I've already posted this chapter on another forum,so some of you might have already read it.
Sorry it's long.
These characters belong to other people that are not on NB,but I tried to make it work.
Sorry,no violence yet
I'm following the book as close as I can,which means starting with the choosing of the tributes and then moving on to the killing,so be patient.
Sorry it's long >_< Post any questions in the thread please.
The Hunger Games
Twisted every way, what answer can I give? Am I to risk my life to win the chance to live?
Tap. Tap. Tap. The unfamiliar sound of water hitting the window was like music in Alice?s ears. Rain was not common in District One, where the sun beat down on the residents mercilessly every day. It seemed fitting that today be a rainy day?after all, today was the reaping of the tributes for this year?s Hunger Games. Hunger Games?those words seemed to linger in Alice?s mind. But why should she be worried? There were over 20,000 other children in the District who could be chosen. District One was highly populated, and everybody lived a stable life. Nobody ever signed up for tesserae in District One. After all, the oil and grains they gave you when you signed up were barely enough to last for a few months. No, in District One, everybody had enough to eat, clean water, and comfortable houses. No need to sign up for tesserae and get your name entered in the draws more times. The residents of District One often joked they were like the 2nd Capitol, which could have been true. Most of the Capitol?s trends, styles and culture were passed to District One, because this District was very close to them. None of that mattered to Alice, however. She, unlike most girls her age, did not very much care of the Capitol?s silly clothing (the latest trend happened to be layered neon clothing, rainbow contacts [that changed colours during different times of the day] and silly glittery hair). Alice was an independent girl-her only friend was her older sister, Kanoko. Kanoko had competed in the Games 7 years before. Alice had been scared to death for her sister, but she ended up coming back alive and well. Their family (consisting of her, Kanoko, their parents and their aunt)could be considered?different, from other District One families. They constantly fought, and Alice?s parents never really hung around their children. They spent most of their time working. Her aunt was the one who took care of the girls, and acted as their parent figure. Alice thought her family was just fine.
A rap on her door knocked Alice out of her dozing. Her sister strode in, holding an umbrella. Kanoko was very tall, with long brunette locks and large brown eyes. She looked like a stylish-but-familiar fashion model might, nothing like Alice, who was petite, with an exotic face and free-flowing black hair. She motioned for Alice to get up and get dressed.
?The process is going to start soon. You know attendance is required, so get off your lazy butt and get dressed.?
Alice did as she was told, and soon she walking out in the rain, holding tightly to the umbrella that kept her dry. The district square came into view soon enough. It was large and plaza-like, paved with shiny pavement and marble pillars randomly place about. Many puddles had gathered on the pavement. A large crowd was already there, and by the looks of it, they were just about ready to start the reaping. Kanoko had already rushed ahead and taken her place among the many District One winning tributes. There were 13 of them in total, more than any other District. Only two mentors were allowed to go with the tributes though, to keep everything fair among the Districts. Alice took her place among the crowd of other 16-year-olds. Their regular escort had been replaced this year. She was a bit plump, with overly shiny platinum blonde hair and squinty brown eyes. Alice waited patiently for the escort to start the usual routine of the reaping, and the next tributes to be picked, so she could go home and take a catnap.
---
The clock seemed to taunt Kimera. If it could talk, it might have said, ?You?re going to be laaaate~.? But Kimera would have ignored the stupid clock. It was true, if she didn?t hurry, she?d be late for the selection of this Games? tributes, the reaping. And the Peacemakers frowned upon that. Kimera sighed softly, gathered her small bag and pushed open the door to her small cottage. A slight breeze blew her long and slightly wavy brown hair back. It was quite chilly outside, the cold making Kimera?s green eyes sting. Her cottage lay on the very outskirts of District Two, which was partly the reason Kimera might be late. The other part was that she simply didn?t want to go see it, and therefore was avoiding it. Every year, it was the same process, over and over again. It was quite depressing. Kimera didn?t really get a choice. She was an orphan (which was uncommon for District Two) but the Peacemakers made sure to keep her well-fed and healthy. Maybe it was because of Kimera?s un-natural ability to be able to tell the future, which only the Peacemakers knew about. Any other money Kimera made where through her paintings. Besides medicine, the only thing Kimera knew best was to paint. She found a strange comfort in it. Plus, her paintings fetched quite a high price, seeing as the richest District Two residents liked to over-decorate their houses with paintings and pottery. Kimera shook her head and started a light jog towards the center of the District.
