To go from the general studies section of the school to the faction specific section takes nearly 3 minutes. And once there it's another 2 minutes to arrive at the right floor and location of Abnegation classes because of course the Abnegation hallway must be in the farthest location from the center of the building so no one is inconvenienced by our presence. All this means to me is that the Erudite couldn't do basic math when they allocated only 4 minutes to get between classes.

On a good day I would be 30 seconds late to my Abnegation-specific classes—but today is not a good day and when I look at the clock upon entering my class I see it is 6 minutes past the second bell. With new students swarming the hallways and congesting the stairs, I nearly peed my pants trying to get to a bathroom and then to class. Thankfully the teachers cannot punish us for being tardy as it would be inconsiderate, but that does not erase the embarrassment I receive on my way to the only seat left with its adjacent desk open. In another 15 minutes that seat will be filled.

My teacher wastes no time to introduce himself again before jumping into the outline of how his class is structured. Instead, I read his name, , written in neat handwriting at the top of the whiteboard.

"At the end of last year every one of you took a survey to poll what service you would be interested in doing for the next four years. You were each asked questions about what you may be interested in, past volunteering experiences, possible future careers, what area of the community you are most invested in, etc." I try to recall the survey and my answers but fail. "We have read through your responses and chosen what we believe will fit best with your personalities and interests as well as considered what positions are available this year. I have your assignments here," he holds up a stack of paper, "and will now hand them out."

When nearly every student's hand shoots up after he finishes his speech I question if I missed something; then I realize it is a field of 20 raised hands offering to pass out the paper for him and I relax in my seat. There is no use offering to help when someone else is willing to.

I use the time to take out my planner and update it with my past few classes until a student I don't recognize drops an envelope with my name on my desk. As I open it begins speaking again.

"Every position has a mentor that has volunteered in your new position for 2 years. These mentors will be joining us momentarily, but for now I will review the details you are likely already familiar with." I fight the urge to roll my eyes at the information I am about to hear for the 20th time in the past year. "You will volunteer in your position for the next four years that lead up to the choosing ceremony. The first two will be spent as a mentee to a 14-year-old and when you all start school in 2 years as 14-year-olds you will be assigned a mentee that you will menotr for your last two years. After your choosing ceremony many of you will continue volunteering where you are starting now therefore it is imperative that you demonstrate your abnegation. Furthermore, you must spend at least 10 hours a week at your position, but how this is broken down depends on your assignment. Also, your assignments may not be changed as it would be selfish to inconvenience those counting on you because of your personal feelings."

The envelope is now open in my hands and I am nervous to glance down. I close my eyes, count to four, and look.

Role: Abnegation Leader Assistant

Leader: M. Eaton

Mentor: T. Eaton

I can't help but smile. While I have never directly talked to nor my mentor, I have listened to converse with my parents many times and he has never been anything but pleasant. As for my role, I have always been interested in policy and the factions as a whole so I believe I will not only gain experience for a possible future job but will also enjoy my time spent volunteering. I don't know "T. Eaton" yet, but assuming she is 's daughter, I can imagine things will work out with her as well.

My eyes shoot up to the door when I hear it open and see a line of students into the hallway. The first one enters and reads the name of her mentee who then raises his hand and she walks to the empty desk next to him. Four people later a girl with dark brown hair and blue eyes reads "B. Prior" and I shyly raise my hand. She sighs before walking towards me and sitting down.

"Hi. I'm Beatrice." I do my best to give her a friendly smile and receive nothing in return.

"And I'm Tamara."

"Nice to meet you."

She doesn't answer and we sit in silence for a few seconds before steps in since everyone has found their mentor. "I suggest you begin planning a rough idea of when you want to meet every week. Remember- at least 10 hours."

Once it has been long enough that I know is done speaking, I start to talk. "I was thinking maybe I could do two hours after school everyday and then some on the weekends, but I know you've already been doing this so if you have a different schedule of course we can just do that."

She nearly cuts me off and quickly starts talking. "We will volunteer with on Mondays from 4-6, Tuesdays from 4-7, Thursdays from 3:30-6, Fridays from 4-6, and Saturdays from 8-12 in the morning."

"Oh, ok." Her tone is intimidating. I try to stay optimistic and give Tamara the benefit of the doubt, but I find my enthusiasm wavering. In a last attempt to make conversation I ask "Is there anything I should know before starting today? Or anything I need to bring?"

This time she does cut me off. "Yeah. You shouldn't have chosen the answers you did on the survey."

With that the bell rings and I am left no time to think before I rush out to go to my science class.