In My Blood | Peter Hayes

chapter three.

'*•.¸♡ playlist ♡¸.•*'

[home - good neighbors]

[hearing damage - thom yorke]

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AFTER BREAKFAST, DREW AND AMIAH WASTED NO TIME GETTING READY. She still hadn't made up her mind. Candor or Dauntless. The safe option or the brave one? Keep living the life she is now or start a new one?

"Listen," started her Father, grabbing Amiah's attention away from her inner turmoil just as the family of four was about to leave. He looked between his two children, "No matter what happens today, we'll always love you. Candor or not." 

Their Mother nodded in agreement, "Do what feels right," she bit her lip, contemplating something for a second, "Sometimes doing what's right for you means starting over."

Amiah looked at her mother in surprise. It sounded like she was talking from experience.

"You were a transfer?" asked Drew. Guess Amiah wasn't the only one who picked up on it.  

"I transferred from Abnegation," she admitted, "It wasn't an easy choice to make, leaving my friends and family behind, but I did what I thought was best for me. You both should too."

Then she pulled them both in for a hug, Amiah's Father joined in. What a picture they must make, the shock of red hair and Amiah standing out as the only dark haired one.

The hug didn't last very long because Drew pulled away. Before Amiah knew it, they were out of the house and standing outside the Hub, where the Choosing Ceremony was held. 

Each year a different faction hosted the ceremony. This year it was Abnegation's turn so that meant the leader, Marcus Eaton, would be hosting. 

Amiah didn't see anyone she recognized as she walked inside The Hub with her family. Soon, they were all in their seats and the Choosing Ceremony began. They went by faction. Starting with Amity and ending with Abnegation.

The leader of Erudite, Jeanine Matthews, did a small introduction. She talked about the aptitude test and how important our result was. Jeanine then went on to say they were still allowed to "choose." Amiah very much doubted that. Erudite valued order. It was against their very being to not follow scientifically curated results. 

After she droned on and on about the aptitude test, Jeanine briefly talked about the factions. Amiah didn't see the point. Everyone knew. Amity was about peace. Abnegation valued selflessness. Candor rejected dishonesty.  Erudite cared about intelligence. Then, there was Dauntless. The brave. 

She didn't even know how much time had passed until a kid she recognized was Candor was called up. As expected, he chose Candor. Several others followed suit. They went in reverse alphabetical order so that meant Amiah and Drew would go towards the beginning.

Her leg began jumping up and down and she bit her nails. It was nervous habit of hers she just couldn't seem to get rid of. Amiah's mother would try and stop her by saying it would ruin her teeth, but Amiah couldn't curb the habit. It's not like she realized when she was doing it, or else it would be easy to stop.

"Amiah Woodworth"

It took Drew elbowing for her to realize Marcus had just called her name. She shakily got up from her seat. Amiah looked at her parents for support. They'd said it earlier, but she had to know they'd be proud of her no matter what she chose. Both of them gave her encouraging smiles.