Soon, she sighted the square. Nothing seemed to have started yet, which was a good thing for her. Apparently, the Peacemakers didn?t deal light punishments. She made her way through the crowd, and found a spot at the very edge of the 15-year-old crowd. All age groups were separated and they formed a U shape around the square, with the 12 year olds in the east and the 18 year olds directly across from them. Up on the podium in front of the District Hall stood a small and stocky man, with a short beard and glittery silver hair. The same escort had been with District Two since Kimera could remember. His name was something like Fuze, but she couldn?t be bothered to remember. The District Two winners sat on the polished black chairs, as per usual. There were 6 of them, but most of them were elderly. The escort, Fuze, started talking something about the rebellion, but Kimera just drowned him out. It was the same boring drone every year. The only part she had to pay attention to was the actual reaping of the names. Kimera started singing a cheery tune inside her head, hoping to lighten her mood. Soon, this would be over, and she could go home and paint something pretty?
---
There was a melancholic air around Sean. Even though today was that day. The day of the reaping-the day Sean possibly hated the most. But today was a good day?he had gone out hunting(which was illegal, but the Peacemakers didn?t care enough to notice)and had caught a squirrel, a rabbit and even a deer. They were rare to catch, because they were too fast. But this one seemed to have broken its leg, because it could not walk properly. Not many people hunted, because they didn?t have the right weapons, or the right knowledge. Sean was lucky enough that his father and uncle had both hunted, although they both later were killed in a mine accident. Hunting could get you some of the best meat, which could be traded for many useful things at the Hob. The Hob was District Twelve?s ?black market? where you could buy, sell or trade just about anything. He had traded some of the meat he had hunted at the Hob, and had gotten some good deals today. With the little money he had left, he went to the bakery and bought a fresh loaf of nuts-and-berries bread to share with his two families. He had split half-one for his family, and one for Lily?s. Lily was somewhat like a young sister to him. She had an unfortunate family, and he provided for both of their families by hunting, seeing as her dad never made enough in the coal mines. Her mother used to run the only apothecary in town, but she had been stung by a bee while out gathering herbs, and her allergic reaction was so severe it killed her before anybody even found her. Lily ran a small apothecary by herself now, but she didn?t have enough of her mother?s medical knowledge to cure anything more than colds and blisters. Sean was on the way to her house in the Seam, the shabbier part of town now, to deliver their share of the food he had acquired. At the door he was greeted by Lily?s father, who helped him take the bag of goods inside, thanking him as he usually did. Lily and her younger brother were dressed in their best clothes for the reaping, something which Sean could not be bothered to do. One reaping, he had actually gotten in trouble with the Peacemakers for not being dressed in good clothes, but his punishment was light. Together, they went to Sean?s house at the edge of the Seam, to pick up his family and walk to the reaping together. Their families were quite close and they all acted as one big family. Lily?s hand-me-downs went to Sean?s young sister, and Sean provided for both of them. Their parents did their best to get along, but a lot of responsibility fell on Sean?s hunting and Lily?s apothecary business.
Sean took a good look around his district, because it might be the last time he would ever see it. The district was a bit shabby, and quite small, but it did its job seeing as it only had around 8,000 residents. The mines took up a large part of it. Coal mining was District 12?s job. They had it the worst of all of the districts. Their town square was small and crowded, the pavement cracked and worn down by the weather. Not that anyone from the Capitol really cared about their district. The Capitol didn?t care about any of the districts. Up on the podium, their escort, a lean and sly-looking female, was deep in conversation with District Twelve?s only winning tribute, Maryse Fray. Sean knew Maryse all too well. She paid him well, although the only things she ever wanted were the wildberries that grew commonly in the bushes. She seemed friendly enough, although she was often drunk. He took his place beside Lily in the 16-year-old section, while Lily?s younger brother Mike parted from them to go to his designated spot. Lily clutched Sean?s hand tightly, although nothing had even started yet. Sean hadn?t allowed Lily or Mike to get any tesserae, but he had signed up many, many times. Lily had no reason to worry. The odds were in their favour. Sean?s name was to be put more times in the name withdrawal at the reaping (because he took the tesserae), but he could live with that. As long as Lily and Mike were safe. If only they were safe?
---
Cecil ran. He ran as fast as his feet could go. Because if he didn?t run, a certain female would beat him to a bloody pulp.
?Come back here you weasel!? her high-pitched voice rang out from behind him.
?It wasn?t my fault, I swear! Please Mrs. Wayland!? Cecil pleaded with her, clutching a large leather bag to his chest.
