Chapter Text
“Alice!“ I heard the voice of my father and peeked through the branches of the tree I was sitting on. “Up here! What do you need?” I asked jumping down with a bunch of apples in my apron. “I need your help with building the barn.” He said and I cocked my eyebrows. “I thought Joey would help you?” I asked whilst walking back with him. “He wanted to. But he went off with Katy.” He sighed, shaking his head. “As long as he’s happy.” He smiled and I did too. “At least I get to work together with you.” I laughed and excused myself shortly. “Mom! I brought apples!” She sat in the living room, reading a story to my little brother. “Oh thank you darling. Do you want to hear a story?” she asked but I shook my head. “I need to help dad, after Joey vanished.” I giggled and went back outside, where my father stood.
Gathering the last few branches in the woods, two arms suddenly surrounded me. “Aliii!” The high pitched voice of my friend Sarah yelled and I nearly dropped the branches. “God Sarah you scared me.” I laughed and sat the wood down to embrace my friend. “Are you coming this evening? We have a big celebration because of the Aptitude Test tomorrow.” She beamed, ever the happy one. >Right tomorrow.< The uneasy feeling from the last few weeks came back. “So. You coming?” she snapped her hand in front of my eyes and I jerked back. “Sure. I just need to get this wood back to the barn.” I told her and she looked down onto the many branches piled onto each other. “How can you even pick them up. They look so heavy?” she seemed stunned and tried to grip one of the thicker branches. “Look it’s as big as my thigh!” she exclaimed and smoothed down her skirt to demonstrate the thickness of the branch. “Well … I always helped my father with building so I always had to carry around heavy planks.” I mumbled and she shrugged. “See you this evening. Psst Roy will be there too.” She giggled and poked me in the ribs. My cheeks grew warm and I looked to the ground. “Be quiet.” I laughed and she did too. “Oh come on you are such a lovely couple!” she cried and I shushed her. “Could you be any louder?” I whispered panicking. “But it’s true!” she whisper-yelled and I grinned. “Yeah probably.” I knew it was easier to just give in, so I just shut up and agreed with her. “Anyways, I need to get those back. See you later.” I mumbled, hugged her goodbye and yelled “Go with happiness” after she ran off.
“Alice there you are!” Sarah yelled over the music and jumped around my neck. “I told you I’d come.” I laughed and hugged back.” I snickered and she dragged me to a group of teenagers, all the same age as me and Sarah. “Guys Alice finally came!” she yelled and everyone hugged me. “Nice to see you guys.” I greeted them and felt arms coming around my waist from behind. “Hey there.” Roy’s voice rumbled in his chest and I felt my cheeks growing warmer and warmer. “Hey Roy.” I sheepishly mumbled and he sat down next to me, our legs touching. “And are you exited for tomorrow?” he asked, his never fading smile on his lips. “Nervous, but happy to finally choose my faction.” I answered and a wild discussion broke loose. “I’ll probably get Amity as my test result. I love it here. I won’t transfer.” Some said and that same feeling from earlier that day came back. >What will I choose? Am I going back to Amity? Will I try living a honest life in Candor? Study all day like an Erudite or live selflessly in Abnegation?< My thoughts wandered from one faction to the other. >Or I’ll follow in the footsteps of my big brother Brad … with choosing Dauntless. The warrior faction.Ok probably not Candor.<
A few hours later we helped with cleaning and walked back to our homes. Tomorrow was after all a very important day. Roy insisted on walking me back home, not that I minded, his presence was comforting. “Thank you for walking me home.” I said, as we stood in front of my home. “No problem.” His smile was addictive and I felt the corners of my mouth lift up. “You’re beautiful when you smile. You know that?” he whispers and tucked a stand of hair behind my ear, before he leaned in and kissed me. Just a small peck on the lips. His skin felt smooth with a few rough patches where I imagine a beard is starting to grow. “Good night. Go with happiness.” With a hug and a kiss on my forehead he vanished. I couldn’t do anything except for staring in the direction he went, an incredulous smile on my face. “Go with happiness.” I whispered to no one and went inside.
Back in my room I shed my flowing dress and looked at my reflection in the mirror. My blond hair flowed down my back, well exceeding my breasts. I saw my muscles move under my skin and thought back on all those times I used to help my father. >What will happen if I go? Will they go on without me. Managing their life just like they used to once Brad left.< sighing I washed my face in the sink, just to again stare at myself in the mirror. Sparkling green eyes look back at me and freckles adorned my nose and cheeks. “How much am I going to change?” I mumbled and pulled my nightgown on. “That depends on the faction you choose.” The voice of my father made me jump and I turned around. “Dad you scared me.” I laughed and he gave me a hug. “What should I do?” I mumbled in his chest and he chuckled. “Choose what you think for yourself to be true. How could you find peace in a faction you don’t belong in?” he asked and I looked up to him. “Now go sleep. The next two days are very important for your life.” He gave me a kiss on my forehead and I went to bed.
As soon as our lessons were over, Sarah pulled me to a circle of Amity girls, playing a few games on the cafeteria floor. Probably to calm their nerves. Once I was out and sat in the middle, I took a good look around the room. Erudites sat on one table, everyone involved in a fierce discussion about learning and, what I understood, about jokes. I shook my head thinking >I could never learn this much. I’d probably just say ‘I’m not interested’ and ignore my task. That is if I’d find the courage to go against my upbringing.Would I fit in with them?< I wondered and heard the door opening. The next names are called out. Two of each faction and I was amongst them. The other Amity girls wish me fun and good luck, but all I wanted to do was run away and hide myself.
I felt my hands shivering as I walked into the room with the number 8. A man from Abnegation greets me with his name and I just smiled at him, not trusting my voice to form any words. “Please sit down and make yourself comfortable. We’ll start with the simulation shortly.” His voice was calming, yet the mirrors made me feel uneasy. Seeing me from every angle made me realise how unusual I looked in Amity clothing. Gathering my courage I sat on the reclined chair and the man handed me a vial containing some liquid. “I’ll just adjust these electrodes to see how your simulation goes. Then you can start the Simulation with drinking the liquid.” He explained and, like he said, put the electrodes on my temple. Taking a deep breath I swallowed the liquid and laid my head against the headrest.