I was glad when our volleyball game started early on Saturday, so we could make the football game. Deena, Lauren, and Letty ended up getting a small version of Trick, Peter, and Dominic's jersey number painted on their shoulder. When Lauren asked if I was going to do the same, I painted a small version of my brother's jersey number on my shoulder.

"I know you aren't together together, but what about Eric," Lauren asked.

"I already have Eric's number somewhere else," I answered smiling. She looked at me like I was crazy and then shook her head. It made me smile whenever I looked down at my jersey. I guess Eric is always going to be there. Before we went out on the court, Eric text me.

I know I don't need to say it, but - Eric

***kissing ur forehead*** - Eric

***kissing ur cheek - Alex

We still hangin out tonite? - Alex

Of course - Eric

About tonite - Eric

Y don't we go eat out or something - Eric

Just to get off campus - Eric

Sounds good - Alex

Wat did u have in mind - Alex

Movies or dinner, ur choice, lmk - Eric

"Lauren, what is that pizza place called," I asked her as we were doing stretches. "The one that Shauna and Lynn kept raving about."

"The Pit?"

"You've never ate there before," asked Deena.

"No," I answered shaking my head.

"It's actually really good. They have all sorts of crazy pizza toppings, they sell burgers, hot dogs, and all that other stuff. But their pizza is awesome," replied Deena.

"They even have dessert pizza." I made a face. "It's better than it sounds! I rarely go, cause," Lauren started to trail off.

"Peter," I answered.

"Why do you think I devoured ice cream the other night?" We started to laugh. When we got back to the benches, I text Eric.

Dinner at the Pit? Is that ok? - Alex

I heard its good there - Alex

It's awesome there actually - Eric

Good choice - Eric

C u at the game - Alex

K, later - Eric

Our volleyball game went by quickly and we ended up winning in three sets. We got to the homecoming game with some time before kickoff. I ran quickly up into the stands to tell mom and dad about my game.

"Hey, sweet pea," called Dad. "Last week's game was in the paper. Had a good pic of you serving an ace!"

"Really?"

"Your father cut it out and has it framed in his office," my Mom said as she lightly patted my father's hand. It made me happy. Last week I thought I disappointed my Dad when I lost focus, but Eric and Aidan were right. My Dad and Mom would always love me and be proud of me.

"That's from the game with the scouts, you got seven service aces, right," my dad said with a satisfied smile.

"Yup. I got five service aces today, but I got in just as much kills!"

"Good job, sweet pea. Aren't you a setter," asked mom. " You don't usually do that right?"

"Uh-huh, it took the other team completely by surprise."

"That's my girl," my father smiled proudly. I really glad to have this moment too. This moment where my parents were happy and proud of me. Even though they didn't come to my game, it felt like they were all mine.

"Did you fix everything with your friend," my mother asked.

"We're friends again," I answered and smiled at her. And that's what Eric and I were as of now.

"What is this I hear, you're not going to the homecoming dance?" Of course my mom had to ask.

"Your brother said a few guys had asked you, but you still said 'no'. He said one of them was quite persistent," mother continued. "He's not harassing you into going with him, is he?" I knew I shouldn't have told Aidan about Landon.

"I'm okay. It's nothing that I can't handle."

"Are you sure, sweet pea? I could have them arrested," said my father jokingly, but still looking serious.

"Yes, Dad, I'm fine. I didn't want to go with just anyone who asked me anyways." I wanted to go with Eric, I said in my head.

"Aidan was going to take me, but I didn't want him to watch me all night when he could have fun."

"I'm sure your brother wouldn't have mind. Speaking about boys, who's the cutie you were complaining to me about a couple days ago?"

It just dawned on me that I called my mom and spoke to her about Eric. I remember her telling me to let her know if I ever thought that I liked a boy to give her a call. It never happened at Amity Prep, so for her to get a call just recently was so exciting for her.

"Where is he? Is he on the football team with your brother," my mother asked for information once more.

"Mom," I said nodding towards Dad.

"Your mother told me already." I hit my forehead with one of my hands. "Your mother and I started dating when we were sixteen. Although you're seventeen, you're still my little girl. All I ask is that I meet him, to of course do the usual fatherly interrogation, check his criminal record, run his fingerprints, probably put an off duty cop to stalk him." My father put on a small smile. I wanted to tell them both that they already knew him, but I decided not to.

