Chapter Text
Mara Pedrad POV:
I slowly opened my heavy eyelids and allowed the sunlight to shine onto my dark brown iris’s. I lifted my back off my black and white plaid comforter, and ran my hands through my straight, dark brown hair.
Today is the day. I thought to myself.
The day I had to decide who I am, and who I want to be. I always thought I knew myself and knew what I wanted in my life, but now I am not so sure.
Being new to adulthood was enough of a challenge, and now I am being forced to leave my parents and everything I know.
I always hated living in my faction. Living in a faction full of honest people was never easy. I was constantly ridiculed by my teachers and peers in school for no reason. Citizens of Candor were honest about everything, and I did not notice how harsh and critical I could be until I grew up.
I stepped out of bed and followed my usual morning grooming routine. I decided to wear a white button down blouse with quarter length sleeves and a black and white plaid skirt. I chose to wear a pair of my simple and comfortable black flats. I curled my waist length raven colored hair, and then I gazed at my reflection in the mirror.
I ran my fingers across my moisturized dark brown skin and my full lips. I sighed as I stared at my thick misshapen eyebrows and my narrowed head. My dark brown almonds shaped eyes had no light in them recently. I backed away from the mirror and grabbed my long strapped bag over my shoulder.
“Mara, are you awake?” I heard my mother yell from downstairs.
“Yes, mom I will be down in a minute.” I said walking away from the mirror and out of my room.
“You woke up a little later than usual this morning.” My mom said giving me an almost worried look.
“I know, I’m sorry. I did not get much sleep last night.” I said sitting down at the round glass table in our white wall kitchen. Everything in our house was painted white. The traditional Candor colors were black and white, but thankfully the dress code is a little more flexible than it used to be.
“Are you worried about the Choosing Ceremony?” My mom said placing a plate of vanilla stuffed chocolate French toast with a side of bacon, and a tall glass of orange juice on the table.
I looked down at the breakfast in disgust.
“Somewhat, I guess. I just feel uncertain about my decision. Whatever decision I make will change my life forever, and I do not think I am ready for that.” I confessed.
My mother lifted my chin, so I could look her in the eye. “Make the decision that is best for you and no one else.”
I smiled lightly. “I will.”
“Good, now eat your breakfast.” My mom said before she walked to the sink.
My father entered the kitchen with a bright smile on his face. My father name is Uriah Pedrad, and mother name is Christina Pedrad.
We are a really close family, but we have been through a lot of difficult times. My mother told me that there was a war in between the factions more than twenty years ago, and my father received severe brain injuries from an explosion.
There were times where he would have around ten seizures a week, fainting spells, amnesia, and chronic headaches. Now that he takes several types of medication, his condition has improved, but I know that my father will never be the same.
“Good Morning.” My father said kissing my mother’s cheek and patting my shoulder.
He sat down at the table and my mother placed a big plate of food in front of him.
“Are you ready for the Choosing Ceremony?” My father asked while stuffing his face.
I bit into a piece of bacon. “As ready as I will ever be.”
“I am sure everything will turn out fine, and if it doesn’t remember that we are here for you.” My father said and I nodded.
I ate my bacon slowly, and then I got up from the table.
“You did not even touch your French toast.” My mother stated and I rolled my eyes before turning around.
“I am not hungry, and I do not want to be late.”
“Alright, well you need to hug your father and me before you just walk out the door.” I sighed internally.
I hate anything involving affection. I hugged my mother and then my father.
My father kissed my forehead. “I am going to miss you mallowmar.”
“I’ll miss you guys too. I will visit whenever I can.” I said walking towards the door.
When I opened the door, I turned around and glanced at my parents one last time. They both waved bye, and I waved back weakly.
After our last goodbye, I shut the door quicker than I anticipated. I walk out of our middle class neighborhood and into the city streets of Chicago.
I passed by banks, stores, and several restaurants before I arrived at the Hub. My mother told me that when she attended the Choosing Ceremony parents were allowed to go, but since the war happened new rules were made.
The old Candor representative Jack Kang died of a mysterious illness ten years ago, so now we have a new representative named Helsa Long. I always viewed her as a fair skinned, slanted eyed demon.
I walked inside of The Hub, and there were people everywhere. I have never been a shy person, but the sight of all the different faction citizens was overwhelming. Instead of there being five factions there were six. My parents told me that the Factionless was now considered a faction. I sat down in my designated section, and I saw Helsa standing at the podium near the bowls.
The noise in the room died down, and Helsa introduced herself.
“Good afternoon, my name is Helsa Long, and I am hosting this year’s Choosing Ceremony. Today is a day that calls for a celebration. Today you will take your first step into the future, and you will map out your own destiny by choosing one of these factions. Once you choose your faction of choice, you will be tested in ways in never thought possible. The initiation process is always difficult and haunting, but this year things will be different. This year, you will be put through the ultimate test to determine whether or not you really belong to your selected faction. Good Luck, and I advise you to choose wisely.” Helsa said and then she began to call people names one by one.
There was a male with peach colored skin, deep chocolate brown hair, and a muscular body walking toward the bowls. I noticed he wore causal clothes and I knew he had to be factionless. The factionless were allowed to wear anything they want. His name was Gage Eaton.
I shook my head at the sight of him. Before I could relax, my name was called. “Mara Pedrad.”
I slowly stood up and walked toward the metal bowls. I grabbed the knife on the table, and I stared at each bowl. I closed my eyes briefly, and I allowed my mind to drift to my childhood. I thought about my dreams and aspirations, and I made my decision. I opened my eyes and ran the sharp knife against the center of my hand. I allowed my blood to pour into the Erudite bowl, and I heard some people cheer behind me.
I walked to the Erudite section, and I could feel there intimidating eyes on me. The rest of the ceremony seemed the pass by swiftly, and before I could think about my mistake, I was walking onto the train.