I hold my bleeding hand over the Erudite bowl without letting any blood fall. It's what the aptitude test said, right? I'm meant for Erudite. But I'm from Abnegation. How could an Abnegation, or a stiff, fit into their most hated faction? They may not admit it, but it's true. The reports antagonizing the faction and their values. But if I stay, I don't think I'll be able to stand being selfless for the rest of my life. I may be able to now, but not forever. Plus, in Erudite, I can learn and read and do all the things I wasn't allowed to in Abnegation because it was considered self-indulgent. I turn my hand ever so slightly, and let the blood that has pooled in my hand fall into the water tinted pink by others who have chosen to live the lives of knowledge. I hear gasps all around me. A stiff? In Erudite? I turn to look at my family one last time. My father looks angry, but covers it up with the mask of Abnegation. My mother has a faint smile, but sadness in her eyes. What parent wouldn't be sad that their child left them for another faction? I look to Beatrice. She looks shocked. She probably thought I would choose Abnegation. I look away from my family and to Erudite. They have looks of shock and smirks on their faces. I walk over to them and sit down. One of them hands me a gauze to wrap my hand to stop the bleeding. I take it and watch the next person to choose.
After Marcus stares at me for a moment before calling out the next name. A name I know so well. A name I grew up with. "Beatrice Prior," I look over to Beatrice. She is hard to find in the sea of grey, but I find her with her golden locks in a bun made by my mother. She looks as if contemplating to get up or to stay in her seat. but she gets up anyways and walks stiffly to the stage. I regret my word choice as soon as I make them. She takes the now clean knife from Marcus with shaky hands. She looks at all the faction bowls before cutting her hand without even a wince. She holds he hand over the Abnegation bowl. Good, I think. Someone has to stay for the family, but I just couldn't. The thought of being stuck inside the stuffy walls of an Abnegation house for the rest of my life sends shudders down my spine. But just before the blood can fall, she flings her hand over to the Dauntless bowl. my eyes get wide as the blood drops, sizzling on the burning coals. My sister? In Dauntless? It terrifies me, but I'm happy that she chose where she wanted to be. She walks over to the Dauntless who are still hooting for the new initiate. Some smack her back. I wince. Be careful with my sister you hooligans.
More names are called, and more people choose. Robert chose Amity, surprisingly, while Susan stayed in Abnegation. I somberly smile. I'm going to miss her. But after every sixteen year old from every faction has chosen, the Dauntless stampede down the stairs hooting and yelling. My sister runs after them, disappearing in the sea of black. After they are all gone, the Erudite all stand up. I stand with them. As they begin to leave, my Abnegation kicks in and before I know it, I'm picking up chairs with the rest of my old faction. A carefully manicured hand grabs my arm. I look up and see a sneer plastered onto a small and delicate face, framed by short blonde hair with a thin, ski-slope nose and celery green eyes.
"Once a stiff, always a stiff 'eh?"
I back away from the chair and walk out of the room, following the group of Erudite out the door and towards the elevator without saying anything to the girl. I've never been on an elevator. We always let others go on and used the stairs. I hear her scoff and run up behind me. Her hand, once again, grabs my arm. I look back at her while still walking to the elevator.
"What?" I ask annoyed at her jab from earlier
"Sorry, no need to take it personally. I realize now, the mistake I made. You aren't a stiff if you have enough guts to transfer to Erudite. My name is Cara,"
"Caleb," I respond, emotionless. Like an Erudite.
"I know," She smiles with her brilliant white teeth, "Everyone knows the names of the Abnegation transfers,"
I smile and look forward. The elevator is right in front of me. I almost walked into the wall. I stumble to stop myself. I hear some snickers behind me. I don't look though, out of sheer pride. I turn towards the elevator and walk in without a word. It's cramped with twelve or so Erudite transfers and Cara all together. Someone clicks the first floor button and we all wait in silence. It feels like I'm falling on the inside. My stomach feels weird and I'm getting dizzy. I hope the elevator is almost done. After a few more seconds of silence, the doors open, and we all walk out. Jeanine, the leader of Erudite is already there. She looks over everyone. Her eyes catch mine and analyzes me with intense curiosity. I stand up straighter. I feel naked in front of her. Like she cold figure out my deepest, darkest secrets just by looking at me. She looks away and continues to analyze other transfers. I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. She opens her mouth and says a few words that change my life. I have yet to find out if it's for the better or for the worse.
"Transfers," She says, "Welcome to Erudite."
So yeah! Do you think it was a good start? Revieeeewww!