District 7-Day before the Reaping

Jackie's POV

Hi I'm Jackie, Jackie Strom and this is my home District 7. I live in a small house and I have my dad and my baby brother Le. Oh and I have Lily my brown puppy. The Peace Keepers were originally put her down but I quickly stepped in, I wasn't gonna let those freaks hurt poor sweet Lily (I'm a giant animal lover).

I'm 14 and I'm really small for my age, I'm 5''1 a lot of girls my age are twice my height. I like to sing, dance, make people laugh, and hunt for my family. Hunting can be very hard for me because I'm hunting other animals and I love animals but me and my family have to eat. In a way I think of it more of the animals helping us survive. Weird way of saying it huh? But I try and think positive when hunting. Oh and I'm a friggin' cat! That's right a human cat that can walk and talk just like you people. One last thing I'm also Oriental, just in case you wanted to know what my race was.

Jackie got out of bed and got dressed, her clothes were a pair of jeans, a pair of socks, a black V-neck tee with long white sleeves, tan moccasin boots, and black leather fingerless gloves. Her mother gave those to her when she was a small child her mom Ruby Strom was a District 7 winner of the 58th Annual Hunger Games. But a year ago her mother was beaten to death by the Peace Keepers. She tied her long black silky hair into a ponytail, her violet eyes searched for the bow and arrows she hid under her bed from Peace Keepers.

Jackie held her bow and arrows to her back, her brother Le spoke up and said. "Sissy where are you going"? The 7-year-old asked his big sister. "Out I'll be back". Jackie said leaving. Jackie walked to see all of the houses and the little town center of District 7. Her dad Creek Strom sells fire wood in the small town center, Le helps out. Jackie's kinda like the other mother in her home, she takes care of her baby bro and her puppy and she helps her dad with dinner or other meals.

She walked into a small forest and climbed up a tree quietly not wanting to scare her prey. Jackie spotted a nice plump and juicy bird but it wasn't a Mocking Jay. "The wild cat has trapped her prey". Jackie grinned with a sneaky kitten smile on her lips. "Hey freak what'cha gonna do with that"?! A loud male voice hollered. His loud voice made the bird fly away.

"Hey what'cha do that for Barren I nearly had em"! Jackie whined. Barren was one of Jackie's neighbors and he was a pain in the ass. He was her age and he had an older sister, it was that blonde girl who died in the Cornucopia in the 74th Hunger Games he's been an asshole ever since. But he used to be so sweet and shy but that all changed when she was killed off first thing.

When the 74th Annual Hunger Games happened Jackie was only 8 and her brother was a year old, and tomorrow was the Reaping. "You could never catch anything you're too small and weak you weakling"! Barren hollered like a 3-year-old. "What's your problem"? Jackie asked. "Your my problem your stupid and useless you wouldn't last in the games your too small and weak". Barren said.

Jackie just stuck out her tongue childishly. Later Jackie hunted another plump juicy bird and found some fruit and vegetables.

The vegetables were carrots and the fruit was oranges and apples. "Hi Dad"! She said coming in. "Hello dear". Her dad greeted. Lily came running up to her happily and jumped up and down. "Aww hi Lily". Jackie cooed while petting her head. "Hi sissy". Le smiled. "Hey little dude". Jackie smiled and gave him a hug. "What did you get"? Le asked. "Some fruit veggies and a big juicy bird". Jackie said holding up her items.

"We can make soups for the vegetables, the bird can be a side dish and the fruit can be for desert". Her dad said. "Sound's good to me". Jackie smiled. While her dad prepared the soup and the bird he needed fire wood. He didn't have any left from today. "I'll go and cut some". Jackie said. "Are you sure"? Le asked.

"Of course I'll be fine". Jackie said. "Do you need any help"? Her dad asked. "No I'm good". Jackie said going down to the wood stump outside of the town center. "*Pants* that should be enough". Jackie panted and wiped some sweat off her forehead. Jackie put the axe down and carried her fire wood, she cut down 5 logs. She can do a lot of things boys can do, Jackie's a tomboy and hates wearing skirts and dresses because for her there to girly.

While walking Jackie heard a baby crying, it was her neighbor Ms. Banks trying to calm her crying 6-month-old son. "Hi Ms. Banks". Jackie greeted. "Oh hello dear". She said. "What's wrong with Jonathan"? Jackie asked. "He won't stop crying I've tried everything I just don't know what to do". She said upset.

"I can help". Jackie said. "Oh you can"? Ms. Banks asked. "Totally". Jackie said. "Thank you". Ms. Banks said giving Jackie her son. "Ssssshhh it's okay little guy". Jackie said holding him.

