Hey Guys! This is my first Hunger Games story, tell me what you think in reviews if you'd like. That'd be great.
Sunlight broke through my bedroom curtains and dreams, signaling a new day,the day in other people's perspectives. It was Reaping Day, a day that other kids in many other districts should fear, but not me. You see, living in a career district has its advantages if you're not a career. Even if you happened to be called, hundreds of older boys or girls would kill each other to be the tribute for your district. It can be very enjoyable to watch, and to know that it never has to be you up there
That is why I am so very thankful for having the chance to be born in District 1. I never have to worry on Reaping Day. My parents aren't worried about their children dying, so I am their only child and son. They probably couldn't have another if they tried, since they are so busy. My parents own their own perfume factory, which makes thousands of different perfumes and colognes all under the name, Van Wihl, our family name. They are fragrance connoisseurs, and I have gained that quality as well. Knowing what smells complement each other, and what plants to get them from. They are shipped out all over the Capitol, where the government resides and the Hunger Games are a cruel sporting event. The people there find enjoyment from watching teenagers fight to the death, and make us watch it as punishment.
"Shine! Breakfast will be done soon!" I hear my mother's voice calling. She pulls me from my dream-like trance and I walk into my own bathroom to start getting ready. I'm named Shine after our luxurious products; most people in our district are named after our products anyways.
I undress and hop into the shower, where a hot stream of water awaits me. I wonder who will end up in the games this year. I know our District will have two strong volunteers, like every year. Which us non-trainees can be thankful for. I'm definitely thankful for the Careers that sacrifice themselves for my life, even though most of them are pretty mean and obnoxious. The people who train act like they run the District and are better than those who don't. At least they let me live a pretty carefree life though.
I step out and dry myself off. I look into my steamy mirror and look over myself. I carry the normal looks of my district, slender with blond hair, though my eyes are a dark blue instead of green. I inherited these from my mother. I dry my hair, and go to my room to pick out clothes. I pick out a black dress shirt, with a black sweater over it, and a pair of white dress shorts, with a grey tie. My favorite part of Reaping Day was getting dressed up. Everyone wanted to look nice today. Especially the people who would find themselves being pulled out of their regular lives and put into the games.
I walk downstairs to find my mother sitting at the table waiting for me with her blond hair in long waves down her back, which flowed like the bright blue dress she was wearing. I joined her at the table and saw she had made eggs and gravy, my favorite.
"Where's dad?" I ask my mom as I start digging in.
"Oh, he's at the shop, he said he would meet us at the Reaping," She said with a sigh. "I wish we wouldn't have to work all the time. Maybe after the Reaping we can go look through a couple shops?" She asked excitingly. I nodded in acceptance, and we finished our meal in peace. It really was just a regular day for us. Mom and I sharing a quiet breakfast together, and meeting up with dad later in the day. It had been like this for my whole life. Usually I would be alone until evening every day, if I wasn't with Shimmer. I loved my parents, but they could barely be there for me. Shimmer was my emotional support. The only way my parents knew to help if I was sad was to buy me clothes. I didn't mind too much though, whenever I wanted new clothes I just put a frown on my face.
We finished our meal, and headed for the Reaping. Being the first district meant starting early for us. We passed many houses that much resembled ours, tall, with an ivory paint job, and picture perfect lawns. We passed the house of my good friend Shimmer, where she and her parents were waiting for us. They owned the emerald mines of the district. Shimmer was in a light pink dress with tulle around it. She had her light hair in a bun with pink ribbons in it. She smiled and we instantly started talking about going shopping afterwards. We always did everything together. We were the only friends we had. Most families with children weren't as well off as us. So we were outcasts.
"Hey Shiny, nervous about the Games this year?" Shimmer teased.
"As if, why would I be nervous?" I replied with a snort.
"Who knows, maybe they won't allow volunteers this year."
"And lose half of their donations because the Career Districts suck? I don't think so, Shim. Use your brain."
"Wow, you're nice." She muttered under her breath. Shimmer was my best friend, but we argued on a daily basis. She was like family to me, even though my family wasn't that close. Shimmer was always more nervous about the games too. Her mother's side, all train up for the Games staring when they're little. Her cousin Essence volunteered five years back, and didn't make it back. She made it to the top five, before she had a trident put through her neck. So she's been affected more by the games each year.
