Disclaimer: I don't own anything in the Divergent world.

Chapter 8:

"I can't tell if

it's killing me

or it's making

me stronger."

-Anonymous

By the time I made it back to the dormitory my back was soaked with sweat and my legs felt like jelly. For the first time since I had started running I felt like I might vomit. But I swallowed down my gag reflex just incase anyone was passed out in their beds. I didn't need any more witnesses to my body's weakness today.

When I finally reached the dorm it was surprisingly empty. But then again I wasn't sure how long I had been in the gym for. After my encounter with Eric I had to spend at least forty- five more minutes running out the train of thoughts he left from my mind. But it was a Dauntless party downstairs, and I doubt anyone adhered to a strict midnight curfew that my old faction was so fond of. I threw my sweat-soaked shirt onto the bed before grabbing my toiletries and heading into the bathroom. After a week here I was still not immune to its dingy state.

I turned on the water and paused allowing for it to heat up the miniscule bit. But movement in the corner caught my eye. I turned and what faced me was me. A mirror that was usually dominated by Fern braiding her hair or Justice stroking on mascara was for once empty. I hadn't wanted to see my mangled reflection earlier today, but now I couldn't look away. I looked so different from the person I was just seven days ago. A familiar stranger was staring back at me.

Some of the changes were easily noticeable. My black eye was swollen and puffy, making my face look distorted. The redness of my burst capillaries just looked plain scary. The dark purple bruise that rested on my collarbone and ribs also fanned out like perverse pieces of art. But the other changes on my body were much more subtle. They definitely hadn't appeared in just a week. But I reminded myself that the last time I had really studied my body was when I was hoping for more womanly curves to impress Alexander over a year ago. And now that I had them its not like it even mattered. Still, my breasts had become fuller, straining against the restricting cloth of the sports bra. They were off balanced by my much larger hips and bum. I looked like a woman. I knew though that Dauntless initiation would soon chase away any lingering softness resting on my waist or thighs. Sighing at the unimportance of vanity after all, I turned away.

I wanted to linger in the shower to lull myself into a more fatigued state, but the water wasn't hot enough and the shower floor wasn't clean enough. Still, the day's events had caught up with me and by the time I made it to my worn cot, I wearily crawled into it.

Not even ten minutes past and my eyelids were sealed shut, my mind on the cusp of dreamland, when the door banged open, and my eyes with it. The sound of Justice's deep laugh and Ian's sloppy, but frantic shushing reached my ears. I silently prayed that I wasn't going to unintentionally eavesdrop on a hookup.

"Oh my scales, look, its Lyra! I looovve Lyra! She is my new best frieennd," Justice slurred, and I could hear the unsteady thumping of her boots approaching me. I sincerely hoped she wouldn't try and wake me up for conversation. I was tired and had no patience for having to deal with her drunkenness.

"Don't wake her up Jay," Ian said sounding a tad more sober, "she's had a really rough day," he whisper shouted. Emphasis on the shout.

"I know, she was pouting about it all day," Justice said flopping onto her cot. "But then again her eye looks nasty!"

I couldn't quite put a name to the feelings coursing through me as she said these things about me. Anger didn't quite seem right, perhaps annoyance at the fact that these two who I considered my closest friends here were gossiping about me. And just a touch of humiliation bled through my conscious. No one liked to be called out on their coping mechanisms, even if it wasn't to their face.

"Yeah, but I don't think I would be all sunshine and smiles if I lost my first fight. Especially since that leader guy Eric was watching."

Out of my nearly shut eyes I saw Justice roll over to face me. I closed my eyes fully and kept my breathing even. But I don't think it mattered, it was too dark and they were not sober enough to tell the difference between fake sleep and real sleep. And in that moment I remembered my father scolding me for eavesdropping on one of his business meetings. He said that listening in on private conversations was a nasty habit that bred paranoia. But I couldn't help but listen as this conversation was clearly focused on me.

"I wonder why they paired her with Henry?" Justice sing-songed. "Obviously she wasn't going to win." I almost flinched as Justice's inner Candor made another appearance.

"Maybe they wanted to test how uneven opponents would strategize an attack and defense against each other, or maybe she pissed Four off," Ian replied.

"I don't think so," Justice said, her voice losing its dreamy quality, and sounding much more sober. "That Eric guy used to watch me-"

"-I know," Ian cut her off.

