Hi, my name is Shelby Seasby and I'm 17 years old. I am the oldest of 7 children and I live in District 4, Panem. It's nice here, with our beaches, seas, everyone's nice and the sea air always lingers in the air. I wouldn't trade living here for the world. We live a good life, one of the Capitols favourite districts. We always have enough to eat, we have medicine and we have money. Most people live happily and die from old age or sea storms. Like my father. He died 2 years ago, when my mother was 8 months pregnant. Mother slipped away from the world. She's recovered physically, she works as a washerwoman, her wages and my money from helping at the centre keep us alive. But she'll never be the same.
Before I tell you about myself I want to explain something to you, so you don't jump to the usual conclusion. I am not a slut. I'm actually a virgin if you must know. I'm pretty. I can sing well. I am known as the best swimmer in 4. I can use a trident, sword, knives, bow and spear well (don't get me started on how hopeless I am at anything else though). But I am not how people make me out to be. I am not who anybody expects me to be or thinks I am. I could be popular, if I wanted to. I have many admirers but I've never liked them. Mother used to say that I'd find the right guy, but I guess I'm still looking. I'm not vain. Or cocky. Unlike many, even though having trained for 12 years and having the advantages I do not want to go into the Hunger games.
I have a slight tan, that brings out my sea-green eyes. My hair is long, down to my waist, in blonde waves. I have a good figure due to training and helping out at the marina. I am average height for my age.
My oldest younger sibling is my sister Star. She shares my colour hair, though hers is straight and shoulder length. She has my fathers sapphire blue eyes and cheeky smile. She has surprisingly pale skin, for our district, which she inherits from our mother along with freckles dotted across her nose. She is especially talented with knives, the best in 4 actually. And she's an amazing noose tier. She has a boyfriend as well as her own group of admirers. She's dating a kind man, who treats her well. She's 14 and incredibly independent.
Then comes the twins. They are identical in personality and appearance with their tanned skin, blue eyes, crop of brown hair,great humour and winning smiles. They excel particularly in swordsmanship and hand - to -hand. They are 11 and always causing trouble. There names are Neptune and Poseidon.
After them is Shark, who's 8. He has pale skin, my green eyes, blonde shaggy hair, as well as being the most serious kid I know. And you don't want to be near him when he's in a bad mood and armed with a spear!
Then comes 5 year old Dolphin. She's pale, with brown hair, blue eyes and the cutest little laugh.
Finally is baby Coral. She turned 2 yesterday. Her birthdays the day before the reaping. Unlucky, I guess. She has brown hair, tan, green eyes, freckles. She's adorable.
I open my eyes and realise that it's sunrise. And today, the day of the reaping, I have to get everyone ready. I quickly warm up some water, take a dip, washing away the salt from last nights swim. I dress in a pale blue dress, an old one of mothers and my favourite. I love how it feels. Soft and silky yet also a feeling of weightlessness. I grab an apple before going to wake Star. I ask her to sort out mother while I wake up the boys. I tell them to bathe, dress in their white or blue shirts, grey or black trousers and polished shoes. Then I bathe and dress Dolphin and Coral in there cute white dresses, both too young to understand the importance of today and Dolphin rambling on about how much she loves her new dress. I make sure everyone's eaten before leading us all too the square. I tell the boys to watch there sisters and mother, kiss Star good luck, sign in and join the other 17 year old girls in our make shift pen. I find Myra, the red corkscrew lighthouse keeper's daughter, my best friend. We join our hands together as the escort, named Panda boards the stage. He goes on about the honour and how much he loves the games. Then we watch a clip from the Capitol. And finally the reaping begins.
"As always, ladies first." Panda chuckles as he draws out a name. "Star Seasby." My heart stops beating. Silence. Nothing happens. I see Star slowly inching closer to her certain death, shaking, her eyes glazed over.
"Why isn't anyone volunteering?" I hiss worriedly to Myra.
"No one stepped forward this year." Myra apologises. I breath in carefully. I could never live with myself if Star died. That leaves only one option.
"I volunteer!" I yell. I run to the stage. My fishtail flying out behind me.
"Go find Mum Star." I whisper to her before joining Panda on the stage.
"What's your name, hun?" Panda asks.
"Shelby Seasby." I smirk. Better to start seeming like a career now.
"I bet my buttons that was your sister." Panda claps, thrilled by the tradegy. I nod, simply. Panda selects the boy, a 12 year old that I once taught to swim. What was his name? We shake hands and I'm led into my own little room in the Justice Building. What have I got myself into this time?
A peacekeeper opens the door.
"You have 5 minutes." He calls out in a gruff voice. I stand from where I'd been sitting on the windowsill only to be embraced by Star, tears dribbling down her face.
"Thank you." She whispers. I smile and wipe away some of her tears.
"Now, now, Starfish. Stop all those silly tears. You know how I am, I'll start crying and then how will I ever get into the careers. I could win. You know I can. Then we can live in our own big house and you'll finally have your own room." She smiles slightly.
"Shells?" Dolphin calls out.
"What Dolphin?" I ask, stooping down to her height.
"Were aw you gowing?" She asks, her tiny lisp muddling up her words.
"I'm just going away for a little bit, but then I'll come back. I promise." I kiss her forehead.
"Shelby." Neptune and Poseidon say.
"Stay-" Neptune starts.
"-safe." Poseidon finishes.
"Shells." My mothers soft voice startles me. She has tear filled eyes and has gone pale. I hug her tightly.
"Mum, you can't tune out. You have to keep working and stay strong." I tell her "They need you, especially if I don't come back. " She nods.
"Take this." She says, holding out fathers silver locker, found hung around his neck when his body washed ashore. I hug her again before returning to Star.
"Star, you have to keep them fed and clean. Carry on with my swimming classes for me and your shifts at the dock." I order and she nods. I kiss and hug them all in turn and then they're led away. Gone, forever.