"Well, I'll be sure to call you folks if I ever do start dating him or any guy for that matter," I replied. "So you can scare him off." My mother laughed and my father nodded in approval and smiled.

"Oh, by the way I have something for you." Mom pulled out her old ribbon she used to use for cheering during the football game.

"I used that during my senior homecoming game and now you can use it," she said smiling. I let her put it in my hair above the ribbon that Christina had tied. You could see the happiness in her eye as she saw me with something of hers on.

"Spoke to Max over there," my father nodded his head. "Said it should be an exciting homecoming this year."

"Who's Max?"

"Your principal," he answered. "I forgot you folks call him Principal Phifer." My dad started to laugh. "He was a classmate of ours, along with Hana," he said motioning to Zeke and Uriah's mom sitting a couple seats down from my mom. "If you could only hear the things we did when we were going to high school here."

"Principal Phifer told me once that Aidan and I get into more trouble than our parents."

"I don't know," my mom replied. "Your father was really mischievous when we were in school." She started to laugh as I rolled my eyes.

"Now hurry up, your brother needs you to be cheering for the team," said Dad almost as an order. I hugged them both and went down with the rest of the girls.

During half time, after our performance, they announced homecoming court. I was with the squad drinking water and talking about our dance when I heard my name.

"What did they just say," I asked spitting out the water in my mouth.

"You were elected as Senior Homecoming Princess," squealed Christina. I walked up there slowly. As I stepped out on the field, they announced who was escorting me.

"And your Dauntless Senior Homecoming Prince..." there was a pause. "Aidan Kent!" I started to laugh. They called Aidan out of the locker room and we were both crowned.

"This is a shocker," Aidan said turning to me.

"I knew some people who had nominated you, but I didn't think I would be up here."

"Your kidding right?" I shook my head. "There can only be one explanation for it." I turned to Aidan. "Everyone likes Aidan Kent's sister." I punched his shoulder.

I couldn't help but think, that's probably one of the main reasons why I was up here, because I am Aidan Kent's sister. I started to laugh as the ceremony went on. Aidan pinched my side and I shoved him lightly. We would have started a sibling wrestling match up there, but I noticed mom had come out of the stands and gave us both a look that made me and Aidan straighten out.

"Dauntless Academy, this years homecoming king and queen... Four Eaton and Tris Prior!"

We took pictures, with the rest of the homecoming court. The rest of the players came out of the locker to watch the last few minutes of homecoming halftime. Several alumni, including our parents, came out and took pictures on the field with the homecoming court.

"My two kids, Homecoming Prince and Princess," my mother squealed with delight as she hugged us both.

Right before third quarter started, I tried to find Eric, but I couldn't. I told most of the guys to keep up the good work and wished them good luck. It wasn't until they ran out onto the field that I saw Eric look at back at me. I gave him a smile and he smiled back. He then took his hand and pointed to his jersey number. I nodded my head as we both started to smiled at each other again.

"Oh my God, that's what you meant," screamed Lauren. "You and him both have the same jersey number."

"Yup."

She gave me a small nudge and then stood in her spot.

I looked back at Eric who was still smiling at me. Tris was right. There was one thing I knew. One thing I couldn't put away any longer and it was our feelings for one another. I waved and so did he. Then he turned to face the team. That feeling in me was urging me forward. Everything that happened within the past couple days, coupled with my mother's advice, I finally made my decision.

"I'm going to tell him," I said to Myra, who was right next to me.

"Tell him what," she said as she wiggled her eyebrows and nudged me.

"That I want us to be together, that I'm ready for a relationship." Myra jumped into my arms. After she grabbed Tris, Lauren, and Christina, who was right by us and told them the news.

"Why don't we just tell him now," said Lauren. "Eric!"

Eric turned back around to look at us.

"Alex has something to tell you," Tris screamed and pushed me forward a bit.

"I'll talk to you later," I yelled at him. He smiled, waved again, and then put on his helmet.

"After the game," I said to Lauren guys.

"I'm going to make sure that happens," she said as Myra and Tris agreed to it as well.

