Chapter 10!

It's been a long weekend, but here it is!

Thanks to everybody who's read/favourited/followed my story: you're the best!

Disclaimer: I'll own Divergent when Tobias and I miraculously enjoy all things connected to heights! -NO.

Four

I spent my days till the day of the choosing ceremony with Zeke and his friend Shauna, another Dauntless-born. She was really cool and nice, however she didn't seem to believe anything I'd told them about Four Masters. And she was right, because what person would keep his son inside for 16 years while taking his daughter out all the time. I made up a lame excuse about being stuck at home because Damon was raising me to be the next Dauntless leader. Zeke had bought it and Shauna hadn't but despite her disbelief in my alter ego, she treated me like one of her best friends. I had also met Beth, and I usually wasn't so quick trusting and liking people, but Beth... She had stolen my heart before she'd even said a word.

'Don't worry about it when she's not affectionate immediately, Four,' Eliza said as she took me with her to Beth's nursery. I shook my head, not expecting her to be, and also not expecting myself to be. 'She has to get used to you first,' she explained and opened the door. Beth looked up with bright blue eyes., intelligent eyes for sure. She looked at me, and identified me at the same time. All of a sudden she reached out to me. Her dark brown curls bouncing as she pulled herself up. The way she looked at me was so pure, so curious and new. I knew that she gave me the chance to be a new person, to her I would never be Tobias, the mistreated and scared boy from Abnegation. She would grow up with Four, her big brother, raised by Damon and Eliza. I could start anew and be the person I wanted to become in Dauntless. 'Foaw,' she squealed and stuck out her little arms somewhat more, smiling as she did.

Eliza looked at me, 'she's never done that before, Four!' I was surprised, and touched. I then did something I'd never expect myself to do: picking up a baby. I walked over to my new little sister and picked her up, a bit clumsily. Beth seemed to notice, but she didn't act on it. I held her on one arm and wrapped the other around her. 'Hi, Beth,' I said, having no idea what to say to her. She squeaked a bit and smiled big, showing her little gums as she was starting to grow her front teeth. 'I understand if you have to get used to me, because frankly, I have to get used to you too,' I said, smiling. She tilted her head to the side, as if she wanted me to talk more. 'I am really excited to be your brother, I've always wanted a sibling. Having you means a lot to me,' I said and rocked her softly. She wrapped her arms around my neck and squealed again.

'You're a natural,' Eliza whispered as she put her hand on my shoulder. I smiled at her and looked at Beth again. 'She's amazing, E,' I said. She nodded lovingly. 'Both my children are,' she said. It took me a few seconds to realise she meant me as well. An unknown feeling spread itself in my stomach, I felt... Wanted. Not like the ways I had felt wanted before, like with Iris, Jenna and Rick or Bree and Mark, but like a mother wants her son. I put Beth down in her crib again and looked at Eliza. She was still smiling, and I made my decision right there and then. I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her tightly. She didn't say anything as she wrapped her arms around me as well and stroke the back of my head. I couldn't wait to introduce Iris to my new family, I just hoped that she could forgive me, for pretending I don't know her, with all my heart

'Hey, Four.' I looked up from my hands and saw Zeke looking at me with his eyebrows raised. We were sitting in the train, on our way to the choosing ceremony. 'You okay?' He asked as I looked inquisitively. I nodded firmly. 'Yeah, I'm fine.' Ever since Zeke, Shauna and I started hanging out, I had been the new me: Four Masters. They were used to me being quiet, a little bit rude and somewhat dangerous, like my father Damon. But Zeke and Shauna liked it, because it was the Dauntless way to go. I did really like them, which was why I also showed them my kind side, and I loved joking around with them. 'Good, because we're here,' Shauna said, pointing at the town hall which was nearing. I couldn't show my anxiety of jumping now, I was a Dauntless-born! So, I stood up and reached my hand to Shauna who beat it away. 'What am I, fat or helpless?' She said, with a small smile as she jumped up. I blushed slightly, my Abnegation traits were showing, I had to watch out.

I gave her a small nod and ran out off the train, jumping as I reached the edge. For a few seconds, I flew through the air as the sunlight met my eyes and my feet met the grass beneath the train. Zeke exulted as he jumped and he almost landed on top of me. I smirked and stepped aside. We ran over to the town hall and invaded the choosing hall. The Dauntless were exulting as we ran in and took our seats. I looked around as everyone was still talking. I should see Marcus standing up front, but he wasn't there. Instead I saw Jeanine Matthews, Erudite leader. Where was Marcus? Would Tori have hurt him so badly? I noticed a smile creeping on my face, which confused me slightly. Did I really want him hurt, like he's always hurt me?

Yes, I did.

I looked around again, eyes sliding over the Abnegation section, searching for the Valentines. At first I saw the Tides, Jenna who looked nervous. She was winding a strand of brown hair around her finger, and her brown eyes were scanning the crowd. Rick, however, was grinning and he leaned towards his sister, trying to take away some of her nervosity. I grimaced, this might be the last time I would see my friends, and I'd never had the chance to say goodbye. I expected them to stay in Abnegation because of their parents, even though they weren't cut out for it, not even one bit. They were like Iris and me, too cheeky and focused on fun. I hoped that they would choose for themselves instead of choosing for their parents, they had so much more to offer. And besides, I really disliked their parents because they were so uptight and perfect according to the law.