Suddenly, a hand shot out of the darkness and pulled him in. Cecil could barely make out Oliver and Sara, his two best friends, in the darkness. He could hear Mrs. Wayland yelling in frustration out in the street. Sara approached him and grinned.
?So, what did you get this time?? she asked.
?A couple loaves of bread, some croissants and two pretzels, not thanks to you.? Cecil muttered the last part under his breath.
Oliver reached out and grabbed the bag from him, peering inside.
?Well, mi amigos, we?ll be dining well tonight!? Oliver certainly sounded pleased.
The three of them set off, navigating through the confusing alleyways of District Nine. They were almost to the shabby hut they called home, when a girl stepped in front of them. She was beautiful, with long auburn hair, sparkling blue eyes and a beautiful body. Cecil knew her all too well. She was the girl Oliver had been cheating on for the past few weeks. Her name was Raine, and she meant trouble.
She seized Oliver by the front of his shirt and punched him in the face. Oliver yelped and drew back. He threw the bag he was holding to Sara, who caught it and took off running in the opposite direction. That was Sara?s strong point, getting away quickly. Raine paid no attention to her, and instead turned her attention to Cecil.
?What are you looking at?! I bet you helped him plan how to cheat on me, didn?t you? You?re both disgusting pigs!? Raine shouted.
Seeing a chance to slip away, Oliver slunk into the darkness of a small alley, offering an apologetic smile to Cecil, who groaned inwardly and started running.
A few miles later, Cecil came back to their hut, panting and drenched in sweat. Raine had been persistent and had almost caught him a couple of times. As he opened the door, he was greeted with the smell of stew and warm bread. Sara stood by the stove, stirring something in a large pot. Oliver was setting the plates.
?What the hell was that?! You just?left me there!? Cecil yelled in outrage.
?Sorry dude, but I Raine would have caught me and pulverized me.? Oliver tried to reason.
Cecil just muttered something and sat down at the table.
Sara shook her head, ?Boys, no need to be so gloomy. We got a good meal today, and it?s also reaping day!? she added in a sarcastic voice. ?Happy Hunger Games to you!?
Cecil and Oliver burst into laughter at Sara?s bad mimicking of their escort?s voice. Her name was Molly, and she had possibly the most annoying voice ever. Molly wore over the top outfits, glittery wigs and impossibly tall platform shoes. Sara gave each of them a slice of bread, and filled their bowls with the stew.
?Eat quickly, we wouldn?t want to be late to the reaping. I don?t want to imagine what mean things the Peacemakers could do.? Sara said. She sat down in her seat and began eating quietly.
The rest of the meal went by silently, and the conversations on the way to the district square were short and tense. Nobody could really be happy just before the reaping. They hadn?t signed up for tesserae, but District Nine didn?t have many children to be entered in the reaping for the tributes.
They took their usual places in the crowd, as far back as they could. Molly soon began the traditional speeches and readings. Up on the podium were the three District Nine tributes who had survived the Games. Cecil didn?t know much about them. The oldest one hardly ever left her house in the Victor?s Village. The other two were about the same age, a girl and a boy. The girl was Clary, and she owned a candy shop that was very popular with small children. The boy, Damon, did odd jobs around the district, even though he was too rich to need the extra money. They both looked solemn tonight. Cecil, Oliver and Sara had managed to escape all previous reapings safely. They were orphans. If one of them was to become a tribute and die in the Games, nobody would mourn them. They only had each other?
---
Aria stared at her reflection in the mirror. Long, dark hair pulled into her signature side ponytail, held by a simply white ribbon. Wide blue eyes, with dark circles underneath them. A pale complexion, and a curvy body. Looking in the mirror, she saw a stranger. A familiar stranger. Another face appeared in the mirror, that of her best friend Wisteria. She looked concerned.
?Are you ok? You don?t look like yourself lately.?
It was true. For the past week, Aria had been fretting about the reaping. She had signed up for tesserae 3 times. Aria Fairchild would be entered 4 times. It worried her.
?Yeah, it?s just the reaping. I?ll be fine.? It was a lame excuse, but Wisteria seemed to buy it.
Adding the last few touch-ups to her makeup, Aria followed Wisteria out the door and outside. Her family had already gone ahead and were probably at the district square by now. This year would be Aria?s last year for the reaping. She was 18. Only one more reaping to survive. It seemed as if they arrived at the square too soon. Aria took her place in the crowd. She glanced around nervously. Please let me be safe, please let me be safe?
