CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
TRIS POV
I'm lying on my stomach on my bed with my head in the pillow. I just want to cry. What am I going to do? I just got home from my aptitude test and have found out I'm Divergent. Which I really don't understand. The Dauntless lady, I think her name was Tori told me to stay in Abnegation that I will be safe here. I can't imagine my life without Tobias.
I know I have been thinking that I might stay in Abnegation but as soon as she told me I should stay in Abnegation I realised that I didn't want to. I want to be with Tobias. I need to be with Tobias. Tori told me not to tell anyone but I need to talk to mum.
I hear a knock at my door but I just ignore it. "Beatrice I know you are in there, please," says Caleb.
"Go away," I call back.
"I know something is wrong, talk to me," he says.
"When's mum getting home?" I ask him.
"She just got home. I'll go and get her for you," he says.
My mum doesn't knock she just walks into my room.
"Beatrice what's wrong?" she asks.
"Oh mum, I don't know what to do," I say and now the tears have started to fall.
"What was your test result?" she asks.
"Inconclusive," I say. "The woman told me that I have to stay in Abnegation. That it isn't safe for me to transfer. Mum I don't understand. Why can't I be with Tobias?"
"Oh honey. It's not that simple. Look if you want to transfer then you transfer. But you need to tell Tobias as soon as possible what happened with your test. He can protect you. But you cannot tell anyone else, it is very important that you don't say anything. There are people who think you are dangerous. But you're not, your mind just works differently. What did you test for?"
"Abnegation, Dauntless and Erudite," I say. If Tobias can protect me then I really would be better off in Dauntless, it's not like anyone in Abnegation could protect me if I was found out. They could try and hide me but I couldn't imagine them being able to do much else. At least if I go to Dauntless they will teach me how to protect myself, although Lynn has done a pretty good job at that. I'm glad I could talk to mum about this.
"Well if I think about it, it doesn't really surprise me. Are you feeling better now?"
"Yes, thank you."
"Let's go down stairs and see your dad and brother. I think this is the last night we are all going to be together so let's go and enjoy it," she says.
I am walking with Caleb and our parents toward the Choosing Ceremony. We all said our goodbyes last night. It was really sad but I'm glad we got to say our goodbyes. If we were a different family, we may not have had that chance.
"Are you sure about this?" I ask Caleb.
"Are you?"
"Yes," I say. "Did you tell Susan your leaving?"
"I couldn't. I didn't have the heart. I really like her and I could probably learn to love her but I don't want to have to learn to love someone. I just want it to happen," he says.
"Who knew Caleb Prior could be romantic," I say laughing.
"I wouldn't exactly call that romantic Beatrice," he says.
"I know but still you know what I mean," I say.
"Are you nervous?" he asks.
"About what?" I ask.
"Well you are about to see Tobias again," he says with a wink. I didn't even know my brother could wink.
"No and yes," I say. "Mainly no."
"Promise me that next year we will all meet at mum and dad's for visiting day. You, me and Tobias," he says.
"I promise," I say. We give each other a quick hug and go and find our places in line, ready to make the biggest decision of our lives.
TOBIAS POV
I'm standing on the train with Max on our way to the Choosing Ceremony.
"Caleb and Beatrice Prior are choosing today aren't they Four?"
"They are," I say.
"Do you think we will get either of them?"
"Beatrice yes. Caleb I'm not sure about," I say.
"Is that why you volunteered to come this year?"
"Yes," I say.
"Always a man of few words aren't you Four," he says.
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Depends what you are going to ask me," he says with a chuckle.
"What's the rule when it comes to dating initiates?" I ask.
"I assume you are talking about you and Beatrice," he says.
I nod my head.
He starts to laugh. "Well other than the fact that most of the woman in Dauntless are going to be disappointed. There aren't any rules. Shit. No one is going to be happier than me that you finally will have your girl by your side. You think she'll do okay in initiation?"
"She won't have any problems. She found herself a personal trainer. I think she is going to shock a few people," I say.
"Who has been training her? Not you I hope."
"No not me. Lynn and Tris became friends during faction history and so Lynn decided to help her," I say.
"Bloody hell Lynn. If she is half as good as Lynn, those other transfers won't stand a chance. Make sure you tell her not to let them see how good she really is until the fights start. I think I might just have to come along and see for myself," he says.
"Time to jump," I say.
We walk into the Ceremony and sit with our faction. Dad is proceeding over the event this year. It is not going to look good if Tris and Caleb both transfer. It will give Erudite even more fuel to rubbish Abnegation. But I also know dad would rather his children be happy than for them to worry about what Erudite may say.
Being here brings back memories of when I was here last. It brings a smile to face when I think back to how devastated Marcus was when I transferred. I still wish I'd been back in Abnegation when mum had held a gun up at him.
