Happy 4th of July everyone! Novelty fireworks are allowed on the other islands of Hawaii, but NOT Oahu (which is the one I live on). So BOOOO! I can't set off any. We can't even use sparklers! No jumping jacks, ground blooms, smoke canisters, fountains, rockets, NOTHING! We can only go and watch a fireworks display, where's the fun in that? So if you read this, can you set off one in honor of me? Even if it's a little jumping jack, I would appreciate it. Thank you!

Back to the story

I let my cousin read this chapter before I posted it and she did not like it at all. But trust me, there's only one way to go when you're down, and that's UP! So, hang in there. Someone put the most cutest thing ever in my reviews. It said:
alericforeva
I don't know why I didn't think of that. But props to you! That was awesome. Thank you to all the other reviews. I enjoy them all!

Disclaimer: I do not own Divergent. Credit goes to Veronica Roth.

ALEX

The next morning Eric appeared at my door to take me to breakfast. It was early and my hair was still messy so I just threw it up in a weird pony tail and followed him down to the cafeteria. He actually didn't care about the morning look. I think just wanting to spend time with me was his main focus. It was mine, too. I really enjoyed last night. It seemed like everything was going back to normal. I didn't expect him to show up this morning, so that was just as nice.

"We got this little practice game versus the JV," he mentioned as we sat down to eat the bacon, eggs, and pancakes.

"It's not really a game if you're challenging the JV, isn't it?"

"No, but your brother seems to think that it'll bring us together as a school before homecoming."

"Sounds like Aidan." Eric and I started to laugh a little.

"I was wondering if you wanted to come out and watch us," asked Eric as he turned to look down at his food. "I know you said you needed time, but during that time, we can still hang out and be friends, right?" He seemed so hurt to say it.

"Of course," I answered softly as he turned back to me. "I'll come to the game and if it's okay we can hang out after that?"

"I'd really like that," he answered with a huge smile.

"Speaking about the game, I hope you go easy on them. Especially you," I said lightly hitting his shoulder.

"What do you think I'm going to pound on the JV?"

"No, but after what they did for you, you shouldn't be hard on them."

"What they did for me," Eric questioned.

"They helped you sing to me," I reminded him as his smiled disappeared.

"I didn't really get a chance to ask you how you liked that or any of it for that matter."

"The songs, well the first one, it was funny and cute. It was a little embarrassing to see them jump up on the tables, but it was cute nonetheless. You also sent them into the gym during warm-ups," I accused as Eric started to laugh.

"Malachi told me Tori tried to kick them out."

"Yeah, it was pretty hilarious, adorable, but hilarious. Tori kept trying to chase them off, but more and more of them kept coming in. She finally gave up and let them finish the song. That to me was probably the best one." Eric's smile got softer and his eyes stared into mine.

"Then there was the show you made them put on in our hallway. It made a lot of girls cry. In fact I heard because of all of that, a lot of them got dates to the homecoming dance!"

"Uh huh. You know Kristen?"

"Kristen? As in Kristen Bell?" Eric nodded. "She's on cheer squad with us. But isn't she a junior?"

"Well, that junior told Hec she would go with him to the homecoming dance." We started to both laugh.

"As you can see, everybody thought it was romantic. I did too," I said as his smile got wider. "You chose good dancers and lip singers. That is why you should go easy on them tomorrow," I replied as we both started to laugh again.

"Okay, I promise I won't tackle the JV team," he paused, looked at me and smirked. "Well at least not that much," he joked as I went to hit his shoulder.

"Your best friend, Christina, loved it too," I added as he rolled his eyes. "She ended up giving Will grief for it."

"Yeah, I heard her from where I was sitting," he said as we both started to laugh again. This really felt nice to talk and spend time with him once again.

"And the rest," Eric asked inching closer to me as we sat eating breakfast.

"I'm not big on flowers, but that was a very beautiful display outside my door. Also, I'm really digging the purple rose from Erudite now. Not to mention that purple is my favorite color," I continued.

"Yeah, I know," he whispered still smiling at me. That almost made my heart stop. He remembered even the little things about me.

"I really liked what you wrote on my banner and the note that you flashed on top the scoreboard. Actually all the little notes that you left for me here and there. It made me smile and almost cry at some of them knowing you went through all that work to apologize, show how much you care and just how much I really meant," I said.

"Well, you do really mean a lot to me, Alex," Eric replied as his hand ran down my cheek. I rested my head back on his shoulder, like I did last night. His hand wrapped around me holding me close. My heart hurt so much, but I believe it was only aching now, because I wanted to be with him and yet here I was still holding myself back.

We started talking about something else, until others started to trickle in to the cafeteria.

"If you wanted to spend time with Eric, you could have just told us," joked Myra who gave a wink to Eric. Eric turned to me to ask if he was keeping me from something. I remembered the AP Gov project that was due on Friday.

