I watched in the mirror as my freshly shaved hair fell like dark snow around me. It took a few minutes before I could lift my eyes to look at my face; I didn't know if I was ready.

I hated it. Grimacing, I turned my head from side to side and brushed off a few stray hairs. When I was content that all the hair was gone, I looked into my own eyes and frowned.

Yes, that definitely looks better, I thought. Fiercer. No one will dare underestimate me now.

I was just in the middle of baring my teeth at the mirror when Marlene walked in.

"You shouldn't make faces like that, the wind will change and you'll be stuck like it!" She said, her eyes sparkling beautifully.

"We're underground, Mar," I rolled my eyes and grinned. Even when I was mourning the loss of my hair, that girl never failed to make me smile.

"Well yeah, but- Wait, Lynn, is that you?!" Her gaze travelled from my shaved head, to the strands of hair on my shoulders, to the razor in my hand, and back to me. She squinted at my face. "Oh my God, Lynn!"

"Surprised?" My smile dropped. "Marlene?"

She was still staring at me with a strange look on her face.

"Oh my God…" She repeated. "I thought you were- I thought you were a guy!"

"Good," I put the razor down and stood up. "I'd prefer it if you saw me that way."

I coughed to hide any hint of extra meaning in my words.

"But your hair was so pretty!" I raised an eyebrow, and she laughed. "I see why you want that, Lynn, but I don't need to see you as a guy, do I? You're my friend!"

I tried not to show my disappointment as she pulled me into a friendly hug and brushed the hair off my shoulders.

"Well don't forget, if we both choose Dauntless you'll be my rival too."

"Friendly rivals then. That is, if we both choose Dauntless. I was considering Erudite, myself. And I just know that you'd be perfect in Amity!" She poked me in the ribs and laughed again at my expression.

"Say that again and I'll shave your hair off too!" I held the razor up to her face menacingly.

"Don't you dare. I'm not letting you anywhere near my hair," She patted it lovingly. "Especially looking at the mess you've made with your own. I don't think even the Stiffs would let you in in that state! Turn around."

Before I could protest, she plucked the razor from my hand and turned it on. I obediently sat down with my back to her and covertly watched her in the mirror as she tidied up the remains of my hair. I hoped she couldn't see my smile as her fingers brushed my skin delicately, and her flowery perfume filled my nose.

We could never be more than friends, I knew that- but even as friends, I treasured every moment I could spend with her. I may have been Dauntless, however there was still one fear that I knew I could never overcome. But I still hoped that maybe, just maybe, one day I'd have the courage to say, "I love you, Marlene."