~Jade's POV~
-November 17th-
The only thing that was keeping me aware of my surroundings was the feeling of Fours hand still in mine, pulling me along with him. I was deep in thought, in the very depths of my mind. The mere thought of one of my good friends being secretly in love with my boyfriend, while simultaneously in "love" with my own brother frightens me. But it also enraged me, which then filled me with burning curiosity. I need to know the truth, I need to know if I'm right or if I'm wrong.
So I can act on this. Because if I'm right, that would mean my brother is in love with a girl that doesn't truly love him back. And it would also mean I could potentially lose a friend. "Babe, what's wrong?" I faintly hear, and lose my train of thought. "Huh? Oh nothing, nothing's wrong." I say, and he squints his eyes at me.
"That's a lie. You were obviously thinking about something." He says as we follow far behind Tris and my brother. "I'll tell you later." I say and he nods. We enter the pit and see that there was already a large amount of people in the sun-lit room. I spot my younger brother and Lauren talking with Will, Christina, and Ben. We all approach them.
"Ah, the set of triplets are finally together for once. And with their friends. Who of which they neglect." Christina says aloud, and I could tell she was upset, even though her tone was playful. "We know, and we're sorry guys, it's just this training planning has us swamped cuz of the deadline." I say, tapping my wrist as if I had a watch on. "Yeah, you guys won't believe what's going to happen with next years new initiates." Liam adds, and they all question us instructors. Four explains how we're going to be training the transfers and Dauntless-Born together. They all freak and jaws drop.
"Trust me, that was our reactions when me and Lauren were told." Four says with a laugh, "and our reactions when these two told me and Liam." I say and my younger brother nods. "You guys have been busy, I wouldn't be surprised if you four finished the planning early." Miles says with a slight chuckle, "I wouldn't be mad either, it would give us more time to spend with you guys before the actual work comes." My brother adds, looking mostly at me and Liam. I've noticed we haven't been seeing my older brother as much nowadays, because of training planning. I spent my whole life with him and our parents and, the amount of time we've spent apart in Dauntless is starting to feel off. Suddenly, I can't wait for training planning and the initiate training to be over.
So I can start making memories with my friends and family. "That's actually, not a bad idea. We'll have five-six months of peace and fun before the real work comes in." I look at Lauren, Liam and Four. And they all seemed to be thinking about it. "If you minus the fact we won't see you guys for awhile, it's not a bad idea at all. The faster you get it out the way the faster we can get back to seeing you guys daily." Miles responds, and Tris nods. "If you guys get on with it now, the planning could be done by the time your guys birthday rolls around. And I'd say having it done would be even more of a reason to celebrate on that day." She says, and regardless of my earlier suspicions, I agree with her on that.
"Well then I guess we've got a lot of work to do." Lauren says, "I say we get to right now and have drinks later tonight as a last hurrah before we get down and dirty. All of us." She suggested, and everyone agrees. We all plan to meet in the cafeteria at exactly 7:00 pm, and say our goodbyes. I grab Fours wrist and look at his watch, '10:37 am', only 6-7 hours til we see them again. Me, Lauren, Four and Liam head out the pit and to the training room. He sit at the table and we get right back to business.
We take a step back and figure out how we're gonna first greet them when they get here. I remember back to when me and Miles first got here, and how he jumped off the train and onto Dauntless's roof before I did. When we recovered, Eric was the first person we all met. He tried his best to intimidate us initiates by making us jump off into the dark hole that laid stories below, without letting us know what was down there. I suggest that we take a different approach and give them the choice to jump yet, let them know it'll effect how we see them throughout initiation.
Rather than force them to jump by threatening them with Factionlessness. "So like, we tell them they can either jump or what? Take the stairs?" Lauren asks, and I nod. "The ones that can't jump or don't want to, can follow one of us in a group all the way down to the net room. But we gotta let them know it's gonna effect their future ranks negatively. Same with the ones that do jump, except of course the negative part." I explain, and everyone agrees. We then move on to what we're gonna show them first, and we all agree we keep the tour the same. Pit first, sleeping chambers, let the transfers change, and then straight to the cafeteria for announcements.
