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      DAVINA woke up with Will in her face. If she didn't think too much, she might have thought she had just woken up from a dream in the past and nothing had happened. But that was not the case– because the room lined with bunk beds and dim light filled with bustling teenagers was not her room back in Erudite, and she was not sixteen anymore and Will was not her friend.

"Get away," she hissed as she sat up, the top of her head scraping the top bunk as she did so.

"You look like shit," Will mused as she got up. She was sure she did, her layered blonde hair sticking all over the place, her eyes crusty and lips chapped. But still, she tilted her head to look at him with the most venomous glare she could muster this early in the morning.

All around them, the rest of the transfers were preparing for the day, bunk beds creaking and people chattering amongst themselves. Davina was on a bottom bunk, the top occupied by the one Abnegation boy, who had already disappeared to the bathroom as she rummaged under her bed for the clothes they had been given the night before. She would have to remember to get some of her own, more flattering choice as soon as possible.

"Thank you, William," Davina deadpanned, watching his jaw clench at the use of his first name. "Is that what you said to my sister before you broke up with her?" Davina added, smiling sweetly.

She watched for his reaction, her smile twisting as Will pressed his lips together, eyes flashing at the bold comment. But after a moment, he seemed to decide against saying anything else and headed off to get dressed himself.

"Drama," someone said in a singsong voice. Davina scowled at Peter as he passed her, while he only grinned over his shoulder, his posse following him out.

She rolled her eyes as she turned away, a streak of blue still showing from under her pillow. She stared longingly at the ribbon, her insides tightening and her mouth turning dry. She stuffed it further under and finished getting dressed, pulling on her shoes.

"Was he bothering you?" Edward asked, standing over her with Myra in his wings.

Davina only blinked at him, unsure which he her friend meant. "No, it's fine," she said dismissively, getting to her feet. Myra looked confused by the interaction, but she had missed the Will fiasco before she had started dating Edward and became a part of their circle.

The blonde girl looked around her, at the dark-clad teenagers rushing around to get ready for their first day in an unfamiliar faction, some looking more nervous than others. Davina glanced back at Edward, who gave her a smile so familiar and etched into her childhood memories, she couldn't help but feel better.

"After you," Edward said, gesturing in front where the arrangement of bunk beds really only allowed for single file.

Davina led the way out of the dorms, but she found it stayed that way. She was constantly glancing over her shoulder to make sure the pair was still with her, unable to come between their constantly entwined hands and whispered conversations. She could only roll her eyes and turn away, following the general direction of the crowd and head for the dining area.

She had had boyfriends over the years, only a few, and they had all ended according to some trait of Davina's they claimed to not like. She had never much overthought it, she was used to being a hard pill to swallow from her years of living in the shadow, but it was hard to not see the way Myra and Edward looked at each other and frown. Like the rest of the world could go to hell but they'd be okay as long as they had each other.

Like a bad joke, Will was already sitting at one of the emptier tables, looking expectantly at Davina, who looked down at him as if he were something on the bottom of her shoe. Edward and Myra moved for her, sitting across from the blonde boy, forcing Davina to sit next to him.

"What do you think they'll have us do today?" Will asked through mouthfuls of blueberry pancakes. Davina kept her eyes on her own plate, fork swirling around in the syrup as she didn't touch her own food.

"Ed and I were talking about it last night," Myra chimed in enthusiastically. "They're our security, aren't they? We theorise it'll be something physical."

"Like guns?" Will asked excitedly, eyes lighting up.

"Don't sound so excited," Davina scoffed.

"Much more exciting than anything we did back in blue," Will told her.

Davina only blinked in a different direction. "It'll be something to prove our bravery," she said, simply.

"You're no fun, Todd," Will sighed.

Davina didn't feel like arguing that morning as she ignored him and stared back at her plate, forcing herself to eat and give her strength. She suspected it would be something physical, but she wasn't about to give Will the satisfaction of being right.

