All characters from Divergent belong to Veronica Roth as well as all characters from Twilight belong to Stephanie Meyer. I own nothing except my version of events.
Chapter 7 Just or just Cruel?
Days passed, each melting into each other without another incident disrupting our initiation again.
I was bored.
Don't get me wrong, I appreciated that I was no longer the center of attention. I still received looks from my classmates and attention from the faction members since my bruises were still lightly visible but either I was now desensitized to it all or the looks were becoming less frequent than before.
Thankfully one of the few things keeping me entertained was my nightly adventures with Jared. Every time we were together I watched his confidence grow as he touched me. His tentativeness gradually dissipating and his moves becoming more confident as he learned how to maneuver my body. I was thankful I was the one enjoying the fruits of his labor. He was getting quite good at it and I was finding it increasingly harder to maintain my silence as I used to at the beginning. And watching him train with Alice even now I could see that confidence in himself affecting his fighting too, but in a good way.
Both Uriah and Felix were currently training with me and I was getting better and better every day. So much so that it made it impossible for me to lose during my fights, especially while continuously being paired with other transfers like myself. I'd asked Tobias if he'd found a way to interfere in the matching process but he'd said he hadn't. I could only guess that after I survived my own murder the world was trying to make up for it by gracing me with some good luck. Not that I was complaining in the slightest. Unfortunately, these wins weren't increasing my scores by much but I wasn't mad about it either. Tobias had said it was keeping me somewhere in the high middle and not calling attention to me like I'd fear it would have.
The only remaining stressor in my life continued to be Eric, the bane of my existence. He'd become bolder with his interactions with me, now even catching me off guard when he found any opportunity to catch me alone. It was increasingly becoming harder to resist him every time. The worst part was he knew exactly what he was doing to me and he thrived in the irritation clearly displayed on my face. But I wasn't letting him take the wheel in this sudden game we were now playing. He thought he was playing with an inexperienced Abnegation girl but I wasn't like all the rest, but instead of causing him to pull away from me he craved my attention more than anything.
I loathed to admit I craved it just as much.
"Alright initiates!" Tobias exclaimed loudly. "We're going to start target practice with knives today. We were supposed to have started a couple of days ago but the fighting's have been eating up most of our time and so have our shooting practices. We felt those two skills took precedence and decided to leave knives until now." He walked away the trainers following after him as they guided us to the corner of the room we hadn't covered since the beginning of initiation. Shooting practice was done on the roof and that too I was excelling at, except this skill I took great pride in. It had actually taken me applied effort to get good at because guns had not been available for me and Tobias to practice with back in Abnegation.
They picked the Dauntless-born to go first, since they figured most would already be good but to also let us see the technique and what would work best for each of us. We watched for an hour or so until it was time for the transfers to switch positions. Each of us taking our places in front of a target while the dauntless born stayed behind, leaning casually against the wall of the training room beside us as they watched.
I silently watched Tobias show us all how to throw the knife, his posture was impeccable of course and so were his arm movements. His eyes were sharp as he released the knife from his hand, landing dead center on the target. I knew it would. Tobias and I used to target practice with knives just for fun, we competed against each other almost every day. So much so that after two months our aim had become flawless and there was no longer room for competition, even after we continued to move the target further away from us.
He ordered us to start and we did. Everyone was absolutely terrible, including me. I barely held onto the knife with any strength and I went as far as crossing my eyes like an idiot in order to throw it so that it wouldn't even touch the target. After ten minutes we could all hear the dauntless born ribbing us for being so terrible. By the thirty minute mark some of us had barely hit the target but couldn't manage to stick the knife into the woods surface. The dauntless born were now fully making fun of us, their loud laughter echoing around the room. Even my friends joined in and I glared at them before getting back to it.
But after a while it annoyed me so much I gave up, my next throw hitting and successfully sticking to the wood. I was the first one. I distantly heard Uriah yell my name in support but the next voice rang so close it almost made me shiver.
"Finally." His voice rumbled. Eric was still a few feet away from me but I still felt his voice reverberate against my body as if he were holding me in his arms.
My immediate response was to tense in surprise, having not been aware that he had been watching me, but I fought against it. Honestly I hadn't even been aware of when he'd actually joined us since our backs were turned away from the entrance. Still, it didn't settle well with me as I realized he was one of the few people who could catch me unaware.
