Erudite's Experiments

Choosing Day

POV Rosalie

When I wake up I can't help the feeling of excitement that flows through me: today is the Choosing Ceremony. I will finally be free of my mother. I change into my usual slacks, white blouse, and blue blazer. I keep my dirty blonde curls freefalling around me, but braid back the front strands. Once I'm ready I head out for breakfast.

"Have you thought over your decision for today?" Mother asks.

"I have."

"Will it have anything to do with that boy I heard about yesterday?"

"It won't." I promise her. I mean, I think I would be good in Dauntless even without Miles.

"You plan to transfer, don't you?"

"I do."

"Do not expect to see me on Visiting Day." She says in a harsh voice.

"I'm hoping dad may visit." I admit and her face hardens.

"He has had the option to take you back all these years and hadn't and yet you still cling to this hope that he cares about you."

"Yes, I do." I say simply. Usually mother's words would get to me, but seeing Natalie yesterday helped to sooth that.

Mother and I walk into the Hub together. I stay by her side as the good little leader's daughter I have to pretend to be. I smile when the Dauntless enter and I see Miles with his mom. While Miles looks nervous you can tell he's ready to go. He winks at me and I smile before looking around the room at the others.

"Jennine." A voice says from behind us. I turn with my mother to see my siblings, Natalie, and my dad.

"Andrew." Mother says in a hard voice.

"Rosalie. Natalie wasn't exaggerating when she said how you have grown up beautifully."

"Thank you." I say, smiling at him before turning to my siblings. "And I don't know either of your names."

"But you've protected us." The girl says and I shrug.

"You're family."

"Faction before blood, Rosalie." Mother says. I roll my eyes behind her back so violently I get the start of a headache.

"I wasn't about to let the likes of Eric Coulter get to my siblings."

"I'm Caleb and this is our sister Beatrice." The boy introduces.

"It's nice to finally meet you both."

"Rosalie, it's time for the ceremony to start." Mother says before walking away. I sigh and look back at my dad.

"Natalie and I will come see you on Visiting Day. I am so proud of you."

"Thank you." I say, smiling weakly at him.

"Remember our talk." Natalie says and I nod.

"I will. I promise. And you two, you take care of each other. Erudites are cruel, so stick with family." I say and they nod their understanding. Dad squeezes my arm slightly as I pass him to get into line and we all go find our seats.

I kind of zone out for mother's speech that we've all heard dozens of time. I only zone back in when it's my turn.

"Matthews-Prior, Rosalie." She calls out. I walk down and take the knife from her. Without hesitation I slit my hand and drop the blood onto coals. "Dauntless!" She calls through clenched teeth. I wink at her cheekily and go to my new faction.

Jeremy chooses before Miles and he comes to my side, resting his arm on my shoulder. When Miles rejoins Dauntless he knocks Jeremy's arm off, picks me up, and spins me around. I laugh as I hold him close.