CHAPTER VIII |MUTE JEALOUSY

Dimwitted feelings don't follow my commands, do they?

The nurse from yesterday – who turned out to be Zack's sister – replaced the stain cloth wrapped on my shoulder with brand cleaned ones, this morning. The bullet didn't make it inside me, but rather left an uncomfortable scratch. No stitches were needed, fortunately. 

I stand in front of closed double doors with a cup of hot-chocolate in hand. I run a hand down my face. Of all efforts to remain in Erwin's squad, I was dragged back to the Special Operation Squad. I enter the room, Eld being the first to lay eyes on me.

"What brings you here?" he lifts an eyebrow. The rest of the group halt their chattering and shift their attention to me.

"Ask the captain." I lift my hand in stop motion, "Too tedious to explain." I take a sip from my hot chocolate and take a seat.

"Good morning, Divergent," Petra greets warmly from across the side corner of the table.

"Athena, Petra. A.T.H.E.N.A," I say annoyingly.

She winces, "Oops. Sorry." She smiles sheepishly. "What brings you here?" She asks.

"Ask the captain," I repeat again, sipping the warmth through the beginnings of winter. Levi soon enters the small dining room, and takes a seat at the head of the dining table; Petra seating on his left. "Such royalty," I murmur.

"Captain Levi." Petra leans on the table. "Why is Athena joining us today?"

"Cadet Heart has join the Special Operation Squad," Levi says, in a monotone voice. He sips his tea.

"Awesome," Petra beams in excitement. "Another female in the squad." She smiles. I nod cold heartily.

"Tch, don't get so cocky rookie," Olou clicks his tongue across from me.

"Mind your business, will ya?" I spit out. The breaking of ceramics echo in the room. I instinctively protect my face with my hands. Small drops of hot liquid splash on my side cheeks, neck, and white collar-up shirt. A chair scrapes loudly on the floor soon after. I'm yanked out of my seat. My face is propelled to the side. I stumble and place my hand on the table. I touch my cheek. What did I do? Tears prick in the corner of my eyes. Why do I feel things for him? I suppress the urge to strike his face with a broken ceramic. It would be nice to rid him from existence in hopes to rid the feelings I'm awfully developing for him.

"We got a mission today," Levi informs us all. He grips my arm.

"A mission?" Petra asks carefully, in fear to not anger the captain.

"The filthy pigs in the goverment expect us to solve their problems. A hazardous organization has been disturbing Sina's streets," Levi answers. "I expect your skills to be worth the fight if you can manage a shitty gun. If the odds aren't in my favor than that proves your stupidity has taken affect after so much alcohol."

"Yes Sir," the squad responds.

"Grab your gears and meet me outside. Athena and Olou stay here."

The rest leave the dining room. I feel the burning sensation still present on my cheek. "Athena," Levi leans near my face. I glance up at him, our noses only a few inches from touching. He frowns.

"Yes. Sir," I say through gritted teeth.

He yanks me closer, "Your back talk isn't tolerated on my squad. Respect those in my squad. If said actions are to happen again then, your performance in my squad will be just a disturbance. So, if you want to keep serving humanity as you wish, keep that mouth..." I feel his breath feather my mouth. "... shut," he ends.

"Understood," I reluctantly say.

"Apologize to Olou." Levi lets go of me. Why is Levi doing this to me? I turn to Olou wearing a hidden smug. There's no reason to apologize to Olou.

"Just apologize, Divergent." Zack materializes beside me.

'I won't.'

"It'll just make matters worse. Let this flow for once," Zack convinces.

'Next time I won't.' I sigh in defeat.

"I apologize for my behavior Olou." I bow my head a little as an apology. "There is so no reason to have talked to you in that way." Just this time I'll allow Levi torture me. Just this time Captain Levi.

______

"Eld," I nudge Eld on the elbow. Eld is aiming at an empty glass of beer. A thick fallen trunk helps us position ourselves.

"What is it Athena?" Eld says, curiously.

"You're aiming it wrong," I say. Gunshots flare beside us.

"What do you mean?" Eld inspects his posture and hold on the rifle. I carefully rest my rifle on the trunk. I glide closer to Eld and with my fingers, explain him the right way to hit bull's eye. Eld may possess outstanding skills to slaughter titans but, his shooting skills are proving shameful.

Our hands caress one another as I explain. I help him press the trigger, and the bullet hits right through the glass of beers. A genuine smile cascades Eld's handsome face. "Thanks." He looks at me. I send him a brief smile. He slowly frowns, whispering, "The captain did leave a print in your cheek."

"I saw." I tie my hair into a ponytail.

"Athena. Why are you slacking off?" Levi walks behind us. Great, just my luck. I grab my rifle before Levi starts insulting me.

"Captain," Eld says. "Athena was helping me shoot more precisely," Eld defends me.

"Is that so?" Levi looks at me. "Eld get back to your task. And you..." he points to me, "...show me."

I position the rifle in my hands. The rifle hovering beside my face. Every single glass of beer standing explodes.  Not a single one escapes their shattering fate. I lower my rifle and insert more bullets. I look behind my shoulder. Levi nods in amazement, and walks away.

My vision blurs for a brief moment. "You alright?" Eld rests his palm on my lower back.

"It's nothing," I pat his arm. I aim my rifle again, and quickly take a glimpse of Levi. Anger and low sef-esteem swips me from focus.

"Will that scene destroy you, Divergent?" I hear Zack in the mist of gunshots.

The captain's body presses closely onto Petra. Her face is red as rose from excitement and lust. Levi whispers to her, his hands helping her shoot appropriately.

Zack whispers, "Don't let his actions sadden you, Divergent."

What if it did?