I hated it.
"Takes a while to get used to." I said shortly.
"Does it?" He asked just as shortly.
I shifted my eyes to his and I could see he didn't believe me but I'll be damned if I'd ever admit to it. "Yes." I answered.
A slow smirk appeared on his face as he said, "Then maybe I should show you." He threatened, taking a step closer to me.
"No, thank you." I said almost too quickly, fighting with myself not to lock my body as he neared.
"Oh I wouldn't be a good instructor if I didn't." He flirted.
I was actually a little surprised that he was somewhat outwardly flirting with me in public. Not that anyone around us had noticed, everyone tended to shift their eyes away from him whenever he was in the room for fear of receiving his unwarranted attention. It never ended well.
Suddenly I felt his hands wrap around my hips firmly, shifting them slightly. My body followed but he lifted one of his hands to stop my shoulders from following my hips.
"Lift your hand." He ordered but when I hesitated to move at his instruction he tutted in disapproval. "Don't fight it, Bella." He said seductively and I detected its double meaning, and though I didn't want to concede and do as he said I knew I had to before someone noticed our interaction was a lot more intimate than it should've been.
Once my arm was up he moved it to the position he wanted, his rough but gentle fingers sliding along my skin as he mimicked the movement I needed to follow. Without wanting to, I shivered. Making him suck in a harsh breath and his body lock against mine, until it suddenly began to curl over me for a split second like he hadn't been able to resist… but it was gone before my body had a chance to respond back.
"Throw." He ordered me in a gravelly voice before he released me altogether.
I already missed his hands on me but I did as he said and threw the knife.
It hit dead center.
I expected him to taunt me again for pretending to be bad at knife throwing but instead he simply said, "Good job, Initiate." Immediately walking away from me to watch over the others.
I released the breath I had been holding since I first heard his voice and kept going, trying to push away my indecent thoughts rembering the feel of his skin against my own.
Sometime later I was distracted when I heard knives loudly clanking nearby. It had been a while since everyone had managed to get the knives to at least stick to the board, all except for one.
Al.
I turned to watch him. His posture abysmal. He threw like he had no strength in his long arm which was laughable because he was one of the biggest guys in our group.
"You suck, Al!" James yelled.
I cursed under my breath, closing my eyes knowing exactly what would follow.
Eric zeroed in on him just like I'd expected and he looked annoyed. "Everyone stop!" He ordered. We all did as he said, everyone's eyes automatically shifting to the oncoming spectacle. "Do you even know where the target is?" He asked patronizingly.
"Y-Yes." Al stuttered.
"Then why can't you hit it?"
"It's hard." He said so quietly I could barely hear him from here.
Eric glared at his response. "Then tell me. How is it that everyone has managed to not only hit the target but get them to stick except for you?"
He carelessly shrugged a shoulder in response.
I rolled my eyes in annoyance. Even I knew that was going to get him in trouble. You didn't conduct yourself so disrespectfully like that in front of our instructors, especially Eric.
"Get in front of the target." He ordered dangerously.
Al hesitated for a second but did as he was told, more scared of Eric's wrath than a knife.
"Four." He ordered, without removing his eyes from his target.
Tobias stiffened at his name but moved closer, much like us, he didn't have a say when Eric made demands.
"You're going to stand there as Four throws knives at you. If you flinch, you're out."
Gasps sounded all around the room and like magnets they all moved closer to get a better view. I stayed where I was. Not wanting to be nearby when Eric was looking like he would very much like to burn the world along with everyone in it.
Al started to shake and I found myself instantly annoyed at his reaction.
Did he not see Tobias demonstrate his knife throwing skills earlier? He hit dead center every time. Why the hell would he be scared of Tobias? If it were any one of the other initiates then yeah sure, be scared. But Tobias was highly experienced, if he weren't they wouldn't have chosen him as an instructor.
I surmised he was just an idiot and I didn't even feel bad about what he was currently going through. He lacked discipline and common sense, something a Dauntless desperately needed.
Tobias casually picked up the knives on the table. He hadn't even thrown and Al was already losing it. Yeah... He was so out of here.
"Stop!" A strong female voice spoke up.
All eyes shifted from Al to Tris.
Oh crap.
