Different in the Same Ways

Initiation

     Their roar was deafening. Hundreds of Dauntless pounded on tables and stomped their feet, screaming at the top of their lungs. Note to self: During every special event, bring earplugs. Suddenly I was lifted off my feet and on my back, hands holding me up. Eric had thrown me into the crowd to be carried above the crowd. I laugh as hands reach up to touch my hands, arms, and legs. I heared a light squeal behind all the noise and twist around to see Scar. She's smiling! The biggest smile yet! Her eyes sparkled and she calls to me, "I think we made the right choice!" I nod and laugh again high-fiving random people as they pass me around. Finally I am at the end of the line, and I am carefully set down. I turn back to see Scar, still floating around.  She has her hands behind her head and her eyes are closed. Good, she is happy.

     "You're the first jumper?" At first I was totally confused till I realized it was the woman who had set me down. "Yeah! One of them." I replied. She nodded her head and looked to me again, "Who started first?" she asked. "Actually we both kind of started at the same time, only she got to the edge before I did. I told her to hold up and she did." The lady nodded again in understanding. She's a pretty woman. She's tall, has small, dark, angular eyes and straight black hair streaked with gray and blue. She has a tattoo of a white hawk with red-eyes on the back of her neck and a tattoo of a river on her arm. When she smiles, the corner of her eyes crinkles. She looks back to me and offers an apologetic smile, " I'm sorry," she says, "I never introduced myself I'm Tori Wu. I work at a tattoo shop in the Pit." I smile back and introduce myself, "Ellie Stunning, Erudite-born initiate. And I'm not sure what the Pit is."

     "Oh really! I know we're not supposed to talk about our old factions but I'm an Erudite-born too. And you'll learn about the Pit soon enough," she said softly so that no one could hear. New friend! "That's great! Do you know any others?" I asked. Her brow furrowed in thought, "No not many, the ones I do know aren't that nice though. We may be Dauntless but that doesn't mean we can't be a little like the Amity," she says rolling her eyes. I like her already. "I know right! We don't have to be just one thing just...more of one thing." Tori noded her head in agreement. "I like you," she says, "why don't you stop by the shop and I'll give you a tattoo." I shifted uncomfortably on my feet. It's a Dauntless move to get a tattoo and as far as I can see only the transfer initiates don't have one. If I get one I'll fit in more but do I really want a tattoo? What will it look like when I'm old? What about piercings? Um, no. If you weren't born with metal or ink in your skin then don't put them there.  "No I'm good, I'm honestly not a big fan of tattoos or piercings...or strange hair colors." I say. "That's fine. Hey, I think your friends' getting off," she says pointing behind me. She was right, my friend did look like she wanted down. She was at the end of the crowd anyway.

     "Well, nice meeting you Tori! I'll be sure to visit sometime," I said before walking off. "Yeah you too! See you soon," Tori replied, yelling over the booming crowd. I quickly jogged over to Scar as she slid out of someone's arms. She was doing fine until someone had tripped her and she fell flat on her face. She groaned as she slowly stood and brushed light dust from her clothes. She spun on her heel, her back was straight and her hand was tense. Slap him! Slap him, slap him, slap him! I mentally chanted, but, she didn't. Aww man!!!

     "Watch it tomboy," he said. She sent him a glare fit to kill. I slowly come from behind but stayed out of the way. She can handle this.

     "Just to let you know, I'm from Amity," she retorted. You're wearing red and yellow so obviously and I'm not 100% sure where that little comment came from.

     "That's surprising," he said with a smirk, "because it looks like you're a Dauntless born, you're too grumpy. Also, why are you so short?" he asked, cupping his chin and leaning on one foot. Definitely not Erudite. An Erudite born would've either insulted your intelligence and wit or spouted out random facts that make you feel awkward. I bet he's Candor.

     "Well you're obviously from Candor," huh, well I guess she agrees, " my least favorite faction, " Mine too, " Just to let you know, you're just like the rest of them. Go get a life!" He glareed blunt daggers at her. He's not really mad. I bet he thinks she's pretty!

