<Ace pov>

Why did he have to do that in front of me?

that question still bobs up and down in my mind. I know he had to but why in front me. She was my friend.
Third stage started and well tomorrow everyone will be watching our fears. It is our final stage. I guess we will see if we make it.
Tomorrows our last day so basically you are in or out now. I have been avoiding Eric like mouse would avoid a cat and it has worked so far. Lex story was said to be a suicide but i know that is not true. We all mourned for her lost. Eric lost his temper once again yesterday when an initiate bumped into him.
Eric was already on a short leash from what i heard from Four, and well i felt sorry for him. I missed him, but i just could not get over some small facts. About how fast he killed her, how fast his temper went, and how he did it in front of me.
Luckily for the initiate that bumped into Eric, his head was just slammed into the wall. I guess it is more luckier than other people from the stories i hear.
I did not believe them at first but the more i hear and see, the more i believe. Four told me Eric is on his second strike. After the initiate getting slammed into the wall you'd think he'd have three strikes, but no. Apparently if he kills someone it is strike three.
"Ace," Four's voice calls me back to reality.
We are riding the train. I asked him to take me out and here we are. On the train going to the fence. We already went there for a visit with the rest of the group, but now it is just me and Four.
"Yeah," i ask.
"We have to jump soon," he says.
I nod my head. I stand up and get ready to jump out the train. Once we jump off the train we walk towards the fence and sit down. I dangle my feet over the fence wall.
"Four does anyone else know about you," i ask.
"Only a few," he answers.
"Who," i ask.
"Only people that are like me," he says.
"Why do i know," i ask.
"Cause you are different from everyone i know," he says.
That puts a smile on my face. We stare out at the amity fields. I see some familiar faces. Some that left dauntless in the ceremony or people went to school with me but never noticed me. I am pretty sure none of them know who i am. But i know who they are.
"Four, why do the leaders kill divergents," i ask.
"They think their a danger to the system. That we create a bad unorganized society that will end the peace," he says.
I nod. I know why Eric killed Lex it just bugs me. I know Four knows i need to escape from the compound to get my mind off all the things that happened. I am glad i have Four he really helps. Even if he is a bit over protective.
"We should head back," says Four.
I check the time. It has been about two hours since we jumped off the train. I guess time really flies by when you just want to sit in silence. Four seemed really relaxed once we got onto the train. He seems more relieved then ever.
Once we get back to the compound we head for the mess hall. As i am about to enter i bump into someone that was walking out. It felt like a steel wall. I look up to see who it is.
I am pretty sure Four heard me swallow when i saw who it was. I look to grey eyes staring back at me. I felt like they were staring straight into the depths of my heart.
"Uh....Sorry.....E..Er..Eric," i stutter out.
I try to walk away but Eric grabs my arm and i freeze. Four walks over and Eric glares at him.
"Sorry Ace. You should not have to say sorry," he says.
After he speaks he walks away. Four grabs my shoulder in a reassuring way. I just walk into the mess hall. Once we step in we see one of the table flipped. Max looks mad and is yelling at some kids in the corner while people clean up around the table.
"What happened," says Four as we walk up to Max.
"Eric lost it, again. I need to put him on a shorter leash," Max mutters.
"What exactly happen," i say finding my voice.
"Those children were joking around and threw a knife at a little girl. Eric saw and yelled at the boys. They smart mouthed at him and he flipped a table," says Max.
From what i hear it sounds like the kids deserved. They looked about ages 10-15. It is not weird for younger dauntless kids to have knifes. But you should never use them to bully people.
"I am letting him off the hook for this one," says Max.
"But i need someone to talk to him. He has been acting different ever since that Lex girls death," says Max.
I nod my head in agreement and so does Four. I am pretty sure Max knows me and Eric had something going on. But when something about my inner life is involved he does not push. He asked once about what was going on and i told him i really did not know.
"Ace can you try and talk to him," says Max.
But before i can answer Four says,"No."
I look at him with a curious look.
"I will do it Four," i say looking at him.
Four gives me a worried glance and i shoot him a glare.
"I can handle my own," i whisper yell at him.
He just nods and shrugs.
"I will do it Max. And i will make sure to figure out what is wrong," i say.
I probably already know what is wrong but i still better go check on him. I grab and apple and start walking out of the mess hall. I head straight for the apartments where most leaders and high ranking officials live.
Yeah i have been there more than once but still i had to be careful. Not all high ranked people take kindly to initiates walking in the apartment halls. Once i reach Eric's door i knock on it. I threw my apple core to the side knowing someone will get mad but still will pick it up.
I knock on the door again cause there is no answer. As i am about to knock the door again, it opens and Eric is standing there shirtless. My mouth watered. Oh goodness. Teenage hormones are the worst. His abs were perfectly sculpted and so was his chest. I have seen him shirtless before but not this close.
"What's wrong," he asked with an worried expression.
"Uh....nothing.... I..I just wanted to chat," i say.
He quirks an eyebrow at me before stepping aside and letting me in. I head straight for the couch probably one of my favorite places in his house. His house reeks of alcohol and i see the booze sitting on the counter. It did not look like those came from the party a while ago.
Memories come flashing back into my head about what happen to Lex and i cringe.
"You okay," he asks as he cleans the counter.
"Yeah, I'm fine. What about you," i ask.
Eric walks over to the living room and sits in a chair across from me. He looks as if he is in deep thought before responding.
"Ace... I'm..I'm fine," he says.
I can tell he is lying. It is not to hard with him stuttering and that pained look across his face.
"Eric, just tell me," i say.
Eric stands up and runs a hand through his hair. He walks over to me and sits besides me. He looks at me head to toe causing me to blush.
"I miss you, Ace. I'm sorry but it had to be done," he says hoarsely.
I nod my head and look at him. He looks at me and reaches over cupping my cheeks.
"I want you to understand that it is my job to protect our faction," he says.
I nod again. I missed him holding me in his arms, i missed his kisses, and his stupid self. His hand caressed my cheek sending chills down my body.
"Eric," before i could finish his lips crash on mine. I can taste the alcohol on his lips. I know i should not be happy about this but it feels so right.
Eric snakes an arm around my waist and pulls me onto his lap.
I push Eric shoulder.
"Eric....i..."
"Shit, Ace,i am sorry, i should not have done that," he says as he stands up.
I slide off his lap.
"Eric are you okay," i ask as i walk to him.
"Im okay when i am with you," he says and that makes me smile.
"Eric i will be back in a little. I have to go take care of something," i say.
Eric nods his head and i walk out. The butterflies in my stomach won't stop swarming. My mind is yelling at me for leaving and wanting to go back. All these emotions are so conflicting. I had to clear my head.