"Hush little one don't cry a sound. Let the leaves blow you to the forest of happiness. The forest so very still and quiet that you'll just lose all your troubles. Sleep and dream". Jackie sang. The song she sang was called Happiness Forest it was an old District 7 lullaby that her mom use to sing to her when she had nightmares. Jonathan was asleep in her arms, he looked so cute.

"Here you go". Jackie whispered giving Ms. Banks back her baby. "That was lovely". Ms. Banks said. "Thanks". Jackie smiled. "You look just like your mother does anyone tell you that"? Ms. Banks asked. "Sometimes". Jackie mumbled. "I'd better go bye Ms. Banks". Jackie said leaving. "Bye dear". Ms. Banks said leaving.

After dinner it was time for bed it was late and tomorrow was a big day for Jackie. Jackie had her hair down and her pj's were an oversized grey t-shirt and black drawstring pants. "Jackie"? Le asked. "Yeah"? She asked. "Can you tell me a bedtime story"? Le asked holding his teddy bear in his tiny arms. "I'm not real good with telling stories". Jackie said. "It's okay". Le smiled.

Lil"? Jackie asked grinning at her silly puppy. "Okay once upon a time there was a Mocking Jay and he was flying to see his mother and then…um his wing was shot off"! Jackie said.

"*GASP* was he okay"? Le asked worried. "Yeah he was totally cool he got um….a…..a robot wing! He got married to a robot wing female, Mocking Jay and had robot winged Mocking Jay babies. I am a robot Mocking Jay let me shoot you with my lasers *laser noises*". Jackie said imitating like a robot Mocking Jay. "Hahhahahah"! Le laughed.

"The End". Jackie said. "Can you tell me where babies come from"? Le asked. Jackie turned bright coral Le was way too young to know that. "Um…..you'll learn that when your older". Jackie said with a bright embarrassed face. "Oh okay goodnight Jackie". Le said. "Good night Le". Jackie said tucking him in and kissed his forehead.

Her dad watched and smiled. "That was a very interesting story". Her dad grinned. "It'd be cool if there was a robot Mocking Jay it could destroy the Capitol". Jackie said. "Let's hope they didn't hear you say that". He said. "Goodnight Dad". Jackie said. "Goodnight pumpkin". He said. Jackie climbed into bed with Lily sleeping by her side. Her stomach begin to swirl into knots and felt like throwing up.

Since she's 14 her names in there 3 times, so it's 1….or rather 3 in a million. The next day Jackie got dressed and decided to some fishing before the Reaping, she went down to a lake and met a family of bears but this family was her hunting team. "Hi guys". Jackie smiled. She calls the mother bear Jewel, the father Rico and the two cubs Pan and Ruben. "Ready to go fishing"? Jackie asked them. They all got in the lake and got to work.

So far no luck with the fishes, then the papa bear caught a fish and gave it to Jackie. "Aww thanks Rico". Jackie said patting his head. One of the cubs playfully knocked her in the water. "Hey"! Jackie laughed. Pretty soon the bear family began to playfully knock Jackie into the cold lake water. "Okay that's it you guys are going down". Jackie said playfully.

Pretty soon the fun ended Jackie had to get back, she took her fish and arrows and went home. "Bye you guys, I need to go now okay"? Jackie said hugging the bears and left. Jackie walked in all wet and cold. "Hey everybody I got fish". Jackie said holding up her fish. "Yay fish"! Le cheered. Lily barked playfully and danced around like a maniac. Jackie laughed with amusement.

"Jackie go get cleaned up I have an outfit laid on your bed for the Reaping". He said. "Okay". Jackie said. Jackie washed and scrubbed herself, washing out the bacteria and lake water. Jackie poured a bucket of cold water on her face and hair to rinse off.

"*Cough* *cough* *cough*". She coughed. After she dried off she found a green short sleeve summer dress with navy TOMS. Jackie put them on and left her hair down and brushed it. She decided not to wear her fingerless gloves either it's a Reaping you're supposed to look nice. "Wow sissy you look pretty"! Le said. "Thanks little dude". Jackie smiled. Lily got on her lap and Jackie petted her. "You really do look beautiful. I think the boys will fall for you". Her dad joked.

Jackie laughed some. "I wished I looked like you". Le said. "Oh no I wished I looked like you little dude I hate wearing dresses and skirts, I feel like a total girly girl". Jackie said. "I have something I want to give to you I wanted to wait until your 14". Her dad said holding a clean white cloth.

What he held under the cloth was a beautiful sparkly hair pin, it her mom's on their wedding day. "Daddy isn't that"? Le asked. "Yes Le it's the bobby pin your mother wore on our wedding day. And this time Jackie will wear it for the Reaping". He said putting the pin Jackie's hair. "There you're ready". He said. "I cooked up the fish let's eat before the Reaping". He said. "Okay". Le and Jackie said.

