Chapter 8
Four POV
I wake up to pounding in my head. I look at the clock which reads 8:23. I'm late. I get dressed and brush my teeth. Sprinting to the training room I see Eric holding Tris' hand guiding her through a punch. Eric looks up.
"Nice of you to join us, Four!" Everyone turns so they're facing me. "Get your beauty rest?"
Everyone laughs, except Tris who is just staring at me expressionless.
"I'll take it from here," I say directly at Eric. He responds fast. "Next time you're late it'll be Max taking over."
Everyone goes back to punching, I notice Tris having trouble so I walk over to help. "You don't have much muscle," I say walking onto the other side of her. "That's why they call me Stiff," she retorts. I place one hand on her waist, and the other on her back. "Keep tension here," I say in a low voice, causing me to almost whisper. "You don't have much force, so use your elbows and knees," I say taking my hand and placing it on her elbow, guiding her through her hit.
She tries it again. This time the bag moves and she turns smiling happily at me.
Tris POV
I go to grab a drink off to the side and Four follows strangely, though I don't mind.
"What place did you rank your year," I ask him, not expecting an answer. "I was first," he says making eye contact with me. "So, Eric was second?" I ask.
"Why do you say that?" He asks me.
"No reason, he just seems a bit jealous of you." I say staring back at him, but now we've been staring too long.
"Anyway," Four starts, looking away. "It's time for the first fight."
I look to the chalkboard where I saw Eric writing on earlier.
Peter vs Edward
Will vs Molly
Christina vs Myra
Tris vs Al
"What about Drew?" I ask Four.
"He was kicked from Dauntless," he responds. "I think Eric told Max about the Attack. You shouldn't let your boyfriend do all the fighting for you, it looks bad on your part."
"He's not my boyfriend!" I retort angrily. Then I hear a voice from behind, Peter. "I could have sworn," he says laughing. "You tryna sleep your way up to first, Stiff?"
"I would never do that!" I scoff.
"I'll go easy on you if you sleep with me," Peter says whispering loudly.
"Time to fight!" Four yells across at the other initiates. "Peter! Edward! In the ring!"
"You've got this Edward!" I shout through my hands and give Peter a scowl. Peter looks back and gives me a smile. If he didn't have his personality, Peter would be handsome.
Four elbows me lightly. "You can wipe that look off your face. Eric rigged this match, Edwards an obvious win."
"Yeah," I reply, biting my nails. Edward will win, but not without sustaining injuries.
"Can you tell your boyfriend to stop messing with my class?" He laughs.
"Sure thing, I'll tell him tonight when I sleep at his apartment," I say sarcastically.
"Wait what?" Four says turning serious.
"It was a joke, Four. You do know what that is?" I laugh.
Four smiles and scratches the back of his neck. Is he embarrassed?
Four POV
I scratch the back of my neck, trying to recover from that embarrassing moment. I can't tell if it's jealousy that I feel or if I'm just curious.
"But you never know, my plans may change." She laughs.
Jealousy, definitely jealousy.
With that Peter's body goes limp and falls to the ground. I circle Edward's name on the chalkboard.
I look back at Tris, who is patting Edward on the back. I like her, and if I'm going to pursue my feelings for her I've got to make a move. I have to make a move before Eric.