The Hunger Games fanfiction – Jemima Meadows
I woke with a start. Today was the reaping, my third one. It is probably the worst day of the year. I sit up and look at the clock, 6am, 8 hours until the reaping. I guess I have time to go for a swim in the clear waters of district 4. I grab my stuff and leave a note to my mum and brother and head out the door.
I walk through the silent streets of the housing estate and out to the river. Normally this area would be alive with the sounds of people fishing or going to fish, but today's different. It's reaping day everyone gets the day off work.
As I approach the river I see a figure on the bank and I immediately know who it is…
"I guess you couldn't sleep either, eh, Xander"
"How could I its reaping day, if anyone around here had common sense they would be up like you and I, spending the morning with their beloveds." He replies.
"After all it could be all the time they have left with their wonderful teenagers!" I laugh.
Xander and I have known each other since we were born practically and we've been friends all that time too. I strip off under a willow tree in record time, replacing my clothes with my swimsuit, wondering whether one of us is going to be picked.
I dive into the water, suspecting that Xander is watching me. As I swim amongst the fish I forget about all my worries. I come up for air occasionally but not long enough to talk. I swim to the surface.
"Xander what time is it?" I ask, balancing on the river bank.
"10ish" he replies glancing at his watch.
I jump out of the water and sprint to my towel, cursing under my breath. "I said I'd be home now." I mutter as I scramble around with my clothes, trying to put them on as fast as I took them off.
I sprint home to find my mother combing Riley's mangled bed head. He is standing there, still yawning, but dressed and ready for the reaping. "I ran a bath for you and laid an outfit on your bed." My mother says as I walk past. I jog up the stair san head to the bathroom.
I bathe myself and head to my room. I see the breath-taking outfit my mother has lain out. It's a black collared dress with a gold zip, a pair of lace tights and lace up high heeled ankle boots. I braid my damp hair into a crown around my head and walk down stairs.
"You look stunning!"My mother squeals. "Now you two need get going, so I will see you afterwards."
We hug my mother and walk outside to meet Xander and his older sister Melanie.