63rd Annual Hunger Games
Chapter One: Hope and Feelings
District 7 (The Lumber District)
As I finished putting on my work uniform, the work alarm started to toll, calling me to the lumber yards to chop down more trees. The sound of the horn and drum faded away as I walked out my woodcutting axe lying lazily on my shoulder and sunglasses protecting my eyes from the blazing sun. I walked with my head high, and confidence in my stride, though I fear I'll be chosen in the reaping tomorrow, or my girlfriend, or both of us. Now, even though it is unlikely, that last possibility has kept me up for the past four days with fear. I try not to show it, I am looked up to as fearless by my two younger brothers (Timothy and William) and my baby sister (Tarella), respectively ages eleven, nine, and seven. It is them, my family, that keeps me going. My dad is disabled from a freak logging accident, and my mother is a drunkard.
I spend the ten hours of my shift alternately thinking of my siblings, my girlfriend (Delia), and the Hunger Games reaping tomorrow. I also partially keep my mind on my job, so I don't end up like my father. As my lunch break starts, Truball Krowsdee comes and sits on the ground next to me.
"How's my best bud doing today?" Truball has always tried to sound happy and content, at least in public. In fact he is about as angry as an ice cube in the Sahara Desert.
"You can drop the act, nobody's in earshot of the area. I already checked." Before having sat down, I checked the area to make sure no one would be around to hear what we say.
Instantly changing before my eyes, he dropped the smile and grew a frown. "Can you believe what they force upon us kids and our parents, selecting two kids from each district to throw us into an arena and kill each other? They are messed up beyond all possible ability, and Snow is the worst of them all."
"I'm afraid, I won't lie. It is wrong, but what can we do? Let's not talk about this right now, how about after the reaping or after this year's games." While he is angry, I am broken. I know we can't do anything about it, so why bother complaining.
"Don't you realize that after tomorrow, either of us could be on a train to the capitol and likely, death. You are seventeen, I am eighteen. Other than those who have gotten Tesserae packs, we are in the top two prime reaping spots. And not to mention your girlfriend who is sixteen, and my brother who is also sixteen. We may not be here tomorrow, despite the phrase, they don't want the odds to be in our favor. It's all a bunch of bologna."
As he finished his rant, the horn signifying the end of the lunch break blew. I got up and as I helped Truball up, I looked him straight in the eyes and said, "You know full well I realize the possibility, but what can we do. Now, let's get back to work." I put on my sunglasses, he put on his happy attitude and we walked back to the working area to finish the work day.
Later in the evening…
"Hey," I felt someone bump my shoulder as the voice spoke, "how was work today?" Without waiting for an answer, Delilah stood up on the tip of her toes and kissed me.
The familiar feeling of pure joy washed over me as our lips touched. She is the most beautiful girl I have ever met, and her personality and brains keep reminding me how lucky I am to have gotten her, over all the other guys in our school who asked her out. Luckily she knew that they were total jerks and idiots.
"Fine," I managed as we pulled away from each other, "but you make my day perfect." I don't try to be cheesy, it just happens. At least she seems to love that part of me.
"Ah, you are so sweet, the good-looks is just icing on the cake. Well, I gotta get home and prepare for… tomorrow." Her smile disappeared as she said the last word, but it instantly came back. She could never remain anything but happy for any amount of time. "See you tomorrow."
We kissed again before she walked away, wiggling her fingers at me in farewell. I watched her wonderful body walk away and hoped to God that neither of us got picked. Long after she was out of sight, I turned away and walked home still hoping.