Chapter One
As I down another shot of whatever liquor Christina hands me, my heart raced inside my chest. We did, we passed initiation. Looking round at my fellow initiates I struggle to believe the mess that we all were 6 weeks ago when we all took that jump off the building. As my mind drifts back to that free falling feeling, it brings back the first time I saw Four. How cold he seemed yet something about him always drew me in and sparked my curiosity. As we dance on the table I feel Four's strong arms wrap around my waist. I reach back and entangle my fingers into his messy hair, pulling his head closer, his lips touch the base of my ear and my body curls back into his.
"Congratulations Tris," he whispers against my neck. I can feel the rest of the dancing crowd watching us as I spin myself round in his arms to face him. We had been keeping our relationship hidden so that we wouldn't get into trouble as initiates weren't allowed to be romantic with instructors. Wrapping my arms round his neck I pull his lips into mine and we share our first public display. Moments later I'm dragged away from Four by Christina who, unsurprisingly has a shocked expression on her tanned face.
"Did you not think to inform your best friend that you're hooking up with the instructor?" She shouts over the heavy music,
"There's not been much to tell" I laugh in return, my hips still swaying uncontrollably to the beat.
"That seemed like a lot to tell up there!" She smiles, "but seriously I'm happy for you!"
All I can do is nod and smile as we hug each other, our bodies being bounced around by the crowd of dancing Dauntless.
As I stand at the bar waiting for another beer, I feel myself sway slightly. I've not had much to drink but my body still isn't used to the effects alcohol so i know I'm past being just tipsy. I hear the whiny voice of Peter push in beside me and ask for another drink also.
"Oh hey Stiff," he smiles nudging me hard with his elbow. I ignore his greeting and thank the bartender before turning round and leaning on the bar, watching the crowd.
"You know, I knew there was a reason you ended up top of the class, you must be a pretty good screw to have worked your way to the top so quickly," his grin is menacing and shows his teeth.
My fists clench as I take a swig of my beer, trying to ignore him. Just as I'm about to walk away, he moves his body so that he is standing in front of me, his arms either side of me.
"Get out of my way," I say through gritted teeth.
"Watch yourself Tris, from now on you won't be able to hide behind Four during training and it won't be long until you find yourself out if your depth" Peter warns, his face too close for comfort, the smell of beer lingering heavy on his breath. My heart races as I remember the last time I was this close to Peter; when he attacked me by the water fountain.
I'm just about to shove him away when he spins round, a hand gripping him firmly by the shoulder.
"I think you better leave her alone," Four growls, I can smell the alcohol on his breath but his face is perfectly sober.
"Just congratulating your girl on her leader board placing that's all," Peter smiles, shrugging Four's hand away, "See you around Stiff." I watch as he pushes his way through the crowd, disappearing amongst the bodies.
"Are you okay?" Four asks, his deface wrinkled with worry. He still has visions of Peter and Al attacking me during our third stage of initiation. He has never forgiven Peter, and neither have I.
"I'm fine," I try to reassure him wrapping my arm round his waist.
"What did he say?" Four pulls back so he can see my face, he always seems to know when somethings not right.
"Nothing important, honestly." I smile up at his glistening eyes trying to let him know that really I'm fine.
"Please Tris..."
"Take me home Four," I whisper in his ear, standing on tiptoes before he is able to finish his sentence. My voice is thick and I cringe at the amount of lust it's filled with. I feel his body tense as my words sink in, he wraps one arm around me.
"Are you sure?" He knows what's in my fear landscape; intimacy, which makes him question my plea. I grab his hand and slowly guide it under my shirt letting it rest just inside the waistband of my jeans. I hear his sharp intake of breath as his fingers trace the waistband.
"Let's go" I whisper, nibbling his jaw gently, making his fingers dig into my skin and I can't control the moan that escapes my lips. Taking me by the hips he guides me carefully through the crowds and I can't control the giggles that spill from my mouth. I catch Christina and Will making out in the table booth and all I can do is smile as Four pushes me through the door.
We practically run through the compound back to the elevator that would take us to Four's apartment. I jab the button hard and as many times as I can before it finally arrives. The air around us seems to thicken the second the doors close and before I can even breathe I feel myself being lifted from the ground. My legs move instinctually around his waist and the cold metal walls send shocks through my skin as I push myself even closer into his body, our lips crashing together.
After what seems like hours the elevator door finally slide open and Four pulls back. I can't contain the disappointed moan that escapes my lips.