"I gotta go. We're working on the project for Mr. Chen's class."

"That's right it's due on Friday," Eric said turning to Aidan, who just walked in.

"I'll try and make it out to the game," I said. I got up, kissed Eric on the cheek, and then left with Myra and Tris to get Christina.

The four of us didn't end up making the game. In fact a lot of the girls didn't end up making the game. Lauren, Lynn, and Shauna had an essay they had to make up. Marlene and Deena didn't complete one of her weekly assessments for Psych, so they were finishing that up as well. The week was so busy and crazy for us, I guess Sunday was the day to make everything up.

Monday morning came around and we were nowhere near finishing our project. We sat at a different table from the guys this morning, under Tris's order. Christina was the only one who threw a fit, but agreed afterwards.

"We're going to eat a quick breakfast and head down to the computer lab. We still have a lot of things to do," argued Tris.

"We worked almost all last night," whined Christina. "We're going to work this early, too?"

"Yes, we are," answered Myra as we rushed through breakfast. Just as I threw the last piece of french toast in my mouth, Tris tapped the table.

"Mm, Alex," whispered Tris. "Trouble is heading our way."

"Morning ladies," the voice said behind me. Landon. "Is it okay if I speak to Alex?"

I turned around and stood up.

"You have one minute, Landon. We were about to leave. Got some big project to work on."

"I see," he replied. "Since my time is short, I'll just get right down to it." Landon pulled out a single red rose and held it out for me to take. Of course it would be red. I rolled my eyes. Only Eric would get me flowers that I liked. I noticed Christina jumping excitedly in her seat. I reluctantly took it.

"I heard you still haven't gotten a date to the homecoming dance..."

"That's because I'm not going Landon and I already told you that."

"Well, maybe you can go now, since I'll be your date." I opened my mouth to object. "Now hear me out," he said putting up his hands. "I know that you're fresh off your breakup with Eric..."

"We didn't have a breakup."

"So you're still together?"

"Well, no..."

"Sometimes the best way to get over a loser is to find a winner."

"Which we don't see right now," mumbled Myra. Landon side-eyed the table as Myra and Tris tried to hold in their laughter. Landon was okay, but he just didn't appeal to me. Calling Eric a loser didn't sit well with me either.

"Anyways, it would be my honor, if I'd be allowed to escort you to the dance, my lady?" He bowed, which was real gentleman-like. But that really didn't impress me or make me heart leap the way that it did with Eric.

"I promise it'll be a fun night. I got my parents to rent a Bugatti Veyron to drive me and my date, which could be you, to the dance."

"Isn't that the car from the Transformers movie," asked Tris. The only reason why we knew was because Brian got to rent a hot car to take Mia to the homecoming dance also from the Transformers movie.

"Ooh, isn't that exciting," squealed Christina.

"Not really," answered Tris and Myra together. Landon glared at them. But Tris wasn't about to back down and neither was I. I didn't care if his parents rented the entire car factory.

"That sounds really nice, Landon." He put on a smile. "But," I said as it dropped. "I'm still not going. I already decided that I wasn't going to go. I already informed you of that, too and I would appreciate it if you just respected my decision."

I leaned down to grab my things and the girls started to pick up there's. I looked up to hand Landon back the rose and realized he was right there in front of me.

"Still holding out for that player, aren't you?" I was wondering when I was going to see the Landon I saw in the gym during the Clash. The Landon that talked to me in the cafeteria during the party and that we practiced dancing together was nice. However, the second I told him 'no' in the gym last week, his demeanor changed. It changed into the Landon that was in front of me right now. I almost got scared, but I straightened myself.

"I don't know what you're talking about Landon. I'm just not going to the dance. I'm sorry." I held up the rose.

"Keep the rose. It's the only romantic thing any guy will ever do for you." He stepped closer. "He's not going to wait for you. Guys like Eric don't do that. And when he does leave, you'll be running back to me."

"No matter how much you say it, all of that will never happen," I spat back in his face with much determination.

He put on a scary smile. "You'll be sorry for telling me 'no' later on." Then, he turned to walk away.

"He's such a dummy," said Myra. "What did he just tell you now?"

"Nothing. Whatever he said was a complete lie anyways."

"I don't get it, he seems so nice," said Christina obviously only hearing about the car and not Landon's last statement.

"He did seem that way. But if it's something I've learned from earlier this year is that guys aren't always as they seem at first," I responded. Took me long enough to realize Eric wasn't what everyone said about him.

"Why didn't you say 'yes'? You'll finally be able to go," Christina insisted.

"Nobody said she needs a date to go," replied Tris. "Besides Alex just doesn't feel like going, so we shouldn't have to force her."