"Anyone can stand in front of a target, it doesn't prove anything." She stated.
Eric smiled at her, a dangerous gleam in his eye, and it's like I knew exactly what his next move would be. "A volunteer. Wonderful!" He said with a condescending smile, turning to watch Tobias' reaction. "Trade places with Al." He ordered, "Same rules apply."
I wanted to slap my friend in the face as I watched him struggle to keep his composure. To everyone else he looked calm and collected, but Eric and I could see right through it. I'm his friend so I knew him better than anyone but Eric was an observer, he knows how to make him tick, and he now knows he's found his Achilles heel.
I grit my teeth in anger. I don't know who I am more mad at, Tris for speaking up for a coward, Eric for being an asshole, or Tobias for being an emotional buffoon.
Nevertheless, no matter how angry I get at Tobias I will always have his back and so I glare at Eric, wishing my eyes could burn right through his skull. As if he can feel me, his eyes shift to mine and stares back.
"Start!" He orders, once Tris has settled in her spot.
From my peripheral I can see Tobias move stiffly but I don't move my eyes away from Eric. He's not glaring back but he's analyzing me, like he's trying to dig into my inner thoughts. I want him to stop and he knows it, but he arches a brow at me as we hear the first knife hit the wood. I might be attracted to him but it doesn't mean I wouldn't burn him alive at the first chance I get. He's my best friend's enemy and that makes him my enemy too. I protected Tobias from an abusive father and I'll be damned if I let Eric hurt him too.
He sees something in my expression and looks away first, catching me off guard when he begins clapping at Tris and preventing Tobias from throwing the second knife. "Good job, Stiff. Your bravery is admirable but I've grown tired of this game. Move it along before I decide to take a chance and mistakenly miss."
At the dismissal every one filters out of the training room, heading for the cafeteria. Everyone is walking, huddled together talking about what just happened. I pretend to join them, laughing at the jokes they're throwing.
"That was crazy, huh?" Jared says, throwing his arm over my shoulder.
"Which part?" I ask, looking up at him before grabbing a tray with food.
He grabs his own tray with one strong hand as he continues to walk with me. "All of it." He says.
"Yeah, but it got us to lunch earlier." I say happily as we sit together, I can feel a burning stare but don't bother to look already knowing who it is. I can always feel it like a live wire running under my skin.
"Poor, Al." Jared says, looking over at the table next to us where Al looks absolutely pitiful as he sits with Tris, Christina and Will. I scoff. "What?" He asks with his mouth full of food.
"He's terrible at everything and to top it all off he disrespected one of our leaders. What did he expect?"
"Cold." He muttered.
"It's common sense." I say instead.
"Who's cold?" Asks Alice, as she sits on my other side.
"Bella. She thinks Al deserved it."
Alice laughs, "Of course he did, that guy is an idiot. I only wish Eric would have chosen me to throw knives at him."
"It's called murder if you miss on purpose, Alice." I warn, making her giggle and Jared choke on his food as he laughs joined by Felix and Uriah.
"I take it back, the assassin of our little group is clearly Alice." He says. In retaliation Alice throws a fry at his head, it slaps him on the side of his face but Jared just picks it off the table and eats it.
"How dare you waste a fry." He says, as if the fact that she threw something at him doesn't bother him in the least but wasting a precious fry demands retribution.
I roll my eyes and start eating, putting a few of my fries on his plate to pacify him. He turns to me with a smile full of food and leans forward to kiss my cheek.
"Ew!" I grumble, shoving him away from me and wiping my face with my napkin to get rid of the grease he'd left on my cheek.
He laughs louder after he's swallowed his food and the burning stare on my face intensifies. I really wish he would lose interest in me already, but even as I think it I know I'm only lying to myself. I love it. It's dark and twisted but I love that one of the most dangerous members of Dauntless has his eyes on me. It calls to me, making me feel things I'd never experienced before. Why the hell was I so attracted to the danger he presented? I shouldn't be right? I mean I grew up in Abnegation, surrounded by people who were kind and caring to others. Who sacrificed their own wants and needs for someone else's.
