Hey guys, sorry for the late update, worked a few long days and then kind of had a mini holiday in Wales. Sorry. But a huge thank you to those who have reviewed and followed! Please continue to review, its the only way I can get better at this. Also, if there's any particular direction or little thing you'd like in the story just pm me or something, I love hearing from you all.
This chapters back to Tris' POV-ish as before its kind of third person haha, I don't even know lol :)
I own nothing and make no money whatsoever :D
Tris woke the next morning feeling achy all over. Everyone was snoring, she looked over to Christina's bed, who had a peaceful look on her face, and looked much younger than dauntless initiation had made them feel. She swung her legs round and got up, a little disorientated, checking the clock on the wall she saw it was 5.30.
She got changed knowing she could get a good hour of practice before breakfast, and made her way through to the training room. She had to admit, that the stance Eric had taught her felt alot better than Four's. Maybe Four's was what was better for the majority. She opened the door to the training room expecting to find it empty, but heard grunting and the sound of the punchings bags being hit with force.
She looked to her left and found Eric working on one of the bags. The bag was nearly swinging. Wow she thought not realising he was that strong. She could see all of his muscles flexing, as he pulled his arm back and hit the bag with precision and force. She turned to leave, not wanting to push her look with him.
'You can stay,' she heard him say as he carried on punching. He stepped back and kicked the bag, nearly knocking it off its hook. He turned to face her and gestured to the bags.
'How did you know it was me?' She asked, watching him carefully.
'After seeing you last night, I knew it would be you coming to practice. I'm the only person in here everyday, and you're the only initiate that shows this much determination or isn't too cocky.' He replies with a half shrug as he took gulp from his water bottle.
She moved over to the bag and started working out. She was definitely getting better, the bag was moving more, and she could see small muscles forming on her arms that she never had before. She continued in silence, as did Eric, on the bag two to her right. She was vaguely aware that he was there, but his presence was in a way reassuring. He wasn't laughing, which was a good sign, and he wasn't criticising her also.
Eric was having similar thoughts. It annoys him normally being in a room with...well everybody but he felt at ease at the minute. He was vaguely aware that Tris was throwing glances at him every now and then, then changing her technique ever so slightly each time, to match his almost. He sighed and stopped. He moved closer to Tris, who stopped to look at him.
'You want to spar?' He suggested. Her mouth dropped open in response.
'Look, you're going to need to spar against someone to get better, and seeing as you're the only person willing to put in the extra effort to gain a place in dauntless, I'm most inclined to help you,' he explained.
She slowly nodded and he led her to the sparring area. She was terrified, she was never going to make it out of this match in one piece.
He noticed her trembling slightly. He reached a hand to her shoulder and turned her so he was looking at her.
'I'm not going to hurt you. I wanted to, but I'm not going to, I'm just going to block today, whilst you try and take me down.' He said try in such a way that made Tris angry.
She backed away and started to circle him, with a ferocious look in her eye, and she stopped.
'Wait, what did you mean today?' she questioned.
He dropped his arms 'well, seeing as you want to get better, I thought you might like it if I train you, maybe. Just a thought.'
She took advantage and ducked and swoop her leg under him. Next thing he knew he was on his back. 'I would like that,' she said as her face flushed.
Eric got up quickly 'very quick stiff, but you wont distract me again. Now try it without cheating.'
She went back to circling. 'Some time today stiff,' he goaded.
She stepped forward and tried to punch him in the face. He blocked easily and she stepped back.
'You'll want to step back quicker if you get blocked, because your opponent will have already retaliated.'
She stepped forward again and aimed a punch at his midgut which was blocked but quickly aimed for his face with her other arm, also blocked.
'Good, keep at a fast pace,' he praised.
After about half an hour of sparring, Tris had only managed to punch Eric a couple of times, but was sure they'd hurt her more than him. Her hands had bruised and cuts. Eric took them over to the first aid box in the room and cleaned their hands up and bandaged Tris' left hand, as she had one knuckle which apparently refused to stop bleeding.