After breakfast, Four had come in and wasted no time in getting the transfer initiates out and into a training room, some of them still chewing on something as he led them off. The room had a high ceiling and an annoying echo, the walls a mix of both hard and smooth stone. Harsh, warm lighting came from above and Davina just knew she was washed out.

They organised themselves in a line in front of him, Davina being separated from Myra and Edward in the movement, not that she minded. The group stayed quiet, eyes fixated as Four walked up and down the line. Davina noticed they were facing the side of the room that had targets fixed to the wall.

"The first thing you will learn today is how to shoot a gun," he announced. Davina did everything in her power not to meet Will's eyes to her left. As Four continued down the line of transfers, he pressed a gun into everyone's hand.

"The second thing is how to win a fight." Davina felt her heart warm, and looked down the line to make eye contact with Edward, who sent her a smile. She was snapped back to attention as Four reached her and pressed a loaded weapon into her hands. Davina stared down at it, weighing it between her fingers.

"Thankfully, if you are here, you already know how to get on and off a moving train, so I don't need to teach you that." There was some scattered laughter in response, as Four finished handing out the guns and came to stand in front of them. Davina watched him attentively.

"Initiation is divided into three stages. We will measure your progress and rank you according to your performance in each stage. The stages are not weighed equally in determining your final rank, so it is possible, though difficult, to drastically improve your rank over time." Davina shifted the weapon in her hand, knowing the power it held in her control.

"We believe that preparation eradicates cowardice, which we define as the failure to act in the midst of fear." Davina defined preparation as something an Erudite would do, but kept quiet. "Therefore, each stage of initiation is intended to prepare you in a different way. The first stage is primarily physical; the second, primarily emotional; the third, primarily mental."

"But what..." someone yawned, and Davina glanced to her left to see Peter. "What does firing a gun have to do with...bravery?"

Four flipped the gun in his hand, pressed the barrel to Peter's forehead, and clicked a bullet into place. Davina's mouth parted, and Peter froze, mouth still open in a dead yawn

"Wake. Up," Four snapped, in a tone that wouldn't have been out of place in a strict Erudite classroom. "You are holding a loaded gun, you idiot. Act like it." Peter swallowed thickly, and Four lowered the gun. Despite his Candor nature, Peter kept quiet, his green eyes hardening. But his cheeks were flushed.

"And to answer your question...you are far less likely to shit your pants and cry for your mother if you're prepared to defend yourself." Four stopped walking at the end of the row of transfers and turned abruptly on his heel. "This is also information you may need later in stage one. So, watch me."

Four demonstrated, facing the wall with the targets on it and holding the gun steady, Davina watched his movements and the shift of his weight carefully. The bang was unexpectedly loud, and Davina winced. The bullet had gone through the middle circle. Four turned to them expectantly as he stepped out of the firing line.

Davina swallowed against the lump in her throat and set her feet shoulder-width apart as she gripped the gun with both her hands and raised it, inclining her head slightly. As she breathed out through her lips, she pulled the trigger.

She had known the recoil would happen, and adjusted her posture after the first few shots to comply with it. The room was soon filled with the thrumming of gunfire and bullets hitting the targets– or not. Davina's target was pockmarked by bullet holes, all on the outer two rings. She told herself that was okay, she'd have practice, and felt a rush of pride as she noticed other initiates that hadn't even hit their targets at all (including Will).

"What?" came a voice from Davina's right. She looked across to see the Abnegation boy standing there. She arched an eyebrow at him. "Did you read up on gun theory or something?"

"Yes," Davina responded, firing another bullet.

The Abnegation boy laughed. "And why would someone meant to be a doctor or a scientist want to read about firing guns?" he asked. Davina looked at him evenly, her light eyes flicking to his target, which only had two bullet holes in it despite the time they had been shooting. He hardly looked bothered by his considerable failure.

