I awake from a dreamless sleep, feeling as if I've not slept at all, though the sun is streaming through my window. I realize my father has been calling to me.

"Beatrice, it's time."

When I come downstairs, I see Caleb has already eaten breakfast and is ready to go. He seem calm – eager, even. I am still confused. I search my parents' faces for clues to what they might be thinking, but they betray nothing. If I choose to leave Abnegation, my contact with them will be limited after today. Faction before blood. Though I've never understood that ideal, I've not questioned it before now. I look around the kitchen, it seems smaller somehow. This will be the last time we are all here together. As if I've said it aloud, I realize my decision is already all but made.

We all walk together to the hall where the choosing takes place. It's hot and the rough fabric of my dress scratches my neck. As we get closer, I feel myself slowing down, wanting to delay it as long as possible. Just as we arrive, we are overtaken by a group of Dauntless. They jumped off the moving train and are racing each other to the door. They are instantly recognizable in their black clothes, dyed hair, piercings and tattoos. They have always fascinated me, I suppose it is because they are the antithesis of Abnegation. And I suspect they were the faction of my mother. The Dauntless are soldiers – they protect our city from the factionless, and what lies outside the wall. They tease and jostle each other. I envy their casual contact. They are at ease with themselves. I wonder why my mother left.

As we enter the building, a blond woman approaches us, dressed in Erudite blue.

"Andrew, I'm glad you're here, we need to talk." My father looks troubled.

"Of course, Jeanine, what's wrong?" I realize that she is Jeanine Matthews, the leader of Erudite. My parents speak of her often but this is the first time I've ever seen her. The Erudite are the scientists and engineers for our city. Their skills are highly valued, so they get the best food and have better clothes and housing. I've heard their headquarters houses a vast library, extending many stories underground. You can read all day, if you like. Among the Abnegation, curiosity is frowned upon. I try to imagine what it would be like to be rewarded for it.

"It's the Dauntless…" she looks around to see if anyone is listening. I know I should take my seat but my curiosity is piqued. Instead I look away, pretending I'm distracted by the paintings that cover the walls from floor to ceiling. They tell the story of our City, the Great Fall and the rise of the factions. I keep my ear pointed toward her, but now they are whispering. I edge slightly closer, pretending now to brush away imaginary dust from the front of my dress. I risk a glance in their direction and find her staring straight at me. Caught.

"I didn't know you had a daughter." She's addressing my father but her eyes don't leave mine. She studies me with a level of scrutiny I've never before experienced.

"Jeanine, allow me to introduce my younger child, Beatrice." I don't like being called a child.

She holds out her hand to me in the Erudite fashion. It is an unfamiliar gesture to the Abnegation, who avoid contact, but I look toward my father and he nods, so I take it. She smiles at me, as if she knows me.

"I hope you will choose wisely today – and I know you will." She turns back to my father.

"Is it really a choice?" The words fly from my mouth before I realize it. "I mean, doesn't the aptitude test tell us how we should choose?" She turns back toward me, and I am immediately worried that she senses my reason for asking this question. Does she know what I am?

"It provides guidance, of course. But we are all given the freedom to choose." She glances at my father, and he looks away. Caleb told me once he suspected Father had defected to Abnegation from Erudite. I wonder if he and Jeanine had been friends, and realize how little I really know about him. Too late, now.

Marcus walks to the front of the Hall, holds up his hand to quiet the room, and we quickly find seats with the Abnegation. He calls out the first name. By tradition, they are read in reverse alphabetical order. It's happening too fast. I don't know what to do. I look to my brother but he is staring straight ahead. I've seen this ceremony every year since I can remember, but this time it feels completely new. The first name belongs to a pretty girl from Amity. She walks to the table, takes the knife from Marcus' hand, makes a small cut, and squeezes a drop of blood into the bowl filled with soil. She looks up with a huge smile as her faction cheers. She is staying in Amity.

One by one, names are called, most return to their faction of origin. The bowls contain gray stone for Abnegation, rich soil for Amity, glass for Candor, water for Erudite, and hot coals for Dauntless. I wonder why we have to choose to be just one thing.

"Prior, Caleb" I am pulled from my reverie, and watch my brother advance to the table. He must know I am watching but he does not look in my direction. He does not pause even for a second after making the cut before holding out his hand. His blood falls into the bowl of water. I hear my mother next to me inhale sharply, but she displays no other reaction. He walks over to the sea of blue that is Erudite, and they welcome him, clapping.

"Prior, Beatrice" I slowly walk to the table and take the knife in my hand. I am surprised by how much pressure it takes to pierce my skin, but I feel no pain. I stretch out my arm. I know I can't stay in Abnegation. That life is not for me, and I won't endanger my parents. But where, then? I can hear the burning coals in the Dauntless bowl, and I am tempted. I ache for that freedom, but I can't bear the thought of being completely alone. I sigh, and my blood falls into the water. I feel as if I am borne on a wave toward the Erudite as they stand to greet me. What have I done? My brother finds me and hugs me for the first time, unfamiliar and familiar at the same time. The entire hall is murmuring now, defections are rare, and two in one family are unheard of. It dies down quickly though as the next name is called. I turn my head, looking for my parents. Instead I see Jeanine. She is smiling at me and I feel a rush of relief. I'm sure everything will be alright, now.

A/N: Thank you for reading!

Standard Disclaimer: All rights to Divergent and its characters belong to Veronica Roth.