I want to thank everyone who is supporting this story. It means a lot to me, as a new writer to the Divergent fandom. I know there have been writers who have been doing it a lot longer than me. Hope you enjoy this new chapter, celebrating this holiday season with family and friends. The next chapter will be out on Sunday again if all goes according to plan on Boxing Day.
Chapter Eight
It was just a week before we would get a new set of initiates. Preparations had been put into place, agendas written and dorm rooms ready to go. The instructors are frustrated like every year as they run around the compound getting themselves and the jobs, they leave behind sorted. Giving instructions and direction to those who take over their duties. Probably also leaving lists of unwanted jobs as well.
Hannah rarely asked me about initiation, but it felt like everyone else asked her about initiation. It had been decided that she would stay in the dorm with the rest of the transfers. I hadn't told her yet, I was going to miss having someone in my apartment. It surprised me, but I enjoyed our time together and would miss our evenings reading.
Four would be the one to keep an eye on her during her training, Christina joining as an instructor this year. Hannah would not be part of the Choosing Ceremony but join everyone up on the roof. At that moment that she would no longer be my responsibility, but an initiate like those around her.
People had started calling her my shadow, now that she was allowed to be part of the faction life. We were nearly always together or waiting around for the other. The only times we were apart was during the afternoons. While I worked she spent three days a week with Lynn and Tris, going over different self-defence teachings.
The video of Marlene and Hannah had spread throughout the compound. Four had been furious, but when it was explained, his ex-trainee mentioned he softened. He agreed that it was something that needed to be taught to some of the members, especially the female transfers and dependents. Hannah went through some of the moves that Edward taught her, plus any teaching materials that could be found in Erudite. Those who were part of the project were extremely impressed with her and her work ethic.
It was interesting to see Hannah with a purpose. Even though she would not be teaching the class, she took her role very seriously. Nate speculates that it had to do with her experiences out on the streets, and I could see that this was something she was passionate about. She knew the seriousness of the whole situation, how much it was needed to protect people. I enjoyed seeing her push herself as well as those learning from her. She would make a great teacher, she believed what she taught.
With the training sessions, she had to get over whatever issues she had with Tris. With the same goal, they bonded quickly. Watching them at lunch and dinner times while they sat talking about the curriculum, it was clear that they were both stubborn and determined. They certainly weren't best friends, but they could be civil with each other, when united on something they were a strong force. I felt for Lynn being stuck in the middle of them.
It meant that Four and I ended up sitting together during those meals with both girls not noticing us. We either had to talk to the other or be silent. Most of the time we choose silence, but the odd moment we discussed work. We spent time discussing Hannah, how she was settling in well to life, it was something we could at least agree on. Four has started to get a soft spot for her, I know he looked forward to having her in his class. He had never taught the Dauntless born, so most of his initiates were strangers to him. It would be strange seeing the new dynamic play out.
Hannah's other afternoons were mostly spent with Uriah or Christina. They spent a lot of time at the rock wall, eating cake, or Christina insisting that she should give Hannah a makeover. Thankfully Hannah had remained strong on the subject letting her change very little about herself. She now had a lot more control of her hair and most of the time wore it in a high ponytail, which bounced as she walked. Her hair remained bright and long, making it easy to pick her out when we were in the dining room.
She was also growing a good book collection. Our evenings were now spent with Hannah reading out loud as she lay across the sofa. Every now and again she would ask for a word to be explained, or if it was something from before the war, she would ask for a brief overview of what it meant. She craved knowledge and I enjoyed having the excuse of using my Erudite side as I researched the details she wanted to know.
Every time I had a meeting at Erudite, I made sure to grab her a new book. She now had her own copy of The Wizard of Oz, since it was her favourite. She kept her books in pristine condition in her room. No one was allowed to fold the pages; Nate had found out the hard way when she chewed him out.
I was currently in a meeting with the rest of the Dauntless leaders, going over a few new proposals. It was getting to the end of the workday, and everyone was ready for the meeting to be over. I stared down at my folder, flicking through the pages before it came to a drawing that Hannah had done at breakfast this morning. A quick sketch of those who had been sitting at the table: Lynn, Shauna and Zeke. I had been beside her when Uriah had shouted for her from across the room, I had quickly lifted and stuck it in the stack of papers I had.
