As I open a set of wide, glass doors, my eyes fall on the full room. My entrance obviously hadn't made them stop and gape- unlike when Eric enters - and the sound of chattering and laughing still filled the air.
Eric and I had agreed that I would walk into the room five minutes before him, and once that time had passed, he would come in, everybody completely oblivious as to what I - no - we, were doing last night.
That sounded weird.
After all the fussing around this morning, with the whole, kissing thing... I couldn't really think straight. My body was in Dauntless but my mind was elsewhere; a peaceful place; quite the opposite of Dauntless, really.
It's ironic; I was in Abnegation, one of the most peaceful factions (except Amity - but they're high on bread so that doesn't count) and then I transfer to Dauntless, because I don't fit in Abnegation; then my mind wanders back to peaceful, happy, definitely-not-Dauntless places. Stupid.
A pat on the back catches my attention, and I turn to face a sleepy-eyed Jay.
'Hey.' Jay yawns, his nose crinkling.
'Hi.' I wave, turning back to the food counter - which I have no idea how I got to, by the way - my eyes scanning the blackboard menu in search for breakfast.
Jay's arm curls around my shoulder, 'I'd recommend the Belgian Waffles,' He says into my ear, 'They're delicious.'
'I'll take your word for it.' Jay smiles, a toothy smile, as I turn toward to cashier.
'Two Belgian waffles plea- oh, wait' I turn to Jay, 'Have you had breakfast yet?'
He shakes his head, 'I didn't have time; I saw you and came right over.' He smiles.
I turn back to the cashier, 'Make that four Belgian Waffles, ooh... Do you have syrup? Yes? Okay, I'll have... Chocolate sauce and strawberries please. Jay?' I turn around. He holds up his fingers, 'Make that two.'
We both walk away with wide grins on our faces.
'So,' Jay starts 'Where were you last night?'
I pause, thinking for a second before replying, 'The infirmary.'
Jay's brow scrunches, 'Why?'
'I hurt myself while training and they told me it was easier if I just stayed over.' That's really only a half lie, right?
'Okay.'
He didn't sound convinced.
I look around the wide room, searching for Eric... Who still isn't here yet.
The table he usually sits at is empty...
'Who you looking for?' Jay asks, looking around the room too.
'Oh, no one.' I reply, searching the room once more, and Jay pulls a face.
I was just admiring the walls, it is a lovely shade of grey.
'So,' I start, cutting into a waffle and chewing it, 'What you been doing these past couple of days?'
Jay grins, 'Just the usual, y'know, sleeping, beating people up, sleeping, causing fights, sleepi-'
'Okay,' I laugh 'I get it, fighting and sleeping.'
Jay joins in laughing, and then the room goes quiet -Well, silent actually but-
My thoughts cut off as Jay turns to the doorway, and I immediately turn to the doorway too, curious as to what could possibly be more important than me.*
The massive doors are swung open, the stamping of boots then echoing across the walls before the door slams shut with a loud 'bang'.
Eric.
I check the wall for a clock - *four minutes late*.
My eyes wander back to Eric as he walks straight past; with no recognition, no hello, no actual, physical, human communication between either of us.
Well, that's rude.
I find myself scowling as I watch Eric stomp over to his table, eating his breakfast like it had just insulted him in the foulest way possible.
*Who pissed in his tea?*
'Lana.... Earth to Lana -Hey,' He shakes my shoulder, and my head snaps around to look at him, 'Woah, woah - sorry. Y'know, your face doesn't look as pretty when you do that.'
Jay chuckles and I realise I'm still scowling, so I return to my normal face.
'Sorry.' I sigh, 'I was just thinking.'
Jay nods and smiles, and I return the gesture with a tug at my lips.
- - - - - -
After breakfast, Jay and I make our way to training, which - according to him - would be one-on-one combat.
Finally - I think to myself - Time for some fun.
A few people give me odd looks as I pass by them, walking further into the training room. I turn to ask Jay what the issue is, but he too looks at me with that same look.
'What?' I whine, throwing my head back; Jay only laughs at my reaction.
'Seriously,' I groan, 'Why are you - why are all of you - looking at me like I just ate somebody?'
I raise my eyebrows in expectation.
Jay, thankfully, answers, 'You're smiling like a psychopath.' I purse my lips as a frown instead forms on my face.
'Seriously?'
'Seriously.' Jay coughs, 'You look like you actually did just eat someone.'
Well, no more smiling for me.
'I was just happy...' I pout, and Jay turns his head to the side, like a puppy. A cute, furry, small, little-
'Happy? For what reason?' He asks, like the answer wasn't obvious.
'It's one-on-one combat...' I lead on, and Jay's face only looks more confused.
'...Aaand I get to beat people up...!' I say enthusiastically.
'Okay...' Jay's face contorts, 'You're crazy.'
Maybe I should pipe down on the enthusiasm...
'Why thank you!' I place a hand over my heart, 'I am honoured.'
Jay laughs in response and I laugh with him, 'But I love-'
'Initiates!' Someone shouts, and the whole room goes silent, everyone turning to face the front.
Aand, guess who's stood there.
Come on, guess.
No?
Okay, it's...
My body swerves to the front, and my eyes immediately catch his ocean blue ones.
'Today we are doing one on one combat!' His voice echoes around the room, and for a second, I swear I thought I saw a window crack.
Seriously.
'You have all been assorted into pairs; you and that person will be fighting each other.' Mumbles echo around the room.
He steps to the side and I notice an object is stood behind him - a blackboard.
The blackboard.
I can only tell because of the shape, as it is covered in a black cloth.
After I had noticed the blackboard, I immediately asked myself - I wonder who I'm paired up with?
As if my mind was read, the cloth is removed and I finally see the names.
My smile immediately disappears, and I feel a wave of shock overcome me. Then a wave of anger.
Eric did this on purpose.
I pull my eyes away, and look to the right of the board as my eyes are swallowed up by His.
He did this on purpose.
- - - - - -
The look Lana gave Eric could make a man go six foot under; if only that man wasn't anchored.
The only reaction that Lana got was a smug look accompanied by a smirk, which only angered her more.
Lana tore her dark eyes away from Eric's as she spat the name out-
"Jay."
- - - - - -
*that was sarcasm btw.