Chapter 44: 44

~August 1st, Choosing Ceremony~

~Jade's POV~

I stare up at the loud mouthed man on the all too familiar pristine white stage. Marcus Eaton, the leader of Abnegation, the speaker of the Hub, and not to mention, Tobias's father. Every year he'll give one of these long, dragged on speeches explaining the faction system. And after that, Jeanine Matthews followed, thus explaining the importance of it. Faction, before blood.

They idolize the very thing that divided a part of my family for seventeen years. I don't, and won't ever blame Johanna for that, solely because I blame the world we live in. "Thank you Jeanine, for that insightful piece. And now, I shall begin calling the names of this years class." Marcus shouts, holding a semi-thick stack of note cards. He calls the first name, but it's not one of the ones us Dauntless Administrators tested. Each faction has four admin's, to test the ones most likely to choose their own faction.

I sit up in the familiar front seat of the fourth section, the Dauntless section, of the Hub. The same seat I sat in about a year ago. I look beside me, at my brother Miles. I flash back to when I looked over at him, and grabbed his hand, after we slit our palms and chose faction, over family. After we chose Dauntless, together.

The first few choosers go but none put their bleeding hand over the bowl of burning coals. One from Amity chose Amity. Another from Candor chose Erudite. One more from Erudite to Amity. And then, finally, we hear a name we know.

"Bellamy Blake." Marcus calls, and me and Miles nearly break our necks trying too look for Bell in the Amity crowd. He stands, and so does his mother. They hug, and she lets him pass into the aisle. He walks down, and onto the white stage. Marcus hands him the nearly handle-less, silver knife.

He cuts his palm, and without hesitation, he lets his blood drip, and burn on the coals of Dauntless. Me and Miles stand, while the crowd of Dauntless members jump up and cheer behind us. We didn't know how to feel about this so, all we could do was stare at one another, but, we eventually come to our senses when Bellamy starts walking over to us, with a smile on his face. We smile, and we greet him with hugs, and Miles gives him his seat. I sit back down next to him, and I watch him look back to see his Mother.

She was crying but, she had a little smile. Just like our parents did, when we left them. I shouldn't be moping about it though, since we can see them anytime we'd like now, as long as we see Johanna about it first. I sit up, and watch as kids two years younger than me choose their lives. I recognize some names as they're called and I put names to faces when they walk over to the Dauntless section.

One face stands out though, a particular red-head, dressed in bright red, green and yellow. It's that girl. The girl I waved at. When I came back to Amity that one time. I stand to greet her, "Do you remember me?" I ask, and she tilts her head at me, "I waved at you, when you were on your front porch." I tell her and she gasps.

"You're Natalie?! Oh my god, Hi!" She says, hugging me. I laugh and hug her back, "How did you know my name?" I ask curiously. "You're family is the talk of the town back on Amity, a good talk of course. Johanna let the people know of her wrong doing with your family, and she also told us how she's trying to right her wrong. She said she couldn't bare to continue seeming as a symbol of peace after what she's done." This girl explains, and I'm more than shocked. I ask of her name, "Oh I'm sorry," She says, "Grace Harrison."

***

Me and Miles stand up once the last names are called, and Marcus starts his exiting piece. We walk over to the wall near the exit and Miles leans up against it, " . . . And so I thank you all, for coming together this afternoon, to witness the future of the city of Chicago choose their rightful paths. Their choices will impact this city for the better, no matter which of the five factions they chose. And even though, tears were shed today, we are obligated to remember one thing, and one thing only." He says, looking to the crowd. "Faction, before blood." The entirety of the Hub answers, and Marcus dismisses us Dauntless goers with a wave of his hand. Me and Miles smile at each other, as the new transfers look to us for guidance. We fall back into the hallway, waving for them to follow us, some do but, others are then pushed by Dauntless-Born initiates.

We turn around and run down the stairs and out the back exit, and I keep flashing back to when I came this way the first time, as an initiate. The sun shines on my face as me and Miles take the lead, and are the first ones to find a train track beam to climb up. We both climb up it with ease, and watch from the ledge as the new initiates struggle. Once all twenty of them had made it up, I take my brothers wrist and look at his watch. 2:04 p.m. Any minute now.

