I swear I was going to lose my mind with the amount of silence in the room. I didn't want to look at Eric or Aidan. I just knew it was coming. I knew the second that Aidan started stating those two sentences that he was leading up to that question. That one question, that everyone kept asking.

"I need to know, once and for all, what's going on between the two of you?"

I laughed nervously and then turned to walk out. "You know what, it's getting kind of late. I think I better head back to my room."

"What's the rush, Alex," Aidan said stepping in front of me. "You're not on curfew anymore."

"I..." I couldn't think right now. There really wasn't anything going on. We were friends. I wanted so much more than that, and I swear it was starting to feel that he wanted to also. I mean wasn't that what he was going to tell me before Aidan walked in? He must have had feelings for me, because he would be so upset whenever he saw me sitting too close to or flirting with the other guys. Even when we missed our chances to kiss each other, he was just as irritated if not more than I was. Yet we never really said anything about it. I turned to Eric, wondering if he would be willing to throw his cards down on the table first.

"Eric," I said glaring at him.

"Well, Aidan," stated Eric looking at Aidan. "You're kind of putting us on the spot, don't you think? I mean we were just talking about you and Cara." Aidan turned his attention to Eric and I saw my chance.

I ran quickly for the door. "Alexandria Kent, you get back here, right now," I heard Aidan yell as I shut the door and ran down the stairs to my room. I knew Aidan would come looking for me, so instead of walking to my room I went down the next level of rooms and found myself at Myra's room.

"Are you running away from Christina," Myra teased as she let me in.

"No, my brother is trying to get me to admit to something," I said as I walked in her room and sat on her bed.

"About Eric," she said smiling. I smiled back and nodded my head. I felt really comfortable talking and hanging with Myra. She didn't judge me or get overly emotional about things like Christina. Her personality was of a sweet-nature and she was a pretty positive individual.

"Eric is a nice guy," Myra stated as she sat down too. "He's been through a lot though, so things with him are going to take time."

"I know. I'm actually trying not to rush my feelings for him, either. I feel like I might get disappointed or even heart broken if I do." Just then Myra's phone beeped.

"I know the feeling," she replied turning away to look at her phone. She held it up for me to see. It was a text from Edward. I looked back at her and she rolled her eyes.

"You don't want to rush things with Edward either, right?"

"I like us being friends. It's comfortable. We talk more now. About anything. There's no expectations. At the same time though I can't help but want something else, something more deep. It's like I just have this..." she shook her head unable to come up with a word.

"Yeah, boys really do know how to drive us crazy, don't they?"

"That they do," Myra answered. Now it was my phone's turn to beep. I looked down and what do you know it was Eric.

Ur bro is looking for u - Eric

I'm ok. Talking to one of the girls. - Alex

R we still ok? - Eric

***kissing ur cheek*** - Alex

***kissing ur forehead*** - Eric

C u in class - Eric

K - Alex

"What is that supposed to mean?" I saw Myra glancing at my phone with a suspicious grin.

"It's a code we have," I said smiling back at her.

"And you're going to tell me that you still don't know how you feel about him?" She nudged me.

"Perhaps I already know, but it's like if I say it out loud..."

"Then you feel like you're setting yourself up," Myra finished my sentence. Man these boys really were driving us crazy.

Once I got back to my room, Christina had the whole 21 question interrogation ready for me. Of course, Aidan looking for me was going to raise questions. I told Christina that I just needed some quiet time away from everyone to think about stuff and that there was no need to worry, which took her forever to believe. Eventually, she allowed me to go to sleep.

The next day at lunch, a couple of the girls decided to sit away from their boyfriends. Mostly it was Lauren, and Shauna. Christina stuck by Will like white on rice. Apparently Ashley was not going to let Lauren rest about the whole accusing Peter of cheating thing. Tara got Drake (I wonder how) to pressure Shauna into thinking Zeke wasn't being unfaithful to her either. Probably payback for taking Tara off the squad. Lynn, Molly, Tris and Marlene came to join us later, apparently hearing about the whole aftermath of the drama.

"You know it's not true, Shauna," said Lynn. "Zeke loves you. Don't listen to Drake."

"I know he loves me," responded Shauna. "But, they kept saying..."

"No," interjected Tris. "No, you just can't listen to whatever they said."

"Tara is just blowing shit out her ass right now," said Molly.

"Zeke is just as hurt by all of this as you are. And look at Peter, too," Lynn stated as we all took a glance down the table. Zeke looked really depressed and Peter was just playing with his food.

"I mean come on Lauren," said Tris. "Has Peter gave you any reason for doubt?" Lauren shook her head. "Shauna, what about Zeke?" Shauna shook her head also. "See, they love you two. Don't listen to whatever those dumb girls say. If I did, then I would have ended it with Four a long time ago."

"Actually you two probably wouldn't even have started going out," stated Marlene. "Almost every girl made it difficult for you to just talk to Four last year."

"Exactly," said Tris more confident. "Four likes me and only me. He doesn't even look at any other girl the same. I have a good boyfriend, you two have good boyfriends. It's bound to make other people start rumors."