"As much as I don't ap..."

"I know I know," I replied to Christina. "You don't approve of Eric." We laughed as she rolled her eyes and then gave me a hug.

I was excited for after the game. I knew Eric was going to hang out with me tonight. I could tell him then, I thought. I kept the happy feeling in me, I pictured his smile as we did our cheers. It felt like my heart was doing flips also.

"Oh my god, you're too excited," said Myra.

"I can't help it! I'm finally going to tell him," I screamed waving a Pom Pom in the air. "Woohoo," I screamed waving the pom pom in Lauren's face and then Tris's.

"It's about time," said Tris, laughing.

"Now calm down," Lauren spoke while shaking her head at me. "The game is almost done, Kent." I hugged her as she rolled her eyes. I was too ecstatic to contain myself. I was finally going to tell Eric! The sight of his smiling face was strong in my head. It felt like nothing could bring me down in this moment.

I turned back to Myra to see her face drop. Immediately I spun around to face the field.

Something went wrong. Peter jumped forward and his leg cramped up, disabling him from getting back up. The offensive lineman got loose and ran through one of the linebackers. It was a hard hit, because everyone was crowded around somebody. I remember what Eric was saying. They were all getting sore now and then, because they were working harder than usual. The crowd got silent as we waited to see what happened.

My heart was pounding so fast, as I saw defensive player after player walk away from the scene. It was then that I realized there was one player who didn't walk away yet. ERIC!

"Eric got hit," I said softly. Myra turned to look at me with sadness all over her face.

After a while, more players, coaches, refs, and trainers moved around on the field and I saw straight ahead towards Eric. He was just laying on the ground. He looked so still. I started to panic. Christina, Tris, and Myra were by my side almost immediately.

"You can't run out there, Alex," said Tris in front of me.

"The trainers are out there right now. Everything will be fine," Myra assured me.

Dominic and Brian helped Peter off the field and Lauren went to check on him. A few minutes passed, but it seemed like forever for me waiting to see if Eric was alright.

I couldn't see Eric's smile in my head anymore. It was being clouded with the scene of his lifeless looking body on the field. I remembered what Aidan said. That these things happen, especially in this sport. But that didn't help me at all. He just laid there! I could see the trainers and coaches asking him questions, but he wasn't moving.

Aidan turned around and gave me a weak smile, so did Edward. This was bad. Just then the ambulance came onto the field and reversed where Eric's body was. My eyes were watery and it felt like my heart had just shattered. I shook my head trying to keep the tears back.

Will came off the field and walked towards us.

"They said he's asking for you."

I nodded and followed Will onto the field.

Will assured me it wasn't that bad. They just were doing all of this and taking him to the ER as a precaution. But I couldn't hold it back any longer. Tears came pouring down. I watched as they slowly took off Eric's helmet, put a neck brace on him, then lifted him on the stretcher and carried him into the ambulance. Aidan hugged me and then helped me climb into the ambulance.

"We'll be right there as soon as we can," Aidan told me. I nodded and he kissed my cheek.

"Everything is going to be alright, Alex," assured Zeke. Edward came by and did the same.

"Be brave," Four shouted.

Just before the doors closed, I heard the rest of the guys saying everything is okay and I saw their encouraging smiles. I hoped they were right. Eric's hand reached for mine once I sat down inside and I took it. That was the first sign of movement I saw in him since the hit. That was good, right?

The EMT started to ask me questions. I didn't know what to say. I didn't know what to do. My heart was beating so fast as all these thoughts ran through my head. One of the coaches was there too and would answer questions I was having a hard time with. Every once in a while they would talk to Eric and I would see him nod slowly, obviously still in pain. I wanted to start crying again, but I couldn't do that now.

When we got to the hospital, they did a scan and some tests. Exactly what they did, I wasn't sure I just paced back and forth in the waiting room, thinking I should have told him when Lauren and Tris called him during halftime. I should have told him! Was I still going to get my chance? What are they doing to him now? Why haven't I been told anything? What the hell was taking so long for the nurses to come back? Where was everybody else? I was going insane!

