Different in the Same Ways

Scar

     Marcus dismissed the factions and the Ceremony was finally over. The  Dauntless were already on their feet and I was just barely able to keep up as we raced down the stairs. When we reached the blacktop outside we all paused in front of the train tracks. I mentally slapped my forehead. DUH! First test of initiation! We have to jump on that stupid train!

     Speaking of which I could hear it coming now. I saw it coming and ran along side the tracks. The train had seemed to have slowed down so I took the chance to leap onto a step and grab hold of a rail, slamming the "open" button so I could get inside. No sooner had I landed a pretty Amity transfer jumped in beside me. Wait, she's the same girl I sat next to after I had chosen during the ceremony! Quickly I dusted off and began to attempt a conversation, but instead she spoke first.

     "First to jump on the train?" she asks.

     "I guess," I say nonchalantly. Honestly, jumping first isn't that big of a deal to me, "I'm Ellie Stunning."

     "Not surprised," she says quietly, hiding a small cuckle. What?

     "Why is that?" I ask, suddenly a bit curious. Does my name mean something to her?

     "Well, you are stunning," she says. Woah, hold up, what did she say? That I am stunning? No one other than my family or close friends have ever called me pretty.

     "Oh," I say, a bit taken aback, "Thanks." I feel like I should compliment her back but she already starts talking again.

     "No problem," she replied. "I'm Scarlet Montgomery."  That's a lovely name. It fits her perfectly. She really does look like a Scarlet, her honey tanned skin compliments her raven black hair and warm brown eyes. She has a sort of hourglass figure, rather petite.

     "That's a cool name," I said, "It suits you well."

     "Thank you," she whisperd, blushing a bit. I bet I'm as bright as a tomato then. She seemed a bit upset. Probably because she felt bad about leaving her family and she's having trouble forgetting about it. Same here, I have a queasy feeling in my stomach like what I'm doing is wrong but I'm trying to convince myself this is just one of those exciting adventures without my parents like I felt when I was little.

     Desperate to distract myself and her, I changed the subject. "So, why did you pick Dauntless?" I asked.

     She seemed to think for a moment before she spoke, "This is where I belong," she began and somehow I knew this was going to take a while. "I mean, I have a feeling that I should be here. It's my duty. My family is...not my family anymore. I don't have a family. I don't need one because I'm brave. I'm not a coward."

     Oh...well, I have no comments, thankfully some the Erudite boy I recognized as Victor stepped in.

     "Oh gosh we have to jump?!" he exclaimed. Quickly I stood, joining him by the edge of the opening and peeked my head out to see an oncoming rooftop. The train is close enough to the edge of the building that we shouldn't have much of a problem. The building is coming closer, closer and I prepare my self to jump. Just as the edge of the roof is in sight I see Scarlet fly past me and swiftly land on the roof. Well, alrighty then! Without another thought I leap toward the building rushing by surprisingly landing mostly on my feet. Not without wobbling a bit of course. I look around to see the other initiates finally getting the idea are now joining us on the roof. Behind us I hear clapping. Wait...clapping. I watch the train finally leave and get a glimpse of Josh Grayson still on the train. Oh well, there you go. First Dauntless initiate to become factionless. I knew him from school. He probably thought jumping onto the roof was illogical and refused to jump. Actually now that I think about it is kind of unnecessary but since when do the Dauntless ever do anything really necessary, or logical, or smart. Shaking the thought away I look toward whoever is randomly clapping. Oh, it's one of the leaders.

     "Wow, an Amity first jumper and she actually landed on both feet!" he exclaimed.

     "Surprised?" she asks.

     "Yup," he says with a smirk on his face. I already want to bash his face in for underestimating Scarlet, and the look on her face tells me that maybe she'd like to join in. She actually landed on both feet! WITHOUT WOBBLING! I bet even he took some time to do that.

     "Well, obviously you shouldn't be," she says. Does she want to die on the first day? She riling him up. Amusing him really. He's a Dauntless leader, he will talk back and he will get the last word unless you want to be thrown onto the first train and become factionless.

     "What's your name girly?" Here it goes.

     "Scarlet and don't call me girly," she says proudly.

     "Well that's a pretty girly name girly." Oh lovely. I feel like I should help her out. Make up my own nickname for her, one that won't sound so girly and will eventually catch on.

     "Scar," I say.

     "What," they say simultaneously. How dare they question me.

     "How about Scar? It fits you just as well as Scarlet and it's not at all girly." Scar gives me a look like I'm a pure genius but seems to be a bit confused that I even spoke up so naturally all she said was, "Okay."