When I wake up, I still feel exhausted. Today is the reaping day, and even though I've never had the need to collect tesserae, I feel at unease. I smell the warm bread cooking downstairs and I can hear my mother yelling at my father. I never understand the reasons for her yelling anymore, but I don't dare question it. I quickly dress in any old clothing for now. We won't have to meet at the square for a few hours, so I'm in no rush to get ready. As I make my way downstairs, I can see that my brothers already have begun to eat and that my mother is so full of rage she's ready to hit anyone of us. I quietly sit down and eat my stale bread. I used to hate it, but I guess I'm used to it by now. I eat quickly and then head to the bakery below our home to begin making the bread, so my mother is pleased with me and doesn't hit me. By the time everyone else comes downstairs, I already have made a dozen cookies. My mother seems please enough, so I know I won't get hit today. It's not the thought of her hitting me, but I don't want a fat ugly bruise on my face in the square today.