I let my eyes slide further, scanning the crowd and searching for... My heart skipped a beat. Finally, after three days. Blond bun, green eyes, big smile... Iris. She was talking to her parents, smiling as she did, not knowing I was actually there. I smiled slightly, as I finally got to see her again, but then I noticed Zeke eyeing me suspiciously. I crooked a smile at him. 'Look at all those nervous Erudites, this is something they can't learn from any book,' I said. He laughed and nodded, believing my cover. 'They look like they're about to shit their pants.' Shauna laughed at that and kept grinning. 'That's probably because they really are.' I nodded, because I'd seen some sort of look on Jenna's face, as she was probably torn between choosing for her or her parents. We talked some more and were asked for silence by Jeanine. 'Greetings to all beautiful people of our nation,' Jeanine started her speech. I wanted to listen, I did... But I didn't. I couldn't focus on her speech because I was staring at Iris and her parents again.

They were whispering, talking during the last hour or so they would have together. All their faces showed sadness now, and I wished I could have supported Iris as she was about to say goodbye to her parents whom she loved immensely. I could've sat there, whispering along and saying goodbye to Bree and Mark, but instead I was sitting in the Dauntless section, partially listening to Shauna and Zeke talk and bicker with each other. It didn't take long for Jeanine to start calling out names. 'Erica Alley,' she called out. It was a girl from Candor, with white and black clothes. She walked up and chose Candor again. It went on for a while until I heard a few of my dreaded words. 'Tobias Eaton,' Jeanine called.

My body stiffened slightly, and Shauna looked at me from the corner of her eye. Oh God, she couldn't know! I knew that I couldn't and really shouldn't look at Iris now, as she was probably freaking out and I wanted to assure her I was still alive. Jeanine looked around and almost shook her hair out of shape. 'No Tobias Eaton?' She called again. I was pinching my own hand as her eyes scanned the room for... Me. My heart was beating and my palms were getting sweaty quickly. 'Right, no Tobias Eaton. We'll continue with the next person,' she said with a smile. 'Ellis Greene!'

I sighed, hardly noticeable and let go of my hand. But then it struck me, Jeanine let go of the Abnegation leader's son way too quickly, why? I was trying so hard to figure it out, but I couldn't, and then I heard some other dreaded words.

'Four Masters.'

I swallowed the lump that was forming in my throat and stood up, walking up to the front. I was hoping that no one would recognize me, especially not Iris, Jenna and Rick. I tried to face my back to the crowd as much as I could, and I didn't look at Jeanine when she gave me the knife. 'Thank you,' I mumbled, quickly cut my hand and didn't even think about my choice. I held my hand above the bowl with the lit coals and pinched my hand to make the drop of blood fall quicker. 'Dauntless,' Jeanine called out and eyed me suspiciously as I handed her the knife again. I should've been more sure of my new persona, because she'd caught on to my nerves. I walked away quickly, back to the exulting faction. 'Well done, Four!' Zeke called happily and pulled me into a sort of hug where he hit my back. Tears almost welled up into my eyes as he hit a few of my wounds which had not completely healed yet. 'Thanks, Zeke.' I quickly looked the other way, blinking away the possible tears. 'Welcome to the real deal, Four,' Shauna said, smiling at me. I gave her a nod. 'Thank you, S.'

It didn't take long for Zeke to be called up. Or better said... 'Ezekiel Padrad,' Jeanine called out. 'What?' I asked, choking on my breath. Shauna burst out in laughter and Zeke's face looked sullen. 'Yeah, laugh, assholes,' he growled as he walked up to Jeanine. Shauna was laughing and I smirked. He chose Dauntless, unsurprisingly. Shauna and I cheered and he came back to us. 'Good choice, Ezekiel,' I said, nodding. 'Yes, Ezekiel, even though your name sounds Amity to me,' Shauna said, leaning on her fist. Zeke stuck out his tongue and grinned. 'Should you want to call me Ezekiel once more, I will throw you off the train.' 'I'm in a different part of the train,' Shauna and I said in unison, then chuckled. 'Fine,' Zeke moped.

Soon it was Shauna's time to choose, and she came back to us as well, causing Zeke and me to exult. They had become good friends of mine, so I was happy to have at least some friends, as I would probably never speak to my other friends again. Although, it would soon be time for Jenna and Rick to pick, for the final three pairs of dreaded words to be spoken by Jeanine. But first, I heard a word I was supposed to watch out for.

Eric.

The guy I would be befriending during initiation to find out Erudite's activities. He, of course, chose Dauntless, and walked up to us. The guy looked like he was afraid of nothing, already causing me to build up my guard. When he sat down, it was time for Jenna. 'Jenna Tides,' I heard Jeanine say. I looked up and saw Jenna stumble towards the stage. She lingered a bit at the bowls, but then cut her hand and let the drop of blood fall.

'Dauntless.'