"Thanks Tris. Besides Christina, if you did force me," I said as we walked out the cafeteria. "I would turn the dance into a living nightmare for you!" She shuddered as we all laughed. The second we passed the dumpster outside, I threw the rose in there, and we headed off to the computer lab.

It went against my better judgment, but during second period, I told Aidan that Landon asked me a third time to the dance and that this was the second time he turned nasty again.

"Are you alright though," asked Aidan.

"I'm fine. I sort of expected him to get all scary like at the gym, so it wasn't really a shocker. Other than that, I'm okay."

"I know you probably didn't want to tell me, but thanks for letting me know," Aidan whispered.

"Letting him know what," Zeke asked turning sideways in his chair to look at me. He wiggled his eyebrows.

"Nothing," I replied and pushed Zeke's shoulder to turn around and face the front. I turned back to Aidan.

"I felt bad for telling him 'no' again, but on Saturday night after the Clash, I saw him hanging out with Drake and Clayson. I definitely don't want to go with him now, let alone talk to him."

"Don't feel bad. I wouldn't want you talking to him either..."

"Mr. Kent!" The teacher caught Aidan and I talking in class.

"Yes, ma'am."

"The formula?" She stared at Aidan. I took a quick glance at the board.

"5N plus 1 over X squared," I whispered behind Aidan's back. Aidan repeated the answer as the teacher looked back at him.

"Hm," she pressed her lips. "Miss. Kent."

"Yes."

"Where would that put the slope on our plane?" She pointed to the left side of the board.

"It wouldn't be. The plane we're working with now is negative."

"Correct. Please pay attention now," she said before turning around.

What was that all about? - Eric

Solving the problem - Alex

You and Aidan - Eric

Is everything ok - Eric

Yeah - Alex

Just him sharing some brotherly advice - Alex

I looked up at Eric and he gave me a small smile. I really didn't want Eric to know that Landon asked me to the dance again. As we walked to third period, with Zeke next to us, before I could, both of them rounded the steps. I looked at Eric.

"You seem to like walking this way," he said nonchalant. Right when we reached the top, he took a quick glance over at the front steps. I paused before walking in. Someone told him about Jarrett.

Marlene ran to me just as we reached the door for our class.

"Hurry up and get inside," she said. "Shauna is trying to get rid of it."

"Get rid of what?"

"Another date request," Eric said as his hand tightened on his backpack strap.

I turned and looked at Shauna walking out the other door with a teddy bear with a note. On the note it said "Alex, will you go with me to the homecoming dance? Zach".

Zach was on the football team. That must have been a low blow for Eric, because when I turned around, he was already sitting down in class.

During lunch, before heading out to the computer lab, I spoke quickly to Zach.

"I know you've been bugging lately because of the whole Eric thing," Zach started. "We don't need to think of it as a date, we can just go as friends."

"Thanks Zach, but I really don't want to go."

"I understand. I wasn't trying to get in your pants or anything," he said smiling.

"My brother would kill you, if that was the case," I said smiling in response. It was nice to know I had a brother looking out for me.

"Besides, getting murdered by Aidan, I know you still have feelings for Eric and I see that he does for you too. I thought it would help if you went, just to have fun."

"Thanks for understanding," I replied. We hugged and then I went off to find Tris and Myra at the computer lab.

"Where's Christina?"

"She's not going to come to this one. She said she'll do this after practice, but she needs some time to live in her mantra," Myra said singing the last part as Christina would.

I shook my head as Tris started to laugh.

"So I heard Zach asked you to the dance?" I looked at Tris.

"He said it was just to go as friends," I answered.

"So you said 'yes'?"

"No." After a pause. "Should I have? I mean it's just as friends?"

"But I thought you weren't going," stated Myra.

"Yeah, I wasn't. Aidan told me during second period he would take me, so I was going to go then, but I still... I don't know why I'm making this into a big deal."

"The only reason why, is because you wish that you were going with someone else," Tris smiled. That was probably true.

"Maybe you and Eric can go as friends," suggested Myra.

"I don't want to go with him as friends, though. If I went as 'just friends' with someone, I would have said 'yes' to Zach," I replied. There was another pause. "Sorry Myra."

"It's okay. I know you're not upset at me, it's just the whole situation that's got you twisted."

"Thanks. Anyways, let's just try and get some work in, so Christina can have more time to 'live in her mantra' later on tonight, too." We all laughed.

We finished the project late Wednesday night.

"Perfect," squealed Christina. "That means tomorrow night we can go shopping for homecoming!"

"I still haven't found anything to wear, perhaps it would be good for us to go tomorrow night, after cheer practice," added Myra.

"You should come Alex," added Tris.

"I'm not going to homecoming though."