Sorry it's long.
These characters belong to other people that are not on NB,but I tried to make it work.
Sorry,no violence yet
I'm following the book as close as I can,which means starting with the choosing of the tributes and then moving on to the killing,so be patient.Sorry it's long >_< Post any questions in the thread please.
The Hunger Games
Twisted every way, what answer can I give? Am I to risk my life to win the chance to live?
Tap. Tap. Tap. The unfamiliar sound of water hitting the window was like music in Alice?s ears. Rain was not common in District One, where the sun beat down on the residents mercilessly every day. It seemed fitting that today be a rainy day?after all, today was the reaping of the tributes for this year?s Hunger Games. Hunger Games?those words seemed to linger in Alice?s mind. But why should she be worried? There were over 20,000 other children in the District who could be chosen. District One was highly populated, and everybody lived a stable life. Nobody ever signed up for tesserae in District One. After all, the oil and grains they gave you when you signed up were barely enough to last for a few months. No, in District One, everybody had enough to eat, clean water, and comfortable houses. No need to sign up for tesserae and get your name entered in the draws more times. The residents of District One often joked they were like the 2nd Capitol, which could have been true. Most of the Capitol?s trends, styles and culture were passed to District One, because this District was very close to them. None of that mattered to Alice, however. She, unlike most girls her age, did not very much care of the Capitol?s silly clothing (the latest trend happened to be layered neon clothing, rainbow contacts [that changed colours during different times of the day] and silly glittery hair). Alice was an independent girl-her only friend was her older sister, Kanoko. Kanoko had competed in the Games 7 years before. Alice had been scared to death for her sister, but she ended up coming back alive and well. Their family (consisting of her, Kanoko, their parents and their aunt)could be considered?different, from other District One families. They constantly fought, and Alice?s parents never really hung around their children. They spent most of their time working. Her aunt was the one who took care of the girls, and acted as their parent figure. Alice thought her family was just fine.
A rap on her door knocked Alice out of her dozing. Her sister strode in, holding an umbrella. Kanoko was very tall, with long brunette locks and large brown eyes. She looked like a stylish-but-familiar fashion model might, nothing like Alice, who was petite, with an exotic face and free-flowing black hair. She motioned for Alice to get up and get dressed.
?The process is going to start soon. You know attendance is required, so get off your lazy butt and get dressed.?
Alice did as she was told, and soon she walking out in the rain, holding tightly to the umbrella that kept her dry. The district square came into view soon enough. It was large and plaza-like, paved with shiny pavement and marble pillars randomly place about. Many puddles had gathered on the pavement. A large crowd was already there, and by the looks of it, they were just about ready to start the reaping. Kanoko had already rushed ahead and taken her place among the many District One winning tributes. There were 13 of them in total, more than any other District. Only two mentors were allowed to go with the tributes though, to keep everything fair among the Districts. Alice took her place among the crowd of other 16-year-olds. Their regular escort had been replaced this year. She was a bit plump, with overly shiny platinum blonde hair and squinty brown eyes. Alice waited patiently for the escort to start the usual routine of the reaping, and the next tributes to be picked, so she could go home and take a catnap.
---
The clock seemed to taunt Kimera. If it could talk, it might have said, ?You?re going to be laaaate~.? But Kimera would have ignored the stupid clock. It was true, if she didn?t hurry, she?d be late for the selection of this Games? tributes, the reaping. And the Peacemakers frowned upon that. Kimera sighed softly, gathered her small bag and pushed open the door to her small cottage. A slight breeze blew her long and slightly wavy brown hair back. It was quite chilly outside, the cold making Kimera?s green eyes sting. Her cottage lay on the very outskirts of District Two, which was partly the reason Kimera might be late. The other part was that she simply didn?t want to go see it, and therefore was avoiding it. Every year, it was the same process, over and over again. It was quite depressing. Kimera didn?t really get a choice. She was an orphan (which was uncommon for District Two) but the Peacemakers made sure to keep her well-fed and healthy. Maybe it was because of Kimera?s un-natural ability to be able to tell the future, which only the Peacemakers knew about. Any other money Kimera made where through her paintings. Besides medicine, the only thing Kimera knew best was to paint. She found a strange comfort in it. Plus, her paintings fetched quite a high price, seeing as the richest District Two residents liked to over-decorate their houses with paintings and pottery. Kimera shook her head and started a light jog towards the center of the District.
