• 𝙳𝚊𝚞𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 •

2- Choosing & Initiating

I'm sat with the Candor's in Central Hall when a stiff gets called up for the 'Faction Choice.' Beatrice Prior. She's so annoying. She hesitates over abnegation after her brother chose Erudite. She switches up and bleeds into Dauntless. "Shit." Drew curses as her blood sizzles and other Candors glare at him. Molly laughs and I just frown. "Jaydan Phraiser." Is called out. A Dauntless! "Hood down, Miss." One of the leaders asks. She hesitantly takes it down when a man and woman from Erudite come barrelling down the stairs. They envelope her in a hug and start crying. The girl's black and purple outfit being hidden by the two.

"We missed you, hun..." The Dauntless' Mother, I'm guessing, cradles her in her arms. Her Dad, again I think, leads her Mom away. "Whatever you choose, make us proud, starfire. We'll always fight for you in Erudite." Her Dad gives her one brave nod before they both leave the hall entirely. Guess they can't stand to see her choose. I look back over to their daughter and nevertheless, Jaydan just so happens to be: 'Dauntless girl.'

She takes a deep breath and picks up the knife. She looks slightly unsure of herself. Then again, I don't blame her. The choosing ceremony is always the hardest part of a person's life. I watch as she salutes the leaders, Dauntless and then she turns to Candor. And salutes us too... I thought she hated us, so why is she giving us the ultimate sign of respect? She glides the blade across the meaty part of her palm before making a fist and dripping one droplet of blood into Dauntless. Her blood sizzles and fades away. I don't think I've been this happy for an initiate this whole ceremony. "Peter Hayes." Is called out. Shit. I walk up after hugging my Mom and shaking my Dad's hand. I slice my own palm and hesitate. I know what I want. I don't care what they say.

"Dauntless!" Is called out. A big smile breaks out onto my face as I saunter over to the Dauntless initiates. One of the closest spare seats is next to 'Jaydan.' I look at her, questioningly. She looks up at me briefly before gesturing me to the chair. "Thanks, didn't expect that from a girl who hates our guts." I nod as I sit down. "You're no longer Candor. Plus you stopped your friend from chewing me out so... Any time, Rookie." She nods before hissing in pain as she looks at her hand. "I think that's a bit deeper then what they meant." I point out. "No shit. I slipped up from my hand shaking as I did it. I was nervous." She glares. "Here." I slowly take her hand and wrap her gauze on it gently. I put a little pressure, wipe the excess away and put my free band-aid on it.

"But your ha-" "You need it more than me. I'm Peter." I look at her genuinely interested. "...Jaydan. Thanks, Peter Hayes." A hint of a smile forms at the side of her mouth. She listened to my name. "Anytime, Jaydan Phraiser." I wink and look forward as Molly walks up.

>>>>

I stand on the metrotrain as we travel to the Dauntless base. I glance at my new found friend but the stiff is in my way. Why did she have to stand THERE? Otherwise I'd have a perfect view of Jaydan. She's taking over my thoughts quite quickly and I've warmed up to her a bit. We talked through the whole ceremony and thankfully she gave me a reason to ignore Molly and Drew. When they saw I wasn't paying attention they started making out. Like right now. Ew. I roll my eyes and make my way to the lone Dauntless-born.

"I noticed you came with two other guys, where are they?" I sit next to her. "They are co-leaders. My brother, Sam who is the older looking one, is Four's 2nd in command. They left the hall early if you didn't notice so they're down in base to welcome the new comers when they jump-... You'll see. Four is 24 and Sam is 26. Let me just warn you, when you get back to my- OUR home..." She pauses. The way she said, 'our'. She's including me this early on?!

"You will probably be hit on by 18-25 year olds. Age is mostly just a number when you're in love in Dauntless." She chuckles. "I'm sure I'll be up for some granny time." I shrug as she snorts. "You weirdo!" We silently laugh with each other. "WELCOME TO DAUNTLESS, FUCKERS!" A voice yells as people begin to jump out. "Whaaat is happening?" I ask her. "The metro-rails don't stop when you get this far out so our only options are: jump or become factionless. Of course there's a chance you could fall down the side of the building but if you do it right then... WELCOME TO DAUNTLESS, PETER!" She takes my hand as she throws herself out of the train with me in tow.