After I walked away from Tris. I headed to the Hall for breakfast. I didn't really care if I ate alone but I found Eric and his guys anyway.
I grabbed a plate of food and took a seat in-between Eric and Freddy. My usual seat, whenever I sat with them. If Matisse and Amy joined, then they would sit together between Beast and Ian. There was one day when Ian got very upset because Amy chose to sit next to Freddy instead. It was hilarious.
Eventually Matisse and Amy found me and took a seat at the table as well.
I didn't really know whether I should tell Eric he was going to be leader or to leave that to Max. But I couldn't. I had to let him know about Four's turn down of the opportunity. So as I sat down, I turned to Eric, not being able to contain my joy. I had the biggest smile on my face, and probably the most goofiest one as well. As soon as Eric saw my face, he immediately started to smile, just like me.
"What?" he asked, still smiling. Although I think he already knew what I was going to say.
I went up really close to him and whispered in his ear, almost laughing for some reason. "You're going to be leader".
And with that he jumped out of his seat in astonishment. I had never seen him this happy before. He was jumping around like a little child but eventually he stopped because he was making a fool of himself.
After his little fit, he hugged me and was just lost for words. That is how much this meant to him. But then I began to wonder whether Tris actually was right. Would he put his job and love for power before me? Do I mean that little to him? Will I ever be able to make him this happy?
I became worried, all of a sudden. I started thinking about the divergent issue as well. I just put myself in a lot of danger. I thought to myself. Being Eric's girlfriend and all at this time, couldn't be too good. I mean, he was going to be leader. And that meant no one could stop him. Whatever he did no one could. And I doubt he would be getting any nicer as leader. He would probably become crueler.
Obviously Eric noticed the worried expression written all over my face.
"What's wrong?" he asked sympathetically.
"Oh, nothing. I'm totally fine" I replied as I shook my head of those worrying thoughts.
"Good" he said as he hugged me again.
We sat back down and continued to eat breakfast as the others began to question what that was all about. For they didn't know about Four's non-acceptance to the job.
But before I could tell Eric to let them wait until it would be officially announced, he told them.
Ian, Beast, Zane, Jack, Gunner, Freddy, Amy and Matisse all began to cheer and clap.
As we enjoyed the rest of breakfast in happiness I couldn't help but think about Eric, leadership and danger. Tris was right. Eric can easily just kill me, if he finds out I'm divergent. If he got so excited about his new job, then that obviously means he takes this very seriously. So maybe he won't put me before any of his...
Before I could worry anymore, I heard a beeping coming from Eric jacket pocket. It was his phone. But he couldn't hear it because the boys were being really, really loud. So I got it out for him and handed it to him. He thanked me with a nod of the head and answered it.
"Eric here" he answered.
He continued talking on the phone but he wasn't revealing much on his side of the conversation. Could it be Max?
We were all looking at him after he hung up. Then he looked to us and said, "That was Max".
"And?!" everyone chorused.
Then Eric leant into the table, bringing us all close and he whispered, "Your looking at your new leader".
"Anyway, I better go. Max asked me to see him in his office" Eric affirmed. He got up from the table and began to walk away. But then he stopped in his tracks and turned around. "Eliza. Are you coming?" he asked, seeming confused.
The girls let out a chorus of 'aww's'. I looked back at them, confusedly. I then looked back to Eric, still standing there, waiting for an answer.
"No, don't worry. You go ahead. I'm going to stay back here with everyone else" I replied.
"Ok," Eric said as he walked towards me. "I'll see you soon" he finished as he kissed me on the top of the head.
"Wow, I am so surprised Eric actually did that. He never shows affection in public" Jack stated in surprise.
All of the other guys agreed.
After a while of sitting around and chatting, I decided to take a walk to clear my mind. I was still worrying.
"Hey guys, I'm... um... I'm just going to take a little walk. I'll catch you all later" I said, as kindly as possible.
They all said 'bye' and I left.
I just ended up walking around aimlessly. Simply thinking.
Should I take the leadership job?
Do I need to be with Eric?
Does Eric just care about being leader?
What will happen if he finds out I'm divergent?
"Hey Lize. What you doing?" someone abruptly questioned. I looked up and found Zane, looking at me with care.
"Huh" I started. "Oh, nothing. Just thinking" I said as I leant against a near by wall.
Zane walked closer and leant against the wall as well. "Are you alright?" he sympathetically asked.
"Oh, no, no, no! I mean, why wouldn't I be alright. I'm great!" I said in a rush. But I could tell Zane didn't believe a word I had said. I was a bad liar, a lot of the time.
"Seriously Lize, what's wrong? You've helped me so much and I would love to return the favour" he proclaimed.
I just sighed wistfully in return. "Was I that obvious today at breakfast?" I cringed.
"Yeah" he replied with big emphasis. "But don't worry about that. Tell me what's on your mind?".
I thought about whether I should tell Zane about how I felt and in the end I decided I would.
"Does Eric really care for me, or does he just care about being leader?" I questioned honestly.
"What!? Who would ever put such a crazy thing in your mind!? Of course Eric cares for you" Zane announced enthusiastically.
But I wasn't sold. I always tended to worry about things too much. And I always expected the worst.
"Eliza, he never stops talking about you!" Zane confirmed honestly.
"Really?" I responded in hope.
"Yeah of course!" Zane shouted. "What, you weren't thinking of breaking it off with him?" he then questioned dramatically. "Were you?".
He didn't give me any chance to reply. He just continued on with...
"Because if you left him that would break his heart".
"Pfft. I am sorry Zane, but I don't think anyone could break his heart" I commented.
"Pfft, well I am sorry Eliza. But I have known him almost all of my life and I know he really likes you because I have never seen him with anyone else, the way he is with you" Zane passionately responded. He paused for a bit then continued... "You've changed him, you know that?".
"What?" I questioned, completely in surprise.
"Well you haven't changed him fully. I mean he will always be the way he is, but... I don't know. Something inside of him has changed. And that happened when he met you. He got a little less cruel and he just became a lot happier. And with all the other girls, that never happened. So you obviously mean something to him" Zane answered.
I smiled to myself. The thought that I made Eric happier was amazing. He had been through a lot, what with his sister dying and all, and I had managed to make him happier.
"Thanks Zane. I feel a lot better" I said to Zane, as I hugged him.
"No problem girl" he replied.