"What are you going to miss most from Amity initiate?" he asked in his strong voice.
She looked into his grey eyes as she spoke. "I think I'll miss feeling connected to earth. Putting my hands in the dirt, feeling cool water flowing over warm skin. Knowing that everything you're touching is alive and has the potential for growth... That and I'll miss salad." she said eliciting a chuckle from the table.
Though she spoke calmly, she was feeling anything but. As Eric started with his stormy eyes right back into her deep brown ones, she felt the electricity crackle between them. There was more to Eric than met the eye, that was for certain, and she was starting to think she'd like to know what that was.
After dinner, on the way back to the initiate dorm, Sarita caught up with her on the cat walk. "So what WAS that?" asked the former Candor.
"Uh, what was what?"
"What ever was going on between you and Eric?"
"You caught that huh?" questioned Clea.
"Snap, Crackle, AND Pop, girl!"
"He's obviously attractive, and I'd like to get to know him, but he's one of our trainers."
Several weeks passed. Eric rode the group hard during training,and his tension with Four was palpable, but aside from a few electric glances, non-training related interaction was minimal.
On a Tuesday morning, Clea awoke early. She decided to get in some extra practice time. She was becoming sharp with guns and knives but her sparing matches needed work. Silently she slipped into her training gear and stole out of her room to the training floor. Alone, she worked on her technique, repeatedly striking a hanging punching bag, lost in thought.
"Relax your elbows." came a deep voice from behind.
"What?" snapped Clea, head whipping around to see who'd snuck up on her.
Eric stood several feet behind her, steely eyes surveying her technique. "Relax your elbows" he repeated, "if you tense them, you'll lose power in your strike."
She drew in a deep breath and exhaled. This time she connected with the bag with more power than she had all morning.
"Thanks." She said brightly, and turned her attention back to her work, hoping not to betray her interest in him. Before she could land the next punch, he had closed the distance between them. He gripped her hips lightly with the fingertips of both hands, drawing her lower half back slightly and into better alignment with her shoulders. He stepped between her legs signaling her to widen her stance.
"Go." he practically growled in her ear.
Boom. She struck the bag hard. He moved back a a bit and coached her through a dozen or so more hits before he tossed her an ice pack. "Ice your knuckles or you'll be sorry in training today."
They sat on stools in the training room. He asked a handful of questions about her dauntless experience so far. She told him she could feel the wildness people recognized in her transforming into something else, something more structured. With instructions to keep the ice on, Eric slipped out of the training room just moments before the rest of Clea's initiate class arrived.
Generously, he left her with those few short moments to think. In the training room, Eric certainly wasn't the good guy, but it seems that there may be more to him off the mat. He was certainly softer in his interaction with her. Did he feel the same electric connection that kept her searching the pit for his steely gaze? She was starting to think he might and she couldn't deny the attraction she felt.
When the other initiates arrived, the group was buzzing with excitement. The morning had brought exciting news. Friday there would be a dauntless party. The pit would be transformed into a club with music and lights, and all of dauntless would be able to take a night to cut loose. Sarita made Clea vow to join her at the Pit's shop's after dinner.
Clea chose a red strapless top with a crumb catcher neckline and a peplum, black skinny jeans torn strategically, and low heeled black booties. Sarita convinced her the look needed completing and pinned some of her long wavy hair back with a sparkly black slip. With an appraising look, Sarita considered their reflections in the mirror.
"This will work!" she announced decisively and headed for the register.
Clea followed but was lost in though. She had to admit, she was pleased with her appearance as well. The strapless top showed off her newly muscular shoulders and highlighted the effects of her training. She looked strong, and she liked the way it felt.
"You ready to party?" Sarita's elbow in her ribs brought her back to reality. She quickly swiped her card.
"You know, I think I am," she said, linking elbows with the smaller girl. Clea enjoyed the new friendship she was building with Sarita. The camaraderie felt familiar and made dauntless feel more like home. In the last few weeks, through brutal training, she had developed strong bonds with her fellow initiates. She loved Kyle for his sense of humor, Mallory for her tenacity, and Luke was an ace at impressions. These people were her family now.
Friday night, dressed to party, the two girl walked into the pit, arms linked again. The atmosphere int he pit was certainly different now that it had been just a few hours ago at dinner. The place was transformed by lights and music. The pair headed for the bar. Unsurprisingly, that was where they found Luke, Kyle, Mallory, and the rest of the initiates. Once they each had a drink in hand, the group headed out for the center of the dance floor. Clea felt strong and truly free for the first time. She danced and joked with her friends, reveling in the time off from training. They all really needed this chance to blow off some steam.
After a while, Clea notice she could feel his eyes on her. She looked over her shoulder, and sure enough there he was, steely eyes trained on her from across the room. She subtly signaled Sarita to dance in front of her, so she could see without turning around obviously. "Girl, he can't take his eyes off you," said Sarita, confirming her suspicions.
"Fuck it, dauntless are supposed to be brave right?" said Clea as she turned on her heel. Sarita's eyes shone with excitement as she rejoined their friends.