My life as Dauntless

Part 3

There are three consecutive knocks on my door. "Go away" I croaked into my pillow, assuming it was my dad. "Aaron, come on let me in" said a soft voice. Its Katy. "Go away" I croaked again but she enters my room anyway.

I hear her light footsteps and she closed the door and walked to my bed. "Some collection you got here" she said. I hear a shuffle of my books. "Don't. Touch. My. Books" I warned and faced her. "Sorry" she smiled and walked over to me.

"How are-" "I cant believe you told him." I snapped. "I had-" "Do you have any idea how much dirt I have on you, yet I haven't said a word." I shook my head. She sits on my bed quiet.

"Katy! Aaron! Dinners ready!" my dad yelled. I roll my eyes at her and get up and into the kitchen.

As I near the kitchen, the smell of pizza nauseates me. "Im not eating that" I told my dad. "Then starve. You're smart enough to know where to get food." he said taking a bite of his pizza. "I hate this family" I mumbled under my breath as I walked away. "What was that?" my dad asked. "Nothing" I smiled and turned back.

The next morning comes by quickly; too quickly. I put on a white muscle shirt and a blue thin hoodie over me. Then some dark blue pants and blue moccasins with light brown laces.

I wait in the living room for my dad and Katy. Katy comes out of her room wearing a small blue dress and blue heels. "Wow" I nodded my head. "You look great" "Thanks" she smiled. My dad comes out in a blue business suit that Erudite men would have to wear for work.

Together, we all walk to the Hub. The Hub is the centerpiece of the city; the city's tallest and most prominent building.

When we arrive, we are arranged into factions before we enter the Hub. We stand under the Erudite door. The Erudite's symbol is a single blue eye that represents our knowledge of the world, and it just stares at me, like its evaluating me.

In the corner of my eye, I see Xander, looking at me from a distance. I turn my head towards him then walk in his direction. As i approach him, I notice that his eyes are a puffy red, like he's been crying. "Hey" I tried smiling. "Don't do that. I know what you're here for. Just do it." he said lacing his hands together in front of him. "What?" I asked. "I talked to you're dad and he said that you wanted to break up with me" a tear rolled of his cheek. "I never-" "Just do it!" he snapped. "Whats wrong with you?" I asked. "Can you just do it?!" "Fine! Were over" I threw my hands in the air and walked back to the Erudite's line.

We are between Amity and Dauntless but theres no sign of them. There never is. Were finally instructed to go into the Hub.

The room is arranged in a concentric circle with the sixteen-year-old's of every faction. In the inner circle are rows of chairs where the families sit. The last circle contains five metal bowls, but I cant see what they're holding. My dad instructs us to our "appropriate" seats. We sit right in the front.

"What faction held the Choosing Ceremony last year?" I asked my dad. "The Amity" he whispered and clapped as Jeanine Mathews walks onto the stage.

"I guess were holding the Ceremony this year." I said to myself.

"Welcome to this years Choosing Ceremony" she said into the microphone. Then I hear cheering, yelling, and feet-stomping. "The Dauntless" I whispered. People in all black clothes run into their seats; next to us. They finally settle down after a few seconds.

"If I may continue." Jeanine said clearing her throat. She begins to call up names one-by-one. The sixteen-year-olds have to cut their hands and let blood fall into the bowl of their choice.

"Aaron Crowley" Jeanine smiled at the Erudite section. I mutter "Excuse me" to people as I pass by them.

When I make it onto the stage, Jeanine hands me a small knife. "Choose wisely" she whispered. I nod my head. "I will" and took the knife.

I walk up to the bowls and study them. Theres gray stone for Abnegation, water for Erudite, dirt for Amity, lit coals for Dauntless, and glass for Candor.

I cut my hand slightly and wince. I let my blood pool in my hand. I look back at my dad, and he nods his head.

I take a deep breath and let my blood fall into the Dauntless bowl. All of the Dauntless cheer. I take a look at Jeanine. She has a puzzled look on her face, as do the other Erudite. "Aaron" said Jeanine. "Im sorry. I had to" I said looking back at my new family.

They wave me over and I sit in their section. Katy is next. She cuts her hand easily and pours it into the dirt of Amity. Katy and I look at our dad. He's so upset. I can tell. I look at Katy and she smiles and nods her head. I do the same to her.

"Matthew Graceffa" Jeanine called out. Its the same boy that tripped over my feet yesterday. The Candor boy. He's handed the knife from Jeanine. He cuts his hand and lets his blood fall into the coals of Dauntless. Dauntless cheers again. He smiles slightly and walks to us. He takes a seat behind me, where he's greeted by other Dauntless initiates.

About fifty people later, Xander is called up. He cuts his hand and holds it above the Dauntless bowl. He looks straight at me. I shake my head slightly. I can see him sigh and lets his blood drip into the Abnegation bowl. "Thank you" I murmured. "What did you say?" who are you talking to?" asked a girl in red and yellow. Shes is-was- an Amity. "Myself" I replied.

Once all of the initiates have gone, Jeanine dismisses us.

Im officially a Dauntless initiate.