Chapter 1

This is it.

Everything I've wondered about has led me to this point. Today is the day that I choose where I belong.

The test had told me what I'd feared: that I belonged in my faction, in amity. It wasn't horrible. It wasn't like I didn't get along with the others in my faction. We got along fine. But I didn't want my life to just be fine. If I stayed, I'd never be able to fully be myself. I didn't think I could last through another hour long "discussion" just to make one decision.

I tugged at the end of my long brown hair, loosely braided and ending just above my belly button. It was a habit that I had gathered over the years.

The possibilities run through my mind as I stare at each faction's bowl. I'm too selfish for Abnegation; I would not last long. There was no way I would make it into Erudite; I liked to think of myself as smart, but not that smart. I was not up for spilling my secrets to the Candor's. And Dauntless? I'd often found myself watching them. Wondering what it would be like to be a part of something that seemed so… exciting.

I vaguely hear the sound of Beatrice Prior's name being called, and moments later the collective gasps that arise from the normally silent Abnegation. She had defected, but that wasn't what was surprising; it was surprising that she had defected to Dauntless.

My eyes were glued to her frail body as she made her way to the group of rowdy teens. Beatrice, a quiet girl from Abnegation, had chosen Dauntless. It was then I knew what I would do when my name was called. Today was for me. It was my turn to think about myself. It would hurt my family if I left Amity. But, I was starting to believe that it would kill me if I stayed.

My palms were beginning to sweat as excitement built in me.

"Summer Payton."

As I stood, my heart pounded in my chest. This was it. If I chose the wrong faction, I could end up factionless. I could end up miserable, but I could end up happy and fulfilled. The fear coursed through my veins, but it made me giddy with excitement at the same time.

It was surreal as I made my way to the front. Even the sting of the knife against my palm felt like nothing but a paper cut. I cradled my hand near my chest for a second before I thrust it over the bowl to my left, determination burned in my eyes. A droplet of blood slowly fell from my hand, sizzling as it met the burning coals.

I, Summer Payton, had just defected.

"DAUNTLESS!"

And it felt amazing.

I remember a time when I was little and everyone in Amity had gathered for an annual festival held every year. The children were running in circles, laughing as they chased each other in a game that had been taught to us from the moment we could walk, the brightness of the orange clothes fluttered in the wind. The adults were scattered around the field, conversing and laughing.

It was something we were all expected to participate in. It was normal for our faction; to laugh, to play. But I was never one to be a part of the group. Rather than playing with the other kids, I had found myself sitting on a branch high up in one of the many trees, with my feet dangling carelessly over the edge.

I'd never felt like I truly belonged.

Once the choosing ceremony is over, the Dauntless are the first on the feet and the first to the door. I linger a second longer than I should at the exit. There's a desire in me to turn my head, to look one last time at my parents before I leave them forever, but I don't listen. It'll only make it harder in the end. With a hard look in my green eyes, I push hard and turn my back on my old life. My feet are pounding and my breath is heavy as we rush down the stairs. The burn that sears me fills me with an amazing thrill and makes me push harder. This is where I belong.

As I fall into step with the other initiates, I look to my left and see Beatrice Prior, the former Abnegation that I'd spoken to once or twice before. I'd always found it hard to make conversation with them; they were far too quiet for my liking. But she spiked my curiosity. Something made her defect and I wanted to figure it out.

We've stopped running by now, but we stand bellow the rails the trains ride along. I don't need to ask what's going on to know. I've watched the Dauntless born every day for as long as I could remember. Quickly, I start climbing up one of the support beams, Beatrice close behind me. My arms burn a little as I pull myself up, firmly standing on the railing.

As Beatrice pulls herself next to me, I turn to her and smile. "Are you ready?"

The young girl turns to look at me, her breathing finally evening out. She stares at me with a slightly confused look. "Ready for what?"

I'm more observant that most people assume. I've watched the Dauntless born every day and watched as they've jumped off the trains, but I've watched everyone else, too. I've seen Beatrice watching them with the same curiosity that I had. I know she knows what's coming. At least, she should.

I give out, "To jump," before I take off running alongside the train that had arrived within the seconds of our conversation. Never in my life had I run that hard. There was never a reason to run in Amity, if it wasn't to play, and I'd never really been one to play. My legs are on fire and It takes all that I have to push through the pain. The Dauntless in front of us jump, slamming their hands against a square button on the train that opens the doors. They hang for a few seconds, gripping a small metal handle, before they pull themselves in without as much as a glance at the initiates.

We all know that if we didn't jump, we'd become factionless.

I want to look behind to see who is there, but I just push harder. Before my brain can rationalize anything, I jump as hard as I can, and luckily my hand manages to grip the handle. It's a struggle to pull myself in, but I manage it with shaky hands, landing on the train's floor with a thump.

By the time my breathing calms and I turn around, a Candor girl has made it in and Beatrice is just jumping. She grips the handle, her arms struggling to pull herself in. Quickly, I reach out and grab her arm, helping her in. She lands with a heavy breath next to the Candor.

The three of us exchange looks and let out a hearty laugh.

"Thanks," Beatrice sends me, a soft smile on her face.

I nod my head, a laugh still on my lips. "That was insane."

We all share a nod, excited and worried about what our decisions to come to Dauntless would lead to.

"I'm Christina," the ex-Candor says.

"Summer."

"Beatrice."

After introductions, we fall into silence. We've found a group to stick in and going into this, I can't help thinking we're going to need it.

A new story~! I've been wanting to start a Divergent story for a long time now and I've finally decided to give it a go! This is going to follow the series rather closely. This chapter was rather short. It was more of a starter chapter. Things are going to get moving with the next chapter! And Eric! I'm excited.

Let me know what you guys think!