Transition - a fanfiction (Divergent)

Chapter 2 - Strength

Running – I’m always running away from my fears. That’s my weakness. I always face them in the end, but I’m not sure about this one. I don’t want to face the test. Ever.

I sit down against my door and just burst into tears. Where am I going to go? I hate Candor, but my family is here. What are the other factions like? Are they nicer? More considerate?

Then I realise something. If I leave Candor, I’ll be more independent, I’ll finally have freedom. The part I’m struggling with is deciding what faction to go to; only the test can tell me that.

I have to face the test.

I stand up straight and wipe my tears away. I’m going back to my school. Back to Mel. Back to society.

-

“Please turn to page nine,” says Mr Cardin. Faction history bores me to death. I think about just walking out now, but I know that won’t end well with this teacher – Mr Cardin gives detention just for answering back.

Mel looks at me and rolls her eyes while sighing, as if to say exactly what I’m thinking. Boring.

“Candor believed that dishonesty and deception was the cause of evil and war. You may have your own opinions, and if you do, the test tomorrow will probably give you a different faction to Candor.”

That makes me gulp. I don’t believe in that at all. Lies are a common part of my daily life. I have this theory that there really is something more outside of the fence. I don’t know, I just have this feeling inside of me that we can’t be all that’s–

“Octavia, what did Candor think would lead to a better society?” Mr Cardin asks me. Whenever a teacher picks on me by surprise, I always feel like someone has just kicked me in the stomach.

“Um, isn’t it honesty and… like, openness?”

“Very good, Miss Pemberton.”

That was a good guess because I hadn’t even been listening most of the time.

Suddenly, the bell rings, making me jump out of my seat. Everyone runs out of the classroom, completely careless of whether they budge into someone. That’s Candor for you.

I walk up to Mel and we walk out of the classroom together.

“Why did you run this morning?” Mel asks without warning. “Don’t lie to me, give me a Candor answer.”

Mel and I know each other extremely well, and I think behind all that inconsideration, she knows that I’m not like everyone else in Candor. I’m gleeful that I have someone like Mel as my best friend, someone who really knows how I’m feeling on the inside.

“I didn’t want to face school today. To be honest, I’m terrified for the test tomorrow,” I sigh.

Mel puts her arm around me. “Me too, Ava, me too. You know what helps? Just be optimistic about it all. Think about the good things that could come out of it, okay?”

“Okay. Thanks, Mel.” I hug her tightly, but let go as soon as I realise how tight it actually was. “I think I need to have a walk alone. Do you mind?”

“Not at all. I’ll see you tomorrow,” she replies.

“Bye, Mel.”

“Wait!” I hear Mel run up behind me again. “I have to tell you something quickly.”

“What is it?”

“I want to go to Erudite,” she whispers into my ear.

-

As I’m walking home, I change direction. I want to go near the trains tracks and look at the view of the Amity fields.

I take my bottle of water out of my bag and take a sip. Still cold, just how I like it.

It’s fresh and windy outside – that’s my favourite kind of weather. Dry, but not warm. My extensive, auburn hair whips in the wind, sometimes in my face, but I don’t mind. I take a minute to appreciate the nature of this world, how lucky we really are to–

“Hey!” I hear a voice shout in the distance. It sounds deep, masculine.

“Over here!” It’s somewhere to my left. I look to my side, and sure enough, I see a boy standing there in grey Abnegation clothing.

“Hello?” I say, more like a question. “Who are you?”

“My name’s Tobias Eaton,” he replies in a quieter voice. I walk closer towards him, and this time I can see him properly. I take a moment to ‘study’ him. He has dark brown hair, tanned skin, and quite a muscular build. Wow.

“Octavia Pemberton,” I say. “But just call me Ava.” Why did I say that?!

“Hello Ava, do you know which way the Dauntless compound is?”

“Well, I’m headed towards Amity, and it’s near there,” I explain.

“Do you mind showing me?”

Not at all.

“Sure, want to walk with me?” I hope I didn’t sound too desperate.

“Yes, please.”

I feel like jumping for joy as soon as he says the word ‘yes’.