Author note:

So now we get into more of why I put a Mature rating on this. There is some language and Eric goes to a place that is getting pretty dark. But he's insane as far as I'm concerned so there you go. There's not really any controlling what he might say. I hope I don't offend anyone.

Reposting for Minor edits: 10/18/2020

When the alarm went off the next morning I hear Christina groan, "Seriously? It's too early."

I chuckle, she doesn't know my routine or why I have it, but now that I'm in it I kind of like having a lot of time to prepare for the day every morning. "Sorry, you can sleep longer if you want. I need to get ready and go to breakfast so I can get to work."

She grumbled from under her pillow, "No, I'm up now. I'll get ready and go say hi to Will before I go to work. It was weird not having him sleep near me. I missed him. It's crazy how quickly you get used to something."

I knew the feeling. Not having Tobias next to me the night before was unsettling. Every time I rolled over I expected to put my arm around him but it was just empty space. But I couldn't tell her that.

I put on one of my new dresses, a sleeveless coat dress, one that showed off both my shoulder tattoos. And you could just see the ravens peeking out from under my collar. Then, I pulled the new heels out of their box, sliding them on and hoping I didn't make a fool of myself in them. I did my makeup quickly and twisted my hair up into a clip like I'd seen some of the other Dauntless women do. I turned around from the mirror just as Christina walked out of the bathroom.

She took one look at me and exclaimed, "Holy Shit!"

"What? What's wrong?" I said looking down at myself. Did I look ridiculous trying to fit in?

"I think I just took a hit to my ego. You look amazing! Like really professional amazing but also hot amazing," she said in her usual Candor way.

I didn't mind it so much right now, because at least I knew she wasn't lying to me to make me feel better. I smiled, "Really? I mean I don't want to go overboard but I really want Diana to know this job is important to me."

"Yeah, you kind of nailed it," she said. "You could go more dramatic with the makeup for Dauntless, but for when you have to meet with people outside of the compound you've got the right look. One other suggestion though is with heels like that you seriously need an ankle tattoo."

I smile giddily, "Thanks, but I'm not getting a tattoo just because my outfit calls for it. I want it to mean something."

She finishes getting dressed and we walk out of my apartment. Four comes out of his apartment at about the same time. I guess he was waiting for me this time, "Good morning, Four." I say trying to keep up the nice Tris attitude.

"Good morning, Tris," he says politely as he turns to look at me. His eyes go wide and he does a full once over. Maybe I do look good.

I try not to smile too big. "See you later," I say as Christina and I leave.

We get closer to the dining hall before Christina finally can't keep it together. She looked back to make sure he couldn't hear us before whispering loudly, "Four totally checked you out!"

"It looked to me like he was looking at me with disapproval, again," I say trying to play it off as nothing.

"No, I know that look and that was a look of stunned, 'WOW,'" she said, with giddy excitement.

I shrugged, "Well, I'm not putting myself through that again with him. He had his chance."

She smiled approvingly, "Good for you! Make him beg."

I walked into the dining hall and filled a tray with eggs, bacon, and toast then proceeded to eat while looking over my work tablet. Christina had followed me in but just grabbed a couple of muffins for herself and Will then left. Four walked in just a little bit after her and stared at me while picking up a muffin and some dried fruit.

I rolled my eyes with a secret smile and looked back at my tablet. Then I heard a voice I didn't recognize. "It's Tris, right?"

I look up to a man who looked to be about mid twenties and he was taking a seat across from me, "You mind if I sit with you?" he asked.

"Uhh, sure," I said, because what else could I say after he was already there.

"You were first jumper and first in your class this year, right?" he asked as he bit into his biscuit.

"Um, yeah, sorry I don't know your name?" I say trying to be polite but completely confused.

"Oh, sorry, I'm Steve. I initiated about 8 years ago. I wasn't first in anything but not last either." He said with a laugh. He stuck his hand out to shake mine. When I took his hand I saw the tattoos across his knuckles that said, KISS THIS. I didn't know how that was supposed to be taken. I might have to ask Tobias later if it meant what I thought it meant.

"Nice to meet you, Steve," I said wondering where he was going with this.

He smiled and took another bite of his biscuit, "So I heard a couple of rumors about you and I need to ask if it's true? Did you really break Eric's nose and did you and Four get into a fist fight yesterday?"

I sigh, so that's what this was about, and shook my head, "Eric's nose was a lucky shot while we were sparring. And Four and I had a disagreement that got out of control."

Steve stopped chewing, "So those two are true, though."

"Yes and no. I mean, if Max hadn't been there Eric probably would have beat me to a pulp so it's not like I won or anything. And with Four, well let's just say, I'm lucky he has more self control than I have. He finally hit me hard enough that I didn't hit back." I pointed out the bruise on my jaw and then went back to pushing my food around my plate. I didn't want anyone making the mistake of thinking that because I got in a couple of lucky punches that those two were anyone to mess with. "I just tend to react rather than think in some situations and it usually gets me into trouble."

"Don't believe her," I hear Eric say from over my shoulder, "She's tougher than she looks." He looks down at me with his Psycho smile.

"Hello, Eric," I say with no enthusiasm, "Can I help you with something this morning?"

Steve stood up with his tray, "It was nice talking to you, Tris. I'll see you later, maybe."

I turn and nod at the poor guy that Eric just scared off. And watch him make a hasty exit to a table as far away from us as he can get.

"What a wuss," Eric said watching the guy leave, "At least Uriah doesn't turn tail and run every time I look at him."

I sigh, remembering I have a pretend boyfriend, "Did you need something, Eric, or are you just trying to make my life miserable?"

His smile went completely evil, "Oh I could make your life so much better if you'd give me the same chance you gave Four." Then his face went completely serious, "But for now I need to know if you've seen Four. I have that list for him."

I try to act nonchalant although he just scared the crap out of me, "You don't really want me Eric. So don't start acting like you do." I turn back to my food again, "And the last time I saw Four he left here and I guess went to work. I don't keep tabs on him so I don't know where he might be."

Eric pulled out the chair next to me and flipped it around to sit backwards on it. He leaned in next to my ear and I froze hearing his words, "Make no mistake, Tris, I want you. Not just in my bed though. I have bigger plans for you than that." He ran a finger down my bare arm, "but I'm betting I'll enjoy fucking that tight little body of yours. I wonder how you'll like it. I'm not great with the sweet and nice but I'd give it a try if you'd give my way a shot."

I pulled away from him and stood up. Putting as much distance between us as I could sounded like a good idea at that moment. This sudden switch in his view of me threw me off and I really had no idea how to react. I'm not sure what he's referring to with his way but I'm certain I wouldn't like it. "I have a boyfriend," I said back and picked up my tray, I was definitely done eating, "And I don't want what you're offering." I walked away from him to put my tray up and leave.

Before I made it out of the dining hall I heard him say, "Maybe not yet, Tris, but you will. Love that outfit by the way."