The next five days go by in a blur. Tomorrow's the reaping. I know there are six slips in the giant glass bowl for girls with my name on them. I know. It's not much. I shouldn't be complaining. But still, I'm nervous. Maddie has four and Jason has ten. I'm very nervous and on edge. Mom is too. I go around doing what I can until it's time to leave.
By now it's very early morning so I head to my room. I couldn't sleep last night so I'm a bit weary. I pull on my bathingsuit and go without shoes or shorts today. I feel the warm sand, still warm from the hot rays of the sun yesterday, as I step out my back door. I walk a little ways to the water and dive in. It's a little cool at first but I soon warmup.
After I swim for a little while I wring out my hair and head inside. Mom's awake getting everything prepared. "Your dress is on your bed sweetie," she says, with a look that shows she's concentrating hard. "Thanks, Mom," I say and head to my room. I strip off my bathingsuit and look at the dress. It's pink and simple and elegant. I put it on and I look stunning. My mom pulls back my wavy hair and pins it. Then she gives me a pair of white flats. I put them on and mom looks me over. "Perfect," she says. We walk out of the house and head towards the justice building. A lot of people are gathered here and, as they prick my finger, I can't help but wonder 'Who's going to be picked?'
I walk to the 16-year old section and wait. A few minutes later our escort, Fafia, comes on stage. "Welcome," she says in her silly capitol accent. "Come on in everyone." Maddie finds me, stands beside me, and squeezes my hand. "It's okay," she says. I nod and direct my attention back to Fafia. "Alright we have a special video brought to you all the way from the capitol!" she says, and the giant screen behind her lights up. We watch the video as we do every year and when it finishes Fafia announces, "Now the time has come to pick one courageous young man and woman for the honor of representing district four in this years hunger games." She smiles and then adds, "Ladies first." She heads to the big glass bowl on her left and my stomach ties itself into knots. She selects one and heads back to the microphone. 'Please don't be me' I think.
"Abbie Nicole," she announces. Oh no! That's me! I walk up to the stage and as I turn around I see Maddie fighting back tears. "And now for the boys," says Fafia. She heads to the bowl on her right and chooses a slip. "Jason Blunt," she announces. Oh no not Jason too! He steps up on the stage. "Here are your tributes!" she says. Then she steps behind us and ushers us into the justice building. I breathe in a deep breath of salty air. It might be my last in district four.