Soon, she sighted the square. Nothing seemed to have started yet, which was a good thing for her. Apparently, the Peacemakers didn?t deal light punishments. She made her way through the crowd, and found a spot at the very edge of the 15-year-old crowd. All age groups were separated and they formed a U shape around the square, with the 12 year olds in the east and the 18 year olds directly across from them. Up on the podium in front of the District Hall stood a small and stocky man, with a short beard and glittery silver hair. The same escort had been with District Two since Kimera could remember. His name was something like Fuze, but she couldn?t be bothered to remember. The District Two winners sat on the polished black chairs, as per usual. There were 6 of them, but most of them were elderly. The escort, Fuze, started talking something about the rebellion, but Kimera just drowned him out. It was the same boring drone every year. The only part she had to pay attention to was the actual reaping of the names. Kimera started singing a cheery tune inside her head, hoping to lighten her mood. Soon, this would be over, and she could go home and paint something pretty?
---
There was a melancholic air around Sean. Even though today was that day. The day of the reaping-the day Sean possibly hated the most. But today was a good day?he had gone out hunting(which was illegal, but the Peacemakers didn?t care enough to notice)and had caught a squirrel, a rabbit and even a deer. They were rare to catch, because they were too fast. But this one seemed to have broken its leg, because it could not walk properly. Not many people hunted, because they didn?t have the right weapons, or the right knowledge. Sean was lucky enough that his father and uncle had both hunted, although they both later were killed in a mine accident. Hunting could get you some of the best meat, which could be traded for many useful things at the Hob. The Hob was District Twelve?s ?black market? where you could buy, sell or trade just about anything. He had traded some of the meat he had hunted at the Hob, and had gotten some good deals today. With the little money he had left, he went to the bakery and bought a fresh loaf of nuts-and-berries bread to share with his two families. He had split half-one for his family, and one for Lily?s. Lily was somewhat like a young sister to him. She had an unfortunate family, and he provided for both of their families by hunting, seeing as her dad never made enough in the coal mines. Her mother used to run the only apothecary in town, but she had been stung by a bee while out gathering herbs, and her allergic reaction was so severe it killed her before anybody even found her. Lily ran a small apothecary by herself now, but she didn?t have enough of her mother?s medical knowledge to cure anything more than colds and blisters. Sean was on the way to her house in the Seam, the shabbier part of town now, to deliver their share of the food he had acquired. At the door he was greeted by Lily?s father, who helped him take the bag of goods inside, thanking him as he usually did. Lily and her younger brother were dressed in their best clothes for the reaping, something which Sean could not be bothered to do. One reaping, he had actually gotten in trouble with the Peacemakers for not being dressed in good clothes, but his punishment was light. Together, they went to Sean?s house at the edge of the Seam, to pick up his family and walk to the reaping together. Their families were quite close and they all acted as one big family. Lily?s hand-me-downs went to Sean?s young sister, and Sean provided for both of them. Their parents did their best to get along, but a lot of responsibility fell on Sean?s hunting and Lily?s apothecary business.
Sean took a good look around his district, because it might be the last time he would ever see it. The district was a bit shabby, and quite small, but it did its job seeing as it only had around 8,000 residents. The mines took up a large part of it. Coal mining was District 12?s job. They had it the worst of all of the districts. Their town square was small and crowded, the pavement cracked and worn down by the weather. Not that anyone from the Capitol really cared about their district. The Capitol didn?t care about any of the districts. Up on the podium, their escort, a lean and sly-looking female, was deep in conversation with District Twelve?s only winning tribute, Maryse Fray. Sean knew Maryse all too well. She paid him well, although the only things she ever wanted were the wildberries that grew commonly in the bushes. She seemed friendly enough, although she was often drunk. He took his place beside Lily in the 16-year-old section, while Lily?s younger brother Mike parted from them to go to his designated spot. Lily clutched Sean?s hand tightly, although nothing had even started yet. Sean hadn?t allowed Lily or Mike to get any tesserae, but he had signed up many, many times. Lily had no reason to worry. The odds were in their favour. Sean?s name was to be put more times in the name withdrawal at the reaping (because he took the tesserae), but he could live with that. As long as Lily and Mike were safe. If only they were safe?
---
Cecil ran. He ran as fast as his feet could go. Because if he didn?t run, a certain female would beat him to a bloody pulp.
?Come back here you weasel!? her high-pitched voice rang out from behind him.
?It wasn?t my fault, I swear! Please Mrs. Wayland!? Cecil pleaded with her, clutching a large leather bag to his chest.