I internally scoff at myself, who was I kidding? I never belonged in Abnegation. Their selflessness annoyed me to death. I struggled every second of the day to fit in. It was only when I was in my home with my parents, or out hiding in the trees that ran along Abnegation with Tobias that I felt like myself. Where I could release the real me. I disliked everyone in that damn city and since as far as I could remember I couldn't wait to get out of there. A part of me even hated my parents for having chosen Abnegation instead of staying in Dauntless like they should have. It was selfish to feel that way. My parents had escaped to keep my mom safe, I should understand that. Then again, like I said earlier, I never belonged in Abnegation to begin with.
From the corner of my eye I can see Peter and James standing up to throw their trash away, but instead of leaving as I'd expected them to they return, zeroing in on Tris' table.
This won't be good... I think, though I can't resist but to be intrigued by what Peter has planned for her this time.
"Just the stiff I was looking for!" He exclaims happily, casually lifting his leg up onto the bench in front of him in between Al and Will before continuing to speak. "I read this article recently that I think you might find interesting." He says happily, clearing his throat as he looks down to the tablet in his hand and begins to read. "The recent transfers of Beatrice Prior, Edward Prior and Isabella Swan. Children of two prominent Abnegation leaders Andrew Prior and Charles Swan, call into question the soundness of Abnegation's teachings and values. What prompted them to leave?" He asks condescendingly, continuing to read off of the article. "Perhaps the answer lies in the corrupted lies and ideals of an entire faction. The theft of resources, the general incompetence, the abuse of their children... Did they beat you like Marcus Eaton's kid?" Peter asks with a malignant smile on his face, watching Tris struggle to keep her composure as all eyes are on her. Funny how no one even bothers to look in my direction... Did they forget I was from Abnegation too and I was the Isabella Swan the article was referring to?
"They don't beat anyone!" She yells indignantly, quickly standing up and running out of the food hall leaving her half eaten food on the table as Christina gets up to run after her. I roll my eyes at her stupidity. How the hell does she not think they'll continue to pick on her if she always gives them the reaction that they want? The girl needed some serious help.
"Was it something I said?" Peter deadpans, and I resist the urge to laugh at that comment. I guess Peter could be funny after all but then I see his eyes scan the tables and I know what he'll try next. "What about you, Bella?" Peter asks unsurprisingly, turning his attention to me and forcing everyone else to look at me too. "Why did you leave the good people of Abnegation?"
Refusing to let him get the best of me I look up at him with a playful smile. "Oh that's an easy question, Petey, everyone knows Abnegation food sucks." I say breezily, keeping the smile on my face as I get more than a few laughs, especially from my friends but I'm not done with my answer yet. Not even close. "Oh and also... I'm a bitch." I finally say with a playful wink as I throw a fry into my mouth and smile.
I wait for him to have a comeback of some sort but again he disappoints as he looks at James who's standing next to him as if he's waiting for him to respond to me instead. I place my chin on top of my fist that's resting on the table while I wait for them to reply. James on the other hand huffs unhappily and rolls his eyes, beginning to walk away as Peter quickly follows after him.
"Aww, leaving so soon?" I question their retreating backs. "And just when lunch was starting to get interesting!" I exclaim with a pout, watching them leave the food hall and ignoring my taunt. I'm sure they would rather continue to pick on the weakest link than even attempt to match me word for word. So pathetic.
My friends burst out into laughter as they watch me win my verbal battle, though is it even a battle when you're up against two dimwits who can barely form a full sentence?
"Oh I do love it when they try to best you and they fail miserably." Alice chuckles beside me.
Uriah snorts at her comment though. "Which is always."
I laugh with them and shake my head. "They're complete idiots. To be honest I'm more surprised over the fact that they can read in the first place." I say, not being able to resist as I take a quick glance up only to find Eric looking highly amused as he sits there pretending not to be my stalker.
"It really doesn't bother you, Bella?" Jared asks more seriously.
I shrug my shoulders pretending like it really doesn't. "Of course not, it's not like anything they said was true. Why bother getting angry over something that's complete shit?" I ask rhetorically. Though internally I know I'm lying because one thing from that article was more than just true... The one thing I wish I hadn't seen with my own eyes and that would inevitably change the course of my life and my family's too.