I wait for what felt like an eternity for the vibration of the train to emit from the ledge. I wait for it to start rushing around the corner and I whistle, "Let's go!" I shout and I start running in the direction the trains going, peeking behind me at Miles and the following initiates. This train ride is tradition for new Dauntless members, yet it's formed as a test of bravery. The train rushes passed me and I grab an outside handle, and step up onto the fast moving train. Miles does the same, and so does all the Dauntless-Born.

The transfers once again struggle but, I see potential in a lot of them as they throw themselves into the many train cars. I pull down my leather skirt, seeming it got lifted when I stepped up into the train. I decided to dress the part, as a Dauntless instructor. Black leather skirt, spiked and ripped leather jacket with a black tube top. And uh, just as I thought I was giving off the right impression, I feel a hand smack my bottom.

And since I know exactly where Tobias is, which isn't on this train, I let my hand fly back and I pop whoever touched me in the lip. "Ouch! You're a feisty one." I look behind me at a Dauntless-Born initiate. "Don't fucking touch me." I say, crossing my arms and turning around. This relentless initiate steps back in front of me, "And you got a mouth on you, I like it." He says, "The names Travis, Travis Lamont. What's yours?" He asks and I roll my eyes, even though I kind of like the attention. I realize he's definitely one of the initiates we'll be training this year, "Listen hear Travis, for future reference, I suggest you ask a girl her name before you decide to touch her." I say, walking away, "Wait, you didn't tell me your name!" - "You'll find out soon enough, Jackass." I shout not looking back. I lean out the nearest train car and I spot Dauntless roof tops.

Here we go, "Get ready!" I shout, and I watch all the transfers stand. They look to me, and I smile just before launching myself out the first train car. I land on my feet, and I notice that Miles had jumped too, from the second train car. We turn around and watch, one by one, transfer's and Dauntless-Born jump out of a seven story-high train track, onto the roof of the headquarters. I turn back around, and spot a lovely sight, my little brother and my boyfriend, laughing together.

Tobias was standing on the ledge, and it reminded me of when Eric stood there at one point, as our leader. Liam stands on the roof, laughing and looking up at him. We approach our brother, and I give him a hug. "Is Lauren in position?" I ask him, and he nods. "Yep, she's waiting next to the net, all we have to do now is get them to jump." He whispers in my ear.

"Alright!" My beloved shouts, just as our initiates recover from the train jump. "Gather around, and listen up!" He adds, and the initiates do as they're told. "Most of you should already know who I am," He starts, referring to the Dauntless-Born as they cheer and 'whoop' for him, "But, for the ones that don't," He pauses, "My names Four. And I'm one of your leaders here in Dauntless." He explains, and I watch the crowd in front of us whisper and giggle to one another. Probably about his nickname. "And go ahead, laugh it up. All I have to say is, you won't be laughing here in a minute." He says, and the laughter ceases. He jumps down off the ledge, "Now, if you'd please, direct your attention to this lovely lady over here," He says gesturing to me.

"This, is Jade, she'll be the instructor for you transfers." He introduces me, and I walk over to him with a smile, giving them a little wave. A male whistle is heard from the crowd, and I know exactly who it is. That whistle starts to spread from male to male. "Lemme get a piece of that!" Is also heard from the crowd, and I feel Tobias tense up next to me. "Let's make one thing clear," He says, and he pulls me close to him with one arm.

He grabs my jaw with the other, and kisses me. I kiss him back, and I start to hear bickering from the gentlemen in the back. Even a couple of ladies as well. He pulls away, yet keeps his hand around me, "Nobodies getting a piece of anything." Tobias says, and releases me. I walk back over to the ledge, "Now that that's out of the way, let me introduce my brother's." I say loud and clear, and I walk up next to Miles first, "This is Miles, he'll be right beside me, helping me get you transfers into line." I explain, and I see some ladies whispering.

I circle back around over to Liam, "This is Liam, he's one of the two instructor's for the Dauntless-Born." I explain, and I hear even more girly gossiping. "You'll all meet Lauren in due time." I say, and I spot some confused faces. One of them speaks up, "How are you three siblings? You all look the same age." An Abnegation boy asks. "Well now that's because we are the same age." Liam says, "We're a set triplets." Miles chimes in, and for some reason, we hear gasps and louder whispers from the crowd. I hear them clearly.

