind them as they led the way. She was still amazed by the fact that they were twins. They're as different as night and day, although now she can see the similarities. They're both tall and slender but whereas Rainbow has multicoloured pixie cut, Elea has her pale hair falling half way down her back.
As they enter the cafeteria Issy is brought back to reality. She waves at her family as she passes them, following Rainbow and Elea to one of the tables in the corners. It was mostly packed with familiar faces of her squad and one made her halt in her tracks.
"Bud?!" She yelled and he smirked at her. He sat at the table in between BD and Captain. "Oh my God! Now I know why Bulldozer looked so familiar. Oh. My. Fucking. God!"
"Wait," BD chuckles as Issy sits opposite him and Rainbow and Elea sit on the end. "You didn't tell her?" When Bud shakes his head, BD turns to Issy. "Beta, as you know this is Bud, my older brother."
Issy looks between them and shakes her head, placing a hand to her heart and staggering back a step. "Betrayal. And I gave you my drawings."
"Alright, alright Beta." Nearly everyone on the table chuckles and Captain stands up. "Chill. Come sit down." Issy does as he says, sitting next to Red and in front of Captain. Rainbow and Elea sat down at the end of the table. Captain motioned to the small woman with short black hair next to him. "Beta, this is my wife."
She held out her hand and Issy shook it. "Hello Issy." She said quietly and Captain wrapped an arm around her protectively. "I'm Nina." Issy's eyes flickered down to Nina's hand that lightly drew circles onto her stomach.
"Oh my God." Issy whispered and Red started laughing quietly.
"Told you it wouldn't take her long to notice." Red held out his hand and Bulldozer frowned as he handed his plate of chocolate cake over, grumbling. "See Beta, we had a bet as to how long it'd take you to notice. Took Cutie Pie forever to notice." Most of the table started laughing again as Hec squawked from where he sat. A loving expression then shifted onto Red's face as a tall and curvy woman made her way to the table with a little boy gripping her hand as he pulled her along. Even from distance, Issy could tell he was a mini copy of Red. . . Just without the redness. Once they were close enough the little boy let go of his mother's hand and ran to Red. Red swooped him up from the floor, making the boy laugh.
The little boy pressed a kiss to each of Red's cheeks before he noticed Issy and gasped. "I know you!" He squealed. "Your sisters with Miss Bree!"
"I am." Issy said with a smirk. "I'm glad that such a strong man is looking after my sister." His little chest puffed out at that and Issy's heart ached at how adorable he was.
"I'm Roo –" Whatever Roo was about to say was stopped by his mother.
"Robert!" The little boy winced and curled into his dad. "Don't run away without telling me where you're going, okay?" She slumped down onto the bench next to Red and sighed.
"Yes mama."
She pats him lightly on the head before turning to Issy. "Ah Issy. Its nice to finally meet you, I'm Jade. We've heard so much from Bree."
Issy laughed. "I wouldn't believe everything you hear, my family has a tendency of exaggerating things about me."
"Oh no darling, I don't think they exaggerate at all."
Issy blushes slightly in response and decides to change the subject. "So where's Billy and Geek at?"
"Ah," Captain starts as Red, BD and Bud begin to snicker. "Geek and his boyfriend are making the most of their last day off, as is Billy and his missus. You'll probably meet them at a later date. For now though, let's enjoy our last day off." Captain raises his cup up in the air and the others join him, theirs clinking against his.
Issy raises hers also, grinning as Captain says a toast. She's been looking forward to going back to work only because of the idiots around her. Her friends. Her squad mates. Her team.