The Unlucky Ones

[10] - Choosing Day

[Tobias]

ANOTHER YEAR, ANOTHER CHOOSING DAY, another shift I have to work. I'm utterly exhausted. I didn't fall asleep until sometime around 4:00 this morning. I can hear the shouting and whooping up above us. The initiates are here. I see a gray blur slam into the net. At first, I blame it on my exhaustion. No one would intentionally come to Dauntless from Abnegation unless you're running from something.

I approach the net. I want to see if it's someone I know. She laughs, exhaling a sigh of relief. She covers her face momentarily. A swarm of hands reach for her, including my own. She flails her hand toward the closest one. Mine. Everyone steps back, allowing me to take control. I pull on the net and she rolls to me. She stops just in front of me. Our eyes meet. She blinks twice, exhaling sharply. Beatrice Prior.

Are you okay?

Beatrice, I don't think we should be seen talking to each other. I wouldn't want to hurt your reputation.

It's been two years since she last saw me. I must look different now. But, there's still a possibility she may recognize me so I can't let my guard down. Her eyes examine mine. Almost as if she is trying to decipher if she's seen them before. She probably saw Marcus' eyes at the ceremony today. And mine, unfortunately, look very similar to his.

" What, you get pushed? " I ask, building up a wall around my identity.

If I had the freedom to talk without needing to hide my identity, I wouldn't be so harsh on her. I could speak to her freely and calmly. Give her a rundown of what to expect. But here, in front of all these people? No chance. She shakes her head, biting her lip.

" No. " She says.

I reach up to her, pulling her closer. Her hand is small and warm. My hand slips to her waist and I lift her off of the net. I set her down in front of me.

" A Stiff? First to jump? Now that's unheard of. " Lauren mocks her.

I glare, shaking my head.

" There's a reason why she left, Lauren. " I say.

I look from Lauren back to Beatrice.

" What's your name? " I ask, knowing it already but wondering if she has the audacity to change it.

She opens her mouth, then closes it, and continues the cycle over and over like fish out of water.

" Hello? Did you hear me? " I ask.

She nods, jolted by my sudden retort. I'm being colder than I should. In all honesty, I'm just curious to see if her memory is still as sharp as before.

" Think about it, " I say, shifting my weight onto my other foot. " You won't get to pick again. "

She nods.

" Tris. " She says.

I nod, burning her new name into my mind. I like it. Simple. Smooth. Rolls off the tongue easier. I suddenly realize I've taken too long to announce her name.

" First Jumper, Tris! " I shout to the Dauntless members.

The Dauntless surrounding us cheer, smiling and clapping for her.

Yeah, Tris!
Welcome in, Green-bean.
Let's see how long she lasts.

I turn to face her, our eyes meeting.

" Welcome to Dauntless. " I say, smiling slightly.

She smiles in return. I turn around, stepping away from the net. My mind floods with bad thoughts. And not inappropriate thoughts, just bad images. Like Beatrice--Tris laying dead on the floor of the initiate dormitories. Murdered by one of the other initiates. I shake the thought from my mind. She stands close, but not close enough to be considered conversation worthy. I look at her in small spurts to try and not stare.