I open my eyes and look around. My test. It's over.
I look at the Abnegation, who stares at me with troubled eyes.
"Well?" I ask persistently. "What were my results?"
"They were... " The Abnegation volunteer trails off. She is pretty, even if she tries to hide it. Wavy blonde hair, big brown eyes and full lips all seem faded and dim with her modest, loose-fitting gray clothes and a bun that makes her features look so much more sharper and angled.
"They were?" I encourage her, curiosity edging my tone. I will never fit in with the Abnegation on, who frown on such traits--but they also frown on mirrors. I fear I will never understand them, and in Erudite, we can never stand not knowing.
"They were inconclusive," the volunteer says quietly. I open my mouth to ask what it means, but I shut it. I simply cock my head and send her an soliciting look while she continues. "Instead of getting one faction result, you have... three. Dauntless, Erudite and Candor. It's called Divergent."
Questions race through my head. What is Divergent? Who is this "they?" Why does she speak of it as if it is a sin? So I do not hold back. I analyze the situation, as I have been taught to do (I had to make it a habbit, instead of it coming naturally, because I was too impulsice and often spoke without thinking of consequences), and ask a question that sums up my inquiries the best. "And Divergent is...?"
"Dangerous," the Abnegation says. "My name is Emma. I can't speak to you about this right now, but contact me after the Choosing Ceremony is done. I will keep your secret safe--just don't do anything stupid." Her blunt words surprise me. Aren't the Abnegation supposed to be polite? I want to probe her for more answers, but I know I should be getting home soon. "I'll enter your results as Erudite. Keep a low profile until we meet again. Be safe. And Elysium?" I pause. "Choose wisely."
+ + +
I join Isla with our other blue-clad friends outside the school, smiling a nervous smile. They greet me with half-hearted hellos and don't seem to notice my anxiety.
"What took you so long?" Isla asks.
"Uh," I say, trying think up a plausible answer. I didn't realize I'd been so long. "Terrible constipation. Took me forever to get everything ou--"
One of our friends, Nehemia, holds up her hand while the others wrinkle their noses in disgust and slight disdain. "Please, Elysium, spare us the details." I smile at this--I have always been the vulgar one. At this, I cannot help but send a quick glance over my shoulder at the Candor behind us.
Isla adjusts her silver clip and blue jacket. She looks Erudite, through and through, and she no doubt will be a good one. She just needs to kick her trouble-making habbit and kindness towards Abnegation--but there is no doubt that they'll whip that out of her in Initiation. "I know we're not supposed to share our results, but is it wrong to be curious? What were yours?"
I open my mouth, but hesitate. I have always been honest, especially with my sister, but I can't help but feel cautious. Emma's words haunt me. It is dangerous to be be Divergent, and do I really want to say this with the others around, people I don't thoroughly trust? So, I smooth my blue dress, let my long hair down over my shoulder and try my best for a confident smile, like Isla's. "Erudite."
The others chime in with the same answers, but it is not long before my eyes wander to the black-clothed Dauntless climb a bronze statue, shouting at each other to venture higher. I hide a smile behind my hand and wonder what it would be like to risk things like that, caring less about the recklessness of my behavior. But then I shift to a group of Candor boys arguing and making bold hand gestures. They wear black and white.