My desk and coffee table both had piles of her drawings and doodles. When Tori had heard that she could draw she had found a sketchbook and pencils for her. Uriah even had one of her doodles tattooed on his arm: of course, it was a piece of cake. A few people also wanted her to draw them tattoos when they say her work, and she spent time sitting down, designing personal doodles for her friends. She was really good, I knew Tori already had plans to get her to help out in the tattoo parlour after initiation.
She had been enchanted as she watched Uriah get the tattoo. I knew deep down she wanted one, but no dependents were allowed one until they were at least in initiation. No matter how much her friends hounded Tori to give her one. I would not be surprised if she showed up to initiation with at least one tattoo. She was addicted while having none on her body.
"Eric, do you have any thoughts?" Max asked, bringing me back to reality.
Looking up instantly as I slammed my folder shut I could tell it was not the first time he had called on me. The rest of the room now also looked over at me. I took a glance at the agenda trying to figure out where we were. I hated being flustered like this and everyone knew it.
"I think Eric here wasn't with us. I think we all are ready to call it a day, and head for food. We can pick up on those thoughts tomorrow." Harrison says from his side of the room. Everyone quickly agrees, forgetting that I was the one caught daydreaming, an event that seemed to happen more regularly in the past few weeks. No one dared to bring it up though.
Max quickly agrees, people start grabbing their stuff, leaving the conference room. Four turns to face me from his spot in the seat beside me. "The girls are probably still in the training room; do you want to go and get them before they forget about dinner again?" There had been a few times that someone needed to kick them out for the night. It seemed like there was always something they were trying to work out or just five more minutes on a certain move. Hannah also seemed to be a perfectionist. Something I could fully understand.
I agree, grabbing my folder and tablet from the table. We make a quick stop in our offices to collect what we need dropping off the notes from the meeting.
"Tris was saying Christina and Uriah were planning on doing something for Hannah before she starts training. Most families do something to celebrate their dependents becoming adults or something like that." Four simply says I know from my time here it is some of the first real parties' dependants are allowed to be a part of whether it's a goodbye to the good life or welcoming them to their future. The night before initiation was normally a lot rowdier than the next, something I wished I could have experienced my year. Instead, my parents had both been called back to the hospital halfway through dinner.
I turn and give a look at Four. "What are they thinking? I think my parents gave me the Erudite textbooks for my choosing ceremony." I smirk at him, trying to get a rise out of him.
"How did anyone think you were staying in Erudite? It's more than my father ever did. I think they are wanting to take her out for the night. It's going to be a group thing from what I've heard. I'm sure they will let you know soon." He tells me heading towards the training room.
"Does Hannah know anything about it?" I quiz him, following down the hallway.
"Have no clue, but I'm sure they wouldn't spring it on her. Everyone knows she doesn't like surprises." He stops at the door of the leaders training room. "I'm sure you know this already, but she'll be fine. When she's training Christina and I will keep an eye on her." He attempts to reassure me, and it's not something I have ever experienced from him before. We have ended up civil towards the other even more so in the last few weeks. I would not admit it but it made work more pleasant to have someone in your corner.
"Who says I'm worried about her?" I snap at him, trying to not show my true feelings on the situation, because I really don't want to acknowledge them, especially with Four.
He gives me a look that clearly tells me that he doesn't believe a word that I'm saying. He looks like he might say something but decides against it. He opens the door and walks in.
Quickly scanning the room, I see Lynn and Hannah sparing on the mats, Tris standing beside them as she types into her own tablet. She is the first one to notice us, walking over, while the other two don't seem to have seen us. I take a moment to appreciate Hannah's form as she dodges an attack Lynn tried to land on her stomach.
Tris stands beside Four: "You finished early, or you are dragging us for dinner?" She smirks at her boyfriend, and I watch at how Four's stone glare lessens. Is that what I look like with Hannah?
"Meeting just finished so we thought we would see how you all were getting on. Get much done today?" Four questions her taking the tablet out of her hand. Apparently, she is shocking with technology, so he never trusts her with it.
"I mostly have formatting to do. Max emailed saying he wants a seminar ready to show the leaders in a couple of weeks. Hannah will have started by them, so we want to get the demos done before then." She gestures over to the camera that has been set up near the mat.
Hannah and Lynn seem to be at the point where they are just messing about practising different moves rather than anything specific. Since her fight with Marlene, Hannah has been slowly picking up a few things from the two girls. Although they aren't meant to be teaching her, I know Lynn has never fully listened to orders. It is evident when Lynn throws a punch at her, and Hannah deflects by grabbing her hand twisting, before following through with a round kick at her feet. Lynn lands hard on the floor.
