I can only take credit for my own ideas... everything else belongs to Veronica Roth.
Time skip!
Tris
It's hard to believe that it has been 2 years since T.J. left. It has been really tough for me to be so far away from him. Just as I feared, we have not been able to see each other in person. We have been sending letters to keep up to date on each others lives, but every time we have planned to meet somewhere, one of us has had to cancel.
Not much has changed in my life, but from his letters, I can tell that Tobias has changed a lot. First off, he is now going by a different name in Dauntless. He didn't want anyone to know his name or that Marcus is his father, so his instructor gave him a new name... Four. He gave him his new name after his fear simulation revealed that he only has 4 fears, a record low in Dauntless history, the previous record was 7. There were only two people in the faction that know his real name and what faction he came from, his instructor Amar and his friend Zeke.
Amar died shortly after T.J.'s initiation, which seemed to have really affected him. He had gotten close to Amar, and after his death, Tobias seemed to get colder, and distant. He still writes to me often and shares details about his life there, but I can tell that he is different somehow. He hasn't talked about Amar in a long time, I think it is because it hurts to think about him.
His friend Zeke on the other hand, he seems like quite a character. I have read many stories about the trouble that they get into and mostly the fun things that they do together. He really seems to respect Zeke and credits him with his success through initiation. He helped Tobias learn everything he needed to know to do well in their group, and it clearly worked, he ranked number 1, which is extremely rare for a transfer.
Because he did so well in initiation he could have chosen any job he wanted, and Max tried to convince him to take a job as a leader, but he was not interested in leadership. He decided, that since he was already good with computers, he would work in the control room. He also chose to be an initiate instructor for the transfers. Last year was obviously his first year as an instructor, and he said that he loves it. Max still asks him occasionally to reconsider a role in leadership, but so far Tobias says that he is not interested.
His life is nothing like it was just two years ago, mine on the other hand is exactly the same as when he left. Actually, it is different too, just not in a good way. The time that Tobias has been gone, has been the most boring, depressing time of my life. I only have one friend in the faction, Roberts sister Susan. She is one of the kindest people I know, but she is also very Abnegation, which means no sneaking to the other factions. Although I am not sure we would have been able to go anyway, it has been harder and harder to get away with the added responsibilities I now have.
It feels like there is so much that is expected from me every single day. When I'm not at school, I am expected to be helping at home, taking care of the neighbor, helping my father, going with my mother to take deliveries to the factionless, and a list of many other things. My mom has tried to help me get out of some of these things, but even she can't get me out of much. I feel so trapped in my responsibilities!
My aptitude test is in two hours and I am terrified. I know what the test was like two years ago, T.J. told me all about it, but I also know that they modify the test every year. I'm not sure if I am more afraid that I will get a result of Abnegation or that I will not get Abnegation. I always thought that it was easy, take your test, get your result, go to that faction. But as it has gotten closer to my own turn to choose, it has become more and more unclear.
I just don't feel like I really belong in any faction, and I know for certain that I can not become factionless. I just keep telling myself that I need to believe in the test, the test will tell me what to do. After all, that is what the test was created for. I just wish I could get rid of this feeling of dread, this feeling that I am going to make a terrible decision.
My mom knocks gently on my door and walks in a moment later. She helps me pull my hair back into my usual bun and gently kisses my forehead. She has always shown more affection than a typical Abnegation mother, and for that I will forever be thankful. I finish getting ready as I always do, by putting on my raven necklace and tu king it securely inside my clothing. I have worn it every day since Tobias gave it to me, but since no one here wears jewelry, only my mom has ever seen it.
Mom takes me to the testing center and then heads off to work. I wait anxiously, pacing the hall for what seems like an eternity. When my name is finally called I am almost glad, as nervous as I am to take the test, at least I am going to get it over with. Then I will know.
I walk in to the sterile looking room that seems far too bright and yet cold. My evaluator, a pretty woman who is obviously from Dauntless, introduces herself as Tori and motions for me to sit in a chair in the middle of the room. After I sit, she attaches electrodes to my head and hands me a small vial of liquid. The serum is blue, and strangely enough, smells sweet like the frozen drink T.J. and I got once when we went to Dauntless for a movie. I drink the serum, lean back in my chair, and prepare for it to begin. The world goes black and it is as if I am pulled out of this room and dropped into another. My simulation begins!