Justice giggled, "Don't be jealous. He stopped paying attention after training yesterday when Lyra started sprouting out all these super technical fight stuff." So maybe she wasn't so sober… "Now he looks at her. Did you see how he was watching her during her fight? Even at breakfast today he scanned our group, and I think he was looking for her. Pity she eats so early."

"Do you really think having Eric's attention on her is a good thing?" Ian questioned.

Justice shrugged, "Maybe he will help her." Ian snorted, and internally I agreed. Eric didn't seem like the helpful type, but he contradicted my thoughts on him, as he offered me fighting advise in the gym (well more like criticism). "Am I a bad person for being slightly glad that he is not focusing on me anymore?"

I tried to remind myself that Justice was from Candor and she was used to saying every wretched thought she had out loud. And that I too sometimes had horrible thoughts about the people I cared about. What I couldn't forgive was their blatant carelessness at admitting these things in my hearing range. Things that I would almost prefer not to hear.

"You're not a bad person for not wanting his attention. But you don't really want it on your friend either do you?" Ian questioned.

Justice sighed, "No, of course not. That guy looks like a psycho."

Ian and Justice both broke into boisterous laughter, and when they finally calmed down Ian asked, "Do you think she will make it through initiation?"

And the silent pause that said more than words ever could, stung me. To know that not even my closest friends here were confident in my abilities.

"I think so," Justice finally said, and I felt myself exhaling in relief. "Underneath that demure smile, I think she is ruthless."

Their conversation strayed into meaningless topics to me, so I stopped paying attention. And in that moment I hated my friends. My body was aching with exhaustion, begging me for sleep, but they had re-awoken my mind. I wanted to run another ten miles just to stop everything. But I resolutely snapped my eyes shut.

The next time I opened my eyes I felt disoriented and sore- extremely sore, more so than yesterday. I sat up in my cot, my limbs stiff and muscles protesting. My eyes scanned the dorm and only two other cots were occupied- Ben and Marina's. Where was everyone else? I thought that at least Justice and Ian would still be passed out and sleeping off the after effects of their overindulgence of alcohol. But I wasn't sure if I felt relief at the fact that they were gone, as I didn't quite know how to act after hearing what I heard last night.

I didn't linger in my warm blanket though. I was never one to laze around. Unless I was snuggled up to the naked body of the man I loved, I had no use for staying in bed all day- it was a waste of time. So my battered body went through its daily motions- put on clothes, brush hair, brush teeth… My trek down to the Dining Hall took slightly longer than normal, seeing as my beating and the subsequent midnight run did nothing for my aching limbs.

I didn't check the clock in the dorms, so I was surprised to note the bright sunlight streaming in through the Dining Hall's glass ceiling. It must be later in the morning than I thought.

"Lyra!" a voice called, and I looked over to see Henry waving at me from his space at a table between Ian and Patrick. Justice was slumped across the table from them, her head in her arms.

"Good morning," I said, sliding into a seat beside Patrick, instead of Justice. Childish-yes, but I'm not perfect. Justice managed to lift her hungover head and send me a questioning look, but I didn't glance at her.

"You missed breakfast, but I saved you a muffin. And your eye looks much better today!" Ian feebly said after a pause. Candors were awful liars.

"Thanks," I replied with a tight smile. I saw my eye in the mirror this morning when I was brushing my teeth, and if anything it looked worse, the puffiness receding to splotched purple, and the redness still webbed over the white. And I had heard their comments about it last night after all. "But I think it looks rather nasty," I said pointedly staring at Justice.

It took a moment, but Justice's eyes widened and I heard Ian cough. They seemed to have finally caught onto what I was conveying. The table hung in awkward silence as Henry and Patrick clearly tried to grasp what was going on. I plucked the wrapping off my muffin.

"So, uh, did you sleep well?" Henry asked, sounding unsure of his question.

"Not really," I said, still focused on the food. "I'm a light sleeper. Even the chirping of birds will wake me up."

I knew the two birds in question would understand my meaning. Henry and Patrick though didn't.

"I guess it's lucky we don't have to hear that anymore, being underground," Patrick said, with an unsure smile at me.

"I wouldn't be so sure of that," I said, not bothering to smile back.

Once again an awkward silent pause, where Ian and Justice traded slightly panicked looks. I would have felt slightly guilty at calling them out, but they had made it entirely too easy for me to overhear them last night.

"So what are you doing with your day off?" Henry questioned Patrick.

Patrick rubbed his neck, his face blushing a faint pink, "I thought I would visit Claire, see how she's doing."