I resisted the urge to look in his direction knowing that it would be too suspicious if I did. I'm not sure if anyone remembers that Tobias came from Abnegation, or if they even know. Either way, it wouldn't benefit me in any way because if I so much as caught a glance at Tobias' hurt expression there would be no way of stopping me from throwing both Peter and James into the chasm. I got my friend out of that hellhole, watched him grow into the strong capable person that he was today only for two little shit heads to walk in here and throw it all away.
"Do you think your parents will come visit you today after that article?" Alice asks with worry.
I frown down at my food, poking at it and releasing my unbridled anger out on it. "Probably not." I was sure Erudite had specifically released that article today because of visitation day knowing that would stop them from leaving the safety of their faction.
"I'm sorry, Bella, but you can hang out with me and my parents if you want." Alice offered helpfully.
I force a smile on my face in response, "thanks." But after the lecture we'd received from Eric about today I figured it was probably better if they didn't show up. He lectured us extensively, warning us that they would be watching us to make sure our loyalties remained solely on Dauntless and not our prior factions.
Still, I wanted more than anything to see my parents again… even a glimpse would suffice.
"Well, I'm gonna go take a shower before visitation starts. If my parents do show up by some miracle, I don't want to look like a complete mess." I said, putting the trash back onto my tray.
Jared grasped onto my arm before I stood up, leaning down to whisper into my ear. "Wish I could join you." He said seductively.
I smiled and nudged him on his side, making him release his grip on my arm. "Me too." I whispered back as I climbed out of the table. I threw my food away and walked briskly back towards the dorms. I tended to do that when I was alone, just to be safe. I knew there were some in my initiate class that didn't particularly like me still and so I refused to give anyone a chance to catch me unaware.
I caught movement to my side as I passed by a hidden alcove right before reaching the dorms, just as a hand pulled me into the darkness. On instinct I reacted violently, shoving the heel of my palm against the person's throat.
He choked and coughed trying to remain as silent as possible to not give away our current hiding spot from passerby's. I smirked as I watched him struggle, he was usually the one to catch me unaware but this time I had surprised him. He was lucky I was curious enough to find out what he wanted from me or else I would've taken this opportunity to run away from him.
"What the fuck?" Eric finally managed to squeeze out.
I tilted my head in pretend confusion. "What?"
He narrowed his eyes at me, "I could dock points for that." He threatened.
I leaned against the wall behind me crossing my arms over my chest and arching a brow at him in challenge. "Do it." I threatened back, calling his bluff. "And if I get kicked out of Dauntless because of it good luck trying to find someone else willing to play these little games with you."
He smirked at me this time, hearing me admit for the first time that I enjoyed our little interactions. He towered over me, leaning his forearm above my head to capture me against his body. "Are you finally giving in?" He asked in triumph, using his hard body to add pressure in all the right places.
"Now where's the fun in that?" I questioned back.
His free hand grasped tightly onto my hip, squeezing my lower body into him and allowing me to feel his hardened erection. "Trust me, Bella." He whispered dangerously. "It'd be just the beginning."
I could feel the heat of his body consuming me, the apex of my thighs becoming instantly wet at the promise of great pleasure. I thanked the heavens I had Jared to meet my needs for now, if not I would have surely succumbed to Eric's advances long ago. "Why do you insist on doing this Eric?" I asked in annoyance. "I'm sure Rosalie would give you whatever you wanted if you ever gave her the time of day. I'm not the one." I said, connecting my eyes to his to let him know I was being honest.
He rolled his eyes, pulling slightly away from me but still not giving me enough space to escape our current situation. "I've had her already and it wasn't that great." He admitted without remorse. It was rude of him to say that about another woman, and if Rosalie didn't hate me as much as she did then maybe I would have stood up for her. "You on the other hand," he continued, his eyes lasciviously perusing my body. "I can only imagine just how hot and tight you must be."
I rolled my eyes now, I should be disgusted by the way he talked to me but I wasn't surprised it had the opposite effect. Though I refused to let it show for a second, but Eric took every opportunity to let me know just how much he wanted me, chasing after me like I were the only virgin left in the city.
Wait a minute…
"Eric," I started with a secretive smile. His eyes narrowed at my playful expression. "Are you under the impression that I'm a virgin?" I asked in a teasing manner. He didn't respond but kept silently watching me. This time I couldn't hold in my triumphant smile as I burst his dreams. "Sorry to break it to you but that ship has sailed long ago." I pressed my hand against his hard chest leaning forward to whisper into him. "If you wanted a virgin Abnegation to play with I'm afraid you've wasted your time on the wrong one." I ended playfully, winking at him and using his shock to my advantage to slide into the sliver of space he'd created to escape his clutches.
