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Post by Admin Courtney on Jun 27, 2012 22:12:25 GMT -5
Many things had changed in the course of the year for Amberly Damon. She has lost all contact with her cousin, but gained a great boyfriend. She has become a sadistic Amity's personal punching bag and more, but has adopted a new look and personality. She was tougher. Meaner. More closed off. Before Amberly could be described as a typical, tree-hugging Amity. An Amity skilled at drawing. But now her drawings were darker, as was her personality. Amity was not the word some of her ex-friends (she pretty much stopped hanging out with them after they called her a bitch) would use to describe her anymore. She was no longer sugary sweet. She was no longer the innocent fourteen year old Amity she used to be. She had even dyed her hair from blonde to brunette.
School was now finished, which meant the stress of exams was gone. Amberly scored her usual average on her exams, and aced her art exam. There was nothing in her grades to show that she had changed. Her new self did not dig that deeply. It was a facade; a mask she put on to deal with everything that had happened this year. She figured the only thing keeping her sane was Dimitri, but she had not seen very much of him during exam time. And now that it was summer and they were friend different factions, it was less likely that they would see each other.
So Amberly came up with a plan. Well, it was more of a quick decision than a plan. She had decided to go to Dauntless to find Dimitri herself so she could see him. There were no official rules against visiting other factions; it was just less seen and heard of because of the whole 'faction before everything' rule. But Dimitri was her boyfriend, and she was not going to let some silly unofficial rule stop her. Not the 'new' Amberly, anyways.
So there she stood, staring down at the terrifying Chasm. Did they go swimming in there or what? That seemed pretty stupid. She clutched the rail as she looked down, squinting her eyes at the rushing water below as a breeze lifted the brunette locks off her shoulders, lazily blowing it out of her face. She shuddered and turned away from the Chasm. She only saw one use for that Chasm, and that was to throw Miles down it. But he was in Amity and had already proven the strength he had over her. He was why she wore red cotton pants and yellow long-sleeved shirt today instead of a more summer weather-friendly skirt and tank top. She had to hide the bruises, or else people would ask questions. And questions led to uncomfortable lies. Lies she was becoming an expert at telling.
She scanned the Dauntless around her, ignoring their stares. Dressed in red and yellow, she stood out like, well, an Amity in a bunch of Dauntless. She saw a tall, light-haired Dauntless with a familiar figure and a grin broke out on her face. "Dimitri!" she called out, making her way over to him. She was glad to have found him so quickly; Dauntless was so confusing to navigate. She was pretty sure she was already lost. She had to walk most of the way, because she had not been able to jump onto the train. It was a good thing she hadn't been able to sleep all night, so she left the house before her parents were even awake, and before her neighbour Miles could see her and ask her to perform some 'favours'.
word count: 610
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Post by Jess on Jun 29, 2012 12:53:51 GMT -5
Dimitri turned around slowly, thinking it was just his mind playing tricks on him. There was no way that Amberly would be here in the Dauntless Compound-- especially not so close to The Chasm. But there she was, clad in red and yellow, heading for him. She had dyed her hair dark since he last saw her, and Dimitri found himself wondering about that more than he was wondering why she was here. "Amberly?" his voice was low, glancing around nervously. He could feel the eyes of his fellow Dauntless locking in on them, taking in her Amity attire and the fact that she was clearly friendly with him. "What are you doing here? Is everything alright?"
People started talking in low, hushed voices. Dimitri considered pulling her away to get some privacy, but almost as soon as the thought entered his mind, they began to disperse. Soon, it was just the two of them standing against the cold stone wall. "You shouldn't be here, it's dangerous," he told her quietly. He had to strain to hear his own voice over the roaring water below. "But I guess... well, you're here, there's no undoing it. But why did you come?" Dimitri folded his arms across his chest, though he really wanted to envelop her in them.
Was he unwilling or unable? Even he wasn't sure himself. It's just not in either of our best interests, Dimitri told himself calmly. It's bad enough that she's here, I don't want to make things worse by making it obvious that we're together.
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Post by Admin Courtney on Jun 29, 2012 23:09:29 GMT -5
It seemed as if everytime she saw him, all of her worries washed away. Yes, coming to see Dimitri today was a good idea. She missed him. When she was close enough, Amberly considered throwing her arms around him and breathing in his scent, but held back. Perhaps that would not be the best idea to do in the middle of Dauntless. So she instead distracted herself with Dimitri's questions.
"Oh, well I really want a tattoo. Do you know of a good place?" she asked him, her mouth set in a serious line as she clasped her hands together innocently. "I came to see you, silly," she grinned, dropping the facade. She ignored his question of if everything was all right. It was a question she was not sure she could answer these days. Her parents had asked her a few nights ago at dinner, and she had said yes, but her voice cracked. They sent her to bed early to get some rest after she lied, telling them she was exhausted from studying and from school. But she was not sure what excuse she would use in front of Dimitri. Besides, she was not comfortable lying to him, even if it was about something small. If she could avoid questions, she would.