They have started calling names now and it is a waiting game. I am so nervous; I have been constantly rubbing my hands on my pants. I just can't seem to get the sweat to go. Finally, Caleb's name is called. I wonder what he has decided to pick. Then I hear dad call out, "Erudite."
I see dad smile at Caleb and mouth the words 'I love you' to him. I am glad that he did that in front of the whole room. "Beatrice Prior," dad calls.
My mouth has gone dry; my hands continue to sweat as I watch Tris walk towards the bowls. I can tell she is nervous too. I know how much she loves mum and dad and that with Caleb and I both being transfers I'm sure there is a small part of her that would like to stay. I'm just hoping there is a larger part that wants to be with me.
It feels like she has been standing in front of those bowls for half the day. I see her look at dad and he nods his head. Then I hear the sizzle and dad calls out, "Dauntless."
"Yes," I call out. I watch as she starts walking towards the Dauntless section and towards me.
I let the other Dauntless members congratulate her and pat her on the back. Once they have calmed down I pull her to the side and just hug her. I need to know she is truly here, that she has picked Dauntless. I have never needed to feel someone this close to me ever before.
I release her and say, "Hi."
"Hi," she says.
"You had me worried for a minute when you were standing up there," I say.
"No I knew what I was going to do. I just needed a few minutes, you know," she says.
"Yeah I do. I am so glad you are here," I say.
"Me too. Tobias I need to talk to you about something. Mum told me to tell you what happened with my aptitude test," She says.
Oh no, I know exactly what she is talking about.
"It's okay. I will come and find you later. Go and sit with your friends. You will need to be with them to get to the compound. Okay?" I say.
"Yeah, I'll see you later," she says.
I watch her walk off and I wish she could stay here with me but she needs to go with the other initiates. It will be so much more exciting for her to experience with them. I watch as she walks over to where Uriah is sitting. He jumps up from his seat and they hug. I can't help but smile. It is really great that they are friends. Although I think Tris and Lynn together will be a force to be reckoned with.
I jump off the train and stand at the back of the group. I won't be jumping onto the net but I want to see who the first jumper is. Max is standing on the ledge, giving the same speech that is given every year. After the usual questions that are asked there is a silence, then I hear her. From where I am standing I can only just hear her. But I know who it is, Tris has volunteered to be the first.
I can't help but to have a smile on my face as I walk down the secret staircase from the roof. Tris was made for Dauntless. I just hope she can survive Eric.
I walk to my office after having some infirmary workers pick up the body of the initiate that didn't make the jump off the roof. It doesn't happen often and it usually isn't a Dauntless born but today it was. The worst part was that her parents came down. Now they are worried about how their other daughter Rita will cope with initiation.
I explain that I will discuss the matter with Lauren and we will look out for Rita. I also inform them that I will have to send them an official letter informing them of what has happened. I hate that I have to tell them this. But the shock of getting an official letter even though they know what has happened just makes a really tragic situation even worse.
I sit at my desk and turn on my computer. I need to get the official paperwork that would have been sent from the Choosing Ceremony to my computer. I didn't really take much notice of how many chose Dauntless. Zeke walks in my door while I am waiting for the computer to boot up.
"Hey man," He says. He can't seem to wipe the smile off his face. I know he is happy Uriah has stayed. "So celebrations are in order for both of us."
"Yeah they are Zeke."
"Man I'm happy for you. Hopefully once initiation is over we can finally have a double date," he says with a laugh.
"That sounds like a good idea," I say. Finally, I am in a position to want to agree to a double date with Zeke.
"Do you have the list of the initiates who made it to the compound?" I ask.
We never have all the initiates reach us. I already know we've lost one. There is usually a couple more that wouldn't have jumped either on or off the train. I will need to send their parents the official Dauntless letter stating that their child has failed Dauntless initiation and become factionless. I need to get these done as quickly as possible. There isn't much worse than a parent turning up on Visiting Day and finding their child isn't here.
Zeke hands me the list and then he sits in the chair opposite me.
"Four I need to talk to you about something," Zeke says. His voice is almost a whisper. I have an idea about what he is going to say.
"I trust you like a brother Four," he says. "you know that right?"
I nod.
"Four it's about Uriah," He says.
"Zeke you don't need to say anything else okay. I know what you are going to say and I don't need anyone else hearing what that is," I say and look up to the camera in the corner of the room.
Of course Zeke knows what I am talking about, he works in the control room. While I have a button that I can hit that will stop the recordings, it is not a button that Zeke knows about. I don't need to turn it on, I know he is going to tell me Uriah is divergent. So now I have two people I care about that I am going to have to find a way to help through stage two.
"I understand," he says. "Are you coming down for dinner?"
