Hey guys! I know its been too long since I last updated.

One of the reasons of this late update is that, I like making my work as perfect as possible. So, I only write a new chapter when I am completely satisfied with the dialogue, situations and continuity, etc. Being a non English speaker, I struggle with dialogues and writing in general which is why it takes too long to post a new chapter according to my satisfaction.

The second reason is my online classes. I am studying really hard to make my future. Tomorrow morning is my first day in university which will slow down my writing process even more. But, rest assured, I will complete this fic even if its the last thing I do :)

If you have any ideas, lemme know and maybe I can use them. :3

A big thank you to my beta reader, dragonmaster65, who always makes sure my perfectionist tendencies are taken good care of. (Updated: 31st January, 2021. 11PM instead of sleeping XD)

-o0o-ERIC-o0o-

I walk towards what is known as The Great Hall. I have no idea why someone would name a place so ridiculous but they just did and no matter how much I hate it, it's what everyone has to call it, so I suck it up.

The transfer initiates don't talk among themselves which must be because the Abnegation born are quiet themselves too. Must be some stupid stiff teaching about making small talk is selfish. I shake my head to get rid of the train of thought. I can't call them stiffs, and I sure as hell can't question anything. I am Abnegation now. That is a weird thought. I always believed I would go to Dauntless.

I look at my formless gray clothes which consist of dark grey trousers, a grey full sleeved baggy T shirt and a light grey jacket and a pair of simple grey sneakers. Everything is at least one size bigger than my usual attire, but I don't give a fuck.

I stifle a yawn because I don't want to offend my new faction, but I didn't sleep much last night.

I had only slept for three hours, and I was simmering with irritation. I seemed to be the only one, which made things somehow worse. The two Abnegation-born boys, Theo and Michael, didn't seem affected. They had fallen asleep easily. I'd seen them, weirdly laid out straight as arrows on their bed. I knew Shawn had slept too. His snoring hadn't helped my tossing and turning.

Coffee. Coffee would help me get through this morning. I picked up my pace, hoping that I can find some to get me through the day, even if it is some disgusting liquid that Abnegation might drink. I don't want to show up looking exhausted and sleep deprived on my first day of initiation.

I see Caleb Prior walking towards us with a small smile. Dude stop smiling in the morning, it's creepy! I stop in front of him, realizing that he will take us to the great hall. The other initiates come to an abrupt halt, probably seeing that Caleb is here.

"Hey Caleb, do you know where I can find some coffee?" I ask, forgoing the pleasantries.

"Well good morning to you too, Eric." He retorts with undeniable sass, "I am doing great thanks for asking by the way." What the fuck, dude!

"Coffee?" I ask sharply, not in the mood for his bullshit when I am so exhausted. Trying to sleep on a hard mattress can be exhausting.

"We don't have coffee here. Relying on caffeine to get us through our days is selfish and inconsiderate when we had a whole night to rest," he snaps.

"Dude! What crawled up your ass and died?" I recognize the voice as Shawn Frost's.

"That was awfully rude of you Shawn. In Abnegation we don't make small talk so it's better if you transfers keep your da- mouths shut. Understand?" Caleb remarks, his voice laced with sarcasm.

"And everyone - especially an Abnegation-born - knows that we're not supposed to swear at one another, Caleb," a familiar female voice says from behind where we stand. We all turn around and my eyes meet Beatrice's which causes my mouth to drop open.

All I can say is, if someone can make Abnegation's formless clothes look flattering, it's her. She looks stunning, standing there with a small smirk planted on her face. Then I realize, her smirk is aimed at me since I am still staring at her.

"Dude, close your mouth. I can practically see you drooling."

That snaps me out of my trance and I raise an eyebrow at Shawn's awful attempt at humour. Shawn just claps me on the back, pissing me off more than possible as the snickering in the background becomes more audible. He hasn't been quiet with his snarky remark, causing Caleb and the other transfers to chuckle. Meanwhile Beatrice just stands there looking at her feet, a shy smile on her face which is becoming redder by each passing moment.

"We are Abnegation and depending on things such as coffee for personal indulgences is selfish." Beatrice speaks up softly, still looking at her seemingly interesting shoes. "But if you need something to wake you up, we drink hot tea with honey."

I had no idea she had heard that friendly conversation regarding coffee. Sarcasm.

"I am sorry for sounding selfish," I say, hoping to make a good impression in front of the initiation volunteer. A little late for the impression but I still try. "Thank you and can you tell me where I can find the tea you mentioned?" I ask politely, startling myself with my courtesy.