I kept my smile plastered on my face the entire way back to my dorm, even as I gathered my clothes to take them to the showers. It was completely empty but I still chose the one at the far end, hoping I would still have time to take a peaceful shower. Setting the right temperature I stepped into the cascading water, washing my hair as I thought about what had just happened.
I was proud that I'd managed to stun Eric into silence this time around. I earned a great pleasure out of it and I was sure he'd leave me alone now. He was only after me because he'd thought I was innocent and stupid. I had to admit it slightly annoyed me that after everything he'd witnessed me do he still viewed me that way. But it's not like it mattered what he thought about me anyway, whatever this little game between us was had been just that. A stupid little game that had come to an end now that he knew the prize wasn't as golden as he'd thought it had been.
I felt stupid for feeling a twinge of disappointment. But it's not like it mattered. Eric was one of Dauntless' leaders, cruel, unjust, and a complete monster. Not only that but he was also my best friend's enemy. It would have never amounted to anything more than a simple game.
"Bella?" I heard a male whisper, a smile automatically appearing on my face as I recognized his voice.
I stepped towards the door of my shower, opening and leaning out of the stall finding Jared standing there. I smiled at him, crooking a finger to lure him in. He smiled and I watched him strip in less than a second, joining me eagerly in the shower.
I pushed him up against the shower wall and dropped down to my knees, not giving him a second to process what I was doing. I grasped onto his erection and pumped him with my hand first, watching the pleasure on his face as he dropped his head back against the wall. I watched him unfold before me, watching his face so openly display how much he enjoyed my touch. I smiled. This was just what I needed. The power I felt over Jared and the control I had in our relationship pacified the anger within me at what had just happened with Eric. But I didn't allow thoughts of him to take over my mind as I pushed them away by focusing solely on the man in front of me. I leaned forward, licking the precum dripping from his tip and engulfing him in one go. He groaned loudly and I dug my fingernails into his thigh warning him to be quiet.
"Sorry." He said breathlessly, biting onto his fist to stop from moaning out again. I sucked him deep into my mouth, pulling lightly away only to swirl my tongue around his member. I felt his body twitch at the sensation and I internally smiled. It was so easy to pleasure Jared, he was always happy with whatever I gave him… and appreciative too. He never asked for more than what I offered but gave me the free reins to do whatever I wanted to him, always eager to make me happy.
I sucked him back into my mouth, moaning lightly and letting the vibrations of my throat increase his pleasure. It worked as he dug both of his hands into my hair, without a conscious thought he moved me at his will. Leaning away from the wall to have more control, I grasped onto his ass cheeks and pushed him further into me. His pants becoming more shallow as his body stiffened until he reached his peak and released. I pulled away then, letting him drip into the drain below us as I continued to pump him with my hands until he sagged against the wall. I smiled standing up and pulled his face down to mine in a kiss. He kissed me back, sliding his hands down to my ass and squeezing. He trailed kisses down to my neck but I pulled away, stopping him before he went any further.
"You have to go." I said instead. He looked at me in surprise and opened his mouth to protest but I placed my finger over his lips to shut him up. "This was just for you. You can pay me back next time if you want." I flirted with a wink.
He smiled brightly at me, pulled me in for another kiss before releasing me and leaving me alone once again. I really hoped no one caught him on his way out, it was one of the reasons why I'd wanted him to leave quickly. Having boys in the dorm room wasn't against the rules, I'd seen other girls constantly do it. Bringing their male guests into the bathrooms as we heard them do their thing, especially the Dauntless born. Sex in Dauntless was not as taboo as it was in other factions, if anything it was normalized here. Many members having multiple partners at once and not settling down until they were ready to have children or they found someone worthy enough to love. But I refused to make my dalliances public, it was solely between me and Jared… and Alice. Though I was sure Felix and Uriah had an inkling of what was happening between us, but they never once voiced their opinions knowing not to pry into my life as I'd made it clear for them not to since the beginning.
