A/N Hi this is my first fanfic and I would love if anybody took the time to read it. I will try and update as often as possible and will welcome any reviews as I would love to know if someone likes my writing or if they think something could make it better – fazzr4
Pulsing neon lights flicker around the dark room, bouncing off of the mass of bodies jumping in the middle. The fast-tempo music is blaring away in time with my wild heartbeat and I sway on the spot in time to it. Suddenly, I get the sense that someone is trying to sneaking up on me. At the last second, I whip around to find Lynn behind me, poised to jump and tackle me to the ground. Seeing her more-annoyed-than-usual look mixed with surprise I burst out laughing and pat her arm consolingly.
"There there Lynn, you still have a lot to learn about the art of sneaking up on people."
The look she gives me is so angry that I can't help myself from laughing again.
"Hey guys what's happening?" asks Marlene who is looking at Lynn in confusion because of the death glare she is giving me.
"I was just imparting some of my immense wisdom onto our friend here." I say, earning an elbow in the ribs.
"Hey, no fair!" I yelp, pretending to be hurt although Lynn's elbows are actually quite sharp. "It's my birthday remember?"
"Well apparently that doesn't stop you from being a -" Lynn starts but Marlene cuts her off by saying:
"Oh yeah, that's what I came over for." She rummages in her pocket bringing out a small, black box. "Happy 16th Uri!"
I open it carefully, a small smile on my lips and instantly pull Marlene into a rib crushing hug as I see what's inside. Releasing her I take out the gold watch that was nestled into the box. It fits perfectly into the palm of my hand, it's chain looping round my fingers. I tilt it slightly and my heart skips when I see a Dauntless flame etched into the top surrounding cursive writing spelling out my name.
"It's perfect Mar. Thank you!" I say, smiling as tears threaten to spill over my eyes.
"You're very welcome," she replies, grinning widely enough to show her slightly crooked teeth. "I hoped you would like it."
I stare into her deep green eyes a moment; lost in thought. Lynn taps me on the shoulder though and I turn to look as my brother grabs a microphone and hops onto the bar.
"Alright, shut up everybody!" he yells and apart from a few murmurs of complaint the room goes silent.
"I just wanted to say happy birthday to my little brother and congratulations because in a couple of weeks he is going to become truly Dauntless!" At this last word the whole room erupts into yelling and feet-stomping and Zeke runs over to me and tousles my hair so I jab him in the ribs, laughing.
"Bring on the Dauntless cake!" I shout over the noise and as one, the people in the room turn and run towards a massive chocolate cake on a table in the far corner but Zeke holds me back.
"Dad would be proud," he says, his voice low. "You will make a great Dauntless."
I smile at him and he runs off to join the cake-frenzy but I falter. For everyone else it is easy, they all know exactly who they would be if they were stripped down to their cores. I, however must wait for the aptitude test to decide my fate. To tell me whether I am Dauntless or not.