"I've told them we are only meant to be doing self-defence, but you know how Lynn gets. She's getting good, quick learner. I'm sure Edward would have been proud of her. Apparently, they were close. She told us a few stories." Tris explains to both of us, not taking her eye off the two girls.
"They date?" I find myself asking, causing her to turn and stare, which makes me uncomfortable. Is she trying to warn me? Is it just a simple comment?
"Don't think it was anything like that. Myra didn't last long so I think they bonded over their grief. Most of what she knows about Dauntless comes from him. She keeps asking when the capture the flag is." Tris says with a grin. I'm surprised to hear that she is asking others about initiation other than me. Maybe she thinks I wouldn't answer since I'm a leader.
Four chuckles at that point. "Yeah, she's already asked that we do it after dinner. Apparently, she's not a morning person." Well, she obviously doesn't feel the same about Four. He is easier to pull to your side, especially when it's Hannah talking. She must know this piece of information and is trying to use it to her advantage.
"You can say that again. I have three alarms in her room and there is no waking her. Good luck for whoever is on wake-up duty is going to need a foghorn." I say, making sure that someone knows so she isn't late to any of her training. I know they all want her to succeed, they will probably drag her out from her bed.
"I'll make sure to send Uriah in then. He was a nightmare to get out of bed, so he can have that joy this time. Lauren ended up making Zeke get him up." Four comments besides me.
We all turn to watch the two fighting. Lynn is currently trying to punch Hannah, who instead has reached out and pushed her away, not before grabbing around her thigh. Lynn grabs the back of her ponytail and starts to pull. Hannah drops Lynn's leg, grabbing the hand in her hair, pulling down so Lynn is slightly bent over, and drawing her knee into her stomach. One thing I have noticed about Hannah, she's never one to pull a punch. She defends but never attacks. That's going to hold her back if she can't get over it soon.
Lynn lets go and stands up, pain evident on her face. She must notice Four and me, as she mumbles something to Hannah, which causes her to turn and look at us. She waves over and grins, pretending she wasn't caught doing something she shouldn't. As per usual no one says anything. All she needs to do is smile and most let her off. The day she figures that out will be the death of us all.
"Dinner, grab your stuff." Four calls over to them.
They step down off the mat and grab a towel each rubbing it over their heads and face. They come over, Lynn going straight to talking with Tris, while Hannah stands in front of me with a smile on her face.
"Did you go to Erudite today?" She asks hopefully, I know the question she is really asking, causing me to tut at her.
"No, that's tomorrow. You're going to have to just accept my company tonight." I chuckle at her, and she almost looks disappointed, it's not a new book today.
"Zeke asked this morning if we were going to his tonight. Something about a party for Shauna?" She questions more than says. She has yet to go to any parties, although she has been invited to quite a few. I know she has turned most of them down, but she likes Zeke so probably wants to go.
"I forgot that's tonight. We can go for an hour, two hours max." I huff out. Since Hannah has arrived, I've found myself to be slightly more sociable. I blame it on Max pushing for Hannah to get to know other people.
"Christina says I need to go to hers and get dressed like a girl." She says but her attitude looks less than thrilled about it. "Maybe you could get me out of that part?" She smiles sweetly at me, trying her hardest to get me to say yes.
"You are a girl?" I retort, rolling my eyes at the idea. "I would hate to take you away from your friends. It's meant to be fun, you all get ready together, talk about boys. Girl things."
"I think she means wearing something other than my workout clothes." She says while gesturing down at what she is wearing. When I don't say anymore she shrugs: "Fine, but it's something ridiculous I want to change."
"Come on, we better head for food before Christina drags you away the moment you walk through the door." When I look away from Hannah, I notice that the others have already left us. Another new development, once together we tend to forget the others who are with us. It leads to us being left behind on multiple occasions.
As Hannah walks beside me, I see a big difference in her. She looks confident, even if she's still short, her head not even reaching my shoulder. Her walk has now got used to my stride, rather than being a few steps behind me, she is able to keep up with me. We walk into the dining room, she scans the room before finding a spot with Uriah, Nate and some of the others. She doesn't check to see where I'm going, she just heads over to sit down. She must know that I would follow her.
People still watch her. Most outside of our circle haven't spoken to her. They all know about her and see her around, but seem to still be giving her space. I quickly follow behind her glaring at anyone who stares too long. Hannah seems to be obvious to them.