I leaned in the same spot Jared had been and closed my eyes, the image of him slipping into my mind's eye. I slipped my hand down my body, my breath leaving me once I reached in between my folds and rubbed. I kept Jared in my mind, remembering the look of pure pleasure on his face, the feel of his skin against mine, the smooth surface of his member as it slipped into my mouth. I bit my lip, feeling the beginning stirs of my orgasm and though I fought with my own mind I couldn't help it when the image of Eric suddenly slipped through the cracks. I moaned remembering the feel of his erection digging into my lower stomach, the firm grip he had on my hip as he dug it further into me making sure I wouldn't miss an inch. Everything about Eric called to me, like he was the sun trapping me in its scorching rays. Lighting my skin up and burning me with the fire in his body and his eyes. My hand had been moving quicker as I thought of him, my orgasm just at the precipice. I reached up, gliding my hand over my breasts and pinching my nipple. It finally tipped me over the edge and I fell into an abyss of pleasure, riding my hand and picturing it to be Eric's.
Fuck me… this was not going to end well for me.
After my long shower I got ready quickly, now finding the dorm filled with a few people. One of those being Alice. She threw me a wicked smirk and I laughed.
"Naughty, naughty girl." She playfully chastised.
"Tell me you were the only one that heard."
She smiled broadly and nodded in confirmation. "Not a minute after Jared left, Tris walked in, but you know her innocent little mind wouldn't have realized what had happened even if she'd heard it with her own ears." I laughed throwing my head back, Alice didn't hate her like I did but she couldn't help poking fun at her sometimes. Tris just made it too easy. "By the way, hurry up. The families are already gathering at the pit and I want you to meet my parents before you find yours."
I smiled at her thoughtfulness and quickly put on my boots before following after her.
As soon as we walked in I could see how right she was, the room was filled with Dauntless members congratulating their children. Alice grasped my hand, guiding us through the crowd.
"Mom!" She exclaimed happily, pulling away from me and embracing a woman with long brown hair. I instantly recognized who she was.
"Hi, Esme." I said with a smile.
"Hi, Bella. It's nice to see you outside of the hospital." She joked.
I laughed and nodded, extending my hand towards her. "I agree, but thanks for treating me through it all." Then I turned to Alice with a questioning brow, "You never told me your mom was a doctor." I lightly chastised.
She giggled and lifted a shoulder without a care. "Sorry I guess I forgot. Oh and this is my father, Martin." She said happily.
I smiled and shook his hand in greeting. "It's nice to meet you." Then directed my next words to both of her parents. "I have to say you have an amazing daughter. She took me under her wing without a care in the world and it's thanks to her I'm doing as well as I am."
Alice rolled her eyes, playfully pushing me away. "Oh whatever, you're badass all on your own Bella." She complimented back. I opened my mouth to respond but it died in my throat as I caught movement by the entrance to the pit. I'd recognized my mother's gray skirts anywhere. I excused myself quickly, Alice throwing me a questioning look but I smiled and told her I would catch up with her later.
I tried not to call attention to myself by taking the sides of the pit and slipping out of the exit. I could see glimpses of my mom's skirt at every corner and I continued to follow it.
"Bella?" I heard the rough whisper of my father from the shadows. Without a thought I stepped in, my eyes quickly adjusting to the light and finding my parents standing before me. I threw my arms around them both embracing them tightly. "I can't believe you both came." I said, swallowing hard to keep my emotions inside but my parents knew better as they held me in their arms struggling along with me. I pulled away only to find my mother openly crying and my father struggling not to as they both kept me within their reach, unable to completely let go of me. I was much the same.
"You look good, kid." He said gruffly, squeezing my arm in comfort. "You look like you really belong here... even with all the bruises." He idly commented, not at all bothered by my appearance.
My mother on the other hand did not react the same. "Oh sweetheart, what in god's name happened to you?" She whispered in concern. Her eyes analyzing my bruises and worrying over me like she usually did. I was thankful the bruises were almost completely gone or my mother would have reacted even worse. The one around my neck was completely gone. My face had been healed long ago too and I only had some new small bruises from our fights this past week. The ones on my arms were practically gone too and the one on my ankle was much the same.
"It's nothing, just typical Dauntless initiation."
She frowned at my words but chose not to say more, knowing how easily I grew annoyed with her fussing. So she simply smiled at me and hugged me again. "Have you found Tobias, yet?" She asked eagerly instead.
