Chapter 1
The sun's rays gleam through the window, making my sun-kissed skin look even tanner than it usually is. The city bus has its usual odor of cigarette butts and exhaust, and every time the vehicle dares to make a turn, my body thrusts sideways. Even though I am sitting down, I have to rely on the support of my own seat to maintain my still posture.
I glance at my brother, who grips on the bus rail to keep himself still. There is a scarce resemblance between my brother and I. My family is of mixed origin. I have the tanner skin while my brother can easily blend in with the people of Abnegation. My eyes are brown, while his are a nice combination of gray and blue. The only way people could distinctly tell our relation is through our hair. We have the same sleek, raven hair that our mother possesses.
My brother has gotten the role of selflessness down to a T. He offered a Candor man a seat next to me without ambivalence. To say that he belongs in Abnegation is an understatement.
Our bus passes through the main landmarks our city acquires. A tall skyscraper looms in front of the bus. According to our Faction History textbooks, that tower was formerly known as The Sears Tower. Nowadays, we call that building The Hub.
Nearly abandoned train tracks consume most of the view now. None of the factions, with the exception of Dauntless, have used the tracks before. I have never been on a moving train.
The bus finally halts in front of our school, the Upper Levels school. The Upper Levels school is the oldest of three schools, the other two schools in our factions of Lower Levels and Mid-Levels. Our school was built completely with glass and steel. The school building is used for many Dauntless activities, as well. The Dauntless try to climb up the building as high as they can.
Noticing the Dauntless has been a part of my everyday life. They are so daring to the point that it nearly frightens me. The Dauntless fear absolutely nothing. One time, a Dauntless girl had fallen from the building and needed medical help. My brother and I were the ones who called the nurse.
I step on my slacks with my shoes, tugging on my brother's arm to maintain my balance as we step off the bus. The staff in the building informed us that classes would be cut short in observance of the aptitude tests. I haven't feared much in life, but this is a major exception.
"The Aptitude tests are today," I murmur quietly, but loud enough for my brother to hear. He doesn't respond with his mouth, but with a simple nod.
We push open the school doors, my fists clenching as soon as I adjust myself to the atmosphere. Many teenagers yearn for this, but I wouldn't have minded waiting another year or two. We are a little while away from taking our last steps in these crowded halls. Choosing Ceremony is our coronation as adults, and it is also where we choose what faction to live in for the rest of our lives.
That day will be the day we heave out our first breaths as adolescents. The sudden thought of it makes my chest burn inside.
"Robert, are you even worried about what they tell you?" Robert is my brother's name; the name was adopted from our grandfather.
"Not exactly. What about yourself?" He quirks an eyebrow at me, awaiting my response.
To say that I'm afraid is an understatement. "I'm fine." I lie, bearing a small smile before I turn towards the Math classroom. We offer each other goodbyes quietly before walking into our respective classrooms. I wonder if what Robert said was a lie. Like me, he isn't necessarily startled at much.
I brush my way past many shoulders and energetic bodies as I inch towards the classroom. My classmates are savoring every last moment of life they can absorb.
Out of nowhere, an Erudite boy smacks my shoulder roughly, and I fall on the ground.
"Why don't you get away from me, Stiff? I'm trying to move here." Stiff is the nickname that the other factions call the Abnegation.
Tensions are high between Erudite and Abnegation. Abnegation is portrayed as a villain in Erudite's recent news articles, with Erudite's shade toward us taking a toll in our lives.
I feel eyes watching me. Nearly everyone stopped to look at me, though no one tried to help. My cheeks flush and appear to look like a tinted shade of pink. Standing up, a collection of orbs accompany me until I walk into the classroom.
I'm the first one inside. I place my books on my desk before trotting to the window. It's nearly 7:30 in the morning, and that is usually the time where the Dauntless take their normal train jump.
The Dauntless jump off a moving train nearly everyday as proof of courage. Many of the people in that faction look absolutely revolting. Their hair is slicked, various areas of their body are pierced and they are clothed with tattoos. My attention is captured by the blaring sound of the train, and before the train can even fully exit the location, a school of Dauntless leap off. Some fall to the ground, others tuck and roll and a few are standing, unscathed.
As much as their ways confuse me, they intrigue me.
That's it for Chapter 1! Again, reviews are greatly appreciated, and to all my current readers, you guys are awesome.