Henry nodded, "Yeah, I hope she is going to be okay. What about you two?" he asked, looking at Justice and Ian.

Justice shot me an uneasy look, "I was hoping to go shopping with Lyra again."

I folded my now empty napkin and finally looked up to meet her dark eyes. "I can't, I have to go talk to Four." I looked at the clock situated over the leader's table, "I should get going actually." I stood to my feet and collected my trash, hoping the two Candors wouldn't follow me. I wasn't in a very forgiving mood.

As I hobbled out to the hallway, I let out a sigh. And even though I used Four as an excuse, I actually thought of a question for him. Only I figured it was his day off too, and I didn't know where to find him.

It was much easier than I anticipated though, as I spotted him across the Pit. He was talking to a tall dark skinned man with spiky black hair. I debated the pros and cons of interrupting him, but it was his job to help initiates after all. So I moved through the throng of people, trying not to wince every time of got bumped into or shoved out of the way.

Four's genuine smile dropped when he noticed my approach. "Lyra," he nodded, his eyes flickering over my damaged one.

A blank look blossomed on my face. We were in a public place, and public meant politics- I could not afford to show any weakness, despite my rather obvious embarrassment lingering in the form of a black eye. Not to mention even though Four seemed less bloodthirsty than Eric, he was still very intimidating.

Four's friend did not seem so annoyed by my presence though, as he shouldered past my trainer and held out his hand, "Well hello there beautiful, I'm Zeke."

I could feel my stoic mask falter, as amusement lifted my brows, I knew I looked anything but beautiful today. But still, I took the offered hand and shook it purposefully, "Lyra."

"Need something?" Four questioned, interrupting our handshake.

My eyes moved between Four and Zeke, until Zeke finally acknowledged my nonverbal request, "I'll leave you two to talk."

Four rolled his eyes for a moment, demonstrating another brief glimpse of personality, before he turned back to me.

"I would like your permission to leave the compound today." When Four's expression remained the same, I took it as my cue to continue and reluctantly added, "I would like to visit a library."

He pushed off the railing he was leaning against and brought his head closer to me, "I'm assuming you left Erudite for a reason- all transfers do. And yet you want to go back to essentially their territory? One lost fight and you're already tucking tail?"

The anger bubbling inside me was quick to rise today, "This has nothing to do with my former faction! I would simply like some materials."

"And how do you think that's going to look to everyone, you returning to Erudite Headquarters?"

Logically I knew that it was best not to provoke or demonstrate the condescending feelings I harbored towards a person with authority. But what was it with all these Dauntless men being so idiotic? "You are aware that there is more than one library in Chicago right? I would be going to the one at the Hub if you granted me permission." Permission I probably just threw any chances of getting away…

Four tilted his head and studied me for a minute, "I still don't think it's a good idea. Dauntless take loyalty very seriously."

"What do you do on your days off Four? Do you train all day? Spar in the morning, go shooting in the afternoon, maybe jump off a few buildings? People aren't that stereotypical to the dominant traits of their faction. I have more interests than just being one thing."

Four took a deep breath, "That's dangerous thinking, but if you're sure, than I will escort you to the train. You have to be back by dinner time though."

Four turned and beckoned for me to follow him. And today was the official day of awkward silences. I didn't know what to say, nor did I want to say anything to him. And I doubt he wanted to talk to me much either. I got the impression that he found me pig-headed.

"What materials are you studying?" he abruptly shot out as we strode through the twisting passages.

I didn't really want to consider small talk either, as I would have to remember how to navigate on my way back tonight. But Four was a trainer, so I didn't think I had a choice. "I thought I would do some research on combat, and…" I paused.

"And?" he prompted, turning his head to question me.

"And I would like to look at some books on art," I grit out. I hadn't shared my interest in art with anyone other than Alexander, and was kicking myself for blurting it out to Four.

I didn't think it was possible for so many bare emotions to flicker through Four's face. It was usually stuck on broody. "Art" he repeated in disbelief.

"Without art, the crudeness of reality would make the world unbearable," I quoted George Bernard Shaw.

He snorted, but said nothing, and led me to the platform. This was a different train than the one we arrived on. Its tracks slithered on ground level.

"Remember, back by dinner," Four said, before turning around and disappearing again.

