Shift {A 'Divergent' Fanfiction}

{Introduction}

Disclaimer- Divergent belongs to the fantastic Veronica Roth, not me. Some of the characters in this are created by me, but I do not own the brilliant series that is Divergent.

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I felt my heartbeat pound in my chest.  The bright blue decoration of the Erudite compound blurring my senses.  I've always loved it here.  The research, the teachings, everything.  My whole family lived here, embracing their strong, intelligent roots.  I too am like them- intelligent.  Even to the people here, I've always been one step ahead of the work given to me in school.  There was no doubt what I should choose.

My sister, Isabella, was certain to be Erudite.  Though, as she worded it to me, she'd always felt like an Amity.  In some weird way.  I agree, to an extent, because Isabella hated conflict.  She was considered a peace maker, unlike me.  It was hard to imagine us twins, really.  We don't look too much like each other, and we aren't at all similar, but we are close, you know?  The way sisters should be.

I look into a mirror on the wall to my left.  I was considered the 'pretty' twin.  I saw it, I guess, as down to our hair primarily.  I have mid-length to long platinum blonde hair.  My sister has short, muddy blonde locks that end at her neck. 

I could never be an Abnegation.  The idea of giving up everything you love for someone else horrified me.  Yes, I was kind and I was generous, but I couldn't give up mirrors, or human contact.  I couldn't be a Stiff.

I heard footsteps behind me, the clinking of heels on the marble floor of the compound. I froze in my position, getting a whiff of strong perfume, peppermint and lavender. A hand set itself on my shoulder.

"Worried?" a soft, soothing voice said into my ear.

It was my mother. Her smile flowed from behind me, making me feel warm inside. She knew that I was having some doubts about the choosing ceremony tomorrow. Though my father was not so pleased, my mother understood the difficulty and wasn't offended that I was considering leaving.

"A little, I suppose..." my voice sounded rough and hesitant, the opposite to my usual chirpy tone.

She sighed through her nose, the corners of her mouth turning down. Unless you knew my mother, you'd assume she was frowning. But no, Abigail Reed never frowned. She was known for her strong, proper exterior. One reason she wasn't rated highly by the Abnegation.

"You have nothing to worry about, Tiffany." she smiled again, one of her signature smiles, her teeth shining like snow, "You will choose intelligently, I know you will."

With that, she brought me into her embrace and walked away, continuing to clink with her heels.

I looked up to the clock. The tests were in 10 minutes. I walked swiftly to the cafeteria, taking a seat next to my friend, Amaya.

"Look, all I'm saying is that the Lobster Research Project is pointless. In my own opinion."

She was quite beautiful, with long dark hair reflecting her chocolate skin. Her bright blue uniform shone on her, making her hazel eyes look stunning. I envied her sometimes.

Amaya was arguing with my other friend, James. James was as Erudite as you can get, really living up to the arrogant-yet-brilliant stereotype.

"Jeez, Amaya. Say anything else and people will take you for a Candor!" he smirked.

Amaya grunted defiantly, turning towards me. She never won these petty arguments between the two of them. Although he annoys us all, James is own of my closest friends. He'd never give up on you, or go behind your back. But his favourite activity is teasing Amaya.

"Tiffany!" I thought you'd never come down! I need someone to stress out with!"

I saw a bead of sweat roll down James's forehead as he realised what today was. Our Aptitude Tests.

"Where's Isabella? She came down ages ago?"
I felt a cloud of worry float over me, tugging on my brain.

"She got taken in early. Why?" Amaya stared at me, confused.

I sighed "It's just that I promised her I'd help her before she went in..."

I felt a pair of arms wrap around me from behind, warming me up inside. A smile formed on my face, brightening up the table we sat at. I saw James's worried expression soften into one of content. Isabella.

"Hey, Tiff!" her sweet voice hummed.

She walked around the table to the free seat next to James, letting his arm snake around her shoulders.

"How was the test?" I asked, feeling the frightfulness in my own voice.

"It actually went pretty well!" She said, smiling constantly. But I could tell something was up.

"That's my girl!" James said, kissing her cheek. Since they got together, me and Amaya have gotten much closer. If I do decide to leave, I'm not sure how I'm going to cope without my best friend. I'm pretty sure that Amaya will stay in Erudite, but I'm not as positive as I am with Isabella. I know she's a true Erudite, I just know.

"Also, it's your turn." She looks at me, smiling. "Do Mom proud."

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Hey! Sorry this chapter is so short. I needed a brief introduction to the rest of the story so...here it is!

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