Divergent Short Stories (Eric & Tris Fanfics)

8 - The Chance Meeting (Fall Special)

I decide to stop at the cafeteria for an early dinner after work. I know I'm a coward but I don't have it in me to face them both—especially at the same time.
I grab my bag from the office afterward and head up to my apartment for the evening. I start a load of laundry and lounge around on my sofa reading a book while my clothes wash. I hear a gentle knock on my door and I'm praying it's not Four. I look through my peephole to see Eric standing in the hallway. I sigh and open the door.
"What happened to your door?" he asks me as it creaks and rattles—clearly broken.
"Four," I say softly.
He looks irritated at hearing that.
"I'm having a repairman come and change it out for a metal one tomorrow... as well as the doorjamb," I explain.
"Was this today?" he asks me.
"Last night," I shake my head.
"I should've walked you home," he blurts.
"Yeah, maybe," I admit softly.
He sighs shakily and looks me over.
"I missed you today," he tells me leaning in against my door jamb—the intact part anyway.
My heart clenches at the admission.
"You want to come in?" I offer.
He sighs and nods. I open the door and he takes me in his arms and hugs me. I sigh shakily and accept the affection. I almost cry at the last twenty-four hours but I don't. I feel stronger around him.
He comes in and sits down on my sofa with me. I set my book aside. He puts an arm around my shoulder and asks if I had a bad day. I nod in a daze. It was kind of terrible—mostly because of Four last night.
"What happened?" he asks.
So I elaborate a bit on what he did, what he said—glazed over, of course.
"Do you want me to have security bring him in?" he offers.
"No," I shake my head.
"He entered your apartment without your permission and destroyed your property," he points out. "He's harassing you."
I sigh and tell him I just won't answer the door next time. If he doesn't go away, I'll call security.
"But he was outside your door waiting for you," he mentions.
"True. But I know when he gets off and I'll be here early that day," I shrug.
He sighs. "Alright," he agrees. "When do you think he'll come?" he asks furrowing his brows.
"Tuesday or Wednesday," I tell him.
I feel his arm shift fully around me. I sigh. Why do I like Eric so much? I feel like I need to deal with this. I can't fear him when my heart is absolutely aching for him.
"Can I ask you a question?" I inquire gently.
"Shoot," he nods.
So... I slyly try to ask him about Divergence, how Erudite has been here a few times. I mention what I'd heard during initiation from its former dependents.
"That subject is confidential," he tells me softly.
"Do you believe they exist?" I ask him curiously.
"I don't know. Jeanine is certain," he replies gently.
"Is she hunting them?" I inquire.
"I don't know. I know she wants us looking for them," he divulges.
"Do you think they're a threat?" I inquire.
"I don't know if they exist," he shrugs.
"Hypothetically speaking," I tease.
"I doubt I've ever met one so I wouldn't know," he responds just as playfully.
"How about me?" I suggest.
"What about you?" he asks confused.
"Am I a threat?" I ask him.
He snorts. "You're a model Dauntless," he insists.
"So, no threat?" I continue.
"No. You're a perfect soldier... who I hear can even take out Tyler," he says laughing lightly.
"What if I were Divergent? Would you surrender me over to Erudite?" I ask seriously.
"But you're not," he chuckles.
"But I am," I admit to him.
"You're just messing with me," he insists.
"No. I was being serious," I divulge looking at him.
He meets my eyes and sees my earnestness.
"You're not joking," he realizes.
I shake my head.
He sighs shakily and grazes my cheek with the back of his fingers. "Tell me everything," he requests.
So I do. I explain my aptitude test and what I was told. I tell him about sims—what I can do. He listens intently to me, nodding in understanding.
"What did you test for?" he asks me. "You're the perfect Dauntless."
"Abnegation, Dauntless... and Erudite," I divulge looking into those beautiful crystal blue orbs of his. He stares back into my eyes.
"Three?" he questions.
I continue to meet his eyes and nod.
He looks away and sighs shakily. "I'm not telling anyone about this. We keep it between ourselves," he insists.
I nod as he meets my eyes once more.
"What does Jeanine want with me?" I ask him.
"I honestly don't know. A test subject maybe?" he shrugs. "I won't say a word to her about you."
"Thank you," I tell him softly.
He sighs and looks away from me for a moment before meeting my eyes once more. It looks like he's just decided something internally.
"Can I admit something to you?" he whispers.
I nod.
"Since you're being so honest with me, I think I should be with you as well," he says.
"Alright," I nod.
"I treasure our friendship," he tells me and I smile at that. "Would it be terrible if I admitted that I may want more than just friendship with you?" he asks in a whisper. He looks to my lips and my heart skips a beat at his admission.
"I... I don't know what to say about that," I divulge.
"The offer will always stand for you," he admits.
I smile at the sweetness of that statement. He's making it my choice.
"I'll think about it," I admit.
"No matter what, I'll always be your friend," he tells me.
"Thank you," I whisper.
We sit in silence for a while. Then light conversation after that. I yawn eventually admitting that I didn't sleep very well last night.
"Alright," he says rising and pulling me up with him. "I should let you get some rest."
"Okay," I whisper.
I walk him to my door. He hugs me tightly and my heart aches at that. I feel a gentle kiss to my temple and I sigh. He wants me... as more than friends.
"Pleasant dreams," he says releasing me.
"Goodnight, Eric," I smile sadly at him opening the door for him.
I shut the broken thing awkwardly and hope the stronger door I ordered will keep young Mr Eaton out of my apartment for good.
I get ready for bed and drift off to the remnants of the gentle caress of Eric's soft lips on my temple and the confirmation that I'm safe to give him my heart.