As people began to stare, Amberly suddenly wished she had come in dark clothing. Her clothing stood out amongst the sea of black. Lifting her chin, she fought to ignore them. What did it matter what the Dauntless thought? "It's not like I'm going to jump over that rail into the water or anything," she said with a one-shouldered shrug. "Do you not want me here?" She frowned up at him, her eyes wide and softened. Had it been a mistake coming here? Maybe he didn't want her. Maybe she really was worthless, just like Miles had said.
word count: 317
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Post by Jess on Jun 30, 2012 20:40:52 GMT -5
Dimitri laughed at the idea of Amberly getting a tattoo, it just wasn't something he could picture her ever doing. It just wasn't her. "Well, I hoped that was why you were here," he smiled, "I mean, unless you're here to visit your other Dauntless boyfriend," he gave her a quick peck on the cheek. "You didn't answer me," he raised an eyebrow. "Is everything alright?" Dimitri asked, concerned. Something seemed off about her, but he couldn't place what it was. She just seemed different somehow. Distant, almost. Like she was hiding something. He frowned.
"Of course you're not," Dimitri agreed quietly, studying her face. "And of course I want you here, love," he gave her another quick kiss. "I was just wondering what the occasion was. It's not every day an Amity enters the Dauntless Headquarters by herself. Not even on Visiting Day-- they usually tend to stay away," he explained. "Which would explain everyone's reactions," Dimitri added, gesturing to the few lingering Dauntless who were watching them suspiciously. "You stick out like a sore thumb, darling."
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Post by Admin Courtney on Jun 30, 2012 21:16:53 GMT -5
Amberly face paled at Dimitri's joke. "I don't have another boyfriend," she said quickly, not realising at first it was a joke. "Oh, nevermind," she breathed, blushing as it hit her. She looked down when he again asked if she was okay. She shrugged her shoulders. "Oh, you know... Amity's been... not fun lately. I don't know. Maybe I'm just bored. That's why I came here." She smiled up at him, perhaps a little too much.
"I know, I should have worn that sweater I have of yours. It's pretty much the only black thing I own, but it's really hot out..." She trailed off and glanced over her shoulder, uncharacteristically shooting a glare at the nearest people staring. She then turned back to Dimitri and shrugged. "Maybe they're jealous," she joked.
word count: 141
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Post by Jess on Jun 30, 2012 21:36:01 GMT -5
Dimitri frowned, confused by her hasty response. "Okay..." he said slowly, wondering what had her so on edge. "Not fun, you say? Why's that?" he wondered, still not entirely convinced. What was going on with her? She didn't seem right. She was a little too quick to answer. Her smiles lasted a little too long. They didn't quite reach her eyes like a real smile would.
"You should have," he smiled a little. "I like seeing you wearing it," he admitted, a little embarrassed. "But if it's too hot for that, why are you wearing long sleeves?" he wondered, trying to piece it together. The things she was saying weren't matching up right with what she was doing. And why did she look so damn nervous? Did she come here to break up with me or something? Dimitri wondered. Is she just chickening out now? Is that why she's so awkward? He couldn't figure it out, but it was making him nervous, too.
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Post by Admin Courtney on Jun 30, 2012 21:44:39 GMT -5
She was not sure if she should be proud of being able to think of lies, or ashamed that it came so easily to her.
"It's boring when you don't have anyone to talk to. Friends... Boyfriends..." She looked up at him pointedly. "Summer is great and all, but the only thing that involves people other than my parents is the job I have at a neighbour's farm. But that's... boring."
She frowned at her long sleeves and shrugged. "I like this outfit," she said, trying to sound as casual as possible. "I guess I didn't really plan for the weather."
word count: 106
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Post by Jess on Jun 30, 2012 21:56:44 GMT -5
Dimitri sighed, almost certain that she was hiding something. "Well, if you say so, then," he shifted his weight, subconsciously leaning away from her. She didn't seem like the Amberly he knew. What changed? The thought hammered away in his head, driving him insane in the few moments of silence they shared. What was different? What was going on with her? He rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly feeling sore and tired. If she came here just to dump me, she should just do it, he thought, a bit irritable. The silence between them felt painfully awkward. He wasn't sure what would make her want to break up with him, but he couldn't see another explanation for her strange behavior.
"Did I do something, or?" Dimitri asked, "You seem... weird, I don't know. Was there something you... came here to talk about?" he asked, staring at the ground.