I didn't have to wait long for a train to come whirling by. It didn't slow down, so for the second time in my life, I ended up chasing a train. I gripped the side bar and launched myself into an empty space. There were no seats, so I sat cross-legged and watched the city pass by. After a week of being underground it felt like heaven. Watching the blue sky, while the sun shone on my face, and wind tickled the short strands of my hair. I was no Amity, but I could appreciate the freedom that open spaces allowed, even if I was heading for the condensed centre of the city.

After twenty minutes, I prepared myself to jump off the train earlier than I needed to. But I would rather hit the decorative grass, than concrete. So with a massive leap, and a jarring impact I hit the ground and rolled. I wanted to lye down and collect the breath that just knocked out of my lungs, but people were milling about and I didn't want to appear weak.

As I entered the Hub, empty halls greeted me. Most of the students that occupied this area would be busy in their classes. Only two Abnegation dependants in the dull grey robes turned to look at me. The boy of what I would estimate to be about eleven flinched, and a girl who looked too similar to be anything but his sibling cringed at the sight of me. I ignored them and continued to the library.

Once I reached the familiar territory I was sorely tempted to move straight for the art or poetry section. But rational won out, and I headed for the stacks on combat and war. I dragged three massive tombs back to my regular secluded reading spot. And page after page I read about the most gruesome and effective ways to incapacitate someone. Pictures of torture or the after effects of massacres from the pre-faction world stared at me through the pages. I wouldn't call it art as much as a statement.

But when I had had my fill of macabre advise and pictures, I moved to the section that fascinated me the most. I knew this area of the library well because I frequented it most often in the last year. I knew that taking books about 'frivolous' things out in the Erudite library would cause my friends or parents to talk, so I usually retrieved them from here.

My eyes hungrily ate up each image, losing myself to art. And eventually when I had my fill of post-Renaissance images, I meandered through the poetry section. A little black book bound in worn leather caught my eyes. It looked vaguely familiar, so I pulled it off the shelf. And when I opened the cover and the title 'Pablo Neruda's Complete Anthology' stared at me.

A felt a clench in my gut as I remembered Alexander's voice,

"I crave your mouth, your voice, your hair.

Silent and starving, I prowl through the streets.

Bread does not nourish me, dawn disrupts me, all day

I hunt for the liquid measure of your steps."

"Lyra!" a voice called, rousing me out of my memories. I snapped the book shut, and turned to face the person.

I was shocked as I stared into the familiar face of Liz, with the added accessory of light silver framed glasses.

"Hello Liz, how are you?" I greeted, wondering how my old faction friend was doing in her initiation.

She smiled, "I am well, initiation is not so bad," she smiled, "And how is your initiation?" she asked, trying not to stare at my bruised face.

I honestly didn't know how I was doing in Dauntless, but I wasn't going to let her know that. Chances were that most people in Erudite would never understand why I left, and would idly wonder if I would succeed. "It's interesting, but going well."

"Are you okay?" Liz gently questioned, her eyes pointedly gazing at my eye now.

I fought valiantly for my smile not to dim, "Consequences of training, but I'm doing well."

"I'm glad," she said, and I was happy to note the genuine sentiment behind it.

We stood silent for a moment, not quite sure what to say to each other. "So what are you doing here?" I finally asked.

Liz grinned, "I can't tell you."

I smirked, "Part of your initiation I'm guessing." She nodded. There was just one thing I wanted to know before I departed from her. "How is everything at home? Any new gossip?" I was just praying that the hot news wouldn't be about my father losing his grant because of stress, or my mother publicly disowning me…

Lyra eyes lit in mischief, "Apparently on the first day, a Amity transfer ran for the hills when presented with the history tombs."

I wanted to laugh. The history tombs were something that Erudite children had to memorize before they started attending school at the Hub. But with how my own initiation was going I could feel some empathy for the other transfer feeling out of their depth- but zero sympathy at the fact that they gave up.

"And the hot gossip is that Alexander Ferraris, you know that really hot genius?" I nodded, my mind and body now fully attentive to her words. "Word is that hundreds of girls will be crushed because he is finally dating someone."

It felt as though everything around me stopped for a brief moment. Like the moment I was in that fight- everything stopped so my brain could focus on processing what I just heard… It couldn't be true.

Liz looked down at her watch, "I have to get going Lyra, it was good seeing you," she nodded.

"You too," I mumbled. But before she could leave the isle though, a thought struck me, "Hey Liz, who is the girl he is supposedly seeing?" And I knew I didn't have enough control to play this off as some kind of nonchalant question. Because the answer truly did matter.

