CONVERGENT - [Divergent] ADOPTED

Chapter Twelve

[ELLIE]

By the time six came around, I was sore and tired. I just wanted to sleep, but despite all that we had been through in the last twenty-four hours, did not compare to the shopping trip Kori dragged us on.

I've never been 'shopping' before, having our clothes been given to us. And I honestly could not understand why anyone would want to shop. It was so boring. And repetitive.

So I was very glad when Kori finally said she's spent enough money for today – we didn't use the old cash like the days before the war, we use a point system.

Quiet Alice spoke up and surprised us again. "I would like to get a tattoo."

Kori didn't even bother to hide her surprise, but she quickly got over it. "But of course, Miss Alice! Right this way!"

Kori knew where she was going, making me think she's either a mind-reader, or found out exactly where the tattoo parlour was before.

Every wall in the shop was covered with drawings and designs. But there was one wall of pieces of, well, to call it art would be an insult. It was... amazing. The detail in just the sketches made them masterpieces. The shading made them come to life. There was a lion roaring, its eyes were an electric blue, I could see and feel the knowledge and wisdom behind the predatory eyes.

"Hi, can I help you?" I turned and saw a young man, maybe a year or two older than us, but with his smile and the way his eyes shone with life was exhilarating and amazing, completely captivating.

Kori spoke up, but she had yet to see him. "Yeah, Alice wants a tattoo."

Alice was looking along the walls of drawings.

"Yeah, no worries, which one's Alice and what would Alice like?" He smirked, mischievously.

Alice turned to the young man. "I'm Alice and well, I'm still thinking, I thought I knew what I was going to get, but now after seeing all these... there are just too many amazing things to choose from..." she trailed off, this was the most alive I've seen her since I met her. Usually she's distant and slight depressed-looking, now she looked from drawing to drawing with her face filled with awe and wonder.

"Oh, thank you," he pretended to dust off his shoulder with a large smile. "I'm glad you like them, but if you had an idea, I can draw you something, if you'd like."

"You drew these? Are you sure they aren't pictures?" I finally found my voice, staring at him with a new amazement.

He laughed. "Yeah, I drew them, thank you, that means a lot."

A girl came up to the boy. "If you're done chatting, there's a client here you can do."

"Thanks, Tori, but I believe I have a client here," he turned to Alice, raising his eyebrows, like he was looking for confirmation.

"Yes," Alice vouched for him. "I'm getting a tattoo."

The girl, Tori, nodded and left.

"Okay, so... you want me to draw you something?" He asked Alice.

"Yes, please. Um," Alice turned to us. "It's kind of... personal."

We took the hint and nodded.

"No worries, Alice. Call us if you need," Trudi smiled reassuringly.

"Thanks, guys."

We went back to the wall while they went over to a desk. She spoke, using hand gestures but we couldn't hear anything, he already set to work with a pencil, sketching her ideas.

I looked for any ideas of my own, I think it'd be cool to get one, I just... wasn't sure what I wanted. I've spent my whole life trying to forget myself and all of sudden I'm trying to determine what kind of person I am.

I turned when I heard something that sounded like my name. Alice was calling... me. Just me? Why me? Isn't she closer to Trudi? But I walked over anyway.

"What's up?" I asked when I was close enough.

"I can't decide; I would like your help." Alice explained.

"Okay..."

He showed me three different designs, all of them based around her idea, I think it had something to do with Amity, with all the flowers and/or the floral designs. And they all had their own quote wrapped around and almost choked with flowers.

'Think positively' was accompanied by a single daisy. 'You are perfect exactly as you are' had the most flowers, all different types. 'Life is a balance of holding on and letting go,' had the most abstract flowers and was more of a floral design, some of the flowers were still very visible, but the rest were as if disappearing from view.

"I'm... not sure which to get, they are all relevant, but I only want one."

"I like the third one, because it's true. Very true," I smile, realising that was exactly what I was learning to do, hold on to that, let of that, hold that, let that go. Transferring to a new faction is anything but easy. That's why I hold on to the love and family and am trying very hard to let go of my selflessness.

"Do you want Trudi's opinion too?" I asked.

"Um, no, it's okay. I just needed a second opinion. Thank you, Ellie."

"No worries," I turned to leave but the guy called for me to wait.

"Trudi?" he asked, looking between us. "As in first-jumper Trudi. I've been hearing her name since yesterday. And Ellie, you were second jumper, weren't you? Usually second jumpers get lost in the wind, but you're both from Abnegation, aren't you? That's why its huge. I don't think anyone has ever jumped first or second that's come from Abnegation," his eyes were wonder with wonder and ...admiration.

"Wow, uh, yeah, that's us," I was surprised that anyone had even noticed, let alone be the word around the compound. "Yeah, Trudi jumped first, only 'cuz she beat me to it," I smirked.

He laughed. "With that attitude, you guys will fit right in."

"Thanks," I gave him a genuine smile. I was slightly worried about that, but I figure, as long as I stand tall and be who I am, I'll be okay. Because I found these conversations, although I've never taken part in them before, they felt natural and smooth, like I was born to be this, do this, to live this.

"Anytime, now, Miss Alice, your decision? Would you like me to do another?"

Alice shook her head. "No, that is okay, thank you, anymore and my brain will go into shock with all these masterpieces."

He laughed. "Too sweet, Miss Alice."

"I think Ellie's right, it is beautiful, but I also like the first one... but, let's go with the third one," she smiled politely. I still find it hard to believe that she came from Amity. She isn't as kind or smiley or happy as they usually are.

"Alrighty, then, let's get this show on the road," he smiled, getting the picture and walked off somewhere. "Just wait here," he added before disappearing behind a wall.

I looked to Alice. "He's cute." She smiled and nodded. "Dibbs." Alice frowned. "What?" I asked innocently.

"Why can't I?" She continued frowning.

"Well... I said it first," I shrug feigning innocence and making doe eyes.

We stopped our well, bantering on who had dibbs on the tattoo guy who's name I have yet to learn.

"So, Alice, ready for your first tattoo?" He smirked. She paused, but nodded firmly. I knew she wasn't going to back out now. She's made her decision.

A/N: Hey guys! I updated!! Yay!! 

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~wolf-gabby23 :D