My mouth fell slightly open, and when I realised it had I quickly closed it again. Jenna in Dauntless! I grinned, she would do good there. We jumped up and clapped for her. 'And so, the first stiff has arrived,' Shauna grinned. 'She'll do great,' I said, then immediately regretting it. 'Why do you think so?' She asked, raising her eyebrows. Zeke grinned cheekily. 'Because, well, she's kinda hot for a stiff!' I laughed softly. Jenna was probably able to kick his ass after some training, I was looking forward to it. Jenna sat down somewhere on the first row, and I looked at the stage. It was Rick's time. He grinned at Iris and her parents, then said something to his own parents what made their jaws almost drop to the ground. It bothered me that I couldn't ask him what he'd said, because seeing their faces like that cracked me up big time. It must've been something really inappropriate towards the rules of Abnegation, I guessed. Rick didn't linger like Jenna had, and chose Dauntless immediately.

My heart jumped up, my friends had chosen Dauntless! I clapped for Rick and then it was just the wait for the final pair of dreaded words. It didn't take long because the T wasn't far from the V, and soon I heard Jeanine call out my favourite words. I glanced at her, saying goodbye to her parents and then she walked to the stage. She looked a bit devastated, tired, but ready. She lingered, looking at every bowl. She shook her head when she looked at the Abnegation bowl, and smiled when she saw the Erudite bowl. I knew exactly what she was thinking. She was smart, but she would never be smart enough to deal with those bookworms. She needed the freedom that could only be granted in one faction. Mine. She cut her hand and chose.

'Dauntless.'

I jumped up again and clapped loudly as our faction exulted once more. 'Jeez, three stiffs!' Zeke said surprised. 'Do you bet this one rocks too?' Shauna asked as she leaned into me. I smiled. 'On Dauntless cake.' Zeke's eyes widened, 'he's not kidding around, S!' She raised her eyebrows. 'How do you know that, Four?' THINK! 'They were in a few of my classes, not our usual stiffs.' They nodded and we all stood up, as Jeanine indicated that the ceremony had ended. I saw Iris, Jenna and Rick hugging and calling how they were free. They took one last look at their parents, waved, and started running as our group had already started leaving the building. 'Let's go!' Zeke called and sprinted away so Shauna and I had to run hard. They were used to it, I pretended to be used to it, but I wasn't.

Soon enough, my lungs were burning and I felt pain in my sides, but I didn't care one bit. Zeke and Shauna ran harder, and I notices Eric running in front of me. I sped up and ran next to him. 'Are you ready for this, transfer?' I asked in my low voice, the voice Damon actually taught me. I liked the intimidating sound of his voice, so I'd been practicing mine. Eric looked up, his eyes cold. 'More than ready,' he said, and sped up. I sped up again, wishing I'd done more running during the training sessions with Amar. Funnily enough, Iris, Jenna and Rick were running up front, and it seemed like they were doing just fine. I loved seeing my girl, but I knew I couldn't talk to her yet, what made it hard. 'I'm Four,' I said to Eric. 'We have to climb this tower.' I pointed at the three towers in front of us, and his face winced a bit but became determined quickly. 'Right,' he said, and started climbing.

I inhaled deep and climbed after him. My hands were shaking as I tried not to look down. I felt nauseous, and inhaled deeply through my nose, and out through my mouth. 'You okay, Four?' Eric called down, smirking. His smirk wasn't playful, it was downright psycho, and I realised that becoming his friend meant becoming rude and psycho-mean myself. I wasn't exactly looking forward to that... 'I'm fine,' I called back at him. I pulled myself up at the end and he looked at me. 'Quite fearful for a Dauntless-born, aren't you?' He asked, inspecting my face. My eyes grew cold, and I smiled meaninglessly. 'Everybody has fears they'll never get rid off,' I said. 'Now jump.' I pointed at the nearing train and he nodded. We ran quickly and I swung myself inside the train. It wasn't the first time I'd done that, I'd been practicing with Zeke because of my "16 years inside", I'd never ridden the train before. Zeke was happy to help.

Eric followed my example and swung himself inside as well. It didn't go as smoothly, but at least he got in. I was crossing my fingers for Iris, Jenna and Rick to make it as well. 'I'm Eric, by the way,' Eric said, nodding at me. I gave him a nod back and then looked at the other Dauntless-borns in the wagon. 'Come on, transfers!' They called at the people outside of the train. 'Get going, stiffs,' Eric said, smirking as he looked at a certain person. My heartbeat stopped. My friends were running outside our wagon. I wanted to swing them in myself but I couldn't do that. Then I saw a hand. It was Rick who swung himself in, quite smoothly. Jenna followed him, somewhat less smoothly but she made it. They stepped aside, knowing Iris would stumble upon them if they didn't, but I was too late.

She swung herself in, stumbled over her own feet and... Crashed into me. We fell on the ground, she fell on top of me. Her eyes sparkled... And widened when she realised that it was me. The only thing I wanted was to kiss her, but I couldn't. Eric was looking! Being afraid, I pushed her off of my quickly. 'What are you staring at?' I snapped at her. She looked confused.

Please understand, Iris...