After that, we can just connect the rest of the initial training from there. Jumping forward again, we also agree on that the advanced game of capture the flag would be the end of stage one training. So that means we have to get them at least half-decently trained before the competition. And after the competition, and after all the ranking evaluations, second stage training begins. This stage isn't as much work for us instructors, considering all we have to do is administer a series of simulated tests and record the results.
But for the initiates, this may be the hardest stage of all. They will have to face and learn how to control their worst fears. Lauren suggests all four of us be present when it comes to testing each individual, so ranking them will be a breeze afterwards. We agree, and I write that down on the same paper, underneath everything else I've written. "Okayy, anything else?" I ask looking at them.
And I get a look from Four, and I give him a questioning look back. "Yeah uhh, actually," he starts off uneasy, "there is something I need to tell you guys." He says looking at me mostly. I become curious and slightly worried at the sudden change in tone, "what is it?" I ask setting my pencil down. He takes his elbows off the table, "okay so, I'm pretty sure you guys've been wondering why Max has pulled me aside from the planning so much and uh, it's about time I've told you what's been going on." He pauses, "Erudite has introduced something new to Dauntless as a thanks for protecting the city. It's a serum. And Max just needs the approval for the use of it here in Dauntless." He says, and I'm stunned. "What does this mean? What does the serum even do?" I ask him, "it means, it's likely that there's gonna be three stages of training instead of two this year. And it's called the 'Aware' serum, and it supposedly makes anyone put under, aware of the fact that they are in a simulation, the opposite of what the fear simulation serum does." He explains, and my jaw drops.
"So, you're telling us, Erudite made a serum that makes a normal person Divergent?" Lauren asks before I could. He nods, "for a limited amount of time yes." He answers. "What does it do to some who's already divergent?" I ask and he looks at me for a second, "now that, I have absolutely no idea on. It's yet to be tested on anyone. Which brings me to why I'm telling you guys this now, Max wanted me to find someone whose okay with being tested on first." He says, oddly enough looking at only Lauren and Liam. "I could do it." I say, and he quickly looks over at me and shakes his head. "I could though, I'll be fin-" - "No, we're not gonna risk it, I may be a leader here but, I'm not the alpha leader. I can't control everything that happens around here. Which means I can't stop Max if something totally wrong does happen and he finds out about you." Fours says, and I watch Lauren look at me with wide eyes.
"Wait a minute, you're . . . divergent??" She asks nearly bewildered. Me, Four and Liam look at each other as if we thought she knew already. "Yes, we all are Lauren." Four clarifies, and her jaw drops even more. "You all are??! Four, I've known you for years, how come you've never told me?" Lauren questions, inches away from falling out her seat. "I figured you already knew about me, that's why." He responds in shock, and his reaction was genuine.
"Well, I didn't. I did have like, the slightest suspicion back then but, I never thought twice about it until now. And you two?" Lauren says with a blank stare, amazed. "And Miles, your guys brother, he's divergent too isn't he?" Lauren figures, and I nod. I trust Lauren, wholeheartedly. "Wow.." She pauses, "what. . . What were your guys aptitude tests results? I'm curious. Since you're triplets and all." Lauren asks, laying her arms on the table and propping her head up with her hand. I smile a little, "Well, I got Dauntless, Amity, Abnegation, and Candor." Liam says proudly, "Miles got Dauntless, Abnegation, Amity, and Erudite." He adds, remembering clearly when me and Miles had first told him our aptitude results.
Lauren becomes even more surprised, "Four of the faction's? Both of you?" She asks, and my brother gives her nod. Lauren eventually turns to me, "and you?" She asks, with an eyebrow raised. I try to keep the cocky smile from literally popping out of my face but I knew I wasn't succeeding, "I got Dauntless, Abnegation, Erudite, Candor, and Amity." I tell her, and she tenses up in her seat. She stares at me perplexed, "All . . . five of the factions? You're joking right?" She rhetorically questions with a pause, "That has to mean something, you're only supposed to get one faction from that test. Getting four-five of the faction's doesn't just happen." She says, and I think about her words. She is right.