"Yeah I just need to get the 'sorry your kid didn't make it into Dauntless letters typed up and then I will be there," I say.
"Ew that would not be a letter I want to write," he says.
"It's okay, it is a standardised letter that I just need to put names into. It doesn't take long, depending on how many we have who didn't make it," I say.
"Did you see Rita?"
"Yeah, she is completely shattered that her sister didn't make it. I had to go and get things cleaned up. Their parents arrived, it was really horrible. I won't write that letter until tomorrow. I know Max will want to put his name to the letter, he gets really upset when it's one of our own," I say.
"Okay well I'll see you at dinner," Zeke says. Just as he is walking out the door he turns and says, "Thanks Four."
"No problem, I'll see you at dinner."
I walk into the dining hall and it is buzzing as it always does on Choosing Day. There is only one day that it is noisier and that is when the final rankings for initiation come out. I see Zeke and Shauna and I am glad to see them sitting with their brother and sister and Tris and some of the other transfers are with them.
"Hey first jumper," I say as I sit next to Tris and give her a one armed hug and a kiss on the top of her head.
"Thanks," she says.
"So who are your friends?" I ask.
Before she can answer Uriah jumps in. "So Four, this is Christina, Will, Edward and Myra," he says as he points to each person.
"Everyone this is Four. He is one of our leaders and one scary mother fu"
"URIAH," I yell before he can finish the sentence.
"Come on Four you know it's true," Uriah says.
"It's true Four," says Marlene.
"Seriously? I know I need to scare the initiates but do you have to put it like that?" I ask.
"Yeah we do," Zeke says.
I just shake my head.
"Have you never had a hamburger before?" Christina asks Tris.
"No I haven't," say Tris.
"Put this on it, it's ketchup," I say.
"Wow this is good," Tris says as she takes a bite. "Not as good as the cake, but close."
"How do you know about our cake?" Uriah asks.
"Oh well um Lynn gave me a piece once," she says. Everyone has turned and are looking at Lynn.
"What the hell happened to your hair?" Christina shrieks. I can't believe she only just noticed this.
"I cut it," Lynn says sarcastically.
"Obviously. Why?" Christina asks.
"For initiation," Lynn says, like it is the most obvious answer in the world.
"Why didn't you share the cake with all of us?" Christina asks.
"Well if you had tasted Abnegation food you would give her a piece of cake too," Lynn says.
"When did you try Abnegation food?" Will asks.
"Tris was helping me with some homework and her mother asked me to stay for dinner. It was like the worst thing I have ever tasted," Lynn says.
I can't help but laugh, I remember exactly what she is talking about. Although sometimes I do miss the simplicity of it. The look on Lynn's face is priceless.
"So are you two allowed to date while Tris is an initiate?" Shauna asks.
"There's no rule that says otherwise," I say. "But I think the quieter we are about it the better."
"Why be quiet about it?" Zeke asks.
"I don't need her ranking to come into question because of me," I say.
"You wouldn't do that," says Uriah.
"No I wouldn't but I don't want to give Eric fuel," I say. "We all know how cruel he can be. He is lucky to still have the job. If it was up to me he wouldn't but Graham was adamant that he should be able to keep the position. So if he doesn't behave this year I will be able to get rid of him."
"Pity you can't make him factionless," Shauna says.
"Are you guys talking about Eric who gave us the tour?" Christina says.
"Yes they are," says Marlene.
"Look there is nothing to worry about. Just do what is told of you and he will have no reason to harm anyone," I say.
"Harm anyone? Has he done that before?" Christina squeals. She has the most annoying voice.
"Christina drop it," I say. "Just work hard and you will be fine."
"Transfers," Eric bellows. "Time to see where you are sleeping, let's go."
"Four I really need to talk to you," Tris says. I don't like her calling me Four, it feels wrong. But I know why she has said it, there are too many people around.
"Tris it's okay. I am pretty sure I know what you need to tell me. It won't be a problem to stage two. We can talk tomorrow; you need to get a good night sleep."
I hate letting her go but I know I have too. At least she is here, finally.
I don't really like to have to write to many authors notes but here I am. Firstly I want to say thank you to every one who is reading this story. The followers, the people who have favourited this story, you guys are awesome. To everyone who has sent a review, thank you. It is great to know that people are willing to take the time to review. Secondly I just want to say to the guest reviewer who wanted to critique my wring style. I did put your review up but after getting some private messages from people who actually had the courtesy to log on and talk to me I decided to take the review down. I appreciate that everyone has their own point of view and not everyone will like every story or the way some one else writes, but I will not upset the people who have shown me wonderful support throughout my journey as a writer on this site. So to my supporters thank you, it makes me want to keep writing. To anyone who doesn't like my writing style that is okay too, I don't expect everyone to like how or what I write.