Sky spent the next few hours stomping around the Dauntless compound pouting and being angry until she decided she was hungry. She walked into the Dining Hall and sat next to Rae, who was a few seats down from Four and right across Will and Al. She didn't realize how hungry she was until she took her first bite. "Jesus Sky, you act like you haven't eaten in days," laughed Al. Al looks like he wants to ask her about Peter, but Rae locked eyes with him and shook her head. She knew why Al took an interest in her past with Peter, he's had a crush on her since they began initiation. "So how were the rest of the fights?" Sky asked, breaking the tension. Rae and Will began talking excitedly about how Rae finally beat Meg and Will beat Al. They suddenly went silent when Eric walked over to speak with Four before turning to Sky, "Hey Stiff, got a minute?" She slowly nodded and got up, He's going to kick me out of Dauntless for being so mouthy… Instead of walking out of the dining hall, he guided her towards the group of the Dauntless leaders. He put his arm around her as he introduced her, "Everybody, this is the initiate I was telling you about. Her name is Sky. This is Max, Jordan, and Rylie." The guy with greying hair, Max recognized her, "The first jumper! I remember you! I've got to say, I was shocked when you volunteered to go first." She just laughed and shrugged, "I've known I was meant to be in Dauntless since they taught us the factions in preschool." They all laughed, Rylie took a closer look at Sky's pendant. "That definitely looks like a dauntless accessory, where'd you get this?" Sky touched her necklace, "My best friend and I found it on the train tracks one day when we were ten, he gave it to me the last time I saw him before his choosing ceremony." Rylie nodded, Jordan interrupted, "I've heard you are quite the impressive initiate, what's your ranking so far?" Before she could answer, Eric, who still had his arm around her, responded instead. "She is ranked number one right now, she beat a guy three times her size today." They all laughed while he continued, "Four actually had to drag her away so we could get him to the infirmary." Max gasped in shock, "I just realized! You're the one I always see outside running, aren't you?" She nodded modestly, "It helps me relax and feel free when things get stressful or when I'm just irritated." Max nodded before replying, "Well I'm sure you will be a great member of Dauntless, maybe even leadership one day."
Eric, Jordan, and Rylie all nodded in agreement. Sky smiled before replying, "Yes, well I plan on taking this one's position," bumping Eric with her hip as she said this. They all laughed as Max agreed, "I'm sure you'll have that chance someday soon. It was a pleasure meeting you Sky." Rylie shook Sky's hand as they began to walk away, "It would be great to have another woman in leadership."
After they walked away she let out a huge sigh of relief causing Eric to arch his eyebrow at her. She just shrugged and answered, "I thought you were going to kick me out of Dauntless for talking back to you yesterday…" This earned a deep laugh from Eric as he began guiding her out of the dining hall, keeping his arm around her. "Why would I kick out our best initiate? Hell you could most likely even beat many current members of Dauntless." They continued talking as he guided her throughout the compound. As they left, she didn't seem to notice all of the initiates watching her, or Four's angry glare following them.
They ended up in the entrance to Dauntless, Eric helped lift her onto the net before joining her himself. They laid there for a few minutes looking at the stars through the hole in the building. "This is one of my favorite places to relax, it's peaceful. Not many people really come over here." She was surprised when he said this, she never really thought of Eric has the stargazing type. Now that she thinks of it, she started to notice that he was pretty attractive. He had a really nice physique, strong jaw, nice lips. He's definitely attractive, she thought, just not as attractive as Four. Eric turned towards her, "You know, you're very attractive Sky." She blushed and sat up on her elbows, "Thank you."
He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, letting his hand linger a little longer than she expected. "You have the kind of beauty that people fall in love with instantly," he continued. She wasn't quite sure how to respond to that one so she just laughed and shook her head. Eric sat up and turned her face towards him, "It's true. Everybody here can see it, and they all want to be a part of it. They want to be the reason behind your dimpled smile. I know I do." Eric's admission surprised her, she didn't think he thought anything of her except that she was a smartass. Eric's hand lingered on her jaw, sliding his finger gently over her full lips. He smiled and whispered, "I think its cute how your bottom lip is slightly fuller than the top one, so it pouts out a little more. And how they look like little pillows." After he said this he leaned in and kissed her. She had to admit his lips were soft, and he tasted good. But she wasn't feeling anything for him so she pulled back after a few minutes. "I don't think we should be doing this." He looked a little hurt at her rejection, but covered it up quickly. "I could make sure you end up in leadership after initiation, you know." He was laughing as he said it, but he was only half kidding. She smiled and rolled her eyes, "I'm not that kind of girl Eric. I'd rather earn my position than sleep my way up." She straddled Eric briefly while trying to climb over him to get off the net. When she was about to move, he held her hips over his. "Shh, just stay there for a little bit." She started laughing and softly hit his chest before returning to her position on the net. They stayed there watching the sky and talking for a little bit longer before climbing down and going their separate ways. It was kind of an unspoken agreement that they would never mention their time on the net to anyone. Sky was thankful he was so relaxed about her rejection, she had a feeling Al won't be quite as unperturbed when she has to reject whatever moves he makes on her. She was also thankful that when she returned to the dormitory, everyone was asleep so she didn't need to explain what happened with Eric. She passed out almost instantly, thinking of how Eric's lips felt against hers while wondering what it'd be like to kiss Four.