"Wanted to try something new," Davina replied, briefly. The boy raised his eyebrows, stretching the skin of his scar, which was noticeable in the light above them. Davina wanted to ask about it, but she didn't even know his name. "And why would someone meant to be selfless as all hell join Dauntless of all Factions?" she asked instead.

The boy bit his lip. "To spite his parents." Davina was silent as the boy turned back to his target and fired a few shots, all missing and hitting the wall.

"That's not very Stiff," Davina finally said.

"I know." There was a hint of pride in his voice, another un-Abnegation thing to feel. "I'm Apollo," he finally introduced.

Davina chuckled. "What? Like from Greek mythology?" It had to be a chosen name, like with Tris.

"Yes."

Davina watched him for a few more seconds. He was careless, and reckless in his movements, and his scar took away from what could've been an attractive face. His dark eyes were glinting in the overhead lights and he looked more Dauntless than any of the transfers.

She blinked and looked away, looking back at her own target. "Well, I'm Davina."

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      FIRING GUNS of all shapes and sizes all morning caused Davina's upper body to ache by the time lunch came around and they were given a break. Her ears still felt like they were ringing, but she suspected that was just in her head as she headed to the dining hall on her own to meet up with her two designated friends.

Davina stacked her plate full before she took a seat across from Edward and Myra, who were sitting close enough to bump elbows as they ate. Neither greeted her with much enthusiasm, and Davina noted that Myra looked anxious and twitchy.

Will joined them, plopping down beside Davina, not even shooting her a glance. "So," he said in a saturated voice. "That was fun."

The blonde girl scowled into her food, taking a massive forkful. Edward looked at her carefully, as his girlfriend shakily answered, "It was louder than I expected."

Will looked at her in an annoyed sort of way. "Myra, they're guns," he said.

"I saw Davina hit more shots than you," Edward chimed in.

Will continued to look annoyed by the couple. "That's because Todd has morbid interests," he said matter-of-factly. Davina scoffed. "Speaking of, aren't you guys lucky that combat is part of initiation."

"Lucky, yeah," Edward agreed lightly.

"But it's fine," Will said with a shrug. "Four also said there's a mental test. I'm sure I'll ace that."

"Arrogance isn't a good colour on you," Davina said before she could stop herself.

"It's not arrogance," Will said pointedly. "It's confidence. But I'm not surprised you don't know what that is."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Davina asked coolly, arching an eyebrow. They both knew what he meant.

"Nothing," he responded. "At least we got to fire guns."

"Sound like a real Dauntless with that mouth," Davina jeered back.

"As if you're not devastatingly excited to kick ass," Will chuckled. Davina might have laughed with him once upon a time, but she only shot him a look.

"I'll kick your ass," she said firmly.

Will looked unfazed. "I have no doubt." His indifference to her dug under her skin, and she glared at him in a way she knew wasn't very threatening, but it made her feel better. "You look like your sister when you do that."

"No I don't," she responded matter-of-factly.

"Does Dauntless have a different definition of 'twin'?" Will asked, looking around as if for an answer.

"You look like Viviane," Davina snipped.

Will looked at her, stunned. "What?"

"Blonde on blonde crime," she continued. "People probably thought we were all siblings when we went out."

"Are you saying we looked like Todd triplets?" Will asked in mock disbelief.

"Oh, definitely," Davina scoffed.

Across from the bickering pair, Edward and Myra giggled amongst themselves. Davina looked at them, not able to hide how her face slackened. Edward hadn't even been listening to their back and forth, or jumped in once to tell Will to back off.

The blonde boy in question glanced between them, eyes narrowing, but Davina ignored him and tossed her hair back and refocused on her food, which was suddenly far less interesting.

"C'mon, Todd," Will said, abruptly, standing up just as suddenly.

Davina looked up from her meal at him, confused. "What?"

Will picked up his plate and shrugged. "Unless you want to keep third and fourth wheeling."