"I can't walk and kiss you baby," he smiles, hooking an arm around my thighs to stop me slipping down. My heart throbs at the way he calls me 'baby' and I tense my body around him. I nestle my face into his neck and begin sucking gentle on his collar bone, I can feel the breath catch in his throat. I laugh as he fumbles with the key behind my back, my t-shirt rides up and the cool metal sends goosebumps across my skin. Finally Four manages to get the door open and he pushes through and slams it closed behind us. Our lips finally meet again, my hands roaming down to the tactical belt on his jeans and skilfully undoing it.
"You found that far to easy, young lady" he laughs as he kicks his shoes off before removing mine.
"I'm quite good with my hands," I smirk as i tangle my fingers around the hem of his shirt. He pushes me against the wall beside the bed using his hips to keep me stable, allowing me to pull his shirt off and over his head. Still pinning me against the wall his hands slowly pull my own t-shirt over my head, exposing the bare skin below. Four can't control the groan that escapes as he takes his eyes down my naked torso. I bit my lip as our eyes finally meet again.
"You are beautiful," he whispers, resting his forehead against mine, his hands resting on my bare hips. I can't think of any words to respond so just thrust my hips closer to him, my hands wandering down his back, tracing the lines of the tattoo i know are there. He moves his hands to the button of my jeans and swiftly unbuttons them, I understand hook my legs from around him and place my bare feet on the floor, allowing the material to slip effortlessly down my legs. Underneath I am bare and finally for the first time i realise that there is nothing to be scared of, not with Four. His rough hands roam across my hips and thighs as i push the waistband of his trousers off his hips and stare up at him as they fall to the floor. My hands move round and i place them on his chest as i reach up to place a gentle tender kiss on his sternum. We are still for just a moment as we take in this moment, the first time we have shown everything to each other. The stillness doesn't last long though before Four is cupping my legs and wrapping them back round his body, our skin catching together and feel the warmth growing between my thighs. He walks backwards and before i know what's happening we are on the bed. I am lying beneath him, his body pressing me into the mattress.
"Are you sure Tris?" His voice is husky and deep, making all my muscles clench and tighten. I say nothing, just wrap my hand into his hair and push my lips into his, my tongue asking for entrance.
He pulls away from the kiss too soon, but his lips remain on my skin, tracing the lines of my jaw, then down my neck to my breasts. The sensation is nothing like I've ever experienced, it sends hot pulses through my core and I moan into the night air.
Four pulls his head back, our eyes meeting once again; his face searching for any sign of doubt that i may have - there isn't any. I am ready. I am ready for him. The weight lifts from my hips as he pulls his own hips back, our skin sticking together. I watch his face as he pushes into me, my hands digging into the skin on his shoulder. He pauses for just a split second before pulling back and pushing back in, the feeling fills my body entirely. My mouth drops open, my eyes close as i breath heavily, my body automatically meeting his rhythm, our hips meeting every thrust perfectly. His face darkens slightly as he move his body faster, the hunger in his eyes so clear to see and it makes me want him even more. In this moment i know that i am his forever, i could never let someone else have me the way he is right now.
As the sun shine through the gap in the blackout curtains hanging beside Four's bed my body aches. It barely 6am, but i am wide awake with his arms wrapped tightly around me. My head is full of last night but deep down i know i need to focus. Today is a big day for my Dauntless future, today is the day i chose my career path. As i listen to Four's steady breathing i run through the options that i will face today.
Dauntless Guard - this is where most of the initiates who placed below the top 5 will end up, guarding the compound and eventually guarding the fence that surrounds the city. I do not want to be there, i want more than this.
Factionless Patrol - patrolling the areas where factionless are known to hide and live, moving them on where necessary. I could not do this, my Abnegation traits are too strong to remove people from their homes, wherever they might be.
Dauntless Worker - this involves jobs like cooks, tattoo artists, seamstresses.
Control Room - here i would be able to work with Four surveying the security systems around the city. I'm not sure though that i would be able to spend the rest of my working life sat in a control room.
Dauntless Instructor - Teaching the initiates and ensuring they succeed into full dauntless members; this is one of my options. Since this is not a full time job I am able to chose two.
Faction Ambassador - The job involves meeting with the leaders of both Dauntless and all the other Factions weekly to discuss issues and ideas. This is my other choice. It is risky though, being Divergent as it will allow me to think like other Factions which is not expected from me. Four worries about my inability to think clearly before speaking, which i know is something i do often and it has got me into trouble before. I can't help but feel that this is where i belong, maybe i can use my Divergence to my advantage if i am careful.
