Invergent

Chapter One

McKell's Perspective:

I take my time getting ready, trying on several outfits before deciding on one. They are all black and white, but the design varies from outfit to outfit. I brush my brown hair until I can run my fingers through it without catching them on tangles. I apply some mascara and a touch of blush. Finally, I put on my best shoes and my backpack. I need to look my best. Today is an important day, after all. It's the day of the aptitude test.

I have been anxiously awaiting this day for months. My entire life, really. I love Candor and all the people in it, but I've never felt like it was quite right for me. I don't usually have a problem telling the truth, but something about never being able to keep anything to yourself or have anything kept from you is grating after a while. I think it would be better if people didn't feel obligated to make their every thought known at all times. The only question is, if I'm not cut out for Candor, where should I go?

I find myself startled out of my thoughts by a knock at my door. I open it to see my little sister, impatiently waiting for me to take her to school. I smile and take her hand, following as she pulls me down the stairs.

"Hurry! I can't be late!" She says.

"I know, Marie, it's your big field trip. You've only told me about it a hundred times." Her class is visiting the Amity orchards today, and she could not be more excited.

We reach the kitchen and I grab a piece of bread and put it in the toaster.

"So, it's the big aptitude test today, isn't it?" I spin around to see my older brother, Scott, leaning against the counter with his arms folded. "Are you nervous?"

"Maybe a little," I confess shyly.

"Don't stress about it," he says stepping closer and wrapping me in a hug. "Remember, the test doesn't have to change what you choose."

"I know." I don't move away from him until I hear my toast pop out of the toaster. I sigh and pull back.

He ruffles my hair and grins. "See you tonight, okay?" He says.

"Wait," I say, reaching forward and straightening his tie. My brother is currently training to be a lawyer, just like our dad. It's a fairly common career choice in Candor, but I'm still immensely proud of them both. "Okay, now you're ready."

He gives me one last quick hug before heading out the door. I grab my toast and take a bite.

"Come on, come oooon," Marie calls, tugging on my free hand. I laugh and follow her out the door.

We walk down the broken sidewalk, Marie making sure to jump over every crack. The roads become smoother and smoother the closer we get to our destination. After a few minutes, we arrive at the Merciless Mart, where Marie's class is meeting for their field trip. It used to be called Merchandise Mart, but some of the letters fell off the building and it became nicknamed the Merciless Mart after the Candor's unforgiving honesty. I don't disagree with the name choice. The harsh Candor way of speaking without regard to anyone's feelings is one of the reasons I don't want to stay.

Marie rushes off without so much as a goodbye as soon as she sees people she recognizes. I feel a pang in my chest at the thought that this might be one of the last times I see Marie.

I walk down the sidewalk, picking up the pace now that I'm alone. I duck into an abandoned building a couple blocks away from the Merciless Mart and head up the stairs. "McKell?" A voice calls from above me. "That you?"

"Yep," I respond, taking the stairs two at a time now. I reach the top floor and smile when I see him. Parker. He picks me up and spins me in a circle. I can't suppress a giggle. He sets me down but doesn't take his arms away.