Alex sat in Eric's dimly lit apartment, the tension between them palpable. The failed mission to meet Jack still weighed heavily on her mind. She had waited for hours in that abandoned flat, but Jack never showed up. It had been three days since, and Eric's silent judgment only intensified her frustration. Eric had said nothing but she sensed him doubting her. He hadn't led her out of his sight since then, which made her think that Eric was making sure she wouldn't secretly get in contact with Jack.
Alex sat on the armchair opposite Eric her arms crossed over her chest. Lucas and Kylie were spending the night at the Forge while she had to stay in Eric's field of vision hoping time would go by more quickly.
„Don't even think about it," Eric said without looking up from his laptop.
Alex focused her gaze back on Eric sitting on the couch and holding a glass of Whiskey. Her gaze fell back on the bottle on the table.
"Come on, just one glass. What's the harm? I'm not going to get drunk off a glass if that's what you're afraid of."
"The harm would be on my side, that's the problem."
"Why?"
Eric's gaze was still focused on his laptop. She hated it when he did that. "Because right now I'm drinking while making an Initiate miserable but if you drink as well, I'm drinking with an Initiate which would make me miserable."
Her initial reaction was to huff and pout but she quickly reminded herself that that would not get her anywhere with Eric.
"How's the Forge like? You've been there, right?"
Eric's eyes finally left the laptop, fixing on her with a mixture of annoyance and amusement.
"It's the best bar in the city."
"Really? You've never gone once since I moved in", Alex remarked.
"That's because I suddenly had an Initiate to babysit."
"So, your friends still go?" Alex asked, ignoring his comment.
"Yeah, they meet there almost every night."
"You must be missing out on a lot of great nights then."
Eric rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed. "You are horrible at manipulating people, do you know that? Ever heard of subtlety?"
"What do you mean?" Alex feigned innocence.
"We're not going to the Forge" Eric declared, shutting down her attempt at persuasion.
"Why not, though? Your friends are there, my friends are there – we would both have a better time compared to this misery here."
"Because I don't trust you on a night out."
"Come on. I'm wearing the boots you placed the bug in, we'll be in the same room the whole time, I just wanna have one evening with my friends … Please," she implored, her voice taking on a hint of vulnerability.
Eric looked up and studied her for a moment.
"Fine."
"Really?" Alex's eyes lit up with excitement.
"You want me to think it over again?"
"No, no, no. I'll get my jacket."
A few minutes later they arrived at the Forge.
"Alex?" Lucas and Kylie jumped up from their seats as she walked up to their table.
"He actually let you go? How did you pull this off?" Lucas asked in amazement while Kylie hugged her tightly.
"Honestly, I have no idea." Alex laughed and sat down.
"I'll get us another round", Lucas said and left the table while Kylie sat down next to Alex.
"I'm so excited we're finally here together!"
Alex smiled and looked around.
The Forge was Dauntless' beating heart, a place that came alive as the night wore on. The lighting was low, the place bathed in a warm, dim glow from hanging bulbs. The atmosphere was a mix of laughter, chatter, and the scent of strong drinks that hung in the air. Dauntless folks, like one big, rowdy family, gathered here to embrace the chaos of their Dauntless lives.
"I thought you said people dance here as well?" Alex asked.
"Oh, they do! In the beginning, everyone is sitting together, having a drink but later on in the evening the tables are moved to the side and people dance but you and I, my friend, will be dancing on the tables." Kylie's eyes beamed with excitement.
"We'll see about that. I think I'd need more than one drink to get up there."
"Oh no worries, we'll get you there."
"You finally made it to the Forge, hm?" Rae had come up from behind them to their table with several drinks in her hands.
"Sure did."
"Well, I don't know how but I'm very happy to see you both here again."
"I really don't know why you'd be happy to see him but sure, my treat. You can have him for the whole evening."
"No worries, I'll keep him distracted if you want to go ahead and dance on the tables."
"That is very kind."
"You guys have a good night!"
Alex thanked her and nudged Kylie who didn't stop staring at Rae even after she turned around.
"You really have to do something about this, you can't just stare at her forever."
"She's just so cool, you know? She seems so confident and unbothered by everything. I would probably just bore her if I'd go to talk to her."
"That is the stupidest thing I heard all week. You really think we would be friends if you were boring?" Alex shook her head and in an impulse decision called Rae's name.
Kylie froze as Rae turned around again.
"What are you doing?" Kylie asked through a forced smile as Alex gestured for Rae to come back.
"I'm doing you a favor."
"What's up?" Rae smiled as she got back to the table.
"You know I was wondering since this will be my first night drinking in Dauntless if there are any Dauntless drinking games?"
Rae's eyes lit up with mischief. "Oh, where to begin."
