Kill Em With Kindness

Prove Them Wrong

Since I was young I had been told by different people that I would be nothing when I grew up. Today was my day to prove them wrong.

I took a deep breath staring down my reflection in front of me. Deciding what to do with my hair as I played with it, I glanced out the window and saw one of the horses grazing. It's main was braided and glistened in the sun.

So I figured I'd mimic the beautiful hairstyle by making to medium-sized besides on the top of my head and let the rest flow down the back of my shoulders.

I never really liked my long hair mostly cause I never bothered learning what to do with it. I usually had it tied up in some way or another.

I exhale contemplating if I should dress more amity-like then usual you know long flowy dress kind of thing or if I should be practical.

I decide it's my last chance to really wear a dress so I go for it putting on a yellow flowy summer dress with red flats.

Admiring myself in the mirror I casually put my hands in the pockets of my dress and felt sure of myself

At least I do until I notice the time I had only fifteen minutes to make it to the ceremony which means I only had five minutes to make it to the cars that were picking us up

As I ran I could hear the dauntless trucks pulling in and loading up the amity, I guess they were a lil late too.

Merging into the small cluster of amity kids I try to slow my breathing when I overheard some of the others around me

Somewhere behind me, I could hear a boy say "do you think we'll make it?"
The boy holding his hand responded to this by saying "I know we will as long as we're together." He then leaned his head on the other boy's shoulder.

My attention was pulled away when a girl in front of me whispered not to quietly to her friend "holy cow why are they all so attractive?"

The other girl chimed in " I know right especially that tall one over there" she whispered and nodded her head towards someone familiar.
But I couldn't place how I knew him

He must've sensed our eyes on him because he looked over and it felt like he locked eyes with me that's when I knew he was the same soldier from the other day the one who's eyes could burn and freeze you all at once

It was unsettling. And I couldn't help but look away which I scolded myself for. There's no room for any intimidation or squeamishness in dauntless

The girls giggled then while he was looking at us. His eye rolled and back turned to us.

He finished a conversation with another dauntless soldier and turned back to the crowd "Alright everyone listen up, we need to form four single lines next to each of the trucks. If you need assistance someone will help you."

We followed his instructions without hesitation. Some were excited as we entered the trucks. Others looked like they were going to lose their breakfast.

I had been near the end of the line so it took a few minutes to get to the truck doors. Eventually, I was able to climb up into the vehicle when I felt large hands on my hips help boost me into my seat

Whipping my head to the side my eyes landed on the familiar stranger. Being this close definitely only made the uncomfortable feeling from before ten times worse but this time I wasn't going to look away.

"Thanks, but I didn't need help." I stated plainly, It was true that and I don't like to be touched unless I'm close to the person.

"You're welcome. To be fair you're short it would be easy to think you need help" he turned on a heel and walked around the side of the truck.

What the hell was that about? I understand I'm small but I'm not helpless. It must be because I come from amity.

On the ride, I watched the trees out the window blur past us. With my mind wandering I tried to stomp out the idea I was divergent if I could convince myself that my results were dauntless. Just dauntless. Then maybe I could survive initiation.

In the truck there was idle chatter some words stuck out "amity... candor... Orphan." That caught my attention I knew they were talking about me.

"Where do you think she'll go?" That's what everyone wanted to know. If I really belonged to any faction or if I'd go back to where I came from.

I knew the simple version of where I'm from and I know that it's caused issues for me from day one.

The truck came to a stop on the concrete road. In front of the hub where all of us sixteen-year-olds decided where we go for the rest of our lives.... No pressure.

Except that's all I could feel swelling into a tight knot in my stomach. When the truck came to a stop it was silent I don't think anyone was really ready for this

Stepping out onto the packed gravel I look at the hub. Tilting my head so my eye could reach the top I wondered how tall it was exactly.

Drifting inside with the rest I could see the five factions divided into neat uneven sections there were many abnegation and Amity but very few erudite and candor The Dauntless seats were almost filled to the brim with maybe one or two being empty.

To my left was a large stage set with five bowls all holding items that represent the factions

Grey stones for abnegation water for erudite Earth for Amity broken glass for Candor and lit coals for dauntless

Taking a seat near the middle of the amity section I lose focus on my surroundings and of the people around me

This was real and I would finally be free. Free from the lie of being amity I will be so fierce and fearless that there would be no doubt I belong.

Since I was little I ran and climbed. I did the heavy lifting too and had a fair amount of muscle if I do say so myself. I don't think I'll be one of the weaker ones

I swear I'd only been sitting for a few minutes when in the stunned silence I heard my name "Riley Keague." I stand alone no family to hug or tell me they believe in me but I knew Jo was hear silently supporting me.

Walking down towards the knife used to pledge myself to a faction all I could hear was the sound of my own heart beating in my ears.

With each step, time seemed to slow. Like the falling of a leaf through the air.
Stopping in front of five bowls.

My eyes flicker to the burning coals as memories flash through my mind. Everything I ever was everything that has made me who I am now means nothing.

I cut the edge of my palm watching the red emerged and begin to form a droplet. Having only seconds to choose before the blood would drip I quickly put my hand over dauntless I could feel the heat rising from the bowl below my fist.

It was silent till the blood fell to the coals causing a satisfying sizzle. The silence was shattered with a boisterous ruckus of cheers shouts and the clapping of hands.

A bandage was placed in my hand as I was being ushered towards the dauntless. "Congratulations you're one of us now!" A familiar voice called out

It was none other than Tore he was grinning from ear to ear and offered a hug which I gladly took. He let go and gave me the gloves from yesterday and said "here, you'll need these soon"

Pulling the black leather over my fingers I walk back to tore "so now we wait for this to be over right?"

He nodded and we both took our seats, this was what I had been waiting for the day that I was no longer who I pretended to be.