Suddenly, a hand shot out of the darkness and pulled him in. Cecil could barely make out Oliver and Sara, his two best friends, in the darkness. He could hear Mrs. Wayland yelling in frustration out in the street. Sara approached him and grinned.
?So, what did you get this time?? she asked.
?A couple loaves of bread, some croissants and two pretzels, not thanks to you.? Cecil muttered the last part under his breath.
Oliver reached out and grabbed the bag from him, peering inside.
?Well, mi amigos, we?ll be dining well tonight!? Oliver certainly sounded pleased.
The three of them set off, navigating through the confusing alleyways of District Nine. They were almost to the shabby hut they called home, when a girl stepped in front of them. She was beautiful, with long auburn hair, sparkling blue eyes and a beautiful body. Cecil knew her all too well. She was the girl Oliver had been cheating on for the past few weeks. Her name was Raine, and she meant trouble.
She seized Oliver by the front of his shirt and punched him in the face. Oliver yelped and drew back. He threw the bag he was holding to Sara, who caught it and took off running in the opposite direction. That was Sara?s strong point, getting away quickly. Raine paid no attention to her, and instead turned her attention to Cecil.
?What are you looking at?! I bet you helped him plan how to cheat on me, didn?t you? You?re both disgusting pigs!? Raine shouted.
Seeing a chance to slip away, Oliver slunk into the darkness of a small alley, offering an apologetic smile to Cecil, who groaned inwardly and started running.
A few miles later, Cecil came back to their hut, panting and drenched in sweat. Raine had been persistent and had almost caught him a couple of times. As he opened the door, he was greeted with the smell of stew and warm bread. Sara stood by the stove, stirring something in a large pot. Oliver was setting the plates.
?What the hell was that?! You just?left me there!? Cecil yelled in outrage.
?Sorry dude, but I Raine would have caught me and pulverized me.? Oliver tried to reason.
Cecil just muttered something and sat down at the table.
Sara shook her head, ?Boys, no need to be so gloomy. We got a good meal today, and it?s also reaping day!? she added in a sarcastic voice. ?Happy Hunger Games to you!?
Cecil and Oliver burst into laughter at Sara?s bad mimicking of their escort?s voice. Her name was Molly, and she had possibly the most annoying voice ever. Molly wore over the top outfits, glittery wigs and impossibly tall platform shoes. Sara gave each of them a slice of bread, and filled their bowls with the stew.
?Eat quickly, we wouldn?t want to be late to the reaping. I don?t want to imagine what mean things the Peacemakers could do.? Sara said. She sat down in her seat and began eating quietly.
The rest of the meal went by silently, and the conversations on the way to the district square were short and tense. Nobody could really be happy just before the reaping. They hadn?t signed up for tesserae, but District Nine didn?t have many children to be entered in the reaping for the tributes.
They took their usual places in the crowd, as far back as they could. Molly soon began the traditional speeches and readings. Up on the podium were the three District Nine tributes who had survived the Games. Cecil didn?t know much about them. The oldest one hardly ever left her house in the Victor?s Village. The other two were about the same age, a girl and a boy. The girl was Clary, and she owned a candy shop that was very popular with small children. The boy, Damon, did odd jobs around the district, even though he was too rich to need the extra money. They both looked solemn tonight. Cecil, Oliver and Sara had managed to escape all previous reapings safely. They were orphans. If one of them was to become a tribute and die in the Games, nobody would mourn them. They only had each other?
---
Aria stared at her reflection in the mirror. Long, dark hair pulled into her signature side ponytail, held by a simply white ribbon. Wide blue eyes, with dark circles underneath them. A pale complexion, and a curvy body. Looking in the mirror, she saw a stranger. A familiar stranger. Another face appeared in the mirror, that of her best friend Wisteria. She looked concerned.
?Are you ok? You don?t look like yourself lately.?
It was true. For the past week, Aria had been fretting about the reaping. She had signed up for tesserae 3 times. Aria Fairchild would be entered 4 times. It worried her.
?Yeah, it?s just the reaping. I?ll be fine.? It was a lame excuse, but Wisteria seemed to buy it.
Adding the last few touch-ups to her makeup, Aria followed Wisteria out the door and outside. Her family had already gone ahead and were probably at the district square by now. This year would be Aria?s last year for the reaping. She was 18. Only one more reaping to survive. It seemed as if they arrived at the square too soon. Aria took her place in the crowd. She glanced around nervously. Please let me be safe, please let me be safe?