"What? I thought that was just a myth."            "They came out their mother all at once? Ow."

"I've heard of twins but, triplets? No way."

"I wonder which one is the eldest."    "I hope the taller one is single."   "They're both tall Grace."

Is what I could decipher, before Tobias whistled to get them to shut up. When they did, he cleared his throat, "Yes my girlfriend and her brother's are very fascinating, let's get back to why you initiates are here though." He says, and he gestures behind him, at the ledge. "Over that ledge lays a dark hole, seven stories below. And if you must know, it's your ticket in." He says, and the crowd begins complaining. "You don't have to jump though." I say, and I walk over to the same door me and my brothers barged through, when me and Miles first told Liam the truth about us being family. I open it, and let it push against my back, holding it open.

"When I was in your shoes; When I first jumped off that train as an initiate, I landed onto this very roof with the intentions of become Dauntless. And now, I am. No thanks to the man that was once leader before Four. His name was Eric, and he tormented us transfers from the very beginning. In fact, he threatened us with Factionless-ness if we didn't have the guts to jump. That was last year. And as you can see in the new change of leadership," I gesture over to Four. "Eric was a dickhead. So," I pause with a sigh, "We're changing it up this year, and we're giving you a choice. Be brave and jump, or be a coward, and follow me down the stairs." I explain, making eye contact with the initiates. "And just so we're clear, if you take the stairs, it will affect your future rankings, negatively." Four clarifies, and we watch as each and every initiate weighs out the choices in their minds. I expect for at least one to come towards me but, no one does. "Good." I say, and I let the door close as I walk back over to Four. "So who's going first?" My beloved asks them, and people start avoiding eye contact.

Some act like they're talking to one another, some pick at their cuticles, and others hesitate. All of them did things like this, except for one. Grace looked directly at me, nearly challenging me with her eyes. She pushes through the crowd and I smile, and I notice someone else smiling as well. My older brother stared at her with this doofy-lookin smile, and I could recognize that smile from a mile away.

It's the same smile he had when he first confessed his love for Beatrice to me. Grace smiles at me, and my older brother stands on the ledge to help her up. They gaze into each other's eyes for an abnormal amount of time so, I clear my throat. Miles comes to his senses and jumps down, watching Grace as she got ready to jump. She takes a minute to breathe, and before we know it, she throws herself over the ledge.

***

After the last jumper, Four and my brother's jump down through the hole, leaving me alone on the roof. I wait a little for Liam to get off the net, and fall down the hole the same way I fell the first time; with my back to it. Wind thrashes against my body and hair once again, until my back hits the expected net and I bounce back up into the air. That part always makes me laugh for some reason. The net get's tugged to the side and I roll, until I'm face with the same man I met, in this same exact spot nearly a year ago.

And instead of saying anything like the first time, we kiss instead. Eventually though, he helps me up and off the net. Once my feet are on the ground again, we walk over to the big loud group of initiates. "Quiet down!" I yell, and the talking ceases, leading the attention to me. I look over to Tobias once, and he nods. "Alright, there's something that all of you need to know. But," I pause, "Before it is said, I want each and every one of you to look at the person to your right." I begin, and they all listen.

"Now, to the person on your left." I add, and they listen once more. They look back at me confused, "You Dauntless-Born see different people, from different factions. And you transfers also see different people, from a singular, different faction. Correct?" I ask, and they all nod. "Well, right now, I want you to forget of all that. I want you to look at the people around you, and I want you set aside the color of their clothes. Because starting now, it no longer matters who came from which faction. It no longer matters who thinks who is better. Whether you've been here, or you just got here, you're all here for a reason, right?" I ask, beginning to pace in front of them. They all nod vigorously, as I point at a certain initiate, and gesture for them to come here. Other initiates make way for Mr. Lamont, "Travis, what's your reason? Why are you here? Or, I should say, why are you still here?" I ask, looking down at his Dauntless attire.

"Well uh, if we're being honest, I'm startin' to think you're the reason." He answers, and I'm flabbergasted. Even after Tobias made it clear that we're together, he still persists on flirting with me. If you can even call that flirting. "Would you like to hear why you're my reason?" He asks in a whisper, near my ear. I back up, "You must have a death wish." I say, and Four comes walking up behind me, the initiates even made a path for him.

