Today, me and my family are going meet Grandma Prior in the factionless sector for lunch. This has been an expedition that I have been dreading for quite some time. It is on days like these that I am so aware that I am not cut out for Abnegation. However in my defense, my mother and father, the perfect image of Abnegation, have also been dreading this. Of course, being as selfless as they are, they've never directly come out and said that Grandma Prior was a mean, delusional person, but I can tell by the looks exchanged at the dinner table that they are not on the best of terms with her. I once asked my parents why Grandma Prior was factionless; I was quickly reprimanded for my curiosity, but it did not kill the desire to know why she was no longer welcome in Abnegation. I remember a very long time ago when I was very young, she came to visit us. All my memories of that day are relatively positive and I don't recall any mention of her being factionless.
"Beatrice, Caleb, it is time to leave," my mother calls up the stairs. I stifle a groan. I open my door and Caleb is wearing a pleasantly neutral expression. We reach the stairs at the same time and of course, he lets me go down the stairs before him. He is Abnegation through and through.
My parents wait at the door, both their smiles looking strained. Each of us take a basket of food to carry. As we begin to walk, my father begins an easy conversation with my mother. I find it easy to tune the noise out, as I am watching the train tracks, waiting to see the Dauntless leap off the moving train. I am disappointed when I don't see a train in the distance. It must be on the other side of the city right now.
The sound of my fathers voice breaks through my self indulgent thoughts. "Beatrice, Caleb, are you pleased to be seeing your grandmother?"
The word NO flashes through my mind, but I suppress the urge to speak my mind. "Yes, very much so, I hope she is well," I say smoothly. Caleb gives me a questioning look out of the corner of his eye, but I ignore it. He is the only one who knows even the tip of the iceberg of how much I loathe Grandma Prior. He knows as well as I do how important it is to keep up the selfless persona, and only a selfish person would openly remark about their distaste for someone. He should know better.
When we arrive at the abandoned building that is our meeting place, Grandma Prior is already there. Caleb and I hesitate at the door. "You go in first he says," attempting to look selfless. I know better. He will try to be the first out the door when we leave - the less time he has to be in the same place as Grandma Prior, the better.
"No, no," I say with as much fake pleasantry as I can muster, "Gentlemen first."
Caleb briefly gives me a nasty look, but knows better than to make a scene.
I get my way, and am the last to be left standing outside the door. I inhale deeply and walk inside, muttering profanities in my mind...
