Until Death Do Us Apart ? ???? ???????

He hadn't said anything for almost five minutes. I stood there awkwardly, swaying back and forth on my feet.

"Eric?" I asked. His head popped up, and he looked at me, his expression unreadable.

"Are you going to say anything? Because you're starting to freak me out—"

Without a word, he grabbed my arm, leading me up the stairs to his apartment. "No one can find out you're Divergent," he said, his voice low and urgent. "If Max or Jeanine finds out, they will kill you. You hear me?"

I nodded quickly, my heart racing. I didn't want to die. "I understand."

"I'll help you get through it," he added.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I'm going to teach you how to pass the test."

I followed him into the simulation room, and we both sat in separate chairs. Eric connected a wire to my forehead and his.

His hand brushed some hair away from my face, his warm fingers sending a jolt through me. He carefully placed the wire on my forehead.

"Ready?" he asked. I nodded, trying to push my nerves aside. I was scared, but I had to do this. I laid back and closed my eyes.

I woke up standing in a field, Eric by my side. "What's your first fear?" he asked, his voice calm.

"Storms," I replied, looking around. A sudden boom of thunder echoed through the sky, and lightning struck just a few feet from us.

"Okay, Jordan, what would a Dauntless do?" Eric's voice was firm.

"I—I don't know," I stammered, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Think, Jordan," he urged, his tone soft but insistent.

I bit my lip, scanning the area. Then, I spotted a shack in the distance. A glimmer of hope sparked inside me. "I know," I said, grabbing his hand and running toward it.

"Good," Eric said, his approval clear in his voice as we stopped beneath the shack's roof. But suddenly, the ground beneath us seemed to vanish. I was back in the coffin, underground, breathing in dirt.

I gasped, hyperventilating. "Jordan, calm down. Think. What would a Dauntless do? What would I do?"

I tried to steady my breathing, focusing on Eric's words. Slowly, I pressed against the top of the coffin and removed my shirt. I noticed Eric's cheeks flush, but I ignored it, determined to break free.

With a burst of strength, I cracked the coffin open and pushed the dirt aside. We both sat up, standing on our feet.

"You did it!" Eric's voice was filled with pride. I smiled, relief flooding through me. I'd actually done it.

But the scene shifted again, and I found myself in a glass box filling with water. The water was rising fast, and I could feel the panic set in again. But I didn't let it take over. I looked around, spotted the source of the water, and quickly removed my jacket, stuffing it into the pump. The water stopped.

We both woke up back in the simulation room. I immediately sat up, my heart pounding with exhilaration. I looked at Eric, my face lighting up.

"Uh..." Eric's voice sounded uncomfortable. I didn't care. I jumped up and threw my arms around him in the tightest hug I could muster.

"Thank you so much," I beamed. "I think you just saved my life."

He chuckled, hugging me back just as tightly. "Anything for you, stiff."

I rolled my eyes, my moment of triumph briefly ruined by his teasing. But I didn't mind. I was alive.

We both walked out of the room and parted ways. I headed to the dormitory, collapsing onto my bed. My body was exhausted, and I shut my eyes, hoping to get a moment of rest.

But when I opened my eyes again, I found the room empty. Furrowing my brows, I glanced at the clock: 8:45. My eyes widened—I was late.

I quickly jumped off the bed, scrambled into my pants and shoes, and rushed out of the dormitory with one shoe still off. I bolted through the door and ran toward Christina and Will, finally managing to put on my other shoe as I approached them.

All eyes turned to me.

"You're late," Eric said, his voice dry.

"I know, I'm sorry, sir," I replied, still catching my breath.

"Don't let it happen again," he said, his tone stern, but there was something softer beneath it.

I nodded quickly, trying to hide my smile.

"Are you serious?" I heard a voice from behind. It was Brandon, I think.

"I was late the other day, and you gave me 20 laps. Why do you treat her differently?"

Eric lowered his gaze, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I don't treat her differently. I just like her better than you."

Everyone burst out laughing at his response.

"Now, everyone, get to a punching bag and start working," Eric called out.

I walked over to my punching bag, starting my warm-up punches.

"He does treat you differently," Christina whispered, her voice teasing.

"You think?" I glanced over at her, throwing a couple of punches.

"Totally," she replied, looking at Eric before quickly returning her attention to her bag. "I see the way he looks at you. I knew he treated you differently the first day you got here."

I didn't remember much about the first day, but something in her words struck a chord. I glanced back at Eric, and sure enough, he was watching me.

He mouthed, "My apartment after."

I smiled, nodding, and then returned to my workout, trying to focus.

After a few laps and some cardio, we were all finished.

"Okay, everyone, get out," Four yelled.

"Hey," I said, catching up to Eric.

"Hey, Angel," he replied with a grin.

"Angel?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, you like it? I think it fits you," he said, his smile widening.

I chuckled. "Yeah, I do."

We walked upstairs to his apartment, and I collapsed onto his bed. He lay down beside me, groaning in exhaustion.

"I'm so tired," I murmured, closing my eyes.

"Me too," he whispered.

I turned onto my side to face him. He did the same, and we just stared at each other for a while.

His hand gently cupped my face, rubbing his thumb across my cheek.

I closed my eyes again, letting the warmth of his touch calm me.

Then, suddenly, there was a knock on the door. We both shot up from the bed.

"Hide in the bathroom," Eric whispered, and I rushed into the bathroom just as the knock sounded again.

"Er... coming!" Eric's voice was hurried as he jogged to the door. His footsteps were so loud.

"Hey, Max, what's up?" I heard Eric say, trying to sound casual.

"I just want to make sure the initiates did their stage two," Max replied.

"Yeah, I think they have one more practice before the final stage," Eric answered quickly.

"Okay, cool," Max said, and I heard the door close.

Eric rushed back into the room, the tension fading from his face. "I thought we were busted," I said, laughing as I walked back to his bed.

"Me too," he said, shaking his head in disbelief.

I laid on his bed in a fetal position, and Eric came behind me, slipping his arm around my stomach and pulling me in close. I melted into his embrace, closing my eyes.

I drifted off to sleep, feeling safe in his arms