Tris
The screen behind Eric lights up. On the screen, my picture and name are placed next to the number one.
I let out a breath that I didn't even realize I was holding. I feel lighter as I realize that I'm staying here forever. With my friends, with Tobias, with the crazy members that jump off trains and climb buildings.
All around me, I can hear Dauntless members laughing, shouting, and cheering. I can't help but love it.
Will leans over the table and wraps me in a hug. Christina raises a hand and points to the screen. Her eyes fill with tears.
I glance at the screen again, reading the rest of the list.
1. Tris
2. Uriah
3. Lynn
4. Marlene
5. Peter
I sigh when I notice that Peter is staying. A few moments later I decide that I no longer care what he thinks or says. I beat him. Me, the girl from Abnegation. That's what matters.
6. Will
7. Christina
Christina reaches across the table, in the same manner that Will did, and embraces me in a hug. She laughs in my ear, and it is impossible to contain the smile on my face.
Someone gives me a bear hug from behind. I turn around to see Uriah. I squeeze his shoulder and say, "Congratulations!"
"You beat them!" is his response. He lets go and runs back to the Dauntless-born initiates, laughing.
The next three ranks are Dauntless-born initiates that I barely recognize the names of.
8. Elijah
9. Rita
10. Benjamin
The last two numbers are Molly and Drew. The girl who fed lies to the Erudite. The boy who helped hang me over the chasm.
11. Molly
12. Drew
Since Molly and Drew are ranked eleven and twelve, they are cut.
Will and Christina kiss, a little too sloppily for my taste. The room is now filled with pounding of Dauntless fists. Someone taps me on the shoulder. I turn around to see Tobias. I get up, beaming. "You think giving you a hug would give away too much?" Tobias asks.
"You know," I start, "I really don't care." I stand on my tiptoes and press my lips to his. It is the best moment of my life. The last few weeks fade away. All that matters is that I'm here now, tomorrow, and forever.
He slides his hand over my cheek, slowing down the kiss. I pull away and savor the moment. We look at each other like we did after my first fear simulation. For a second, I am convinced that we are the only people in the room.
Suddenly, I remember where I am. I turn around to see Christina, Will, Zeke, Uriah, Shauna, Lynn, and Marlene are all staring at us, open-mouthed. Heat immediately rushes to my cheeks. "What was that?" asks Christina, clearly awed.
"Yeah, Four, what's going on?" Zeke asks. After that, they all ask us an endless amount of questions.
Randomly, Christina grabs my arm and Will follows. She drags me back to the dormitory and closes the door. "What's going on between you and Four, Tris?"
"Well, we're dating," I simply state.
"That's not what I mean. When did you get together? Why did you keep it a-" I cut her off.
"Okay, okay," I say, acting like it isn't really a big deal at all. "A few nights ago, when I went with Four after we were hanging out in the chasm, he took me into his fear landscape. Then, he took me to a spot in the chasm. He told me that he liked me, and then, he kissed me. We kept it a secret because we didn't want anyone to think that my rank was because of his favoritism." I don't really know what reaction to expect from her. Will she be mad because I didn't tell her, even when she told me about Will? Will she be happy for me?
"Tris," she says, "I'm so happy for you!" I laugh as she hugs me.
"Congratulations, Tris," adds Will.
"Anyways, did you guys think about what you want to do for your jobs yet?" Christina asks when she pulls away.
"I wanted to be a Dauntless leader, but my rank probably isn't high enough. So, I was thinking that I could be a faction ambassador," explains Will.
"I'm not really sure what I want to do yet," I tell them. I truly do want to be a Dauntless leader, but I can't take the risk of them finding out about what I am. "How about you?"
"I'm going to work in the tattoo parlor and train initiates," Christina tells us.
For a little while, we just talk about the last weeks of our lives. We talk about the day we got here, our favorite parts of initiation and everything in between. Suddenly, there is a knock on the door. I open it to see Uriah. "Oh, hi, Uriah," I say.
"Hello," he says. "So, tonight Zeke and I are having our annual party to celebrate the new members of Dauntless. Afterward, a few of our friends will stay to play a game of Truth or Dare. Well, you guys are Dauntless now, so we were wondering if you wanted to come. It's at our apartment and it starts at 7:00 pm."
Before I can answer, Christina says, "We'll definitely be there. Thanks, Uriah."
"Of course. Tris, Four wants you to meet him at his apartment at 6:45." I nod, trying to hide my smile. "I'll see you there," he says, before leaving the room.
"So, what exactly is Truth or Dare?" I ask. They both look at me like I'm insane. "I'm from Abnegation, remember? We never played any games."
"Basically, somebody asked someone else, 'Truth or dare?' If you choose truth, you have to answer a question honestly. If you choose dare, you have to do anything that the person tells you to do," explains Christina.
"If you refuse to answer the question or do the dare, you have to remove and article of clothing. Shoes and socks don't count, by the way," continues Will.
"Okay, thanks," I say.
"Do you know what we should do?" asks Christina, smiling brightly. I raise my eyebrows. "Get tattoos. I mean, we've already got them before, but now we're completely members of Dauntless, so we should do it again." Will and I both agree with the idea.
We walk together to the parlor. Tori is inside, and there are no customers at the moment, thankfully. "I've heard a rumor that you ranked first," Tori says. I smile at the comment "Congratulations."
I decide to get a tattoo of a crow, symbolizing my fear, and the words "Be brave." That was what Tobias said to me before my first fear simulation. Back then, I had no idea I would make it into Dauntless, let alone rank first. I get the tattoo on my rib cage. Christina gets the Dauntless symbol on her back, and Will does the same.
Afterward, Christina and I go shopping. We use our points to buy new outfits for tonight. I get a new black dress with an open back, black jeans, a new black jacket, and a tank top. I also get black high heels.
Next, we head back to the dormitory and get ready for the party. Christina curls my hair. She puts some blush and lip gloss on me, too. She also adds some mascara.
We spend the rest of the time before the party talking about Tobias and Will. And for the first time in my entire life, I know exactly where I belong.