Divergent: Jeanine's Story

The Choosing Ceremony- Jeanine

Hey everyone! So I kinda forgot to update... for a long time... but here's the story! I'll try and update more often in the future

-Elizabeth (BooksBBCandShips, previously midnightkitty)

Hot tears spill over my cheeks as soon as Elizabeth walks in the bathroom. Doesn't she understand the danger she's put us in? If she announced it, our entire family would be killed. Her reckless attitude could be the death of all of us. All because she only thought about herself. I'm not saying she has to become a Stiff, but she can't continue like this.

I can hear the door opening, so I quickly pretend to read again. Like the ignorant jerk she is, she doesn't even notice the my red eyes. Furious, I roll on to my side and go to sleep.

~•~•~•

I don't say a word until we're in the car, on our way to the Choosing Ceremony. A pane of glass separates the front seats and the backseats, so no one should be able to hear us.

I scowl and turn on Elizabeth. "You got Dauntless, right?"

She stares at the ground. "Yeah."

"Well listen up. I'm not going to protect you my entire life. You better choose Dauntless. Change your name. Dye your hair. But never come back. Can't you see the danger you've put us in? Noooo, of course you can't. You think Andrew telling would only hurt you. Well news flash, I'd die too! And our parents would, and Mark and Zane and Derek just because you couldn't accept not everything was about you!!!"

Elizabeth looks shocked. "Don't be stupid. They'd only kill me."

I roll my eyes and glare at her. "You don't think our brothers all choosing a different faction is a little off? And tell me, have you seen Michael's parents anywhere? Or his little sister?"

She stares at me. "You're never going to protect me. You're always going to protect yourself."

I don't know why, but that infuriates me even more. "I have dreams too, Elizabeth! I want to be successful, and last time I checked, you can't be successful if you're dead! You've always been so selfish! Would it kill you to think about the consequences of your actions once in a while? Not just to yourself, but too other people? I've had to put up with your reputation for years, and I am DONE. Just please, please leave."

She laughs dryly. "Oh trust me, I will."

~•~•~•

Once we get to the Hub, we take the elevator up. The five bowls are set out ready. It's Erudite's turn to host this year, and my mother is helping out. Apparently Norton is busy, so she will be reading the names.

"Zeckler, Hannah!"

An Amity girl steps forward and chooses Candor, causing a tall woman with chunky braids to burst in to tears. Her mother, most likely.

"Yale, Alyssa!"

This time it's a Dauntless girl, who stays Dauntless. Bored out of my mind, I fantasize about being the one up there. Could I do it? Could I be the representative?

And it continues. I can feel Elizabeth tense as Andrew gets called up. He chooses Abnegation, like Natalie.

"Matthews, Jeanine!" My mom calls, smiling at me slightly over the paper. I don't even hesitate. I slide the blade over my hand and watch my blood stain the Erudite water a little pinker.

The room bursts into applause, and I go sit with Charlotte, who squeezes my hand.

"Matthews, Elizabeth!" My mom calls. Elizabeth takes a breath to steady herself and accepts the knife. She slashes her hand and lets her blood drip over- the Dauntless coals.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. The Erudite mutter, but the Dauntless explode with cheers.

"Oh no." Charlotte mutters. "You're going to have to forget about her now, Jeanine."

I smile. "Trust me. I will."

LINE BREAK THINGY

"Abbington, Amanda!" My mom calls, her voice raspy.

Amara, an Amity girl, decides to stay Amity.

"Let's have some applause for our new citizens!" A Candor woman yells, causing the entire Hub to explode into applause. The factions take that as their cue to leave, and a tall woman with chunky red braids ushers us out of the Hub. The Dauntless storm past us at a run, and for a second Elizabeth's eyes meet mine.

Then they flick away.