Aberrant

Forty-Three: Brooke/Dex

Lyra puts her head in her hands. "This is cruel," she says, her voice barely audible. 

Amar glances at her, "One of the first lessons taught to children in Dauntless: Life is cruel," He turns his attention away from Lyra and focusses on me, "Now it's your turn, Brooke. Let's talk about your love life."

I blink, "Me?"

"Yes, you," He rolls his eyes, "I'm not one for mooching around the subject-"

"Clearly."

"-so let's get straight to it. You like Dex." 

I stare at him and then laugh awkwardly, "Blunt as always, Amar." 

"It's my speciality," he grunts, "Come on. Out with it Brooke. You like her." 

I flush, thinking back to Dex and all the crazy things she does, "Yeah." I can't help smiling, "I admit it. I like her."

Lyra, meanwhile, has lowered her face from her hands and is staring at Amar, aghast, "That's not how you approach the subject, Amar!"

He shrugs, "She's admitted it." He turns to me, "So, Initiate. You've got a choice to make here too."

I blink, "I do?"

"Either follow the girl of your dreams and go to Factionless-"

"But if I go to Factionless, then-" I start to protest, but Amar holds up his hand, stopping me. 

"Or," he continues, "You can stay here and help me protect Divergents who come into Dauntless."

I stare at him, stunned. This is how Amy must have felt. I realise. This is not a choice I can make in a split second. 

There's a quiet knock on the door and Amar opens in to admit Amy. She stand there, her hands hanging by her side, and, ignoring me and Amar, stares only at Lyra. 

"I'm coming with you." She says, the determination plain in her voice. 

Lyra's mouth falls open slightly and then, without warning, she throws herself into Amy's arms. 

Amar grins, "Great," he says, "You two need to leave soon though if you want to catch that train." 

Lyra breaks away from Amy and I can see that she's crying. "Thank you," she says quietly. She gives Amar a hug and then then she turns to me, "And thanks for saving me, Brooke."

"No problem," I smile, and then I gasp as she pulls me into a hug too. 

Amy takes her hand and the pair of them stand awkwardly looking at us for a moment. 

"Well," Lyra says at last, "I guess this is goodbye." 

"Goodbye," Amar smiles, "I hope you'll be happy in Factionless."

"Yeah," Lyra says quietly, and then they gives us a nod and leave, the door shutting quietly behind them. 

Amar turns to me, "Will you be going with them?"

Emotions flicker through me. In my mind, I see Dex laughing, her brown eyes filled with excitement, the way they always are when she's doing something dangerous. But then I remember the hateful glares she would send my way. No. Whatever I feel for her she clearly doesn't reciprocate it. 

Love or duty? 

I turn to Amar. "Will you be coming too? Now might be the only chance you have."

Amar shakes his head, "I want to stay. To help other Divergents."

"Then I'm staying too." I say. 

Amar frowns, "Brooke-"

"Amar," I say, "You know me. I'm not a romantic. Dex will be happier in Factionless without me. And besides, I want to make sure that every Divergent that comes into Dauntless will survive. And to do that, I need to stay here. There's nothing I could do in Factionless."