Kill Em With Kindness

The Amity

Watching the leaves sway in the trees is a pastime of mine, especially since I didn't have anything left to occupy my mind. to be clear I didn't have any busy work left, you see this morning when I got up I immediately started getting dressed throwing on my go-to outfit. 

Getting ready for the day ahead I put on my yellow tank-top and apple red shorts. Kneeling down to lace up my boots, then tie my dark brown hair into a high ponytail. Taking a quick look in the mirror I turn to leave grabbing a banana on my way out.

Stepping out into the brisk summer morning, I stop to take in a deep breath relishing the smell of morning dew. Treading along the gravel path munching happily on my snack I felt a sort of personal rejuvenation. Mama Jo was expecting me to visit her today, hopefully, she won't mind the early morning cleaning.

Quietly opening the door to her barn, I head in and start getting to work. Feeding and watering the horses, getting rid of the old hay and laying down a new layer. She woke up only after I had gotten done brushing my favorite horse.

From the loft upstairs I heard mama call down "Riley? what are you doing here so early?"
She began walking down the spiral stairs still groggy with sleep. "I just wanted to get a head start on the day."

She in response gave me a playful yet knowing look "Mhm. well, since you've gone and tended to the horses, can I get you some tea?" Now that she mentioned it I did feel quite parched "sure that sounds great." I chime taking a seat at the table.

"So, now that I have you trapped for a bit, you wanna tell me why you're actually here so early." Taking a sip of the tea, I was sure she would find out one way or another.

"She deserves to hear it from me."   I think, setting down my cup "Well...my aptitude test is tomorrow, and I'm terrified of what my results might be."

She looks up taking a seat beside me. "You know you have everyone's support, regardless of your results... this is deeper than that isn't it?" I guess she was right I hadn't tried to think any deeper into it. Mainly because I didn't want to think about it at all.

feeling frustrated and defeated I admitted, "I can't go to Abnegation cause personally, I like my mirror." I say jokingly "Erudite is a no go, there's no way I would have the brains for that." it's true, but they also seem pretentious which I'm NOT a fan of.

 "I do value honesty however it always feels like the Candor abuse there so-called honesty." Getting more excited about my last two options I start to speak quicker than before "I can defiantly see me staying here or going to-" I cut myself short knowing the story behind mama Jo's scars, and where she came from.

This made me hang my head in embarrassment, I didn't want to remind her of where she came from. Instead of feeling awkward she continued the conversation "What would you change your name to?" looking up I see that she seemed proud of me. 

When I was little I had told her once that I wished I could change my name. Upon hearing this she told me that dauntless initiates had the choice to change their name, but only once. "Um... well I have a few ideas, like Kristy or Lola."

She laughed filling the room with a soft warmth "I'm sorry hun, its just I figured you'd have some snarky sarcastic sounding name to reflect your more... Obvious traits." I grin sipping more of my tea "Oh yeah? Like what?"

She drank her tea humming "Well, something like alpha?" I burst out cackling it was just too funny, it sounds like the kind of name a"chad" would pick. I told her just that, she tried to defend here reasoning with "Oh hush you know what I mean, something personal to you but could have a double meaning."

As soon as the words left her lips one word popped into my mind. "Karma." She took a long pause to look at me. "Exactly, just like Karma." I had a shit-eating grin before I told her "Well you know what they say, Karmas a bitch."

Nearly spitting her tea out, a hand flew to her mouth to prevent spewage from going everywhere. After recovering she nodded saying "Now that's clever." Sighing she gave me a glum smile before looking down at her hands. "You want to transfer to dauntless?"

 Growing up I tried to ignore any idea of going to dauntless, as I thought it would have disappointed Jo. She was the only mother figure I had growing up, I look up at her, and as if she had read my mind she said. "I could tell, ever since you were five you would tell off anyone you thought deserved it."

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding in, it was relieving to know that mama not only approved but even seemed happy for me. I began to tear up at the thought of leaving her but she caught me "mMmM no, no mama we will not be having any of that." She said swiftly wiping away my tears.

Firmly grabbing my shoulders she looked me in the eyes stating "If this is your choice, good, I'm happy for you however we will not spend these next few days sulking." I nodded in agreement taking her hand in mine, "I know mama." With that we collapsed into a hug, little did she know I fully intended on making surprise visits.

After a few minutes, we both pulled away and made a deal that she would wait for me tomorrow at my house to hear about my results. With that, I headed out as I had an errand for miss Mayell, an older amity lady that has trouble walking for long distances.

Arriving at her house I noticed how it was a little overgrown and covered in flowers, it was beautiful how the dandelions mingled with small white daisies. Walking up the front porch steps I pressed the doorbell hearing it's chime from inside.

I've always wondered where they put the speaker so you could hear it all over the house.

Suddenly the door opens to miss Mayell, she was hunched over from old age but still smiled like a young girl going to a party.

"Oh Riley I'd almost forgotten you were coming over, I'm glad you did though." She said lightly tapping my arm, before ushering me in and over to her couch. "Now you just sit there and I'll get the papers for you."

While waiting I took a quick once over of the place and noticed that all the windows had been opened. From the back yard, I could hear the whimsical clank of a wooden wind chime, she had pictures hung on the walls of her and a small dog with mismatched eyes.

She came back carrying a black and white folder, and it was filled to the brim with evidence of two candor kids stealing her flower pots and breaking some. She always made sure to mention it when I would visit her for muffins and idle chat.

She was seeking legal action, which is handled by the Candor council. Mama said there leader is a good guy who just wants the truth and is honest in a nonoffensive way. Unlike some of the younger Candors I've met.

"Alright now, this should be all of it." she stated handing me the hefty folder, taking it from her she asked me "Will you be alright taking it by yourself?" I nodded telling her that "I'd be fine, and it'd be nice to see the city during its busy time."

"well alrighty then" she must have seen a clock behind me since her eyes trailed to the side before she exclaimed. "Oh my goodness, is that really the time, I'm sorry hunny but you better get a move on. wouldn't want to keep those nice lawyers waiting."

She went to open the front door and I took that as my cue to leave. Ushering myself out the door tucking the folder under my arm I begin my trip.