*This is the story of my original character Desiree. Don't worry it's not just about her of course. This story will have many POVs and I decided to go straight into the reaping to delete the fluff. More information will be revealed as the story goes on.*
Chapter 1
I took my place among the large crowd of 15 year olds and stood there ready to pass out. Many people seemed extremely excited and for what? I thought of something that made me happy…him. I smiled thinking about the party. I looked on stage and there he was sitting patiently. My boyfriend and the love of my life…Finnick Odair. He smiled and worked the crowd like always. As much as I tried I couldn't shake this feeling…the feeling that something extremely bad was about to happen. Every time I heard the word reaping the past month my stomach churned and I got queasy. Mayor Kline came on stage and gave us his opening speech.
Finnick caught sight of me and smiled, but I was feeling so sick that I couldn't smile back. I looked over to see my best friend Jaii-Jaii in the large group of 16 year olds and my sister was in the crowd of 18 year olds. I couldn't see my brother though, I'm sure he was still nervous. As Ginicki Maraj got on stage my stomach began to flip flop and my hand started shaking slightly. I listened as she made her little speech and began the drawing.
"Let's start with the girls shall we?" she says in her high pitched capitol accent. She pulled a name from the large glass ball. Since of the most recent rebellion attempt all the districts were being punished, now there were double the amount of tributes that had to enter the Games.
"Samantha Anderson," she called out with a bright smile. I let out a deep breath and waited for the next name. Samantha made her way to the stage happily, she was obviously a career. I remembered seeing her in TC3 (training center 3) where Finnick worked. She worked with the advanced students. I could tell she was extremely strong, and she looked like she wasn't afraid of anything. She was tall and pretty built with thick eyebrows and medium length black hair with freckles. She smiled and saluted the crowd.
"The other female tribute will be…." she pulled out another slip of paper "Desiree Lopez" my jaw dropped and my blood ran cold. The crowd was beside themselves. I heard some say "damn her life is just fucked up," and "the odds are definitely not in her favor," Finnick's face had become pale and we locked eyes until the Peacekeepers practically dragged me onto the stage. I saw Jaii-Jaii and my sister trying to volunteer but with all the commotion no one could hear or pay attention.
"Ladies and gentleman quiet down please," Ginicki says looking out into the excited crowd. The peacekeepers start whistling loudly trying to gain control of the unruly crowd.
"Now for the boys…." she pulled out a slip of paper " Jasper Anderson," the crowd went wild and I started getting even more sick. Tears streamed down my cheeks and then…I threw up and the world felt like it was moving in slow motion then everything went black.
When I woke up I was in the Justice Building. Finnick was holding something under my nose and I was instantly aroused. He looked extremely worried.
"You ok Dimples?" he stroked the side of my face gently. I shook my head and he sighed.
"What happened?" I croaked.
"You threw up and passed out on stage. Peacekeepers got you and took you off stage and tried to arouse you but you wouldn't wake up so they just brought you here. You've been out for about 30 minutes and it's almost time for you to say your…goodbyes," his eyes started tearing up. He sat me up and I could hear someone knocking on the door. When it opened it was Jaii-Jaii and Josh, they were both crying. Jaii-Jaii ran to me and hugged me so tightly. We cried in each other's arms.
"This shouldn't be happening to you! I tried Desi! I swear I tried!" she cried. I had to be strong, it's already bad enough that I threw up and passed out on stage.
"I know Jaii-Jaii, it's not your fault,"
"Promise me you won't give up!" she cried. I nodded my head softly. "I know how you get! I wanna hear you say it! Promise me!"
"I promise Jaii-Jaii," we look into each other's eyes and it eas like we could see into each other's broken souls. I gave her a weak smile.
"If anything happens to me-"
"Don't say that! No!"
"Jaii-Jaii listen to me!" I yell over her.
"Promise me you'll move on and live life. Promise me that you won't lose yourself if I die," she shook her head defiantly.
"Dammit Jaii-Jaii! Promise me!" I shook her a little and she cried even harder.
"I promise!" she cried. After that I hugged her tightly. Josh had no words at first he just hugged me.
"You better come back," he says softly. He wipes a tear from his eye and gives me a weak smirk. "I can't handle all this without you," he pointed towards Jaii-Jaii and I chuckled softly. Leave it up to Josh to make me feel a little better. The Peacekeepers came in and started taking them away.
"You better come back! Don't give you! Do whatever it takes!" she screams. I give her a weak smile and I blow her a kiss. Finnick was on the couch watching me and soon I had another visitor. It was my entire family. They were all crying…even Roshon which somewhat surprised me. My mother embraced me and held me so tight I couldn't breath, but I let her hold on. Then I hugged my dad, then Destiny, and lastly Roshon.
"You can take them. You have to win," he says. He gave me a look and I could tell he was trying to be strong.
"Your brother is right. We all believe in you,"
"You have to come back to us," my mom says. She turns and starts crying even more. My dad looked heartbroken.
"Remember what your Abuelita used to always say 'Everything happens for a reason and what doesn't kill you makes you stronger' you were chosen so that you could show the world what your made of and prove to the world that you're the strongest. When you come back life will be different and this experience will make you stronger." my dad says wisely. I took in every word and hugged him tightly.
"Listen to me little girl. If you don't come back I will bring you back to life and kill you again!" My sister says dramatically. She was crying but I couldn't help but smile weakly at her exaggerated humor.
"Promise me…that if I die you all will move on with your lives. That if I'm gone forever that you'll make sure I'm remembered. That if I'm broken and as good as gone that you won't harden your hearts and give up on life," they all nodded even though they weren't pleased with my attitude. My dad huddled us all together and we prayed together. As soon as we finished my family was ripped away from me. I had a lot of other visitors to my surprise; teachers, classmates, a few boys from my school, people I traded with, and even Daniel who was also one of my closest friends to be honest. I didn't know this many people even knew I existed let alone cared. I made a note of everyone who had said goodbye to me and it was at least 54.
When it was all over I broke down and cried even more, in Finnick's arms. He held me firmly and ran his fingers through my hair until I calmed down. By that time, it was time to leave. Finnick and Derek walked me to the car that would drive us to the train station. To my surprise the streets looked deserted. When I pulled up to the train station I gasped at what I saw. There were hundreds of people crowded around the station wearing my favorite color…white. Peacekeepers had to make way for everyone. I saw the other tributes boarding the train and when I stepped out of the car the crowd went wild.
I was showered with blue and white roses and rose petals. It was a beautiful sight. I spotted my family joining in near the train. As I reached the train people began to chant.
"Desi! Desi! Desi! Desi!" A tear rolled down my cheek. I had never felt so loved before. People really cared and I knew that this event was extremely meaningful. I couldn't help but smile…and it was a real one. I waved and they continued to throw flowers and petals. I was sad when they closed the doors to the train and I watched through the window as my home became farther and farther behind me.