The third week at the Dauntless compounds began as usual, with me waking up all too early and leaving for practice.
When Belikov had mentioned that he'd take it easy, the words had only been valid for a day. So, come Sunday and he was handing me my ass yet again.
Him stating that he wanted me in on a mission hadn't been explained beyond the fact that I had to shadow Lissa, anywhere and everywhere. She was not to be left alone at any cost, to remain unaware of this fact, if I was to leave her side, Belikov had to be informed so anyone could take my place for the time being.
I had asked him the cause behind the measure, "added safety, it's a precaution." he had said. But that, I felt, was only the partial truth. He hadn't cared enough as to elaborate on the topic and dismissed me for the day.
I hadn't seen Mason or Eddie the whole of yesterday, for Christina and I had hung out with Lissa.I had wondered if Christina had been ignorant about the developments between Lissa and her brother, but my assumption had been proven incorrect, when she was excited yesterday night.
*flashback*
"Have you seen my brother today?" She asked.
"I have. He has been ridiculously tolerable for the past week. I wonder how the change has come about."
"Someone has been a positive influence I guess." she mused. "Have you noticed how happy Lissa has been?"she added on second thought.
" Are you implying, what I think you are implying? "I questioned. The confusion apparent on her face making me add," Do you think that Lissa and Christian might have a thing? "
" You knew? "She questioned appearing, genuinely surprised and equally aghast.
" I guessed. "
What followed was a ear peircing joyous squeal, which caused me to put my hands against her mouth, to stop her, for we had been out late after curfew, and if caught it would only bring trouble.
*flashback ends*
Standing in front of the floor length single mirror, I noticed a smile on my lips. It somehow still felt surreal, a privilege to be able to look at myself without restrictions.
Christina found it weird because both she and Lissa spent hours in front of it working on their day to day appearance while I threw on outfits in minutes and was off to my job for the day in the next minute.
My mood all pleasant while the day which appeared to good to be true came to an end, the moment I entered the crowded Dauntless cafeteria, my eyes landing on Lissa who appeared to be on the verge of tearing up, as Jessie and some short girl stood beside her, smirking wickedly.
"Hey Liss , can I have a moment?" I asked, interruption the moment.
My voice distraction enough for her to gain control over her composure.
"Sure." She replied, hastily standing up, ready to leave.
"Hold up princess. You forgot the scroll."
Chirped in the short blonde haired girl, handing Lissa a rolled booklet.
It was the most I had ever seen her irked, soon intervening I rescued her from the situation.
"What happened Liss?" I tried to pry, when we were alone in her room, handing me the rolled bundle of paper she broke into tears, sobs wracking through her body, she hugged me tight.
It was awkward but not bad, she needed my comfort so I tried to calm her, I let my fingers gently comb through her platinum locks as she tried to get it together.
It took an hour for her to fall asleep. Ivan arrived on my request as I headed to my practice for the day. I had missed the session with Dimitri and the first half was still up for self training, thus I headed to the gym.
"Hey Rose, are you free this evening? Would you like to hang out with me at the quad?" Asked Mason, when I had just begun to focus on my workout.
The event of the last day flashed through my mind, as I could no more look at him, let alone his face.
"Sorry Mase, I'm up for more training as usual." I replied, withdrawing from the gym, determined to hide in my room for the rest of the day, wishing to put on a charade of non-chalance.
Entering the corridor I realized that I had no room to call my 'own' . Looking for a place to hide, I wandered around the compound,only to chance upon an old broken, unused balcony of sorts.
Depositing my bag in a corner, I slumped against the railing, with my legs dangling from the edge. It was thrilling to be this high above the ground, the feeling rushing through my veins, making me feel alive.
A huge part of the compound could be seen, both old and new and it was a breath-taking view, a scenary painted in blue, black, grey and green. A relief to the eye.
It was after a few moments that my guilt began to rear its head.
'I hadn't waited around to see his reaction, I had probably hurt his feelings.'
' I had been too rude.'
'I was a fool. The matter could have been sorted out in a far better way.'
I thought, my mind reeling, feeling sad and confused, tuning my surroundings out enough to attack the first person who tried to ground me to the reality again.
A hand had softly landed on my shoulder making me jump out of my skin as I retaliated with punches.
Seeing him stand behind me, I was glad that he knew how to defend himself.
"Oo,look whom I surprised!" He said. "Hey little fighter, you seem lost." he added , "Can I be of any assistance?" He continued smiling in that wicked yet charming way of his.
"I don't know Adrian. I don't know what is wrong or what's weird, I'm confused and it looks like I mess up everything I undertake,every where I go."
Frowning he asked, "And what led you to believe this Rose?"
That's all it took for me to pour my heart out to him.
"Change takes time Rose." He stated in a strangely calm tone,making me wonder if his body harbored a soul decades old.
"Stop being this hard on yourself. Give yourself some time and see that things will be better. Just take things easy, for the time being, you are over thinking things now. Just try going with the flow for now." he concluded, sagely.
The next hours or so were spent in content silence as we sat side by side, on the ledge, enjoying each other's company and the mesmerizing view, with occasional observations and comments being voiced, creating a peaceful bubble which lasted long enough to calm my inner turmoil.
It was when I got up to leave did I notice, it, Adrian had lit a cigarette and it was balanced precariously between his fingers. "Aren't those supposed to be unhealthy?" I spoke, recalling the repeated lessons on health from middle grade.
"I'm touched by your concern Little fighter, thank you, but this is an occasional pleasure I indulge in, so don't worry." He answered with his head lolling to a side with the smallest of smiles gracing it.
"Thanks for being here Adrian."
"You are always very welcome Rose!"he replied as I headed on for lunch.
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Hello my dear readers. I'm pleased to inform you that, ' What I Live By' has now completed a year! On the 5th of August, my story turned a year old. So I thank all the readers , favourites, followers and reviewers. Thanks for the encouragement and support. Please let the kind words keep coming.
As a treat I will answer one question from each of you , as long as it doesn't spoil the story for you.
Also to the guest who reviewed, congratulating me in advance :thank you thank you so much for your kind words!
Lots of love!
-Katnipsc :)