Hey guys, thank you for reading this. Sorry that it's quite short and took me forever to update, my Cambridge end of the year exams are coming up and it's taking up all of my time. Thanks to the few that have left me comments, it really motivates me to update more frequently. English is not my first language so I apologize in advance for the grammar mistakes! Hope you guys liked this chapter because I have heaps of ideas for next chapter and more of Eric/Aly scenes :) P.s please leave a review if you can because I love hearing what you guys think xx
A rough hand pulls me off the net, disrupting my thoughts. The force behind it almost cause me to slam face down onto the ground, if that same hand hadn't also catch me and stand me up. I quickly adjust my body and pull away from the hand, I never enjoy people touching me, especially rough, rude, strangers. Looking up, I am met with a pair of warm brown eyes full of curiosity behind them. The boy only look a few years older than me, yet he look worn, not like 'tired' from a lack of sleep, more like the mere few years he's been alive has already been too long. The boy coughs and I quickly look away, feeling a rush of heat rushing to my cheeks. I was staring for too long.
'Name?' The boy ask, clearly unimpressed about me checking him out.
'Alyssia' I reply without thinking, still embarrassed about my previous behavior. The boy raise an eyebrow, as if my name is the most ridiculous thing he has heard. Suddenly I begin to question my name as well. 'Alyssia' used to be something I was proud off, instead of going with a typical Amity name like 'Sarah' or 'Amanda', my parents went with something completely unique and unheard of, not 'Alyssa', but 'Alyssia'. As if the extra 'i' is a constant reminder for everyone to put in the extra effort and give me the extra attention when they are calling out to me. However attention was not something i'm desperately seeking. I'm not scared of attention, but there is a difference between fear and preference. I just prefer to settle down before anyone notices me. 'Aly, I rather be called Aly' I whisper only for him to hear. His eyes bore into me as if he has heard every last thought I had, luckily he didn't seem to question my decision.
'First jumper, Aly!' The boy shouts and a loud cheer erupts all around me. 'I'm Four, welcome to dauntle-'.
Unfortunately, Four's welcome is disrupted as I am being knocked on the ground by an unknown force.
'I knew it! I knew I you would've choosen dauntless!' Jac's familiar voice fills my ears, it is so comforting and I immediately hug her back, tighter. 'Why did you have to jump first though? Caro and I had a bet, and I bet that you would be the second jumper instead of first.'
'Served you right for not having as much faith in me' I teases and Jac laughs, it is like the old times again, before my three best friends left me to pursuit their future. Jac did not look too different, the old purple highlights are replaced with a light shade of blue and her nose is now complimented with a piercing, something she has always wanted. Other than that, nothing too out of the ordinary for a dauntless born. I peek around us, most members looks confused and slightly amused, it's not common for an Amity to transfer to Dauntless, it's even more uncommon for that transfer to receive such a loud welcome.
'Every year someone dies from falling into the chasm, here in Dauntless we train soldiers, not idiots. Consider yourself warned'
I shiver as Four lead us through the dark hallway to our room, the dauntless compound is exactly the opposite of Amity. Instead of outside we were underground, instead of trees we have rocks, instead of lakes we have a chasm. Jac and I are at the back of the group with Eric following too closely behind us. Although I have only just met him, there's a red flag at the back of my mind signaling me to stay as far away from him as possible. And I always trust my instincts. There is something about this guy that differs him from all the other Dauntless members. He is tall, 6ft 4 the least and taller than most guys I've seen, he's bulky, the muscles on his bicep flexes every time he moves his arm, but it's his eyes that makes him most intimidating. Cold but calculating, not acknowledging your existence but at the same time watching your every move. I shiver again.
'You okay Aly? Cold or scared?' Jac asks.
'A bit chilly, but no big deal.' That wasn't completely a lie, it's beyond freezing down here in the compound and I am still in the light yellow top I wore this morning. However there is no need to share the true cause of my shivers, especially not with the reason right behind us.
'Thought so, it's going to take more than Four's 'horror stories' to scare you. You want my jacket?' She asks 'although half of the men in here would be disappointed.' I glare at her but that only encourages her more. 'Don't look so embarrassed, you know it's true. Did you not see the longing look people give you when you first landed in the net. You've been in dauntless for how long-what-30minutes? And you have already become all the dauntless men's wet dream, half the woman's too' She laughs at her own joke. If looks could kill, Jac would be dead. Behind us Eric coughed and I immediately flush, Jac turns around and her smile wipes off instantly. 'Er-Eric, didn't see you there.' Jac stutter. To say I am shocked would be an understatement, Jac never stutter, she is never afraid of anything. Eric ignores her and instead stalks to the front of the group, shouldering Jac on the way, but instead of speaking out she simply backs away further. Anger rush through me, I don't care who Eric is but no one should be allowed to make my friend feel this way, especially not the fearless, carefree Jac. I tried to protest but Jac dragged me back, a small shake of her head and the warning in her eyes is all it took to put sense into me again. I am an initiate who haven't even started training and Eric is a leader that even Jac fears. It's going to take much more than an impulsive act of bravery to stand up to Eric. The only problem is that I was never a patient person.