As we got closer to the town square we saw crowds of people waiting to sign in. It was required in Panem to go to the Reaping and then to watch the Games. We saw crowds of Career kids standing outside of the square, trying to pick out good competitors. They gave us all looks, but Shimmer and I ignored them, most of them would die in the next few years anyways, so why bother. If they were going to be rude to us, we would be rude as well. We signed in and our parents went to the outside seats while we went to stand in the fifteen year olds sections, which were located close to the middle. Shimmer looked at me and smiled, we both wanted it to hurry so we could just leave. A girl then stood between us and gave us both looks. She was tall, and had a sneer on her face. Her dark hair fell in ringlets down her back, and her green eyes looked like our lawn grass.
"Well look at these two lovebirds, better hope it's not your turn for plucking. You wouldn't last a minute in the arena." She laughed and many Careers joined her. I really hated them, especially her now. Shimmer and I were just friends. She had no right to laugh at us.
"Well we won't have to worry about that since most of you are stupid enough to volunteer for us." I said with a small snicker. Shimmer laughed too, but everyone else was quiet. The tall girl glared at me as she took her place close to the front. The event was about to begin and I was thankful for it. I didn't understand why I said it, but I really hated them poking fun at us, especially at Shimmer. They all deserved to die anyways.
The Mayor took the stage signaling the start of the Reaping. He read us the same speech he always does, about how the Hunger Games came about. In the Dark Days the surrounding districts started a rebellion towards the Capitol. Their efforts were defeated though. This resulted in the destruction of the thirteenth district. Now every year, two tributes are selected to represent their district. One boy and one girl, between the ages of twelve and eighteen, are chosen to be trained in the art of fighting and become the last tribute standing. The victor will receive eternal glory and riches, which did seem pretty nice if you weren't already rich like I was.
The Mayor ended his speech, and we all clapped for him. Then our representative, Rodero Fons, took the stage. He was very tall, with a sort of tall green wig that made him even taller. He wore a striped pantsuit with green and pink stripes. He even wore striped make-up.
Rodero congratulated us on another great year of games while he took the stage. He always spoke in clipped words so it kind of jumbled up at the end so it left people a little confused. He praised us for being a great district, and read off our list of victors, it was pretty lengthy, and I bet we were about tied for the most wins. He then announced that Cashmere and Gloss were to be our mentors this year. They were sibling victors who won consecutively in the 67th and 68th games. They stood up and waved, smiling pure white smiles and moving their light blond hair around before sitting back down.
Excited to get on with the show Rodero exclaimed "How about men first this year?" Which sort of came out "How'd doubt Ben cursed his ear!" Which made many people chuckle. He walked over to a glass bowl filled with a lot of white slips of paper; he looked down into it and stuck his arm down. He searched a while for the "right" one and then pulled one out. He walked over to the microphone and unfolded the name.
"The young man, who is given the privilege to represent District 1 in the 72nd Hunger Games is…Shine Van Wihl!" he called out. I looked around for the poor soul and his soon to be volunteers, but there were none. I then realized that it was my name he called. Surprised, I slowly left the safety of the crowd and walked down the main aisle towards the big stage. I couldn't believe it, but I assured myself there would be some dumb older boy to volunteer in no time. I made it to the stage and stood next to Rodero and the cursed glass bowl that my name came from. Rodero looked at me and smiled, which I returned.
"Any volunteers?" he asked as he scanned the crowd. There was nothing, silence. By this time boys would be fighting each other for the right to head to the arena, but there was a sickly tension in the air, that made me want to fall to the ground and cry. I was mentally urging them to volunteer, but no one was. I desperately looked over the crowd, none of the Careers moved. I looked towards Shimmer, but I could barely see her from the stage. I looked at the Mayor and the mentors, who were just as confused as I was. They wanted me in there, they wanted to see me go into the arena, and they wanted to watch me die. Rodero looked back at me with a forced smile.
"Looks like they want you to have the pleasure." He said as he walked over to the girls bowl. He repeated his procedure, and walked over to the microphone, I couldn't hear the name, or maybe I tuned it out. I only scanned the crowd as girls were volunteering left and right. I looked out beyond the kids and saw my parents next to our shop. Staring at me with grief.
Then a girl hopped on stage and it snapped me from their gaze. It was the same girl from before. She looked at me with her dirty grass eyes and smiled. It was a simple look but I knew what it said. I will be the one to kill you.
"And what is your name?" Rodero asked the girl as he ushered her towards me.
"Ruby Britton."
"We have our tributes!" Rodero yelled as he directed the crowd's applause to us. We turned to each other and shook hands. She gripped mine with so much force that I thought she could kill me right there. I was unsure whether people noticed or not, but I was sure about one thing. I wouldn't last one minute in the arena with this girl there.
What'd you think? Do you like Shine? Or any of the characters? Tell me in a review! :D