The fish was great it was flaky, crispy and cooked just right Lily even had some and she loved it. The alarm for the Reaping just went off it was time to go. "Come on we need to leave". Her dad said. After giving Lily hugs and sloppy kisses goodbye Jackie went to face the music.

Her dad was taking Le because he couldn't be home by himself. Jackie walked to see all other kids of District 7 scared as ever. Jackie could imagine all the 12-years-old crapping there pants. Jackie looked at one of the Peace Keepers and put her finger under her eye and stuck out her tongue like a small child would do.

Once her dad saw that he quickly took her aside and said. "Are you crazy"? He asked rushed. "Sorry but I hate them I wish I could give them all an atomic wedgie". Jackie said. Her dad laughed then said. "I know but you shouldn't do that. Go sign in me and your brother will be over there with the other adults". He said. "Okay". She said.

"Next". A Peace Keeper said. Jackie stuck out her finger and her felt a little buzzing sting. "Go ahead next". The Peace Keeper said. Jackie stood in the middle row where the other 14-year-old girls were. Once everyone arrived Effie Trinket walked on stage with her tacky makeup, big hair and bright clothes. She looked like a clown Jackie snickered. "Welcome, welcome, welcome everyone. Happy Hunger Games and May the odds be ever in your favor! Before we begin we have a very special video all the way from the Capitol"! Effie said as the video begin to play.

Jackie rolled her eyes it was the same video every year but none less she paid attention and heard the loud booming words of the film.

War terrible war, thirteen districts that rebelled against the country who fed them, loved them, protected them.

When the traitors were defeated we swore as a nation to never know this treason again.

And so it is decreed that each year the various districts shall offer up a tribute.

One young man and woman to fight to the death in a pageant of honor, courage, and sacrifice.

This is how we safe guard our trust this is how we safe guard community.

"I just love that"! Effie said as the video ended. "Now it's time to pick our tributes for District 7 for the 80th Annual Hunger Games"! Effie said. "Let's not waste time shall we ladies first". Effie said going over to the giant bowl. She pulled out a small slip of paper and walked back up to the microphone.

Jackie thought nervously. 'Don't be me please don't be me'. She thought scared as ever. Effie unwrapped the slip and read it out loud, drumroll please. "JACQUELINE STROM"! Effie said out loud. Jacqueline Strom? That was her all color lost in Jackie's kitty face. For the record Jackie hated being called Jacqueline just like with dresses and skirts it was to girly. "Come on up here"! Effie said. Jackie held her shaky arms behind her back and slowly walked with Peace Keepers behind her.

"Move faster kid". One of them said rudely. "Stop pushing". She glared. Jackie walked on stage terrified as she faced District 7 she tried to hold back tears. "Now for the gentlemen"! Effie said going to the other one. She picked up another slip and read it. "XAVIER THOR"! She called out. Xavier Thor? Jackie's never seen him before. He was 16 and was 5'4 and looked just as terrified as she was walking on stage. "Our tributes for District 7 Xavier Thor and Jacqueline Strom! Shake hands you to". Effie said to them.

The kitty cat awkwardly shook his hand. "Happy Hunger Games and May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor"! Effie said. After that Jackie was on the train on the way to the Capitol. Jackie felt like throwing up her guts and wetting her pants. "You've got 5 minutes". A Peace Keeper said letting in Jackie's family.

Le jumped into Jackie's arms and was crying. "Ssssh it's okay little dude". Jackie soothed. "No it's not"! Le cried. "Le listen to me I want you to be strong I don't know if I'll come back but if I don't come back don't take any food from them". Jackie said, by them she means the Peace Keepers. "It's not worth putting your name in a billion more times okay"? Jackie asked. "Please try to win". Le sobbed. "I'll try take care of Lily and dad alright"? She asked. "I will". Le sobbed.

Jackie hugged her dad he looked so broken. "Don't worry". Jackie said. "How can I not"? Her dad said worryingly. "I'll find a safe spot to hide". Jackie said. "You might need these". Her dad giving her fingerless gloves. "Show them you're not a joke show them you can do it I love you". He said giving her a kiss on her forehead. "I love you to". Jackie smiled tearfully. "Time's up". The Peace Keeper said taking Le and her dad out.

"I won't let you down"! Jackie said as her family was escorted out. Jackie sat down and wanted to scream and shout but she kept all in and just cried instead. Jackie tried to think positive and then realized self-pity was pointless. She could do it even if it means failing and dying for her District.

End of chapter 1 did you like the 1st chapter of my 1st Hunger Games fanfic? More characters of mine will be coming but I hoped you enjoyed this one. The song Happiness Tree is something I made up just in case you wondered.