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Post by Admin Courtney on Jun 30, 2012 22:06:00 GMT -5
Amberly was startled by his question. "What? No! No, you didn't do anything. Why would you think that?" she asked, frowning. She placed a hand on his arm for reassurance. Here she was, messing things up again. Surprise, surprise.
"I came to see you. I wanted to see you. I'm sorry. I just. I don't know." Amberly sighed and dropped her hand, fighting back the tears that began to well up in her eyes. Why was she crying? God, she was so pathetic. If Miles was here she would be beaten for her tears. She was and expert at fighting them around Miles. Maybe that was why she cried so easily eveywhere else. In front of Dimitri. In her room at night. At the dinner table...
People were starting to ask questions. Too many questions. She pulled her sleeves down subconciously, not wanting any bruises to show.
"I'm sorry. Just ignore me. I don't know what my deal is. I'm sorry." She swiped furiously at her eyes and narrowed her eyes in a permanent glare. "Can we go somewhere else? I'm sick of everyone staring," she growled. Talk about mood swings.
word count: 198
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Post by Jess on Jun 30, 2012 22:13:42 GMT -5
"You just seem... weird. I don't know," Dimitri hesitated. "I'm sorry I asked, okay?" he took her into his arms, kissing her forehead. He didn't care if anyone saw them. "Don't cry, Amberly. It's okay," he kissed her again, holding on to her tightly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you," he said, confused. What had he done wrong? All he did was ask a question, and now she was crying. What was wrong with him? He loosened his grip, pulling back to look at her. Frowning, he wiped her tears away with his thumb.
"Yeah, of course we can go somewhere else. I just, um. Where? I mean, we could go to my place but I think my dad's home..." Dimitri trailed off. He knew that he couldn't hide Amberly from his family forever, but he didn't want to do it here, on his father's territory. Neutral ground. That's where it needed to happen. Unless one... or both... of us switch factions, he thought glumly. He still had no idea what he was going to do about that, and the Ceremony was coming up soon. It seemed like he had so much time just a few months ago. And then he met Amberly and everything changed. "I mean, we can. If you want."
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Post by Admin Courtney on Jun 30, 2012 23:06:03 GMT -5
She felt herself stiffen at his touch, then flinched in confusion. What was wrong with her? She forced herself to relax, hoping Dimitri would not notice, and leaned her head on his chest and slowly let out all of her breath. She needed to get herself together, or Dimitri would seriously begin to suspect things. And he could not know. No one could.
When he pulled away, Amberly look up at him and plastered on another smile. Luckily she had been born in Amity, and smiles were as easy as breathing. "Anywhere. Anywhere quiet. Where we won't get stared at," she said, straightening her shoulders and holding her head high. In Amity there were many quiet places to go, but in Dauntless there was no Miles. Perfect.
word count: 128
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Post by Jess on Jul 13, 2012 21:07:19 GMT -5
Dimitri felt Amberly stiffen at his touch, and his face fell. What was wrong? Why was she so uncomfortable and strange today? Was she just nervous about being in the Dauntless compound, or was there something else going on? "Are you sure you're alright?" he asked, his voice low. He wished she would just trust him enough to tell him what was wrong. He knew something was wrong, so what was the point in hiding it? All she was doing was hurting herself and causing more strain in their relationship. Hadn't she said she would stop lying to him? Was he a fool to believe her?
"Um, well, we can go to my house," Dimitri said after a moment of hesitation. Rip the bandaid off now. The Choosing Ceremony was coming up soon, and Dimitri didn't know what he was going to do, but he wanted to at least let his family know why, should he leave Dauntless... Dimitri shook the thought away. He couldn't fathom leaving his faction any more than he could fathom leaving Amberly. "I don't know if my dad's home or not... if he is, would you be okay with meeting him?"
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Post by Admin Courtney on Jul 19, 2012 13:27:59 GMT -5
"I'm fine, I said," Amberly repeated, brushing him off and stepping back. She smiled to mask her Miles-inflicted behaviour and nodded at his idea. She was curious as to where he lived and about his life in Dauntless. He had seen her house and faction; now it was her turn to see his. And although she was hoping for more privacy and less parents, Amberly was also curious about his family. He had told her about them, sure, but she wanted to meet them. Or at least, the old Amberly did. The new Amberly was apprehensive. With her mood swings lately, she might embarrass herself.
No, you can do this, she told herself. You're Amity. You can act. So act.
"That sounds great, Dimitri," she said with a bright, Amity smile. "I'd love to meet your father if he's home. And if not, we can just hang out, just the two of us." She moved to slip her hand into his, but remembered where they were. The couple-y things could happen in the privacy of Dimitri's home. Out in the open in Dauntless would be a bad idea. No matter how badly she craved Dimitri's closeness, she would just have to wait. But that didn't mean she had to be patient. "So which way?" she asked enthusiastically.
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