He gets into Travis's face, "Answer her question correctly," He says, and I watch Travis fight the urge to cower. He looks over at me while my boyfriend towers over him, "I-It's because I'm Dauntless, and I'm gonna stay Dauntless, no matter what it takes. T-That's it, nothing else." He answers nervously, and I smile. "Why thank you for sharing Travis. Moving on," I say, coming out of the crowd of initiates, Tobias follows. Grace was at the front so, I look to her, "What about you Grace? Why are you here?" I ask curiously, and she smiled wide. "I'm here because I've wanted to be Dauntless my entire life." She answers simply, and I thank her.

"Whether it's the title that you want, or if it's the thrill that you desire or even if it's just cuz of the food that's here, I suggest you take your reason and make sure its the thing that'll motivate you to work hard. Because, as you should know, hard work pays off." I pause, "Last year, us transfers and the Dauntless-Born were trained separately. And me and my siblings passed with flying colors because of the work we put in. And yeah, you may talk a good game when it comes to hard work but, words will only get you so far here in Dauntless." I say, I can tell a lot are taking my words to heart, yet others, brush off my words of wisdom. "Big deal." I hear from the back, and of course, it was a Dauntless-Born. "So, without further ado, I'll let you in on what the big deal actually is." I say, "This year, both Transfers and Dauntless-Born will be trained together," I announce, and the initiates are outraged. Even the transfers are upset. Four tries to get them to settle down but, he fails. I try as well but, I fail too.

I become frustrated, and I clench my fist, focusing on each and every open mouth in the room. "Shut up!" I yell, and It falls silent instantly, and I realize I did that. I closed their mouths, undetected. And I assume undetected since everyone started either looking around, or touching their mouths in confusion. "Thank you," I say casually, playing it off. My brother's look at me crazy, and so does Four. "And now that you know, I highly, and very strongly suggest you get along with one another. Cuz whether you like it or not, you will eventually work together. You're gonna see these same faces, nearly every day for two months." I enforce, "So now, if we're done complaining like a bunch of little babies, I think a tour is in order for the transfers. Dauntless-Born you're dismissed until tomorrow morning. I want you all in the pit, eight o'clock sharp." I say, and the Dauntless-Born head off in different directions. I notice a particular set of twins leaving, and I stop them.

"Elijah and Nehemiah, tag along for the tour, we'd like to speak to you two when we're done." I say and the twins look at each other and shrug, before joining the group of transfers. I have them come with, since we still need to talk to our group of Divergent's, and those two happen to be the only ones from Dauntless. We show them the pit first, explaining it's the center of life here at Dauntless, and it really was. Especially today. There were people crowded in the pit, some were roughhousing and other were just calmly chatting.

I even saw some kids running around again. Next, we show the transfers their sleeping chambers, the same wide, bed-ridden, open toiletry den. "What a shit-hole this is, I feel bad." I hear one of the twins say and the other one agrees. I glare at them, and they avoid eye contact. I know I should be the last person defending this "shit-hole", since I spent most of my time in Tobias's apartment but, I became Dauntless in this place. A lot of memories we're made here.

On each bed, laid a pair of orange-lined initiate attire. "Get dressed, and you can either keep your old clothes or, you can toss them in the incinerator across the hall. We'll be waiting outside to take you to the cafeteria." Liam says, and I gesture for the twins to follow us out. The door's close and the twins come up to me, "What is it that you wanted to talk us about?" One of them ask, since they had the chance too. "Hold on," I say, putting my index finger up. I look through the doors of the sleeping chambers, and uh, even though I saw a little too much, I also saw exactly what I was waiting for.

Bellamy, Grace and Stephanie all hurry out the sleeping chambers in their new get-ups. While Four was showing and discussing the pit, I whispered into three ears. And told them to get dressed as fast as possible when they got into the sleeping chambers, so we could speak with them. We all go off to the side, and face each other. Five initiates in front of five instructors. "Unfortunately, we don't have a lot of time to explain this but, you five are in front of us for a reason." I start, and they all look at one another confused. "All of you have something in common. Actually, if you minus Lauren, we all have something in common." Tobias continues for me, and they start to look at us confused. I clear my throat and cross my arms, "You're all Divergent. And so are we."