"It's in the great hall. With the rest of breakfast. Pick your pace everyone, once we eat there's going to be a briefing about initiation," Caleb says, louder than necessary while directing a glare at me.

We all nod obediently and follow Caleb and Beatrice who are now leading us. The weirdest thing is that they keep nudging and whispering, making Beatrice giggle occasionally. What are they talking about? Jeez! I feel like a nosy person. Why do I even care? Oh yeah, it's because the behavior is very un-Abnegation. Come to think of it, Beatrice and Caleb don't act very Abnegation in the first place. But why?

We all stop outside a door and Caleb opens it to let us all in. As soon as we step inside, one of the Candor boy speaks up.

"Oohhh I see why it's called Great hall." I have to agree with the sentiment.

It's a very big building with the hall itself bigger than any room I have seen in Abnegation so far. It's filled with round tables and chairs. We all take our places after spotting Tobias, our instructor. When we have all settled down, I look around. Beatrice is sitting between Tobias and Caleb, and the transfer initiates occupy the other chairs near the table.

The Abnegation born initiates sit with other members, family I assume. Beatrice and Tobias whisper back and forth. I zone out until I see something unexpected.

Tobias looks around. He turns to Beatrice and strokes her cheek softly, and then he brings her mouth to his for a kiss. A kiss which she tentatively reciprocates. I stop my jaw from dropping and look around. Surely I'm not the only one who's just seen this?

We were seated at the corner table at the end of the great hall. Apparently no one saw that little exchange. No one except me. I am fuming but I take deep breaths. Touch is a big thing in Abnegation I have read in the law codex, and to touch a different gender with such intimacy is forbidden until marriage. I am furious that they are teaching us to be selfless while they can do whatever the fuck they want to?

Older members put food and what I assume is tea with honey in front of us. I grab my mug of steaming tea and make my way out of the hall. No one stops me, maybe because they are Abnegation. Wouldn't want to pry, I guess. I think I will still lose some points for this act of selfishness.

Sitting on the pavement, I wonder why I am in such a foul mood? Is it their selfishness or what? Sighing I take a large gulp from my mug and instantly regret it. It tastes bitter and somehow dry, even with the honey. It hits me finally that I can never get coffee again. I am stuck in this faction of so-called selflessness all for nothing.

I kick a rock, making it fly in the opposite direction. Why did I even choose this fucking faction?

"Initiates! Listen up. I don't have time to repeat this so pay attention," Tobias shouts and I wish I could roll my eyes but I don't. Abnegation may be a lenient faction but I don't want to make the record of failing this initiation. No one fails initiation here, but something tells me I shouldn't push my luck.

"Abnegation initiation lasts for eight weeks - about two months - and covers everything we need to learn." Tobias states loudly.

"For the first week, we all will make bags for the Factionless. They will consist of clothing, canned food, hygiene products and other necessary items. You will also learn how to cook according to the Abnegation standards," he explains.

"The second week will be spent identifying the Factionless areas and their needs which will include face reading. We will also tell you how to approach them, so as to not look like a threat."

"The third week is when you guys will volunteer in the Factionless with all the skills you learnt the week before, and we will distribute the supplies you prepared in the first week," Tobias says with a stern gaze and we all nod.

"The last week of the first month we will go to Amity. We will pick fruits, preserving and preparing canned goods along with checking on and helping with the chickens, goats, cows and other animals. We will also learn how to ride horses. Since we have to volunteer in Amity for the week, therefore we will spend the entire week there. No need to waste time going back and forth every day." His speech is interrupted by the transfers' loud cheering. I facepalm at their idiocy. We are going for volunteering not a picnic. Why are they so excited again?

"The fifth week we will volunteer in the Erudite general hospital where you will learn all first aid techniques which will be helpful in real life situations. By the end of the week you will have to perform a few first aids-" He is cut off by the Candor girl with a nasally voice.

"Like an exam? What are we in? School?"

Tobias pinches the bridge of his nose. It's clear he is trying to calm himself down. Beatrice speaks up instead.

"Exactly like an exam. We will need to evaluate how good you are. Before you ask, at the end of each different volunteering job, we will rank you according to your progress. The rank will decide what job is appropriate for you. Any questions?" No one says anything so she continues.

"The sixth week you will volunteer in daycares and old homes where you will help in any way you are asked. In the seventh week, you will pick up trash, plant seeds, clean buildings and the train and help in road and building repairs as a part of your volunteer work."

"The eighth week, you will get your final rankings and you will help in any project you would prefer to." Beatrice concludes.

"Any questions?" Tobias asks but we all stare dumbfounded, too overwhelmed by the information to answer.

What the fuck have I gotten myself into?