All rights belong to Veronica Roth.
"Wake up sunshine!"
I've never understood how my mother does it. No matter the hour of the day, whether it's the crack of dawn or late in the evening, she is always her kind and chipper self. It is particularly baffling on this morning. The morning of my choosing ceremony. Even when I'm sure she knows of the possibility that I will not choose Amity today, she continues to be the happiest person I know. It is a quality of hers that I have always admired, even if it gets me up at an ungodly hour every day.
When I finally get downstairs, my mother has already set the table with whole wheat toast, an assortment of fruits, and water, the traditional Amity breakfast. As we eat, we have our usual morning discussion of how we slept and how progress in the fields is going. It is then that I realize that this is something I would really miss, should I leave Amity. It's so easy and comforting and normal. I'm not sure if I can leave this now.
"Monica." I looked up at my mother as she pulled me out of my daydream. When I saw that she had a kind, but solemn look in her eyes, I knew what she wanted to talk about.
"Yes Mom."
"I love you sweetheart. And I want you to know that I will always love and support you, no matter what you decide."
"Thanks Mom, I love you too." We hugged as tears began to well up in my eyes.
After we finished clearing the table, we left for me to go choose the rest of my life.
When we arrived at The Hub we went to go sit in our section with the rest of the Amity faction. No one looks sad or nervous despite the fact that some of us may not return to our faction. I guess that's just the Amity spirit, as my mother likes to call it.
When Marcus Eaton takes the stage, everyone becomes silent. Abnegation is hosting the Choosing Ceremony this year and Marcus is their leader. He begins his speech about the importance of this day and what it signifies, not only for us, but our society as a whole. I am not really listening to the speech and more just looking at Marcus. Recently, Erudite released a rumor that Marcus beat his son and that's why he changed factions two years ago. Even though it's against Amity beliefs, I can't help but listen to the rumors. I hope that they're not true because Marcus seems like a nice man. I don't refocus on his speech until near the end.
"When you all leave this room, you will no longer be dependents, but full-fledged members of our society. Faction before blood."
"Faction before blood.", we all murmur back to him. This is the ideal that our society relies on. Once you choose your faction, there is no going back. This is the foundation of our community and it is believed that it must be upheld at all costs.
Marcus then starts to call us up one by one to make our choice. He is reading the names in reverse alphabetical order, so it will be a while before I must choose. I'm still unsure of what choice I will make. So I just sit there in thought until it is my turn.
"Monica Evergreen."
I rise from my seat and, after looking at my mother, I go up to the stage. I take the knife that Marcus hands to me and make a cut in my palm. As I allow time for the blood to pool in my hand, I look around the room. I don't know where it comes from, but when I look from the reassuring smile of my mother to the group of Dauntless, I instantly know my decision. I turn back to the bowls and let a drop of my blood fall and sizzle on the hot coals.
"Dauntless." Immediately after Marcus makes the announcement, the Dauntless erupt in applause and cheers. I head down to the Dauntless section to take my place with my new faction. I take one last look at my mother, who still has a smile plastered on her face, although it does not quite reach her eyes.
I am not kind.
I am brave.