I hope you all have been enjoying my story so far! Don't forget to review on your way out. (The underlined part was part of the actual Divergent book. I didn't write that part.)


Beatrice POV:

(14 years old)

Today is the day I've been dreading for half of my life.

When I first met Tobias, I knew he belonged somewhere else. I didn't know where exactly, but I knew he was meant for a life greater than one of a dull Abnegation. But back then, I still wasn't sure what transferring was, so I never feared his absence. I was seven the first time I went to a Choosing Ceremony, which was the day after I found out Evelyn had died. I remember being confused as to why everyone gasped every once in a while, why everyone was cutting their hands open, and why some kids were not going back to where they sat. Some families were angry or crying, while some were happy and relieved. It wasn't until Mom explained to me that those parents who were crying might never see their child again did it sink in. If Tobias transferred, I would never see him again. Unless...

No. I would never be so selfish as to leave my family for my own personal desires. It's not like Caleb would allow it anyways. All the work he put into conditioning me to be the perfect Abnegation would be in vain. Surely, if I transferred he would find a way to make me regret it.

Caleb is choosing today too. In the back of my mind, I've been hoping he transfers. But I know he won't. He belongs here. Over the years, his punishments have been getting worse and worse. About two weeks ago he wouldn't stop kicking me in the ribs after I dropped all my schoolwork on the way down the front stairs at school and was holding up the line trying to pick it back up.

Flashback...

I open the front door with Caleb trailing behind me, and I throw my backpack on the dining room table. Today was exhausting. Not only do I have loads of Faction History homework, but now the pages are crumpled and my body aches from falling down the stairs.

When I'm halfway up the stairs I feel something grab the back of my robe and pull back, hard. My eyes widen and I grab at the air trying to right myself, before tumbling back down the stairs. When the shock clears, all I can feel is the crippling pain from my tailbone. Before I can yell, Caleb is in front of me dragging my body up by a fistful of hair, so we are now face to face. His face could give anyone nightmares. His brown eyes glare into mine with a vengeance and the sound of his teeth grinding reaches my ears. Spit flies out of his mouth as he screams hurtful things at me. I can only catch small parts of what he's saying, but it's enough to bring tears to my eyes.

"What is wrong with you? People have places to be!"

"I can't believe how much of a dumbass you are! Do you even have a brain?"

"You've embarrassed our whole family! After all we've done to help you, this is how you repay us? Are you kidding me?"

He throws me to the ground and punctuates every insult with a kick to my ribs. I curl into a fetal position to protect myself as much as possible. But it doesn't do much. I'm too weak to really protect myself.

End of flashback...

I didn't know what I was being beat for until later on.

Mom and Dad were at a meeting that day, same as every day. They didn't get home until two hours after I woke up in my bed with a wrap around my chest and stomach. (Despite what Caleb does to me, I know he's only trying to help. Though I wish his help was less painful.) They haven't suspected a thing since the beatings started, and I know I will never have it in me to tell them. Besides, who am I to complain about someone's method of teaching? Caleb is Abnegation through and through, and he feels like I'm his responsibility. If anything, I should be thanking him. But why do I feel so awful about it?

I'm still not completely sure what I saw on Tobias's back two years ago, but I think I have a pretty good idea. Either he fell, or he gets punished just like me. I'm pretty sure it's the latter. When I came to that conclusion, I didn't know what to think. But I now know, it can't be just a coincidence that we both get beat. The unlikelyness of it is too much. Physical punishment must be a way of teaching in Abnegation homes. Either that or Tobias and I are just too selfish to tolerate, and I really do not want to believe that.

Tobias didn't talk to me for two weeks after I discovered the cut on his back, and when he finally did, it seemed forced and awkward. I knew he didn't want to talk about it, much like I wouldn't want to talk about my beatings, so I shut my mouth. He's been a little more careful around me ever since that day; I understand it, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.


My parents, Caleb and I arrive at the Hub, the building that the Choosing Ceremony takes place in, and my eyes immediately start searching for Tobias. The crowd is a sea of blue, black, yellow, white, and gray. Only a small potion of each faction shows up every year, but there's enough people for the room to looked overcrowded.

As I'm scanning the crowd, I see the leaders standing up on stage, along with Marcus, Tobias's dad. I jog down the steps leading to the stage, squishing between people until I get near the front of the room. I show little hesitation before walking up onto the stage and approaching Marcus. "Mr. Eaton? Sorry to disturb you but do you happen to know where Tobias is?" I question as politely as possible.

Jack Kang, the leader of Candor, stops in the middle of his sentance a stares at me. Marcus turns around and frowns at me for second or two before answering, "I think he's along the front row. You should you better than to interrupt a conversion between adults, Beatrice."

But I've already stopped listening because I caught sight of Tobias. I jog off toward him with a smile on my face; however, he catches sight of me and shakes his head with a 'not today' expression on his face. I stop mid-stride and just look at him. He continues to look at me, before he mouths the word that makes my heart break. Goodbye.


Since Johanna Reyes, the Amity leader, is hosting the ceremony this year, the Amity will go last.

"Welcome," she says. "Welcome to the Choosing Ceremony. Welcome to the day we honor the democratic philosophy of our ancestors, which tells us that every man has the his own ways in this world."

I completely zoned out for the rest of her speech, considering it's the exact same every year. Only when the started reading off names did I start paying close attention. Seven transfers from Candor, four from Dauntless, and seven from Erudite. When Johanna gets to Abnegation, I sit up straighter in my seat. She reads off names from Z to A, so Caleb will go before Tobias.

So far, no one has transferred. I'm starting to think that no one will.

Through the haze of my thoughts I hear Caleb's name being called, and snap back to attention. Caleb stands up slowly, and gives me a squeeze on the shoulder before walking down toward the stage. I watch him take the knife and cut his palm, before confidently holding his hand over the gray stones. Abnegation, just as I expected. Still, I feel a little disappointment. He walks back over to his seat and gives me a smile before sitting back down.

For what feels like the hundredth time today, I zone out. I hear Tobias's name called and start to panic. What if he leaves me? I can't be here without him! What if I never see him again?

He stands up from his front row seat and makes his way up to the bowls. I see him hesitate before quickly cutting his palm, blood pooling in his hand as he thinks. Oh, what I would give to see what he is thinking right now. He slowly walks over and stands between two bowls, one filled with grey stones, the other with sizzling black coals. Finally, he seems to come to a decision. I shut my eyes, waiting for his choice. A quiet sizzling sounds emits from the front of the room and I hear gasps all around me. I slowly open my eyes to find Tobias staring at me, looking as guilty as ever. I barely feel the tears as they start running down my cheeks, or Mom's hand as it grabs mine, for all I feel is the emptiness of losing my best friend.

"Dauntless!" Johanna yells over all the voices.


I apologize for any spelling and/or grammar mistakes. I'm really tired. Hope you've enjoyed this chapter ;)