"And I hate to do this," said Marlene a bit cheerful despite the situation. "How do rumors get started," she was saying it as if she was singing a song. "They're started by the jealous people, and they get mad, seen something they had that somebody else is holding." Tris ended up lightly hitting her. "What? It's true," Marlene tried to defend. "They're just jealous because they have nothing, no one who turns to them to put a smile on his face, no one who counts on them to be his better half, no one to listen to them when they're concerned or frustrated, no one to tell them that they're pretty when their hair is just not cooperating with them, no one to hold them when they're scared, no one to make them laugh when they're sad, none of that. They just want to take away what you girls have."

As I sat there thinking about what Marlene said, I couldn't help but feel that that was what Eric meant to me. I glanced back down the table and saw him staring at me. I had this overwhelming feeling to tell him about what Marlene said. It was time for me to say it out loud.

I kind of have to tell u something - Alex

About last night - Eric

I looked up at him, smiled, and nodded. He smiled back.

After PE, right before practice - Eric

Is that ok - Eric

Sounds like a date - Alex

I turned to him and saw his smile widen at me. We had been staring a bit too long, until I saw Uriah throw something and hit Eric's face. Which started a small food fight down there.

"Can we go to fourth period before my hair gets ruined," screamed Christina as she came down to our end of the table. As we walked out, Shauna and Lauren decided to wait for the guys to come out and talk to them.

"I know he would never do that and I know that he loves me. It just hurts to hear someone say that about the one and only boy that I love," said Lauren as I hugged her and then left with Christina, Marlene, Lynn, Molly, and Tris. I thought if Lauren, tough, sassy, bitchy Lauren, could admit that she was in love, then why couldn't I admit to Eric that I liked him?

During the rest of classes, Eric and I barely talked. I would look up at him every now and then, just to catch him smiling and staring at me.

Stop smiling - Alex

Y? Is it distracting u? - Eric

I turned back around, which I shouldn't have, because then he threw me a smirk. He leaned forward "Don't worry, there's this pretty cheer leader who plays volleyball. She's sitting in front of me right now. She makes it hard for me to focus in class too," he said smiling. I lightly pushed him back and he started to chuckle.

During PE, things just got more fun.

I really hate our gym uniform - Eric

Then take it off - Alex

Make me - Eric

Please - Alex

I looked up and gave him my sad face. Eric laughed and shook his head. The next thing I knew he and some of the guys were running around the field shirtless.

Happy? - Eric

No, not really - Alex

Just then his shirt came flying out of nowhere and hit my head.

"You okay there, Kent?" Eric was standing in front of me, smiling.

"Yeah, see there's this defensive linebacker. He makes it hard for me to focus during PE."

"Anyone I know," he asked throwing me a smirk.

"I don't think you know him," I said shrugging. He ended up pinching my side.

"So are we still on after PE?"

"Yea, of course," I answered.

"Good, cause I really wanted to tell you something, too. I wanted to tell you yesterday, but... Anyways, I'll see you after, right?"

I nodded. He kissed my forehead and then went back to the guys.

After PE, I found myself rushing to get dressed and out the locker room to talk to Eric.

"Miss Kent," called our gym instructor.

"Yes ma'am," I said as I walked up to her. She motioned for me to step in her office.

"I know you have cheer and volleyball practice, but I think those will have to be put on hold." She sounded so serious. As I walked into the office, there stood Principal Max Phifer, Coach Sharon, and Coach Tori. Sharon and Tori both looked confused and disappointed. What was going on?

"Please have a seat, Alexandria," said Principal Phifer. As I sat down, he pulled out several papers and copies of pictures. "Perhaps you can explain what this is."

"I actually don't know what any of this is," I said as I looked down at the desk filled with papers and pictures. Some of the papers were hand-written letters from several anonymous people. I tried to quickly scan through them, all I could pick out was that there was my name, and words such as drugs, guns, and knives. There was also pictures of me supposedly selling drugs. At least the girl looked like me, but it was too blurry to tell.

"This isn't me," I defended.

"People wrote to me and said that they got the drugs and weapons from you," informed Principal Phifer.

"They're wrong. I wouldn't even know where to get things like that in first place."

"We believe you, Alex," said Sharon.

"Like we were telling Max, we can't really tell if that's you in the picture. It's distorted," agreed Tori.

"However, we cannot ignore the accusations," said the principal. "We have a strict drug and misconduct code here at Dauntless, and considering your past altercation with another student, I'm afraid we cannot allow you to participate in cheer or in volleyball."

"What?! But I didn't do it!" I was so furious. "Tori, the DU scouts were coming to this game. I've got to play, Principal Phifer. I swear I didn't do it. Just please let me play."

"She can play again once we can prove her innocence, correct," persuaded Tori, turning to the principal.

"Correct. I did agree that if these accusations were false, that you would be allowed back on the squad and the team. But until then, we cannot show leniency. I'm sorry Miss Kent."

I kicked the gym instructor's desk and threw the papers carelessly up in the air.