"You can help us get ideas," Christina suggested. "Besides you can still shop for something else. I mean come on it's shopping!"

"Do you remember our last trip to the mall?" I nodded at Tris. "Yeah, well, plan for another overboard trip with her and Marlene."

"We're not that bad," Christina pouted.

Just as we exited the library, Eric was outside.

"You working on a project, too," asked Myra.

"No, we finished ours on Monday," he answered smiling. "I actually came to see if I could walk Alex back." Eric turned to me and smirked. I smiled and looked away. I hated it the fact that I told him about that smile, but I enjoyed it too much.

"N..." Christina started.

"Of course," Tris said grabbing Christina and ushering her away.

"Bye Eric," called out Myra.

"See you later," Eric shouted back. He turned to face me and stretched out his arm motioning for us to walk.

"How's practice going," was the first thing I asked.

"Good. Peter, Dom, and Roman keep getting cramps. Edward and I do, too, but..."

"Are you okay now?"

"Yeah," he said smiling over at me. "I guess our defense isn't used to working this hard. Especially since we didn't play this well last year."

"Well, perhaps you shouldn't overwork yourselves," I returned the smile. "I know it's homecoming game, but after what happened to Dom, you guys shouldn't be pushing yourselves to your breaking point."

"We're okay, Alex. A little exhausted now and then, but we're okay. Like you said it's homecoming game, so I think that's why we want to put on a good show, especially since everyone's parents are coming."

I didn't want to, cause I knew the answer, but I figured I ask anyway. "Is your mom coming," I asked as he turned to me with a slight smile.

"No," he answered. I thought that was going to be the end of it, but he continued. "I spoke with her yesterday, but she didn't ask about football or my classes. It was just her being the criticizing mother that she is." You could hear the anger in his voice. It wasn't a good phone call.

I stopped us. "It's not true Eric." He looked at me and I felt compelled to grab his hand in mine. "Whatever she said Eric, it's not true. You're an awesome person, you know that right?" I stepped forward and kissed his cheek.

He pulled me closer and held me in his arms. I wrapped my arms tightly around him too. After a while I moved my head to look up at him and he kissed my forehead.

"Thanks Alex."

"That's what friends are for."

Eric ran his hand softly down my cheek, tilted his head down, and placed a soft kiss on my lips. We stayed like this even longer. With him holding me close and his forehead resting on mine. I moved my hands back to the front to run slowly along his chest. I really wanted to be with Eric, so why was I putting off telling him? My phone rang. It was "Fancy" by Iggy. I knew it was Christina.

"Christina," he mumbled irritated. I guess he knew it was her too. I laughed softly, pulled back, grabbed his hand and continued walking to the dorm building.

"She's probably wondering where I am. You know her," I said as Eric rolled his eyes.

"So, did you folks finish your project?"

"Yeah. Which Christina is thrilled about, because now we can go shopping for homecoming tomorrow night."

Eric's hand did a quick squeeze on mine. "So you are going to the dance?"

"No. Aidan was going to take me, but I told him this morning, I didn't want to go. Christina said I should still go shopping though, just to shop."

"Just to shop," Eric repeated looking at me with a smile.

"Yeah, I know. I'm not in the mood to just shop, but all the girls are going, so I figure that would be more time to just hang out with them." I turned to him. "Were you going to the homecoming dance?"

"I was planning on going, just to go, but I decided not to."

We got up to my room and ended up sitting down in the hallway right outside the door talking about random stuff again, like Saturday night. I mentioned to him about the beaches back at home. He had never seen the ocean in real life, only been swimming in a lake. Which brought up a story of him and his Dad trying to fish for salmon. I noticed his smile was different when talking about his Dad. It made him look young and fun-loving, like a child admiring his father.

He spoke about other things he, Will, and Edward used to do when they were younger. I really liked this side of Eric, too. It was then I realized what Myra said. He never let anyone in, but here he was breaking down more of his barriers for me.

Christina opened the door and told us it was late.

"Even when I'm outside the room, she still wants to kick me out," Eric joked. I started to laugh as he held out his hand for me to stand up with him.

"Sorry about that," I replied. "Sorry it's kind of late too."

"Nah, it's alright. This was nice," he said smiling. "Hey since we're not going to the dance this Saturday, perhaps we can hang out that night?"

"Sure," I answered smiling back. "Christina will be at the dance, so I know she won't be kicking you out if we hang out here." We both started to laugh.

"It's late, already," shouted Christina from in the room. "Go back to your room, Eric!"

"Going," he shouted back at her.

I hugged Eric and he squeezed his arms around me.

"Good night Eric."

"Good night Alex," he whispered. As he pulled away he placed my hand on his chest and planted a kiss on my forehead. I knew what he was trying to tell me. I leaned up and kissed his cheek, pulled away quickly and ran into the room.