'So you want to meet back at half 6? Gives you time to have dinner and get ready?' He asked.
'Sure' she said as she limped. Although Eric hadn't retaliated, that didn't mean her own balance was against her and she tripped over after a particularly bold lunge. Eric had obviously laughed at her.
'Hey listen, you are getting better. More work and you'll be top of the boards. And that lunge, if we practice that then nobody will stand a chance!' Eric praised her.
'Thank you.' Her face flushed red as she left the room to get breakfast.
She walked into the dining hall and found Christina and Will. She helped herself to some toast and scrambled eggs and sat next to them.
'Where have you been?' Christina practically demanded, 'and what happened to your hand?'
'I was in the training room.' Tris replied, unsure of what they would say.
'I didn't know you could go in there before or after training,' Will said. It wasn't a question, but more of a statement.
'I'm not sure you can, but I did. I'm not being forced out of Dauntless. I'm staying.' She replied. More to herself than anyone else.
'Well I don't know how you can bear to stand any more time in that room than we already have to. Do you want to go shopping tonight?' Christina said.
Tris loved that you could always reply on Christina to change the subject when you wanted. She never stayed on one topic of conversation very long. She basically told you what she thought of something and moved on - very candor of her. But it worked in Tris interests this time as she didn't want anyone to know that she was training privately with Eric. Not that there was anything wrong with that...was there? It was totally above board. It was just training wasn't it...
'Tris!' Christina practically shouted.
'Sorry what?' Tris replied, clutching her heart due to the fact she just jumped out of her skin at being pulled from her thoughts so suddenly.
'I asked if you wanted to go shopping tonight,' Christina said slightly irritated that her best friend was ignoring her.
'Oh, sorry I can't. I want to train some more.'
'Again?!'
'Well, I'm below the red line. If I don't get above it you wont have anyone to go shopping with God forbid!' Tris snapped and got up and left.
Why didn't she understand. It was okay for her. She was safe, above the red line whilst Tris wasn't. Didn't she care whether her best friend got into dauntless or not. Was she really her best friend.
Tris was distracted by a pair of raised voices down the next corridor. She stood next to the wall and peered round. Four and Eric stood there arguing. Four getting into Eric's face.
'Why have you taken such an interest in Tris?' Four said with a frown of anger on his face.
'What's it to you? Finally got another stiff to talk to. And since when was it Tris and not 'initiate'' Eric asked threateningly.
'There is no interest. It just looked as though you were helping her through the camera. Which we both know, you only help yourself. And I make a point to know the initiates names, even if I don't use them. I don't however call them stiff or whatever other derogatory names you have for them!' Four replied, not backing down.
'Well, as it's none of you're business anyway, there's no need for you to know why I've taken to helping the stiff is there!' Eric shouted, pushed Four away and stormed off. Four stormed in the opposite direction towards Tris. He spotted her and stopped abruptly.
'You heard all that?' he asked, knowing the answer. No one could walk away from a conversation like that about themselves.
She nodded in reply.
'Look, you need to know that Eric is a selfish asshole who only helps himself. If it doesn't concern him then it doesn't matter. He can't be trusted,' Four sighed and stepped away.
'What did he mean another stiff. Did you trasfer. From abnegation. But you're so good at this!' she exclaimed when he nodded.
'No one needs to know that, okay.' He said, his voice slightly more fierce.
'I wont tell. But can I ask a question?' she asked.
He nodded in reply.
'Why are you warning me about Eric?'
'I don't want to see you get hurt.' And with that he walked away.
What the hells that supposed to mean. She thought about everything she'd just heard. She didn't know what any of it meant. Mid way through her thoughts, she realised she only had five minutes to get to the training room, and set off at a flat out sprint.
Please review. And I'll try and update over the next few days :D