No one in recorded history, has gotten more then one faction. And if they did, they're probably dead right now, considering it's still against the law to be Divergent. But, when it comes to non-recorded history, not a single divergent has ever gotten more than three factions from the test. That would make me and my brother's the first ones. It would also make us the most in danger, if anyone untrustworthy ever found out.
"I mean, I guess you're right. But It also makes us Chicago's most wanted. Divergent's aren't entirely accepted in this world still." Liam says, and Four agrees. "Which means, all of us, especially you three, need to be extra careful. And being a test subject for something new isn't the way to do that." My beloved says, directing his last sentence towards me. I nod at first but, I realize I need to do this. "Wait no," I say, and Four gives me a look but I choose to ignore it, "I need to do it. If this test is going to be given to our initiates, we need to know what happens to a divergent for their sake's. So we know exactly what to do if any of them happen to be divergent as well." I say, raising my eyebrow at my boyfriend. He opens his mouth to say something but closes it immediately after.
". . . I hate to admit it but, you're right. That doesn't mean you have to do it though." He says, and I know exactly where he's going with that. "Nope, don't even think about it, I won't let you do it, just like you won't let me." I say automatically. "I'll do it." Liam says, and I shake my head. "I think not. This serum could potentially be deadly, and I'd rather not risk my very divergent, long-lost little brother. We need someone who's divergent, we can trust, and preferably not apart of my bloodline." I say, and everybody looks at Four. "And preferably not my boyfriend." I add firmly looking at all of them crazy. "You know damn well there's only one other person we know who fits your requirements." Liam says, giving me that 'really?' look. Usually, I wouldn't be up for risking my eldest brother's girlfriend but, her actions and attitude have given me a suspicious lead.
And I need to follow that lead before I can be fully comfortable with calling her my friend again. Tonight, when we all have drinks, I'll talk to Tris about the new serum testing. And try to get her to go through with it. I think for a second, and I realize it'll be hard for me to do so. And I also realize I really should not be the one to ask her, especially if we're aiming to convince.
"When we all have drinks tonight, Four I want you to ask Tris to be the test subject. Just you." I say, and I myself could hear the mischievous and sneaky tone in my voice. He looks at me curiously, "alright, but why? What's going on with you and Tris? It seems like you too are butting heads but acting like you're not." He asks, and I bite my lip. I look at Liam and Lauren, then back at Four. "Okay well, uh, this is not something I'm too sure on but, you guys ever get that, gut feeling about something? About something suspicious, or when someone's acting suspicious?" I ask carefully, and they all nod, obviously becoming more curious by the second. "Yeah, like you are now. Spit it out already." My brother says, and I run a hand through my hair.
I take a deep breath and look at Four, "I uh, I think Tris likes you. How I like you." I blurt, and his eyes widen, as does Liam and Lauren's. He's drawn nearly speechless, "but. . . She's with your brother, Miles remember? Natalie, that's crazy to even think abo-" - "no, it's not actually," I say, and he sits up in his chair a little. "What do you mean?" He asks, and I cross my legs while shifting in my seat. "I mean, every time we're all together, and I set my eyes on her, her eyes happened to be on you. She looks at you the same way I look at you. " I pause, "and did you not see how she reacted when we talked to my brother and her this morning. Me and you are becoming more and more serious and I'm starting to notice someone's not really liking it. Someone who should like it, and be supportive of it." I say, but I realize my words were pretty concrete. "but honestly, I don't want to assume the worst, even though it's starting to get a little obvious. She was my friend way before she was my brother's girlfriend. And it would tear me to pieces nearly as much it would him. I've treated her like a sister for gods sake. I've saved her life, and her ass. Multiple times." I add, and Four's eyes are stuck on me.
"Actually, know that I think about it, I have caught her staring at me a couple times. And how she walked away from Miles this morning was a little uncalled for." He says to me, and we both notice how confused Liam and Lauren were so we quickly explain what happened this morning. I also let them know this is just a hunch of mine and that I'd rather not have them address Miles about it just yet. I want to be absolutely sure, so I don't worry him for nothing. We re-establish what Fours going to ask Tris for the serum testing, and we get back to training planning. We spruce up the first stage training and before we know it, it's 6:00 p.m. on the dot.
