First Divergent fanfic! I have just started reading the books and I'm halfway through already, please don't take my mistakes too seriously, Divergent lovers! Wrote this as inspired by the first book. Please comment below and tell me if you like it or not, constructive criticism much appreciated.

Chapter 1: Learning not to be Colour-blind

Living is defined as air travelling through your lungs and out your nose. If my mouth remains quiet about this fatal flaw in my system makeup then I'll have to live longer in this shadow. Being Divergent is like living in a shell and the tiniest of movements can fracture your being.

Today I will have a decision to make.

Abnegation, Dauntless or…Erudite.

If I choose wrong then my shell will be scarred with a new blemish.

A new crack running through my life.

'Erudite,' I roll the words along my tongue. I feel disgusted by the smooth syllables flowing effortlessly out like running water.

No, not Erudite. I can not imagine the discriminating words that I will receive from them or Abnegation if my blood mixes with that water.

Abnegation is my home, I tell myself. But I know I don't truly belong there. The amount of selflessness required is like a constricting cage closing in around me. Threatening to crack my delicate shell.

And Dauntless. Do I dare challenge my own bravery and stamina? Being Dauntless will mean being free. I imagine myself frozen in the air as the rushing of the train leaves me stranded on the ground. Will I spread these wings and learn to fly amongst the Dauntless?

OOOO

I struggle with my feelings as I ascend the steps. My heart pumping with the same rhythm as my feet. The sea of grey cloaks spill into the large circular hall as my eyes seek Caleb's, he nods knowingly and squeezes my shoulder reassuringly.

The gesture falls short of encouraging and instead becomes an empty wave of a hand.

The great hall has a sweeping chandelier dangling from the tip of the domed roof and beautiful, majestic stone pillars spurting from the sides of the hall. There is five sections where each factions sit proudly, away from one another, naturally.

But right now is not yet the time for such seriousness as the dappled cloaks shuffle warily towards each other. Blank stares and forced smiles are exchanged, conversations are started in the awkward air.

The murmurs and wisps of speech from the crowd punctuates the air unnaturally like mechanical robots, their social interaction gears rusted from long years of abandonment.

I hold on tightly to Caleb's hand as mum and dad begin a quiet conference with the gathered Abnegation leaders. I spot a middle-aged man with bloodless lips and a strained face at the edge of the group, Marcus. My stomach does a belly flop. Another was going to leave them today.

'Caleb!' Susan's voice reaches us and pulls Caleb away from my grasp. He disappears into the crowd with Susan by his side. I'm left feeling lonely all over again.

I grab a seat and sit down ignoring the glares and snickers of 'Stiff' in my direction. I feel someone slip into the seat beside me gracefully. I sit with my head down, counting the seconds before the ceremony starts.

'Excuse me.'

I look up, an elegant lady in light navy blue is looking at me in obvious distaste through her glass shard eyes. She is attractive in the way a predator looks its prey right in the eye before it attacks.

Jeanine Matthews.

'Hello,' I smile firmly at my father's rival trying not to look like a deer being observed through gun's barrel.

She brushes her ghostly blonde hair aside and murmurs, 'Well, sorry to disturb you but are you aware that you are sitting in the wrong faction?'

'Oh,' I look around and feel my cheeks heat up as I realise all the chairs including my own are donned pale blue.

She laughs quietly, 'Little mistakes may be forgiven in other factions but in Erudite, these are the mistakes that can lead to your ultimate downfall. '

I nod wordlessly.

She straightens, 'What is your name?'

'Beatrice, Beatrice Prior.'

'So you are the daughter of Andrew Prior, are you not?'

'Yes.'

A thin smile is traced on her lips, 'Am I not wrong not saying that today you will have a difficult decision to make?'

What was the point of nodding?

OOOO

You live, you die. It's a cycle. And I'm riding on top of it. I know the moment I am most afraid of is when I fall off.

'Today is the annual Choosing Ceremony where all factions meet once again beneath this one roof to decide upon which path their future generation will wander upon. The broad oceans of knowledge, the high skies of bravery, the fertile fields of selflessness, the ripe orchards of peace and wellbeing or the twin scales of justice,' Marcus's voice booms through the hall.

My palms are glistening with sweat and Jeanine's voice returns, whispering torturously into my ears.

'Come now, let us all begin. Today a new door shall open for each and every one of you, and many of those here today will finally find their true selves and unlock their full potentials within their new factions.'

We all stand to attention and file to the front of the stage in single formation. Not a foot out of step. The five bowls gleam with yellow light from the overhead chandelier, I watch as the choosing begins.

As the line reduces, soon there in the centre of those lights and eyes is Caleb. Beads of sweat crowd his brow as he slits his wrist and lets the blood run freely into water.

Gasps. Then jeers. I know they will never let father live that down, then again, aren't I just as bad?

When it is my turn, I shuffle forward like a new-born penguin my palms so slick with sweat that I'm afraid that the knife might slip from my grasp. I feel eyes digging needles into my skin.

I thrust my hands out without looking.

It has splattered into the Erudite and Dauntless bowls, my blood stains the water and boils on the coals.

Marcus stares, 'The blood has tainted both bowls. Only accuracy of time can determine the faction you now belong too. '

He looks pointedly at Jeanine. We all know she has the answer. My heart wants to fly. But I know these wings can be shot down by that hunter. Because Jeanine is never inaccurate, at anything, ever. And I know she'll watch me fall back to earth, those grey eyes never once leaving my lame wings.

She nods wordlessly before wandering down to our side, 'A problem?'

'Problem?' I mumble.

'Beatrice Prior, from today on, I welcome you as an official transfer to Erudite, 'she smiles a real smile now. I envision using it as a punching bag.

Then I smile back like I've got a choice.

It seems like the Erudite are a lot better equipped than Abnegation. As soon as the ceremony ends and the pledges recited, Erudite leaves without another word, Jeanine leading the pack.

Caleb and I trail at the back with the rest of the initiates, 3 Amity, 1 Dauntless, 4 Candor and Georgie, daughter of Marcus's sister.

Caleb and I are speechless as we exit the hall, letting our feet do all the talking. As we near the elevator we look to one another and sigh.

'Why?' we say it as one.

'You first,' I mutter.

'I always knew I didn't belong in Abnegation, it was almost painful ignoring my more humane feelings. I wanted to finally acknowledge myself for who I was and become something...somebody.'

'You could have chosen Candor.'

'You could have just as easily chosen Dauntless. '

I look challengingly at him, 'A slip of the wrist.'

We look away, it doesn't make a difference anyway, we have both betrayed our faction and our family.

I am packed alongside a few Erudite, they bump their elbows hard against mine and exchange chuckles as an inferno starts on my cheeks.

'Not so smart now are you, Stiff?'

I brush aside their taunts as best as I can and instead focus on Jeanine who seems to be dwelling in her own personal space. Cold, calculating and alone as always. One particularly hard push later and I'm slammed against her in the cramped lift.

She stares, grey eyes alight in the dull stir of the dangling bulb above. The temperature has suddenly drifted past minus one and everything is silent except for my breath that seems so loud against my ears.

Jeanine breaks it with a crispy smile, 'If you would be so kind to refrain to a distance. '

I feel my ears burning a light pink halo around my head. If only I had used the stairs.