Five Lives ➣ Divergent [Peter Hayes]

one

It's the day of the Choosing Ceremony and, unlike the majority of the city, I'm not nervous at all. I know what choice I'm going to make. I've always known.

I smooth down my black pants and tuck the tail of my white blouse in. My loose brown curls cascade around my shoulders, and my green eyes look vibrant thanks to the eyeliner around them. I sigh as I look around my bedroom, my safe haven of sixteen years that I will now be leaving behind. The locket from my mother is clasped around my neck; I never remove it. 

I hear a knock on the door. "Emerson?" I turn and see my older sister smiling at me. "Time to go." She says, walking over and standing next to me. 

"I want you to know that no matter what, I will always love you." She smiles at me in the mirror and then kisses my cheek. 

"Pres?" I ask, my eyes fluttering closed, savoring my sister's warm embrace. "Do you regret your choice?"

"Not at all. I needed to stay here and take care of you; you were always my top priority." She says.

"But, if it weren't for me, you wouldn't be stuck here. You could be anywhere, and-" I start rambling, as I usually do, but she only shakes her head to prevent me from going any further. 

"No. I'm meant to be here. I'm happy with Elliston, and Candor is the place where I'm most suited to thrive." She replies, sighing, and tucking a stray hair behind her ear. 

I smile in return. "I love you," I say. Guilt washes over me as I think about what I'm about to do.

"I love you more." She smiles wistfully; and at that moment, I begin to think she knows what my decision is going to be. 

"Girls?" We both turn to see Presley's husband, Elliston, standing in the doorway. "We're gonna be late if we don't leave now." He smiles, dangling the car keys in his hands.

My sister grabs my hand and leads me out of my bedroom for the last time. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Emerson Lancaster." My name is called, and Christina squeezes my hand in encouragement. This could be my last interaction with my best friend. 

I slowly walk up to the stage, forcing my self to walk with purpose, feigning confidence. 

Marcus, the leader of Abnegation, who in my opinion has a very punchable face, hands me a blade and smiles. 

I grimace back at him. 

Walking over to the five bowls in front of me, I take a deep breath and look up at my sister and Elliston. She has tears in her eyes, but nods and smiles encouragingly. I smile back, and do what my sister wanted but never had the opportunity to do. I press the blade into my hand, and blood seeps out. I extend my arm over the bowls.

Hot coal sizzles as my blood lands. 

"Dauntless!" Marcus shouts into the microphone. The crowd erupts in cheers, but I can't hear them. From the time I walk off the stage to the moment I reach the Dauntless, it is only me and my sister in the room. She smiles at me proudly. "I love you." She mouths. 

I say it back, and force tears away. Some other names are called, but I'm numb and in a daze, as I sit with my new faction, already longing for my sister's comforting touch. 

"Christina Lewis." I lift my head rapidly. Christina rises from the back of the room and makes her way toward the stage. Her arms are shaking from fear. She takes the blade from Marcus gingerly and presses it into her skin. She winces. Before extending her arm, she glances up and smiles at me.