It was only half an hour, but it felt like forever until all our friends started to arrive. Along with Edward's dad, Lauren's parents, Peter's mom, Zeke and Uriah's mom, Shauna's dad, Marlene's parents, along with mine. I couldn't help but think that no one bothered to call Eric's mom and I wasn't about to mention anything.

"What did they say," asked Aidan as they all walked in.

"They haven't told me anything," I screamed.

"Sweet pea, there's no need to shout," my dad said pulling me into a hug.

"They just took him down into that hallway and they haven't come back," I said into my dad's shirt. "They didn't come back. They didn't even tell me if he's alive."

"He's alive, Alexandria," my father said in a serious tone. He peeled me back and looked me in the eye for a moment, as if trying to read something. "You were in the ambulance with him, was he responsive then?" I nodded. "Before they took him down there, they must have told you something."

"That they're going to run a test or scan," I said as my eyes started to water. "I don't know what they're doing. It feels like it's been hours since someone came to tell me what's going on. They wouldn't even let me follow him down there!" My dad put on a small smile and then looked to Aidan and somewhat chuckled. Why was my dad laughing? He let go of me and let my friends talk to me.

"Here's your duffle," Christina said crying. She brought me a change of clothes and some other stuff to keep me occupied. She hugged me as did all the girls. So did half of the boys.

"He's going to be fine, you know that right," said Justin. I started to cry. I pushed Justin out of the hug. "Alex."

"How do you know? I saw him! He was just laying there," tears started to come out of my eyes. Justin pulled me back into a hug. Trick and Deena came by. Deena leaned her head against my back as I stayed in Justin's hug. Nothing anyone did seemed to comfort me at this moment.

Two of the coaches from West High, the school we were challenging, along with a few of their players, including the one who hit Eric, came by to check in on him. There seemed to be a sort of comradery and understanding between all the players and coaches.

"Alex, right? They said you're his girlfriend," said the player who hit Eric as he stood in front of me. Myra's arm around me gave a quick squeeze and her, Lynn, Tris, and Lauren stood up and walked towards some of our other friends. The boy sat down next to me. "I just wanted to apologize to you. I know you're really upset now," he said so gently. I turned to him about let him have it. How could he know what I was feeling right now? Almost right away, he started to speak again. "I was a wreck when my brother got hit last year. He was our quarterback."

"My brother is our quarterback," I responded softly.

"And you're boyfriend is on defense," he asked smiling. I guess that is kind of ironic now that I think about it. One of the things Eric does is tackle quarterbacks, which just happens to be my brother. ERIC. I wanted to say Eric was going to be my boyfriend after tonight. But that didn't happen, because the boy sitting next to me knocked him unconscious, but I knew that wasn't going to help anyone right now. Not even myself. I just smiled in response.

"All week and even before the game our coach told us that he just wanted us to play our best. We all knew it was going to be a hard game. From what we've heard is that this year there was a new breed of players at Dauntless. They don't give up, they're determined, and they're stronger than they seem. Your brother, your boyfriend, they're exactly that, they're fighters. Eric, I believe is his name," he stated as I nodded. "Well, Eric is going to fight this. This isn't going to stop your boyfriend from coming back to you."

"I hope not." My voice was still soft.

"Well, I know it's not. I was still there on the field when he asked for you. He seemed quite insistent on seeing you." That almost made my heart drop. In the middle of all of that, Eric still managed to think of me.

"I'm sorry I don't know your name."

"Jack," he said as shook my hand. "I know it's hard to hear it from me, especially after all your friends have been here to talk to you, but I know your boyfriend is going to be fine. Again I'm sorry for what you're going through right now." He smiled and started to stand.

"Jack, what happened to your brother?"

He turned back around and smiled slightly. "They kept him out for the next two games. He came back twice as stronger. Plays for DU now. That's how I know things will be okay. There's only one way to go when you're down."

"And that's back up," I put on a weak smile as Jack nodded and then left to go back by his team.

"Wasn't he the one who hit Eric," asked Lauren coming back to my side. I nodded and rest my head on her shoulder. "He's right you know, Alex. Everything is going to be okay."

A few more minutes passed until the doctor came out. The whole waiting room got silent.

"What's the news, doctor," asked Edward.

