District seven is a poor district. That's a fact. But even the poor districts have their rich and poor, I am the poor. I work at the sawmill bar. It's one of the lowest jobs, next to unemployment that is. "Get your tail back to work!" Beech shouted waiving his spatula towards me.

"Alright, don't get your panties in a knot!" I tied my long brown hair back and stood behind the bar.

The shifts would be changing soon and the bar would be filled. Half of our district was owned by Rosenberg Lumber Co. This particular lumber yard is as far south on the river as you could legally get. Personally, I wished I would get transferred up north, better pay. The quality of swamp wood doesn't earn as much as oak or cedar, and were in the boonies.

"Today Elm lost herself another finger," Holly came up to the bar and sat down. "Plain ol' beer, I also heard the boss and his pretty little princess are coming for inspection."

Holly worked in the actual sawmill as a loader. Most Women in the mill are loaders. So you can imagine the gossip, and boy do I love hearing it.

"How many does she have left?" I asked.

"Seven, three on one hand and four on the other," Holly mimicked the remaining fingers.

"Think she'll still be the fastest loader?"

"Without a doubt."

Over in the corner a group of younger men started to play Free Axe. It's a game where you throw and axe and whoever hits the target wins, in the bars case our target was the new disobedience quell poster. The reaping is exactly two days away and the capital changed the rules last minute. During this quell a team of four could come home. So I guess each district will make and alliance, I doubt anyone would team up with another district. One of the men playing free axe was Warren Red, his family had four children and lived on the south side to. I wondered how many times he was entered.

For some reason everyone became quiet. I looked to see what had caused this rare occurrence, Boss Rosenberg. His daughter Willow stood shyly behind him. Before the district divided the schools into north I went to school with her. We were actually good friends, but that was so long ago, I doubt she remembers. I remember one thing, when her dad was around and she made the face she was making right now….it was not a good sign

Willows pov

My father went with the manager of the bar. I would have giving anything to go with him because he left me surrounded by people who hate me.

"Well, well if it isn't the district princess." A group of boys my age surrounded me. I ignored them and walked over the office door, but before I could make it one of them pulled me back by my hair. I screamed out and the bar seemed to drop silent, "Now princess don't make a fuss, we just want to know why the Boss is in this part of the district."

I kept my mouth shut keeping my eyes on the floor, "Listen up." Jonny the leader of the group grabbed my face with his hand, "Don't make me ask you again."

I didn't reply and he raised his hand to slap me, "Back up boys." Maple a girl I used to be friends with shoved the boys out of the way and pulled me aside, "Shouldn't mess with them."

I was going tell her I didn't do anything but she continued, "and I know something up Willow, why is your father here?" Just then he walked out of the office so I had to say it fast. "Someone's getting fired." I turned around to leave and yelled over my shoulder. "Good luck tomorrow."