Conform - Peter Hayes

Chapter 1

Today we are getting tested. Tested to see which faction we belong in. Aptitude testing had always worried me for some unknown reason, even when I was younger. Maybe it's the fact that Jeanine Matthews is my mother. I've always wanted to impress her, I've never wanted to let her down.

All I've ever wanted was to make her proud of me, and she is. I am at the top in all of my classes and every day I hear her telling me how proud she is. I know she wants me to stay in Erudite, to become just as powerful and smart as she is. I just feel like I don't belong here with her. Maybe a change would be good. Faction before blood, right?

"Katherine, breakfast!'' I heard my mom call out. I quickly straightened out my blue skirt and made my way downstairs. Mom was waiting for me at the table with breakfast.

"Thank you," I said politely.

"You're welcome," Mom replied. "So today you're getting tested."

"Yes," I spoke.

"Are you nervous?" Mom asked. I just nodded my head in response. "There is no need. I mean I think we all know where you'll end up."

I said nothing, finishing my breakfast. Of course she thinks I will stay in Erudite, along with everyone else in existence. I mean when my brother switched factions it shocked some people, but no one in Erudite. Everyone knew he didn't belong. He's always had this almost aggressive side to him, and had an extremely hard time suppressing it. I placed my bowl in the sink.

"Bye Mom. I'm going to get a ride with Claire," I said, walking out of the door before she could reply.

I walked over to my best friend's house, which was extremely close, and knocked on the door. Claire answered the door, smiling.

"Hey! Do you want a ride?" Claire asked, letting me inside.

"Yes please, my mom is driving me crazy!" I answered.

"How?" Claire questioned curiously.

''Aptitude test pressure,'' I replied, frowning a bit from the thought. Claire nodded, understanding.

"Claire, let's go!" Claire's dad called out. We walked through the hallway where we were standing in and into the kitchen where her dad was.

"Katherine, it's so nice seeing you! Are you coming with us to go to school?" Claire's dad asked.

"Yes, and it's great seeing you as well!" I responded.

The drive to school was very talkative, and I caught up with what I had missed. It helped ease some of the nervousness I felt. Once we arrived to the Upper Levels, which is the building we are in, Claire and I got out of the car, walking inside.

Today our classes were cut in half due to the aptitude testing. Claire and I both had Advanced Math for our first class so we almost always walked together to it. As we walked down the hall, immature Erudite boys were pushing Abnegation out of the way.

"I kind of feel bad for the Abnegation," I spoke quietly to Claire.

"Yeah. It's not fair to them," Claire agreed.

Soon enough we were sat at the long tables in the cafeteria, separated by faction. My faction was talking about the newest article we released about Abnegation. It had something to do with how the leader abused his son or something like that. I just sat there and quietly talked to Claire about cute Erudite boys.

After thirty or so minutes, I heard my name called out, along with Claire's. There are ten test administrators, eight Abnegation, one Erudite, and one Dauntless. The two Abnegation called get the Dauntless and Erudite, and the rest of us get Abnegation test administrators. I was stood outside of room seven, Claire next to me at room eight. We were allowed to walk in after a minute.