"We're going to keep him in overnight just to be sure. For now I can allow a couple visitors in, but he has to get his rest." Edward's dad, Shauna's dad, and my dad were some of the first people to see him. Slowly our parents and the other team started to leave. They decided to let all the boys from our team go in as well. The whole Dauntless football team came. After Four, Edward, Aidan, Will, Zeke, and Uriah came out, the doctor said they were going to let him sleep.

"I didn't even get to see him," I protested.

"It's going to be alright, Alex," said Will coming to hug me.

"We spoke to him. He just needs his rest," Uriah replied.

"He's not in the best shape right now, Alex. The best thing to do is to go back to campus and wait until morning. Let him have his rest for tonight," suggested Four.

"Well, I'm staying until he wakes up."

"Do you need us to stay with you," asked Zeke.

"Yeah, perhaps someone should stay back with you," said Four. He turned to look at Aidan. Aidan nodded as if reading Four's thoughts. I think Four was irritated with me for acting this way, but I didn't care. Everything may have been okay to them, but I didn't get to see Eric! I was supposed to hang out with Eric tonight. We were going to eat pizza. I was going to tell him how I felt! Then I remembered something else. I looked at a lot of the girls, who were in their dresses.

"No, it's the homecoming dance tonight. You all should go."

"It's not going to be the same without our princess," said Tris giving me a reassuring smile. I hugged her and congratulated her on being homecoming Queen.

Christina was in hysterics, more than me. I didn't think she was going to make it to the dance. Shauna and Marlene looked sad for me.

"Call us now if need anything. I don't care if we're at the dance, we'll come back for you," said Shauna as she hugged and then left.

Edward and Myra asked again if I wanted them to stay and I said I would be okay.

"Some of us guys were coming back in the morning with Coach Amar to check in on him," Edward said. "But if anything happens before then, just give us a call." I nodded and then we said bye. Aidan was the last to leave me.

"Are you sure you're going to be okay," asked Aidan.

"Yeah, I'm just going to wait until he wakes up, then I'll catch a cab back to campus." Aidan hugged me and then left to head to the dance.

I sat by Eric's bed unable to do anything and say anything. He wasn't dead. But I just couldn't stand it. I couldn't stand seeing him like this. This wasn't the funny, joking, tough, yet caring Eric. This was vulnerable, helpless Eric.

I put in my earphones and tried to listen to my iPod. After a few songs I was starting to relax. I leaned over him and kissed his cheek, then sat back down next to Eric's bed, keeping his hand in mine. Everything is going to be alright, Alex, I kept saying in my head. It wasn't until a song came on my iPod that my emotions went back downhill. The song was "I Never Told You" by Colbie Caillat.

I miss those blue eyes

How you kiss me at night

I miss the way we sleep

Did that just have to describe me and Eric? To me there was no better place for me to be than wrapped up in his arms, with his lips pressed against my forehead.

Like there's no sunrise

To me there was no doubt, that I would wake up the next day with Eric still by my side.

Like the taste of your smile

His smile. I missed his smile. I wanted to see it right now. But he just laid there. A tear ran down my cheek.

I miss the way we breathe

But I never told you

What I should have said

No, I never told you

I just held it in

Why? I actually slapped my forehead. Why in the hell, did I hold it in?

And now I miss everything about you

I can't believe it, I still want you

After all the things we've been through

I miss everything about you

Without you

Yes, I knew now I really wanted to be with Eric. I don't think I ever stopped wanting to. I was just so proud to say anything. And now. I looked at him. Oh my god!

I see your blue eyes

Every time I close mine

You make it hard to see

This wasn't how I pictured tonight. I pictured me telling him and his arms wrapped tight around me. I couldn't will the image in my head anymore. I would close my eyes and his body laying still just stayed engraved in my memory.

Where I belong to

When I'm not around you

It's like I'm not with me

And I'm not. Because Eric was the one who made me see who I really was.

But I never told you

What I should have said

No, I never told you

I just held it in

That's all I could take! I took the earphones out and threw my iPod on the floor and started to stomp on it. I sat back down in the chair, let my face fall against Eric's bed.

"Why couldn't I just tell you," I mumbled against the sheets. Tears started to soak up the sheets. I wiped them away. Closed my eyes, tried to shut everything out and let myself fall off to sleep.