Davina glanced at Edward and Myra, who were more wrapped up in themselves than ever and not even paying attention to their conversation. The blonde frowned, stuck between two very unappealing options.

"This doesn't mean we're friends," Davina mumbled.

"Of course not," Will replied lightly.

She relented and got up, following Will over to another table where she recognised Tris and Christina. They were accompanied by the burly Candor boy, Al– Davina had heard him crying the night before.

The three glanced up at them as they approached, and Davina was aware of the way she was scanned up and down, as if a threat. Maybe Dauntless was already getting to them.

"Can we sit here?" Will asked, tapping the table with his finger. Davina rolled her eyes at the direct gesture.

"What, you don't want to hang out with your Erudite buddies?" Christina said before she could stop herself.

Davina ignored the Candor trait and took a seat anyway, Will following. "They aren't my buddies," the blonde boy retorted. "Just because we were in the same faction doesn't mean we all get along."

"Edward's my friend," Davina said simply.

"And what's attached to him?" Christina asked.

"Myra," Davina responded. This table didn't feel any warmer than the other.

"Third and fourth wheeling isn't fun," Will continued for her. "Seriously, it's like talking to a brick wall."

"Didn't she transfer with him?" Al chimed in. His voice was softer than Davina had anticipated from his size. The blonde girl only nodded. "That's..." he trailed off slightly.

"Risky," Christina finished for him. "Basing your entire life trajectory on your highschool boyfriend."

"Wow, you're Candor," Davina sneered. Christina barely looked offended by the blonde's remark.

"Just speaking my mind," Christina said with a shrug.

"At least you can speak," Will mused through a mouthful. "Edward constantly has–"

"Don't finish that sentence," Davina cut in.

The table glanced over to where the couple were sat, engaging in a kiss, definitely not able to speak. Davina looked away and spooned some peas into her mouth, her shoulders slightly hunched forward.

Tris looked stunned by the public display of affection. "Do they have to be so public?" she asked quietly.

Al looked at her. "She just kissed him. It's not like they're stripping naked." Davina snorted and Will elbowed her, but he was also trying not to smirk.

"A kiss is not something you do in public," Tris insisted. Davina and the others gave her a knowing look. "What?" the smaller blonde girl asked irritably.

"Your Abnegation is showing," Christina told her. "The rest of us are all right with a little affection in public."

"Yeah, some more than others," Davina said before she could stop herself. Will snapped his attention to her, and the others looked slightly confused.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Will asked good naturedly, but there was an edge to his voice.

"Nothing," she said innocently.

"Did you guys used to date or something?" Christina asked abruptly. Davina's eyes widened, and she felt her throat tighten. Beside her, Will looked only too eager to tell the truth.

"She wishes," he mused. Davina shot him a dirty look. "I dated her twin sister for almost two years."

"Oh," Christina said as if the new information was fascinating. "Bad breakup?" she asked, looking between them expectantly.

"Sort of?" Will said, looking to Davina as if she would answer the question for him. She was looking at her food like it was the most interesting thing in the world. "The point is," Will continued, looking back to Tris, "affection is okay."

"Oh." Tris shrugged, stealing one more glance at Edward and Myra. "Well...I guess I'll have to get over it, then."

"Or you can stay frigid," Will said, a glint in his eyes. "You know. If you want." Christina threw a roll at him. He caught it and took a bite out of it.

"Don't be mean to her," Christina hissed. "Frigidity is in her nature. Sort of like being a know-it-all is in yours."

"I am not frigid!" Tris exclaimed, indignantly.

"Don't worry about it," Will told her. "It's endearing. Look, you're all red."

The comment only made Tris blush harder. Everyone else laughed, but Davina was too busy trying not to think of the mirror and the shadow it cast over her. She had decided vehemently she would not sit at this table again, no matter our unreachable Edward was.

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new chapter! thank you for reading <3 pls comment any thoughts or even if you just enjoyed

next coming soon!