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❝Our world doesn't play out like a fantasy. We aren't some carefree princesses getting handed happy endings on a silver platter-you make one wrong move, and it's game over.❞
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In a world where all control over their lives is illusory, a grou...
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—Part 3.3— Dilemma
"I can't see the answer right now." —Anzhi—
"Patty-cake, patty-cake," the girls of Amity from our year sang as we all clapped our hands, enjoying the tune of the rhythm.
Although I'd never really enjoyed the game, finding it too childish, it was better than nothing to clear my mind from the upcoming aptitude tests. Shotaro was sitting with the other Amity boys who were just peacefully cracking jokes—the poor boy looked so awkward there.
The cafeteria where we waited wasn't necessarily quiet. From the educational debates that wrung my ears out to the audible cackles of careless students across the room—noise and laughter came from every direction of the room, despite the innate nervousness I was sure we were all feeling.
Occasionally, I stole glances across the room, making sure to plaster the smile I'd mastered. My eyes trailed over each and every faction before finally landing a rowdy bunch of Dauntless playing with their deck of cards. Both factions were similar yet so strikingly different—it interested me to no end.
Both factions played games. Both factions valued protecting and serving the citizens. Both factions wanted to ensure peace. Both factions engaged in activities the other factions found unruly or against their own. Sure, the Candor and Erudite played games. Maybe I was being biased, but I immediately removed them because of how stuck up they are. Those two factions were the opposite of free-spirited.
The blatant difference between the two factions was definitely their ideas of enforcing peace. The Amity strayed from violence. The Dauntless reveled in it. It was as simple as that.
Sometimes, their similarities made me wonder if life would be easy in Dauntless.
I'd immediately smack the thought away, though, knowing that it was stupid to even consider the life of the opposite faction.
The Amity and the Dauntless despised each other, simply put.
I was snapped out of my thoughts when another name was called from our faction, watching as a shorter girl in pigtails withdrew from the game to go take the test. Min Eunhye was known for being graceful, but at the moment, all of the grace she possessed had disappeared. Her once brightened posture was filled with nervousness, visible to all of us around her.
I watched as Shotaro gave her a small smile, working to reassure Eunhye that everything would be alright. A small smirk formed on my face, knowing that I'd be able to tease the poor boy later.
As time passed by, I started to truly feel nervous.
I was one of the few girls left, eager to be called yet not showing it on my face. We'd stopped playing a while ago, opting to just make jokes with the boys. I was quiet, though, once again shifting my gaze to the tables filled with students from other factions.