Private Security- Dauntless can be 'hired' out to other faction leaders, they will be their personal protections at all times. Not something i am interested in doing.
The alarm clock rings at 7am, stirring Four. I am still laid within his arms despite being awake for sometime now. He nuzzles his face into my neck and kisses me gently.
"Morning Tris" his voice is thick with sleep.
"Morning," I reply, kissing his knuckles that entangle with my own hands.
"Are you ready to chose today?"
"Yes," I sit up slightly, letting his head fall into my lap, "It will be strange not being with you everyday though"
"You'll do great, just be careful please?" He lifts himself up so that he can look me in the eye as he speaks. "I'm worried about them finding out."
"I know, but i've learnt a lot from you, plus it feels right. I feel like i belong there," my smile is as reassuring as i can make it.
"I love you Tris," he says, taking my hand in his.
"I love you too," and I've never meant something more than i mean that.
The Job Ceremony isn't as big as the choosing ceremony, only the initiates, section leaders, instructors and faction leaders are there. It is fairly simple. You walk up to a computer, place your hand down on the scanner and then the options available to you; decided by your initiation ranking, are displayed. Since i ranked First i am the first to go.
As i walk across the platform i glance back and Four smiles at me from the back of the room, he leans against a pillar with his arms folded in his usual way.
I place my right hand on the scanner and the red laser scans my imprint. Then after a few seconds the screen pops up before me listing all the options i am able to chose and how many choices i am able to make.
DAUNTLESS GUARD [MAX 2]
DAUNTLESS WORKER [MAX 1]
FACTION AMBASSADOR [MAX 2]
CONTROL ROOM OPERATOR [MAX 2]
INITIATION INSTRUCTOR [MAX 2]
FACTIONLESS PATROL [MAX 1]
PRIVATE SECURITY [MAX 1]
I move my hand from the scanner and select my options - Instructor and Ambassador. The rooms erupts into applause as i take my newly printed identification badges and walk off the platform.
I stand with my back resting against Four as we watch the rest chose their career paths. Each initiate is shown slightly different options, depending on their strengths and weaknesses within the training. Uriah selects Dauntless Guard, but also choses to work within the Armoury, Will goes straight for Control Room; we all knew he'd prefer to be based in the compound since he did transfer from Eurdite. Christina choses Instructor and Control Room, like Four and I feel a twang of jealously that she will be working so closely with Four. He seems to sense this even though i am sure i did not show any signs, his hands wrap around my waist and i feel him kiss the top of my head. I pay little attention to the rest of the initiates, briefly looking up when the room either cheers or sighs depending on the level of job chosen. That is until Peter steps onto the platform. He ranked 6th overall and i don't expect him to have practically good options available to him. I am unable to conceal the gasp that leaves my mouth as his options appear on screen. I watch as his finger selects 'DAUNTLESS LEADER SECURITY'. That job is rarely offered to anyone ranked below #3, but is rarely offered at all. Being on the security detail of the Dauntless Leaders is a prestigious job, although not taken lightly. Those who work that closely with the leaders often find themselves being promoted to Leader within a few years. My eyes follow Peter as he shakes hands with Eric and i can't help but notice the glimmer of something flickering across their faces as Peter accepts his Identification.
Since all initiates live together in the dorms during training, apartments are assigned according to those of the same gender and job choice. This means that thankfully i am assigned to live with Christina in an apartment located above the training centre but also relatively close to Headquarters where we will report for day to day work. Initiates may move into different apartments if they are proving successful within 6 months of starting work; either by choosing a new place from the list of available homes or they can move in with someone else ie. a partner.
"I can't believe we got so lucky!" Christina squeals as we carry our bags into the front room of our new home. It is worlds away from the dank, dark dorm room we have spent the last 6 weeks in. The front of the building looks out over the trains and beyond you can just make out the marsh, the windows are floor to ceiling and cover an entire wall.
"It is beautiful," i whisper, placing my hand on the window. I tap my finger gently on the glass like i did in my fear simulations just to make sure it is real.
"Now some house rules," Christina turns round, a mocking stern look on her face. "No sex on the shared furniture!"
I burst out laughing, clasping my hand over my mouth as she too bends over in laughter.
"Got it," i manage to respond as i fall back onto the dark grey sofa.