I wipe the bead of sweat from my forehead, as do a few others. The shiny black that everyone wears reflects the sunlight as we ride the train to the Hub. "We're jumping!" Someone, an older member, yells, hitting a button to open the doors. Everyone jumps off immediately, but I stay behind to get a better dismount. So does Damien Eaton, a boy also choosing his future today.
He jumps before me, and I'm glad because I don't think he noticed me staring at him. My cheeks burn furiously and I jump out the car, onto the pavement. I feel a burning sensation on my elbow and see my sleeve has rolled up. Quickly, I pull it down to my wrist grasping the end of it out of habit. I stand and brush the blonde hair out of my green eyes, walking to the end of the line where most sixteen year Olds stand, waiting eagerly to enter the doors.
A horn blared in another direction, and I look back seeing the next train of Dauntless have arrived. I watch in admiration as they jump with no hesitation. Unfortunately, as I kept walking, I bump into someone and stumble over, falling to my knees. As I look up I see Damien, with shame in his blue-gray eyes.
"So-sorry, m-m- my f- fault," I stutter. He nods and looks at the back of the person's head in front of him. Usually for a Dauntless you don't really stutter, but I'm not your average Dauntless Born. I stick out, and not I'm the good way.
I stand up and look to the left and notice people in different clothing. Red and yellow for the Amity. Black and white for the Candor. Blue for the Erudite. Black for the Dauntless, and then there's Abnegation, grey.
I have lived my whole life with curiosity for them. The way they're organized and in order. Quiet and shy. But I adore their politeness and ability to act selfless on the spot. Sometimes I wonder if it's hard being selfless all the time. I've heard very little things about them, and it's very rare for someone to act selfish, let alone switch factions.
Someone behind nudges me with their elbow, and I jolt forward into the vast air. I look and see Damien has moved up a few feet.
That's the difference between me and normal Dauntless: they're eager to choose their destiny, but I daydream about Abnegation.
More and more people move up in the line, and soon, I'm in the Hub, running up the stairs along other Dauntless, wanting to stop and catch my breath, but I don't. It's and long way to the top floor and if I stop now, I won't continue.
Relieved, I burst through the doors into a large room, with seats in one side, and a separate space for the bowls on the other side. The Dauntless are he first to arrive, with exception of some Abnegation who volunteered to get the preparations ready for the ceremony.
The crowd in black sits in the section closest to the exit, our designated area. My last name is Hayes, so I'll be called toward the ending.
The calling goes in reverse alphabetical order, starting with Z and ending in A. This gives me more time to think about my decision, which, I am thankful for.
Soon, the room is filled with different colors and everyone is in their seats. An Erudite man with brown hair walks to the center of the stage.
"Today is the day these children will become part of the permanent society," He began. "We trust that you choose your own choice, not based off your Aptitude result, but what you think would be the right decision. Good luck and remember: Faction before blood. Susan Black will call the names." He motions toward a woman wearing a gray dress and silky blonde hair tied into a bun.
"Thank you, Caleb." The woman, Susan, smiles. "Now let us begin the ceremony. Starting in reverse alphabetical order, Adam Zayn."
A Candor boy walks up to the bowls and grabs the knife. I see him cringe as he presses the blade to his skin. He holds his hand over a bowl and lets his blood drip.
"Erudite," Susan informs.
Applause emerges from the Erudite sextion, but gasps and whispers erupt from the Candor, and I can't blame them. He's the first transfer, with many others to follow. The boy walks to his new family, and they friendly clap him on the back.
"Kayla Williams," An Amity girl grabs the knife and cuts his palm. She let's her blood fall into a bowl. "Amity," The Amity clap for their member who chose to stay. This is how it goes on for the next hour or so.
But the aptitude test makes it easier for them. Because they only got one result. But my decision is far more complex. The person who tested me, Robert, an Amity man, told me to put deep thought into my choice. I got all five factions. He said that was unheard of. And that scares me.
"Alyssa Hayes," Susan calls. I freeze. All eyes are on me.
Gulping, I stand up and walk over the legs that keep me trapped in the middle of the row. As a joke, someone almost trips me. Miraculously, I've made it to the center of the room.
Susan smiles at my clumsiness as I almost trip myself, and she gestures to the shiny blade next to the Erudite bowl. I shake as I pick it up, and look at my reflection using it. Taking a deep breath, I make a slanted line the size of my pinkie finger alone the palm of my hand, I don't even feel the pain.
I have to grab the hem of my shirt to keep my other hand from shaking, and making a mistake. My hand moves over the coals.
But then I think of the people I've been interested in for so long. Their manners, their selflessness, it's beautiful.
But before I can change my mind, the coals sizzles as my blood falls in the bowl. "Dauntless."
The Erudite man who made the speech hands e a cloth and bandage. I carefully wipe the gash then lay the bandage over it, playing with it as I walk back to my seat.
Most Dauntless are still clapping, but it soon dies down and they continue the ceremony. I glance one more time at the gray clothed people, but then look at my bandage.
How are you supposed to know you made the right choice, when all you feel is nothing?
The answer is simple: you don't.