Liz paused and gave me a funny look, "Some environmental developer- Caroline Lumley, is her name I think. It was in the society pages of the paper and a lots of the girls in the dorms are talking about it."

I nodded and watched Liz go before slumping into one of the cushy seats. I didn't know if I believed it. How could I be gone for just one week, and he already be with another? Eight days ago he whispered his love to me before the Choosing Ceremony, and now he was with some other girl? It just didn't make sense… So I walked to the front of the library and collected the newspapers from the last three days.

But sure enough in the society pages of yesterday's paper, it read:

Heartbreak For All!

Alexander Ferraris, age nineteen is perhaps known best for his genius intellect and quick rising though Erudite's engineering doctorate program. He surprised the studious faction when he took on the position of Professor as a night job too! But what most young ladies know Mr. Ferraris for is his devastating good looks!

But it looks like this young genius is lonely no more! Alexander is smitten with the lovely Caroline Lumley, who was a transfer from Candor and now works as an environmental developer in Erudite.

We wish the young couple all the best once we are done crying about the now 'taken' status of one of the most handsome men in Chicago!

-Sally Crilton, Daily Mail

And below the poorly written article was a photo of Alexander and Caroline holding hands as they walked down Monument Park. My finger traced on the little ink imprint of Alexander's face. He was looking at Caroline with a radiant smile showcasing all his pearly whites. And I wish that the photograph captured more- the groves of his face, the look in his eye, the curve of his brow…

All week I had been driving myself crazy wondering if he was angry with me or sad. I had been more concerned with his opinion on my transfer than my own parents. The haunting questions of did he miss me tormented my mind. But now I knew the answer… he didn't miss me, and I was utterly replaceable.

I stood up and shucked the newspaper onto the table, disgusted by it. And as for the Pablo Neruda book, I shoved it onto a random shelf not caring where it went. Anger flooded my system- how could he forget me so easily? How could I have wasted so much time and emotions worrying over him? I stomped my way out of the library looking like a true Dauntless member, vicious scowl settled on my battered face. More students were in the halls, but I ignored them and they quickly retreated out of my way.

The train ride back to Dauntless Headquarters did not intrigue me like the last one. Now the sunlight mocked my bitter mood, and the playfully warm breeze only heated my anger more. I wished for a hurricane to reflect my emotions. I refused to be heart broken. When I finally made it back to the Pit it was five thirty in the afternoon and the dinner crowd would be squeezing into the room. Part of my mind questioned if I should check in with Four, but I was too angry to care.

"Hey Lyra, where have you been all day?" Henry questioned, walking beside me.

"The library," was my sharp answer.

"Library, Dauntless has a libr-You okay?" he questioned as he took in my poisonous mood.

I was anything but okay, but even if I wanted to pour my heart out to Henry, I couldn't. My relationship was forbidden in the first place, so I couldn't even rant about the injustice of it all. "Fine. I'm going to go nap." I cut off whatever question Henry was going to ask and furiously strode up to the dorm.

Four intercepted me before I reached the door, "You made it back I see."

"Obviously," I bit out, but shrank back when I saw the sharp look he directed at me. "Sorry," I apologized, "I'm in a foul mood."

Four studied me for a moment before nodding, and allowing inside the dorm. I fell on my cot and mused for a moment at why I didn't feel sadder about this? Caroline Lumley was someone who roused insecurity in me before- and to have all of my little doubts be proven in photographic evidence should have left me a weeping mess. Perhaps it was the Dauntless within me that chose indignation instead of self- pity. Besides my morose mood from yesterday vanished after my encounter with Eric. But despite the steady flow of anger at Alexander burning inside of me, I found myself falling asleep.

When I woke up, blinding darkness greeted my eyes and the snores of my dorm-mates. My eyes shot to the neon numbers above the doorframe. It was 1:22 am. I couldn't believe I had slept for so long, and that I actually didn't hear anyone come in. And my anger had simmered slightly. But I knew what I wanted to do now. Quietly I rose from my cot and slipped my boots on. I slipped out the door and up the winding passages.

When I got to the room, I cracked the door open, and the room was alight, but seemingly empty. I slipped off my boots and walked towards the treadmill. The clanging of metal against metal had me stopping in my tracks and snapping my head over to find the source. I froze as I saw a large body lying on a bench, just placing dumbbells back on their pegs. As the figure rose, so did my anxiety.

"Back again grunt?"