I smiled and nodded happily at them. "Our little Tobias goes by the name of Four now, if you can believe it. Apparently he has four fears and to leave his tainted name behind he stuck with the nickname his instructor chose for him."
"Wow." My dad said, a broad smile gracing his lips in pride and my mom smiling too.
"Tobias did everything he could to ensure my safety here as best he could. He rejected a leadership position in order to position himself in intelligence. So don't worry if you're caught on camera. I'm sure he'll erase it as soon as he can. He also managed to get a position as an instructor for this year's initiation. Can you believe it?"
I could tell what an impact my news had on them. Seeing how much Tobias had sacrificed just for me. "He always did love you more than himself." My mom whispered lovingly.
I smiled at them and nodded along, but I loved him more than myself too. "I want you guys to see him, he's changed so much. I told him to stay nearby and I'd get him if you guys showed up. Wait for us for a minute." I said, hugging them both tightly before releasing them.
I turned away walking through the halls quickly knowing exactly where he was hiding. I knocked twice against the wall nearest him and coughed once. Leaving immediately, knowing he would keep his distance as he followed after me.
I made my way back to my parents and quietly slipped into their hiding spot. I kept my eyes aware just in case Tobias had not caught exactly where I'd slipped into but as always it was for naught, as his form suddenly appeared and joined us in the shadows.
"Tobias." My parents chorused, immediately pulling him into their arms.
"Look at you, son." My dad said, marveling at the new person standing before him. "You're buff." He joked. "We've heard what you've done for our girl. I always knew you'd do everything in your power to keep her safe."
Tobias' smile flickered for a split second but I dug my nails into his skin, warning him not to tell my parents of what happened at the wall. Not unless they already knew. He pulled me into his side and kissed the top of my head, his joyous mood returning as my parents hugged us both. I giggled remembering the many times my parents did that with us growing up. Tobias had always been a part of our family, even before his mother had passed and he'd lost the father he once had. He had always been my brother and their son since the very beginning.
"I missed you Mom and Dad." He said with emotion in his voice, except unlike me he didn't hold in the tears from slipping from his eyes.
My mom's bright smile reappeared as she gently wiped his tears away. "Always my sweet boy. I've missed you dearly." She said lovingly. "But I'm so proud of the man you have become. So strong and brave but still tender and loving as you've always been. I'm so thankful you haven't changed that side of you."
He smiled at her brightly, always soaking up her loving words. Unlike me he absolutely adored my mother's fussing nature. It's why she let me off the hook more often than not, knowing she had another person who welcomed her attention happily.
Both my dad and I connected eyes, just like we always did when we watched my mom and Tobias soaking up all the love they could get. I was more like my father, emotional but unwilling to show that vulnerable side of ourselves… at least as much as we could manage it. He pulled me into his side as my mother cuddled Tobias.
"Always my badass little Dauntless." My dad whispered into my ear.
I giggled at his nickname for me. "I learned from the best." I said sincerely, connecting my eyes with his and letting him know it was all thanks to him… and my mother too. But my dad was the one to teach us the discipline and dedication it required to make it here in Dauntless. I wasn't a full member yet but he believed in me wholeheartedly and knew there was nothing that would ever stop me from becoming one.
"Are you guys ok?" I asked him lowly.
His smile was bittersweet but he nodded nonetheless. "The house is empty without you both but we're getting used to it. Maybe once you become a full member we can find a rendezvous point where we can meet every so often. I'm sure I can convince Renee into it."
"I love that idea." I said happily, kissing him on his cheek. He lovingly kissed my temple before breaking the other pair up. "We have to go, Renee." My dad said quietly, looking remorseful for breaking up our happy reunion but he was right. If we went missing for long my friends and our leaders would grow suspicious of our absence. Tobias was supposed to be watching over the initiates like the other instructors and I was supposed to be waiting sadly by the doors for my parents to appear.
We all simultaneously pulled each other into a family hug this time, whispering I love you's like it would be the last time we'd have the opportunity to.
Tobias pulled me into him as we quietly watched them sneak out of Dauntless. "We still have each other." He whispered in the darkness.
I squeezed him into me, wrapping my free hand around him and leaning my head on his chest. "Always."