ONE~IZZY

The colours of my faction were never to my liking. Black and white are dull colours, why couldn't we have bright colours such as orange or yellow.

I'm not saying I disrespect Candor or anything, but I'm just giving my honest opinion. I was raised to speak the truth and say what's on my mind.

But am I really honest? I've lied to my aparents once last year when they asked if I stole from the market. I lied and said no. I know that was bad and against the rules of my faction, but I would have gotten beaten with a wooden stick.

My mum and dad believe that's the correct way to discipline their children. I almost laughed when they told me that.

I guess the aptitude test will tell me which faction I really belong in today. Today is the day of the test. Today.

I wake up and get out of bed, my legs shaking. I was nervous, very nervous. I brushed my teeth roughly and took a shower, giving me some time to think.

What if I don't get Candor? Will mum and dad be disappointed? But what if I do get Candor, and choose another faction instead?

All these questions were bothering me and I was dying to get answers. I sigh as I realize that I was in the shower for too long. I already washed my hair three times and filled the tub with bubbly lemon scented body wash.

I wipe myself dry and pull on a crisp white blouse and recently-ironed black dress pants. I stare at my reflection in the bathroom's foggy mirror. I wipe some of the condensation off the glass with my palm so I could see my face.

My brown hair was tied in a messy braid and my usual rosy cheeks were deadly pale. I purse my thin lips and sigh. My face never satisfied me.

"Come on, Izzy," I say to my reflection. "You can do this test. Don't let your face bother you."

I made talking to my reflection an odd habit every time something big was going to happen. It didn't work that well but my awkward self distracted me from the real problem for a bit.

I rush downstairs and inhale my breakfast of raspberries and yogurt. I hug my mum and dad goodbye and plant a wet kiss on my little sister's forehead.

"Now I need to wash my face, Izzy." My sister uses her sleeve as a makeshift towel and wipes the spit off her head.

"Bye Cass," I call ignoring her complaint.

"Don't be nervous!" she exclaims just before I close the front door. I immediately know she was talking about the aptitude test.

I know she means well, but I can't fight the urge to not get slightly pissed at her. Why would she say that? My legs were already shaking from being super nervous, why did Cass have to say that?

I ignore the thought as the cool air nips at my bare arms the moment I step out of the house. I shiver and hug myself to keep warm. Why are mornings so cold?

I head for the path I always use to walk to the bus stop. This time, there's only two other people there. One is an familiar elderly woman who I've chatted with once or twice. The other is a shockingly unfamiliar young man who looks no older than twenty. His messy hair and thin figure gives me the impression that he's factionless. Why would a factionless man want to ride the bus?

As I get closer to the bus stop, I notice more details on the boy's face. Like his high cheek bones and chiseled jaw. His grey eyes full of sadness and despair. Most factionless people wear a mix of dirty clothing from different factions. But this boy wears the same black and white attire as I do.

I'm now standing a foot behind him and he notices me staring. Embarrassed, I avert my gaze to the ground.

But this time, the boy is staring at me. I can feel his eyes on my face and it's making me feel insecure.

Finally, after a few minutes of debating with myself, I raise my head to face the boy. I open my mouth to speak but all I can muster is a simple, "hi there."

"Hello," he replies without a hesitation. His voice is quiet and raspy, I can barely hear him. "What's your name?"

A few awkward seconds pass before I answer. "It's Izzy. What's yours?"

"Samuel," he thinks for a second before continuing. "How old are you?"

"Sixteen," I answer. If I were from a different faction, I would've lied and said an older age. Or maybe I wouldn't answer at all and just tell the man to get lost.

He gives me a sympathetic look and a half smile. " I remember when I was sixteen. It was horrible. I didn't choose wisely, I could've chosen any other faction but this one."

I shiver and nod in response because I can't open my mouth to say anything. If I did, I would start crying or screaming. I wanted to keep my mind off the aptitude test, now I'm being told that I need to choose very wisely to live a happy life.

Fortunately, before the man can say more, the bus arrive with a loud screech.

"Bye," I say quickly before I board the bus.

"Choose wisely kid!" he cups his hands around his mouth to make his voice louder. "Don't trust the test!"

I don't look back at the man because he'll only make me want to cry or shiver even more than I am right now.

Choose wisely kid! His words echo inside my head and I rub my temple gingerly to keep it from aching.

Choose wisely...