She sits in between Uriah and Will pulling food onto her plate and chatting to those around her. She looks at home, comfortable. As if she always belonged here. Maybe she was always meant to.
"You're staring." I hear whispered into my ear. Looking over and seeing Nate in the seat beside me. "She allowed to spread her wings, even just a little." He slightly mocks.
Hannah must feel me looking at her as she smiles over, before turning back to listen to Will. She is one of the only ones who listens to his rant, which does not also work in the control room. When she is no longer looking back at me, I sigh before glancing at Nate. "Just keeping an eye on her. You know the thing I have been told to do. My job remember." I know that he will see right through me, he always has been able to.
"Okay, just saying. You sometimes have to share her, and it's only going to get worse in a week." He says as he eats his dinner, "It's okay to say she's more than just an assignment. People aren't blind."
I grab my own food onto my plate and start to eat. As predicted Hannah has only been in the dining room for five minutes before Christina and Marlene skip over and start to pull her from her seat. She grabs a slice of pizza and waves at me as she is dragged behind the other girls. I laugh at their behaviour, knowing how much Hannah is not going to enjoy being poked and powdered with make-up.
Will informs the rest of the guys who are left that all the girls are getting ready in his apartment that he shares with Christina. Uriah invites us all to go to his for some pre-drinks. I agree to go with the rest of them since I don't want to go to my empty apartment.
It's not until the party at Zeke's that I see Hannah again. She looks uncomfortable in the outfit she has been made to wear. It's the typical Dauntless style dress, too short and extremely revealing. It's completely black and sleeveless. I know for sure it has to be Christina's I'm certain I have seen the other girl in it. Hannah, however, looks like she wants out of it now.
She stands back from everyone her eyes darting around the room like she is looking for someone to save her. She spots me, I think she's going to walk over. However, Tris spots her first. She's holding a small bag dragging Hannah who looks relieved to see her and follows after her into another room.
"I think Christina forgot who she was dressing. She does the same thing to Tris every single time." Four stands beside me as he looks to where the girls went. "Tris always sends an SOS for me to bring a backup option, I think Hannah needed it more tonight."
"Christina told her she needed to look more like a girl, which is ridiculous by the way." I look around the room at how the others dress but know Hannah would never wear such a thing. "She obviously forgot not everyone wears the same as her."
"Before the girls brought her shopping you basically got her your clothes in a smaller size." Four says with a smirk, and I know he is not wrong. I never said I knew how to dress a girl. I just about throw my own clothes together.
"I never heard her complain. She complained to you?" I snap back at Four. "Didn't think you would be into Dauntless fashion."
"I don't think she minded, probably the first time she had clothes that were just hers." He drinks a sip from his drink, before speaking. "She never had a choice to express herself. We need to give her a chance."
"That dress, if you could even call it that was not it. She's sixteen." I say sounding more like a parent, and I'm not sure if I feel comfortable with that thought.
"Dauntless sixteen-year-olds wear worse and you know it. I always forget how young she is. I don't always remember she's technically a dependent. She fits in well with the group, it's going to be difficult on her when it comes to initiation." Four comments, as he watches over the room. His protective nature never seems to shut off.
"What do you mean?" I raise my eyebrow at his statement. Does he expect her to fail?
"You know what it's like, initiates even those from Dauntless stick to themselves. You've never been friends with an initiate before, is that going to change?" Four challenges me, and I do see what he is trying to say.
"You and Tris were friendly during her initiation, why would Hannah and I be any different?" I snarl at him, not understanding why he feels the need to bring any of this up at a party.
Four chokes on his drink and stares over at me, his mouth hanging open. "Do you even hear yourself? Are you honestly saying you two are the same as Tris and me? You know she's my girlfriend?" He grabs a hold of my arm dragging me further away from the others. "Eric, are you attracted to Hannah? You have to know you can't. She not even an initiate." He stares at me, and I'm shocked by his force and what he is even insinuating.
I pull out of Four's grasp. "Of course, I don't you idiot. I'm just saying you talked, saw her outside of classes, you were close." I say trying to remember back to that class, some of them all blare together.
"Eric, you have to know I did those things because I was attracted to her. I'm barely civil with my initiates, but I'm the instructor. You are meant to be the hard-ass leader. It's going to be even odder if you are treating her different from everyone else. You aren't meant to have favourites."
"Fine then, I'll not speak to her." I snap at him, walking away from him, fed up with the conversation even more because it's happening with Four.