     "I obviously hated that faction as well, why do you think I left? The only good thing from that faction is you can tell when someone's lying." True, but that's it. Suddenly he smiles, "What's your name?" he asks. "Scar. Yours?" He stands a bit taller and his chin lifts a bit, "I'm Luke Savor." He must really like his name.

     "Okay initiates! Dauntless born go with Lauren, and transfers go with me," Nick shouted. Apparently Nick is our new trainer. All initiates immediately separated and I met up with Scar while we followed behind Nick. She asked me where we are going and to be honest, I'm completely clueless so I simply shook my head. We walked in silence for a minute before I saw her move out of the corner of my eye. She's yelling at some other boy. This one was Abnegation, selfless, tall and cute. Sorry but he is! He has wavy blonde hair, white as snow with strands of woven gold and his eyes are a captivating blue. Blue as sparkling sapphire. He seems rather muscular but with a slightly slender frame under those baggy grey plain clothes. Even during Scar's screams he seems calm and collected. He blushes a lot. I mentally awed. He has pale skin with high cheekbones and the blush is almost impossible to hide.

     I could suddenly sense someone staring at them so I searched the hall for anyone looking. Ugh it's Jude. Her cold, icy blue eyes traveled over the Abnegation boy. If she's onto him then I have no chance. It's me against her and her perfectly tanned skin, dusty blonde hair and fit figure. I may have pretty eyes but they hide behind dull red glasses, invisible, and I constantly have to smooth down my wild, tangled curls. She has a big nose and teeny little eyes though. HA! I mentally stuck my tongue out at her and continued on as Scar rejoined me. Our eyes met and she had a smile that reached from ear to ear, full of victory and pride. I wonder what she's so happy about.

     Nick led us further into the Dauntless compound. Soon we reached a wide opening. Every gasped in awe. "Welcome to the Pit," said Nick with a bright smile. "This is where most Dauntless hang out. There's tattoo shops, piercing shops, grocery stores, restaurants and stuff like that," he said with a wave, dismissing the subject and moving on. I took a longer look as we traveled through the Pit. It's amazing.

      Loud, harmonizing music boomed through speakers and echoed through the Pit. Both dim and bright lights scattered the ceiling, lighting it up. Lanterns stood in rows at the bottom so far below us. Above us were even more halls and stores filled the room. Stairs and ramps were the obvious way to get between levels. Thousands of Dauntless filled the vast room as they talked and shopped while the children ran and played. Forget amazing, this place is downright awesome. I attempted to map the Pit into my head, or at least as much as I could see. A rocky wall blocked my view from the Pit. I sighed to myself and continued following Nick. I'll be back.

     We finally reached another room. Mats and punching bags filled the dark room. A single scoreboard sat in a far corner. "This is where we will be meeting everyday for the next few weeks. And down here is your room," said Nick pointing to a door on the other side of the room. I glanced over to Scar. She looked exhausted and distant. She's in her own little world. I nudged her elbow and nodded my head towards Nick. Realizing that I wanted her to sleep she basically lumbered over to Nick. He smiled and pointed toward the bedroom and she dragged herself away. After she left a bulb seemed to go off over Nick's head, "I almost forgot! You will all be sharing the same room and bathrooms. There is no separating boys from girls or whatever." My mouth hung and so did everyone else's'. Nick smirked proudly. "You've got to be kidding," I said. "Nope." I grunted and leaned on one foot, scowling. This is going to be so much 'fun'.

     I began walking toward our bedroom to share the news with Scar but Luke was already on his way in smiling like a maniac. I decided to stay behind him. Scar can take care of herself and if she kills him I don't want to end up a witness.

     "Alright, I'll leave you guys to settle in. Victor keep your clothes on at all times." Nick warned, glaring playfully toward another Erudite boy. I know Victor, he's a pain in the neck. Yup, so much 'fun'.