And the thought of unwinding sounds like pure heaven to me, especially after hours of purposeful backtracking. Me and Four head back to our apartment to get ready, as does Lauren and my brother. But they were more or less getting the little get together in order. Lauren insisted that the little party should be held at her place, considering she just loaded up on alcohol. So while she and Liam are setting up, me and Four are getting dressed.
I throw on a off-the-shoulders maroon top and slide into a pair of ripped black jeans. That seemed to fit a little too well, I stare at my figure in the bathroom mirror and smile. I spritz a little bit of perfume on myself before I exit, and put on my shoes while sitting at the edge of the bed. I stand and Four comes around the corner, and my breath is taken away. His hair was slick and gelled, and he threw on a maroon top with black pants and his signature leather jacket over.
I make my way over to him, "Well, I guess we're matching then. Cuz we both look way too good to even think about changing." I say with a giggle, he laughs as well and pulls me close by my waist. I loosely wrap my arms around his neck as we look into each others eyes. He kisses me passionately, and I kiss him back the same way. While we're still kissing, I feel his hand travel down my side and to the back of my knee. I soon realize why after he lifts my leg up off the ground and to his side, gripping my thigh.
The kissing deepens and next thing I know I'm being picked up with one arm around my torso. Both his hands eventually end up at my thighs so he can hold me up. I stopped kissing him and he spins me around a little in his arms, letting me slip back down more and more as we went. He stops and sets me down fully, "you love doing that huh?" I ask him, and he nods smiling, just before he looks down at his watch and then shows me; '6:55 pm' we got five minutes. "Shall we?" He questions, gesturing towards the door and offering his arm. I take it and we head out and towards the cafeteria. We get to the double doors with the word 'cafe' spray painted across them and notice Lauren and Liam had just entered before us. We call them, "oh hey guys- Awweeee, look Liam they get cuter and cuter by the hour. Look at you two matching." Lauren says to us with a smile, and we thank her.
"They sure do. Next thing you know ima be a best man and my nieces and nephews are gonna be running around." He says, and me and Four look at one another. I never thought about marrying this man next to me until now, nor have I thought about our potential future kids since visitation day, when my mom had mentioned her oh so wanted grand-babies. "I don't know about you but, I can't wait for that." Four says, and I smile wide at him. "I can't either." I respond with, as we all continue to walk around the cafeteria, looking for the rest of the gang. When non of them can be spotted, we decide to sit down at a table and talk while we wait for Miles, Tris, Christina, Will and Ben.
"Wait so Liam, you said you're gonna be my best man at me and your sisters wedding?" Four asks my brother, and my brother does finger guns at him. "Well uh, in all seriousness I'd like to be, and I'd be honored to, but no matter my position, I'm simply gonna be happy to be there. To just go be able to watch my sister get married would be enough for me. " He says, and I'm touched. "You're too sweet Liam. But wouldn't you want to walk me down the aisle? Since dad won't be able too?" I ask, and it saddens me that my parents won't be present for me and Fours big day. Since the cities faction segregation law won't allow it. Four bent his neck at me and smiled, "who says he won't be able too?" He asks, and I squint my eyes at him.
"I could care less about some stupid law when it comes to us. If you want him and your mother here when that day comes, then that's exactly what's gonna happen. And anyways, by that time, I'll most likely be the alpha leader. Max is getting old." He says, and we all laugh. But he's not wrong though, Max is nearly exceeding the required age level for Dauntless leadership. And the age limit for Dauntless in general. You ever wondered why there aren't any elderly in Dauntless?
That's because once you reach a certain age, your body begins to deteriorate and the agility and strength you once had starts to deteriorate along with it. And unfortunately, at that time, drastic measures are taken. Elderly are forced to leave Dauntless, either through factionlessness or if chosen, death. A law that has been added to my list. My list of fucked up laws.
Just then, a hand lands on my shoulder and I look to see it's my older brother Miles with Tris, Will, Chris and Ben behind him. "Thank god, it's about time you guys got here. We can finally get this show on the road." Lauren says standing, we all stand as well. She heads towards the cafe exit, "Follow me, the booze is this way!" She cheers, and pushes the double doors open. We all laugh as a group and we also leave as group. And I knew, from this night on, things were going to be different, for the better.