"You know that's not what I meant, stop being a dick. I think you need to be realistic; you can't blame me. It's just a reality of the situation. You need to know what is coming. She will make friends with those in her class. I'm not saying any of us are going to turn our backs on her, but we aren't to give her any special treatment and if you can't see that, maybe you need to step back." He says in his own leader voice, I don't think he has ever used it on me before.
It's at that moment I see Tris and Hannah leave the bedroom in different outfits than the ones Christina picked. It's still fitted but this dress has a high neckline and long mesh sleeves. It's long on one side of her leg and the other side stops just above her knee. It's a lot more Hannah, and her face and demeanour look a lot more comfortable. She looks around the room and sees me, breaking into a smile. She nudges Tris and they both head over in our direction.
"You shut your mouth," I say in a harsh whisper to Four as the girls make their way through the crowd to get to us. "Hannah has already been through enough and if you want to be a dick go elsewhere." I snap just before they get to us. Glaring at him with as much anger as I can without biting his head off or making it noticeable to everyone in the room.
"How are things over here?" Tris questions us. She's smiley, a sure sign that she's at least tipsy. "Having lots of fun?" As she eyes us, I would think she knew about our conversation. Maybe I'm a bit obvious.
"Your boyfriend is being a little shit, so nothing new." I turn to Hannah taking in every little detail now. She stands in front of me. Her hair has been half pulled off her face and placed on the top of her head in some sort of bird's nest. The rest of it falls down her back. "You haven't been drinking, you still have a few days of your medication. Foster will kill me if you had even a drop."
"Nope, Tris pointed out which ones I could and couldn't have." She smiles, looking around at everyone. Most people are dancing and drinking in the main space. All the furniture has been moved and turned into a spot to dance. She looks fascinated by it all. Most newbies do, but she looks excited about every little thing. I don't think the factionless had many parties, it's probably the first one she's been to. She reads about them plenty, and I'm sure she's using them for reference.
"Tris! Hannah! Get your assess over here." Shauna shouts over at them. "It's my birthday, you need to dance." She certainly sounds and looks like she has had a few drinks.
Hannah turns around looking at me and raises an eyebrow in an unspoken question. "Hell no, I don't dance," I say to her and roll my eyes when she tuts. "Go for it, yourself."
"Don't worry Four doesn't dance either. You can dance with me." Tris says and she drags Hannah after her. Yep, Tris is most certainly drunk, and it's hilarious to see.
Four and I stand as the two move over to the others. The crowd shouts in acceptance as the two of them join in. Tris twirls around with her hands in the air, Hannah just stands back while laughing at her.
"You're going to have a fun night with that one," I tell Four, who has still not moved from his spot beside me.
"She always forgets how little she is and how low her tolerance for alcohol really is. It's the same every time Christina just keeps topping up her glass. They are a bad influence on each other."
"What did Christina do this time?" Will says from his spot beside us, probably hearing his girlfriend's name.
"Getting Tris drunk." I simply state to him.
"It's been like that ever since initiation. Don't worry it wouldn't be long before she is doing the same to Hannah. I don't even get it, it's not like she drinks a ton herself. I think she just likes telling everyone what they got up to. The joy of her Candor upbringing." He looks over to the crowd glancing at the group before he smirks. "I see she's trying to corrupt Hannah, as well."
We all look over and find them: Christina, Uriah and Hannah are bouncing, It's the best way to describe what they are doing. Banging their heads back and forth as they jump up and down. I'm surprised that their heads have not collided together.
Hannah laughs with her friends, I find myself smirking along with her. At this moment she is as carefree as everyone else around her, bouncing to the music, and laughing with her friends. She has found her place in Dauntless, and I can only hope that she wants it, and will work for it, for the next few months.
Nate and Zeke find us, something about cigars from Harrison, and they pull us away from our spot watching the trio. From my spot on the sofa, I can't see Hannah, but I know that her friends have their eyes on her.
It's around midnight when I decide to call it a night. I glance around the room, looking for Hannah and she is nowhere to be found. I enlist the help of Nate while the party continues. I start to panic when it becomes clear we have searched the whole apartment. Uriah nor Christina have no clue where she is, and don't seem sober enough to know what is going on. Tris is also nowhere to be found either.
I'm pulling my phone out to message the control room to find her, and as I walk out into the hallways, I find the pair. They sit side by side, both fast asleep, and a half-eaten missing birthday cake between them. At least at this moment, they are friends.