A/N: So I had half this chapter written out, and it was going really well, and then… my computer crashed and I effing lost it all! So infuriating. I don't have CoHF yet and it's killing me. Anyways this chapter contains some very heavy references for a book. If you pick it up, you get a cookie.

Avigayil:

"Avi, did you hear me?" I get jerked back into reality to notice Shahar had asked me a question.

"Um what?"

"I asked if you wanted to come with us to get tattoos?" she says. I look around. The last person, Ohad, just completed his fear landscape. Most Dauntless members have filtered out. Yaakov and Tuvia stalked off a while ago. Who knows why? The rest of the transfers and most of the Dauntless borns are in a tight group.

"I think I'm just going to go back to the dorms and try to nap. I'm so nervous."

"Really? I think you're just too scared to get a tattoo." Shouts out a Dauntless born who I don't recognize.

"I already have one." I say, pulling back my sleeve to show the three squiggly lines on the soft skin of my forearm, "I'll see you guys during the banquet."

I begin the walk down to the dorms listening to the shouts of dauntless, and my footsteps echoing on the stone floor.

Images from my fear landscape creep into my mind. I can still feel the ticks crawling over my body, and the loneliness of abandonment. Shudders shoot down my spine. I force myself to take deep calming breaths.

I get to the room. I grab a bunch of pillows off the beds, fall ungracefully onto my bed, and shove all the pillows on top of my head, effectively blocking the world out. My thoughts roam from my fear landscape, to my family, to Yaakov and his weird angst, to what I want to do after initiation, until I am filled to the brim with anxiety over if I will make it into Dauntless in the first place. I don't know how long my consciousness was floating in some other reality, but I am shocked back into my body by the touch of a hand on my back. I let out a shriek muffled by the blankets, as I pop up, and even fall off the bed in my surprised state. For good measure, a pillow even falls on my face. I groan.

When I notice who scared me, my face flushes so fast I might be a toilet. Dovid stands above me trying not to laugh. I fling the pillow at him.

"Extra jumpy today?" he asks.

"It's the fear landscapes." I sigh, "They creeped me out."

"You and I the same. Is that the only reason you shoved your head under three pillows?"

"I'm nervous."

"About what?"

"Whether or not I will make it in the top ten."

He laughs. He actually laughs.

"What's so funny?" I scowls at him.

"You, dear friend, have absolutely nothing to worry about."

"What do you mean?"

"What were your scores during stage 1?"

"Four."

"And stage 2?"

"Two."

"Absolutely nothing to worry about."

"So why are you here?"

"I saw you storm off. I'm your boyfriend. I wanted to see what was wrong."

"I like hearing that."

"What, that I'm your boyfriend?" he smiles.

"Mhm."

"I like saying it." He says with a shrug, "How 'bout them fear landscapes?"

"Ugh I hated it. I can still feel the pain of slowly dying. It was my last fear. How about you?"

He lowers himself to the floor where I am still sitting disgruntled. He puts his arm around me and pulls me into his chest.

"I also hated it. I almost forgot it was a simulation."

I grunt as a reply.

"When I first met you, I thought you were beautiful. And then you showed you were smart, and tough, how could I not like you."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"I don't know. Maybe it would make you feel better. Did it?"

"Yeah," I laugh, "you're pretty nice too."

"That's it? I need someone who can appreciate all this." He says gesturing to length of his body.

"You always make me laugh." I say stifling my giggles.

"Can I braid your hair?" he asks. I am confused.

"You want to braid my hair?"

"Yeah."

"Um okay." I turn to the side so he can get to my hair, still a little confused.

After about five minutes, I give him a hair tie from around my wrist to tie the braid. I feel the back of my head, and to my surprise it is in a neat French braid.

"How did you do that?"

"I have an older sister."

"Okay…" I trail off, "when do they reveal the ranks?"

"In about an hour."

"So we have an hour." I say to no one in particular,

"What should we do?"

"I have no idea."

I relax against his chest and let out an exaggerated sigh.

"So you know there's supposed to be a huge party tonight?" he asks me.

"No, I didn't."

"They usually do one every year. It's for the initiates. I've heard it usually gets pretty crazy."

"Ummm, I've never been to a party before. Or drank more than a sip of alcohol."

"Welcome to Dauntless. Enjoy your stay."

"Hmph."

"Would you like to be my date to the party?"

My heart does a little Irish jig, and I laugh.

"Yeah why not. It's not like I have anyone else to go with."

We are silent for a few moments before he says,

"Can we have nicknames for each other?"

"I already have a nickname," I offer, slightly confused, "its Avi."

"I mean like nick names special for us."

"Like pooky, or pumpkin? No, absolutely not. Call me Avi?"

He is laughing,

"I was just wondering if we were that kind of couple."

"No, we aren't."

"Okay, good to know."

I feel a hand fall forcefully on my knee.

"Stop shaking your leg," Says Shahar, "you're making the whole table shake."

The rest of the table, Dovid, Yaakov, Shmuel, Shahar, Ohad, Marge and Sivan nod in agreement.

"I can't help it. I shake my leg when I'm nervous." I stop my leg from bouncing but it makes my leg feel itchy and uncomfortable so I start again.

There is food laid out on the table, but no one has touched it. We are all too anxious. Sivan and Ohad especially because of their lower scores.

I feel compelled to shove some of the chocolates in my mouth, to take the edge off my nervousness, but I'm too nauseous.

"Avi, you have nothing to worry about." Says Sivan with the tiniest hint of jealousy. I grunt in reply.

After what seems like decades, Eric steps up to the podium.

"We are Dauntless-"he is interrupted by cheering and clapping. I smile,

"And we believe in bravery. We believe in the courage it takes to stand up for someone who cannot. We believe in freedom from fear. This year we had an eclectic bunch of initiates. If they share the same ideals as we do, they are welcome hear. So now what you have all been waiting for THE RANKS!"

As soon as the words come out his mouth, the screen lights up behind him.

I see my name first, in the second spot. I let out a shout of joy and hop up to my feet. I am pulled into a kiss by Dovid, before I can even see the rest of the ranks.

I am practically buzzing with a happy energy. I turn towards the screen again, this time paying more attention.

1. Yaakov

2. Avigayil

3. Shmuel

4. Tuvia

5. Dovid

6. Shahar

7. Marge

8. Rochel

9. Daniel

10. Sivan

I look at Ohad. He looks crestfallen, having not made it into the top ten. Shahar is sobbing, clinging to him. When did that happen? Sivan is sitting, obviously weak from relief. Shmuel and Yaakov are locked in a tight hug. Marge is jumping up and down on the table.

I look towards the other tables. Many initiates are sobbing, or frowning. The Dauntless members are shouting and cheering. At the table next to us, Four whispers something in Tris's ear. She laughs, and they kiss. I grin.

I am pulled into the cheering and hugging and happiness.

"We did it. We actually did it." Says Yaakov in my ear. I smile and he hugs me.

Tris jumps on top of her table, and shouts "HEY!" her voice which is surprisingly loud for such a small girl cuts across the loud screaming quieting the room down.

"At 8 o clock tonight we are hosting a party in honor of our new dauntless members, in the party room. Everyone is invited!" she grins mischievously, "Initiates, go get ready for your first Dauntless party."

We cheer, and don't stop cheering. I grab Marge, Sivan, and Shahar, who has cheered up a bit, and say to them,

"We have 3 hours to get ready. Let's go shopping!"

A/N: How was? School ended for 64 and me two days ago. She has camp in like a week, and I am going to Israel in less than a month, so there may be a few hiatuses, but we've been so excited for these next few chapters just you wait.