True colours

Chapter 1 - a new beginning

*picture is the new character - Aria Stritter* 

I walk to the end of the hall and turn into the bathroom. My mother is waiting there to trim my hair. Once every third month I have my hair trimmed, at this time I also get to catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. There is only one mirror in my house - well, only one mirror in every abnegation house. We are the faction that takes vanity for granted.

I sit on a hard wooden stool while my mother stands behind me humming ever so slightly while she trims the ends of my long brown, slightly wavy hair. 

When she finishes, she collects the strands of my hair and wraps them into a plain tight bun. While she does this I examine her features, the slight crease on her forehead, her thin nose and dimpled smile. She is naturally beautiful, which is an abnormality for abnegation as most people look pretty plain.

Just before she is about to pull close the little door that covers the mirror, I sneak a look at myself, my mother pauses, allowing me to look at myself for a second. I study my face - because one often forgets what they look like when they're restricted to see their reflection. 

In the mirror, I see a thin tanned face, big brown eyes, a small nose and freckles that dust my cheeks – I look the same way I looked several years ago- like a little girl. Many people in abnegation often look small and dainty, they are also often ignored because of this. 

In my opinion, Abnegation is an interesting faction. We dedicate our lives to helping people and put their needs above our own. It's usually calming and empowering, though sometimes it can get a little frustrating - never thinking of or about myself that is. There are times where I feel as though I barely know myself.

"that's all you get," my mother breaks my train of thought by sliding away the rest of the mirror, only to emerge again in another 3 months. 

"Todays the day," she says.

"yes," I reply, a level of uncertainty in my voice.

Today is the day of the aptitude test, the test that will tell me which faction of the five that I truly belong in. The result will determine which faction I end up selecting tomorrow at the choosing ceremony. Technically I don't have to pick the faction that the aptitude test tells me, but most people do.

I will either decide to stay and continue a life of selflessness in Abnegation or to leave my home, my family and my friends for a chance of a new beginning, new life, following different rules. 

Speaking of friend's, I wonder if Beatrice is thinking about what faction she will choose. Beatrice has been my best friend since I learned to walk, we have always been there for each other. We could talk for hours on end without being bored. Though I know if I choose to stay in Abnegation I most likely will continue my life without her in it. She would often tell me that she felt out of place here and some of her actions would show that too.

"How are you feeling?" My mother asks, trying to get me to look her in the eyes.

Unable to bring myself to look her in the eyes I reply with a lie, "I'm fine," as I speak I drop my gaze to the hairbrush resting on the counter.

"Right, well you should go get ready now," she gives me a warm smile and walks out of the room, probably to go get breakfast ready.

After I put on my clothes (or slacks should I say) I walk down the stone hall, a pinch of coldness each time I put my foot down. When I get to the kitchen I see my father make breakfast as my mother clears and sets the table, a smile on her face as she does so. It's mornings like these in which I could never picture myself leaving, it's on these days when I can clearly see a future for me here. It's just so calm and peaceful.