"Alexandria," warned Tori. I sat back down and everyone waited a while until I calmed down.

"Did you have any questions, Alex?" I turned to Sharon who looked like she felt really bad for me. I shook my head.

"Can I go?" They told me I could, so I got up and left the office.

The second I reached my locker, I threw my fist out and punched it. It dented a little and some flesh from was my knuckles were removed, causing it to bleed.

"What happened Alex," asked Shauna.

"I can't cheer."

"What," screamed Marlene. "Why?"

"Apparently I'm accused of dealing drugs and bringing weapons onto campus," I spat out, kicking my locker this time.

"I can't even play volleyball," I yelled at Lauren.

"This week is when the DU coaches were coming down," yelled Lauren. I nodded my head. There went my chances to getting a college scholarship.

"I don't understand," said Christina. "You would never do any of that. What did the coaches say?"

"There's evidence apparently. People wrote in letters to the principal accusing me of doing that. As much as the coaches defended it, the principal can't ignore the accusations."

"But who would accuse you of doing those things," questioned Myra.

"Aint that a shame." We turned to see Emily, Rachel, and Julie.

"You're a starter too, aren't you Alex," asked Emily with a grin.

"Aw, and did I hear correctly? The Divergent University coaches were going to be watching this week's game too," taunted Julie.

"Why you dumb whores," yelled Tris.

"You better watch yourself Prior," said Julie.

"Is that a threat? We don't take threats too lightly when it comes to our friends," snapped Lynn.

"We know you had something to do with it," accused Lauren.

"You don't have any proof that we were a part of this and until Alex is innocent, I guess she just can't play any sports," Emily said the last part menacingly. With that they walked away laughing.

I looked at my hand bleeding from throwing a punch at my locker. Myra came to help me patch it up, while Shauna, Tris, and Lauren went to speak to the coaches. But to no avail, Principal Phifer's sentence would stand and there was only one thing that could stop it, if the accusations were dropped. And I knew Julie, Emily, and whoever else had a hand in this, were NOT going to give in.

I peeked out of the locker room to see Eric waiting for me. I waited for Marlene and Christina to walk out, knowing that he would look the other way when he saw Christina walk out. I felt bad avoiding Eric, but I had come to one absolute conclusion. Tara and Ashley made trouble to Lauren to Shauna. And now Emily and Julie were claiming that I broke several school policies, taking away my privilege to cheer and play. I couldn't help but think that this was all because of me being friends with Eric. How could I tell Eric now that I like him when things were just getting worst?

"What do you mean you can't play?" I looked at Aidan who looked upset.

"Someone..."

"Julie, Rachel and Emily," Christina said finishing my sentence.

"We don't know if it's them."

"Although it's a great possibility," Christina replied. I turned to look at her. And she mouthed 'sorry' and took her fingers and make a zip close motion by her mouth.

I turned back to Aidan and took a deep breath.

"We think that Julie, Rachel, and Emily, maybe Tara and Ashley, we're still not sure. But we think that one of them may have accused me of selling drugs and bringing weapons onto campus."

"But, you would never do that," Aidan almost screamed. "What did the coaches say?"

"They don't believe the accusations, but it's pretty hard to ignore them. So until there's evidence proving my innocence, Principal Phifer does not want me to play in sports or participate in cheering."

"That includes this week's game where college scouts are coming to look at both Alex and you," added Christina. I turned to look at her. "Sorry, I just had to."

"Yeah, way to capitalize on my depressed situation."

"Alex, I'm really sorry. I wish I could make this go away for you. I don't understand why this is happening. Especially to you. You don't deserve this," said Aidan genuinely concerned.

"It's all Eric's fault." This time both Aidan and I looked at Christina. "What? They're just messing with you because you and Eric are dating. Ashley has had this crush on Peter, since like forever, so that's why Lauren got a small taste of hell this morning. Tara and Rachel probably both upset Shauna kicked them off the squad, because of that fight earlier this year, which by the way was because of you and Eric. They're probably only doing this now because of Eric too."

"Eric and I aren't going out."

"But, it's obvious that there's something there. And don't lie to me. I can smell a liar a hundred feet away."

"More like a thousand," joked Aidan. "Christina's right about one thing. It's obvious you two like each other."

"So what if I do? What Christina said is partly true, they're trying to ruin mine and Eric's friendship."

"How exactly," asked Aidan.

"If I stop being friends with Eric, maybe they'll drop the accusations."

"Alex, don't do that," Aidan said standing up. "I know you want to go to college and play sports, just like everyone else did in our family. But do you really want to lose a friend in order to get there? I've seen the two of you. You're a weird combination, but you two fit perfectly somehow. You'd regret it, the second you make that decision. Go and talk to Eric. You let those girls get to you earlier, don't do it again, Alex."

He walked over and hugged me. "Don't worry Alex. This will work itself out eventually. You'll see. You'll be able to play this weekend, I just know it." He pulled back and looked me in the eye. "Don't give up Alex! Don't you dare quit now, do you understand? You worked so hard for everything. Don't let this drag you down."

"Thanks Aidan."