Divergent: When We Were Young

Chapter Thirteen

As a child growing up in Abnegation, I was taught that the Erudite was never to be trusted, that their views for intelligence and logic overpowered their view for compassion. So as I step into a white pristine Erudite bathroom, I think of all the lies told about Abnegation and its virtues.

I lock myself in the stall and stare at the clothes and accessories I was given by Christina. Instead of an official Erudite member giving me a a pair of clothes, she shoved these in my face and told me to change. So I do.

I wear a blue dress with a jeweled collar that comes about half way down my thighs. I also have a on blue stiletto heels with a sparkly strap and heel. To top it all off, I have dark blue earrings.

I begin to walk out of the bathroom, when I'm shoved back in by The lady of evening.

Christina.

"What are you doing?" I ask. Christina looks me up and down, a slight smirk playing at her lips.

"You look hot. I do a great job." Her smile is wider than her ego. "Now let's do your makeup!"

She pulls out a black bag and dumps the contents out on the sink. She stares at my face intently for a while before snatching a makeup brush and compact.

"Let's get down to business."

About a half hour later, my face has a dark black wing, nude-slightly pink- eyeshadow and lipstick and blush. I wear a confident smile, even in pounds of cosmetics and Erudite blue.

"Come on, we're late for the opening ceremony." Christina says. She loops her arm through mine and we walk out of the bathroom. It takes a few steps to get to the elevator, but once we get inside I push the one button to the bottom floor.

"So, why was, um, Four crying yesterday?" Christina asks, instantly making the air awkward.

I suck in a breath and try to summon an answer. "Uh, well the faction festival kinda brought up old feelings. He lost his mom when he was young and, I guess, seeing everyone reuniting with their families it just made old memories rise up." I finally manage to say, while staring at the metal doors.

Christina nods. "I didn't know that. Did you, you know before he told you?"

"I knew."

"How?"

I'm about to answer when the doors open as they ding. I walk out, heels clacking on the marble floor, dress swaying with my steps, and somehow after that awkward conversation, a very confident smile on my face. I hear Jeanine's faint voice echo through the hallway.

I see Tobias dressed in a crisp blue suit in the mass of the crowd. He sees me and looks me up and down, a smirk sliding across his lips. I blush a bit. When I reach him, I intwine our hand together, leaning my head on his shoulder. He plants a kiss on my cheek.

"So, what did I miss?" I ask quietly.

"Well," he whispers in my ear. His voice vibrating through my body. "Nothing yet, but I must tell you, it's very hard to not look at you when you're wearing that dress."

I giggle, moving my lips to his ear. "I can say the same for you. Blue looks very good on you. A little too good." I respond.

Tobias laughs and puts a hand on my waist, bringing me closer to him. After Jeanine finishes her speech, we all head to the giant dining hall for lunch.

I don't know if this happens all the time, but servers roam the room. Men in white dress shirts and thin ties, an apron wrapped around their waists hold trays with plates resting on them. Passing plates of steak and green beans. When I get mine, I can truly say eloquence is for the Erudite. Steam rises from the steak and grab my fork and knife.