My eyes flickered between Eric and the treadmill desperately. I needed to run, I needed to let everything out. But the possibility of once again being alone and vulnerable with this seriously frightening man was off putting. But I also didn't want reveal how skittish he made me, so I turned and fully faced him. "I felt like running."

His blue eyes studied me again, but when he didn't say anything I awkwardly shuffled my weight from side to side before giving up our staring contest and going to the treadmill.

As the machine started up, I let my mind dismiss Eric's presence. My legs began their familiar motion and I returned to the thoughts that had been drilling at my mind all day. Alexander. Had he ever truly loved me? Was I just a stupid fling with an naive girl- a fun source of seduction? Were he and Caroline mocking me behind their backs the entire time? And with each question that crossed my mind, I dialed the pace up, my legs in tune with my fury.

I trusted him. I love him… I offered him my spirit, along with my virginity. And the minute I'm gone, he moves on to the next more beautiful thing? How had I once considered him more suitable for Amity when he was clearly so very cold…

"It won't go any faster," a voice from my side said.

And once again I was so lost in my head that his presence surprised me. I snapped my head around to look at him, sweat pouring down my neck as I practically sprinted.

Eric was pointing at the buttons on my treadmill, and I noticed that I had been jabbing the increase button even though I was at maximum speed. I sighed, and slowed the pace to a comfortable jog.

"Why are you really here?" Eric questioned, coming around the machine to stand in front of me.

"I told you, I like running," I said through panting breaths.

He looked almost amused, and it was strange how even an optimistic sentiment did not soften his face at all. "You're not just running, you're angry."

My eyes snapped to his smirking face. "I'm not angry," I spat out completely contradicting my statement.

"Mad at how pathetic you were in the fight yesterday?"

I felt a fresh surge of that exact emotion rush through me. I hadn't been exactly angry about it yesterday, but now it just added fuel to the fire. "No."

His cruel eyes wouldn't leave me, "I suppose I would be angry too if I knew I was going to be factionless soon…"

I grit my teeth and made sure that no emotion registered on my face. Instead I hit the 'increase speed' button again.

"-to know that someday soon you'll be living on the streets, until the day that the faction you hoped to get into has to put you down like a stray animal."

Another push of the button, while my stoic face remained steady.

"And to have all your friends pity you because they secretly know you wont make it and are just wondering when you'll be cut loose…" he continued.

But this remark hit a little too close to one of my aggravations today, and my mask broke. I sent the youngest leader of Dauntless my most disgusted glare.

He started chuckling, at first softly, and then gaining momentum, until his muscled chest was shaking. "It will almost be sad to see you go, you're probably the most amusing one this year."

I pushed the stop button on the treadmill and stepped off the machine, not bothering with a cool down as I headed for the door. This run was doing nothing- he was getting into my head, instead of letting me get everything out of it. My eyes remained on his gloating face, wishing I had the skill and alibi to reach up and grab his hair, smashing his smug face into the machine until that grin was gone.

"That's not why you're angry though is it?" he questioned.

"I have no idea what your talking about," I said, my voice nonchalant.

His gray eyes narrowed, amusement disappearing.

I didn't have the patience for another staring contest. As I had already discovered today, something about Dauntless authority figures made me lose my mouth filter, and I tended to blurt out unsavory things. Four may have sternly accepted it, but I doubted Eric would. So I tore my eyes away, and hated that I was turning my back to him, but I needed to leave.

"You need to start training your upper body," Eric suddenly said.

I was almost at the door when I stopped and turned around. Eric's eyes were still zoomed in on me. "You have clearly been running for a while so you have strong leg muscles," he said, eyes raking over my form in a critical sort of way that had my skin crawling with self-consciousness. "But your arms are weak. Take a break from running and train them tomorrow night." His gaze finally released mine, as he wandered over to a rowing machine.

I hovered by the door, not sure what to say in return. But Eric had pretty much dismissed my presence as he begun his workout, so I left with his words ringing in my ears. And my mind never strayed back to Alexander that night.

A/N: Hi everyone, I hope you liked this chapter! I'm sorry it took so long, but I've been really busy at work. I'm trying to get as many hours in as I can before I go on mat leave. And I have baby brain, so if I don't write my ideas down they disappear from my mind…

Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed the last chapter! I'm glad you were all excited for Eric, even though he once again proves to be a huge ass!

Please continue to review, as I would love to hear what you thought of this chapter. And we haven't heard the end of Alexander!

Nyx : )