Whore.

She had heard the word plenty of times now, was almost used to it accompanying her name in patches of conversation she overheard. The familiarity didn't make it any easier to bear.

The majority of the population of Dauntless thought she had seduced Four to secure her place in the faction and now they thought she was sleeping her way to the top with Eric. Her reputation in Dauntless was damaged beyond repair.

The worst part was how completely helpless she was to change the situation.

For one, she couldn't even deny that she was involved with Eric because it was a partial truth. Even though he hadn't touched her for days now, they had shared something intimate, something that all of Dauntless was now aware of.

There was also the little fact that everything Tris did fed these rumors, and it was impossible to avoid.

She and Eric were training together, so it wasn't as though she could stay away from him as she had done with Four. Every time they were seen together, they added fuel to the fire and it wouldn't be long before the whole situation would go up in flames.

She began to look forward to her training sessions more and more, because it was the only time she was free of prying eyes and muttered rumors. She could concentrate on herself and improving her skill.

And quite honestly, if faced with Eric's steely indifference or the combined whispers of an entire faction, Tris would choose the former every time.

They were on the mats again, and Tris was starting to become frustrated with this part of her training. She knew she was improving here, but it was hard to tell because Eric refused to spar properly. He acted as if her touch burned him and avoided it at all costs, instead focusing on defense.

She smiled sweetly at Eric when she hit him hard enough to knock him back with a quick jab to the throat that he was too slow to block.

He gasped for air for a moment, but recovered far more quickly than Tris had expected and her victory was short lived. Grabbing her leg around the thigh, he picked her up and threw her to the side like she was nothing.

She hit the mats hard, unprepared for the impact and it rattled her bones.

"Don't get cocky," he snarled at her, but Tris heard a hint of a wheeze in his voice from her well placed punch.

Lying on the ground in a heap of tangled limbs, Tris was currently feeling neither cocky or confident. He always seemed to find a way to best her and he made it look so easy.

Not for the first time, she wished she could see how she fared with a different opponent.

"Come on, get up," Eric ordered, keeping a fighting stance.

Tris suddenly got an idea, though she knew it was risky.

"No."

"No?" He repeated incredulously.

"No. I'm done being thrown around because you won't really fight me."

He laughed darkly, but didn't deny her words.

"You'd be thrown around no matter what. You're weak. How you ever got past initiation is beyond me."

"I worked for it," she growled, still sitting on the mats. In her anger, she thought about standing to face him again, but she knew that was only what he wanted.

She wasn't giving in.

"You don't want to really spar with me now. Trust me on that, Stiff." His voice sounded dangerous, matching the glint in his eyes.

Tris didn't back down. She wasn't about to admit defeat so soon.

"I can handle it, you know I can."

All at once he was in front of her, pulling her up by the arm roughly. There was fire in his eyes again and Tris recognized that look from before.

"You have no idea what I want to do to you," he growled, tightening his grip around her elbow.

"I do. I do know, Eric."

"Really? You think so, do you?"

Throwing caution to the wind, Tris pressed her lips to his quickly, before she had time to change her mind.

She wasn't expecting to be pushed away so quickly. He let go of her arm and backed away a step.

"Are you crazy?" he whispered harshly. "There's cameras everywhere in here."

"But I just wanted to tell you-

"Not here. If leadership thinks you're not taking your training seriously, they won't hesitate to demote you."

Tris blushed, both from the rejection and her own stupidity. Of course she had forgotten about the cameras again. When Eric stared at her with those burning eyes it became impossible to think clearly.

"When? If not now, when can I speak to you?"

"How about never?" he spat, narrowing his eyes. Tris didn't understand. It was obvious he wanted her as much as she had wanted him. Why reject her again?

"We need to talk. Whatever this thing is-"

"This is nothing, do you understand?" he asked with venom in his voice. "Whatever you think is happening here is just your imagination."

Tris cursed, very uncharacteristically.

"I don't believe you. The way you kissed me-"

"It was a mistake. I'm not about to be demoted for fooling around with the class whore."

She drew in a sharp breath at that, shocked by his harsh words.

"But-but I'm not... you know the truth." She managed very quietly.

"It doesn't matter what I think. You're under a microscope. And so am I. Just let it go Tris."

Her heart wretched a little as she watched him walk away, eyes following the graceful curve of his back.

She was not going to let it go.