Sorry that the first chapter was a little short, but I generally tend to write a lot of short chapters compared to a few long ones. It will become more interesting within the next couple of chapters. I promise. But, I thought that it was necessary to go through choosing before any talk of initiation. -Lil
Chapter 2
I was surrounded by mirrors once again. I looked down at my black tank top, fitted leather pants and combat boots. But when I looked up to the mirrors, I stood with loose fitting, grey cotton covering every inch from my neck to my toes and my hair pulled into a tight knot on the top of my head.
"Choose!"
I sit up in my bed, gasping for air. It was just a dream. My hands run their way down my face, before smoothing down my hair. The clock on my bedside table reads 1:42.
There is no use in trying to go back to sleep. The last thing I want is to see myself in the testing room again. I swing my legs over the side of my bed, attempting to regain feeling in them. Slipping on a pair of old sneakers, I sneak another glance at myself in my mirror. My hair is still relatively confined to a simple braid, and I have on a pair of sweatpants and an old t-shirt. I shift my door open slightly. Both of my parents must have already gone to bed.
I walk out to the living room as quietly as possible. The floor creaks with every movement under the familiar black carpet. I open the door, knowing that neither of my parents will wake up before I get back. With that last thought I leave, sinking further into the dauntless compound.
I follow the halls to the pit, where I've spent part of every day of my life. Looking up, all I see are the narrow stone paths connecting the caverns, holding numerous shops, under the massive glass ceiling. Its times like these when I know that dauntless is where I belong.
My steps echoes off of every wall, signaling that not even the drunken members that fill the bars, are still out. I am all alone.
After an hour or two, I manage to wander back to my apartment, flop off my old sneakers, and climb back into bed.
"Calah", I hear my father's calm voice above me. I sit up and rub the sleep from my eyes.
"Today is the choosing ceremony", he says striding back towards my door. I have never understood how he gets up so easily in the morning. In that instance, I am more like my mother.
My father turns back to face me, once he reaches my door. "I am proud of you." He smiles softly at me.
Once he has left, I get up and search through the stack of clean clothes on my desk. I settle for a pair of dark skinny jeans and a halter-neck, leather tank top that falls just above my belly button. We would not be starting training today, so there was no reason to wear comfy clothes. I walk back to my desk and put on a simple chain bracelet, coal black eyeliner, and mascara. Finally, I pull on my best combat boots and walk out to the kitchen. My father cringes as he sees me.
"You're wearing that?" I do my best to glare at him, but I sort of know he'd be upset.
My mother gives him the 'not now' look, and I can't help but snicker. She sets a plate of scrambled eggs in front of me and squeezes my shoulder. Most of the people in dauntless don't cook, let alone eat 'stiff food' like eggs. To me, the simplicity that we have in our lives, even if it's just a meal once in a while, is comforting.
"Thank you" instead of responding, my mother just pulls me into her arms. We stay like this a second before she says anything.
"Are you okay?" Her abnegation is showing again.
"Perfect", I say between forkfuls of breakfast.
My father smiles at me. "There are some things we need to talk about."
I look up from my food. Do they know that I'm divergent? They couldn't.
"It's okay", my mother laughs. "During training, it's probably best if you call us 'four' and 'six'. If you end up at the top of the initiates, people might think that we chose you because you are family." I nod along as she talks. I am just thankful that they don't know my secret, yet. "And you have to stay in the dorms; it's a rule. Other than that, training is going to be tough, but you'll get to make new friends, learn a few things, and maybe even fall in love." She stops to look at my father. After being together for seventeen years, they are still in love.
I hug my parents before walking to the door. "Wait, Calah. When you get off the train, be brave" my father calls after me. I walk down to one of the lower floors to meet my best friend. I knock on the door that is already partially open, and I see Huxley standing in the kitchen having a lively, candor-like debate with her mom, my aunt Christina, and her dad, my uncle will. They all smile when they see me.
Huxley doesn't look all that much like either of her parents. She has black hair met with celery green eyes, a medium complexion, slender nose, and full lips. I have always envied the way she looks and the way others look at her.
"Come in, Cal", Huxley smiles. Apparently the choosing ceremony isn't bothering some people.
"Love you guys. See you after the ceremony!" She beams as we make our way down to the hub.