Eyes Wide Open

1.

The wind blew my dark brown hair into my faces as my feet hit the pavement of the peaceful street. I fought to keep my ponytail out of my face, but in the end my attempt was pointless. Exhaustion caught up to me and I stopped to catch my breath. I bent down with my hands on my legging covered thighs. I sighed as I looked around, the only people up now was the stray dauntless climbing buildings. I looked at them with slight awe and jealousy. How I longed for the thrill and the freedom to have fun without a care in the world. That would be impossible for someone like me.

When Eric left us, I realized I had to grow up. So I did. I started off easy, taking on the daily chores that my mother was to busy to do. Then I set my sights on the position of Jennie Mathews' personal assistant. I started to ace my tests and I no longer caused all the trouble I did. As of last year I had been labeled as her prodigy, and once I choose Erudite as my faction, I'd go into full training to become the head of Erudite, walking in my mentor's footsteps.

I was blessed with the privileges I have received and I owe it all to Jennie. She was my savior. The hero who rescued me from the ashes of my brother's explosion. I no longer looked up to him, but rather my mother and my mentor. Those who would always be there for me.

I started to jog again as I noticed the sun slowly starting to rise, peeking it's head out from underneath the cover of the hills in the distance. Early dawn was always my favorite time to run. No one was around, it was peaceful. I had to return home soon, or I wouldn't have time to prepare for the Aptitude Test. I sigh in content as I passed the deserted buildings that the factionless would rest in. If our plan worked as it was supposed to, they would no longer exist. Factionless, and divergents would no longer be a threat, and Erudite would take it's rightful place as the leaders of the government. Everything would be the way it should be.

The apartment building where my mother and I lived came into view and my legs screeched to a stop when I saw Daniel standing by the glass door, opening it for our neighbor. My breathing started to quicken as he flashed a smile to him, showing off his perfect pearly whites. Daniel Carter was the definition of perfect in my book. He was impossibly handsome with the floppy way his light blonde hair flipped when he moved, and the way his gorgeous brown eyes showed kindness. Daniel was also amazingly smart. Almost as smart as me, not that he could be. We'd be the most perfect power couple. There was only one problem. He had a girlfriend, and has kept that girlfriend for years. I doubt she'll be going anywhere soon.

I waited quietly, leaning against the stray bus stop on the corner, for him to go inside. He didn't know I existed, and I was going to keep it that way. If I was normal, maybe I'd outshine his girlfriend in a simpler way. We could marry and raise the smartest child in Erudite. We could grow old together and live happily ever after. But I am not normal, and this is no fairy tale.

A delicious aroma was escaping underneath the blue door of my apartment when I reached it. My mother sat at by the marble island, looking over some report from the lab. Even though she was now old and frayed, my mother was a gorgeous as ever, her slight wrinkles only making her beauty pop. Her hair was thrown up into a messy bun, held together by a plain yellow pencil and she seemed ready to head off to work.

Standing next the stove, with a frying pan in hand, flipping what seemed to be a omelet, was Madison. She was still in her striped pink pajamas, which seemed to be her favorite. They were wrinkled and the color so worn out you could barely see the out line of the blue bunny wearing glasses on the shirt's pocket.

Mother looked up when she heard the door close and smiled softly, returning to her work soon after. I walked over to the island and leaned against it lazily. "I'm so happy you're still here," I directed to Madison. "Carla here, can't cook for ####." I pointed at my mother who looked up at us when Madison smirked. The love in her eyes was all I needed to long for love myself.