30 units for the day. That should be enough to feed us. There aren't many job opportunities in district 18 for the poor. Most have to sell their bodies just to feed themselves or their families. Like me. My dad was in one of the few rich families in district 18. He paid to fuck my mom and ended up falling in love with her. She had me when they were 16. He was reaped the next year. He didn't make it through the bloodbath. His family kicked us out. My mom was able to get some money for us for a few more years. But then she got pregnant again. After my sister was born no one wanted to pay for a prostitute as used as my mom. It was hard surviving the next few years. I've been selling myself since I was 12. I'm 14 now. I go to the shop and buy some bread. Three slices. That's all I can afford.
"Fine, I'll take it"
I bring it home and give a slice to my mom and sister.
"Ready Aurora?" my mom asks
"The reaping. Yeah…" I look to my mother "How's Julie doing?"
"Worried. But that's normal for 11 year olds. It's her first reaping. Remember how scared you were?"
I get dressed into the only nice thing I have. A cheap blue dress. I go to Julie's room to check to see how she's doing.
"Hey, Jules"
"What if I get picked?"
"You'll be fine, this is my fourth reaping and I'm still here"
Silence.
"If you get chosen I promise I'll volunteer for you"
"What? No you can't"
"It's okay though because neither of us will get chosen"
"Girls it's time"
We walk to the middle of the district. We split up into ages.
"So! Who's ready for the reaping!" A short capitol woman yells out.
"First we will choose the male tribute!"
She sticks her hand in the glass bowl of names and picks out a name.
"Charlie Dounge!"
The boy walks up. He looks around 12 or 13.
"Welcome sweetie! Now for the girls!"
She sticks her hand in the bowl. She pulls out a name.
"Julie Jordan!"
My sister. I need to-
"I VOLUNTEER"
"Well! It seems we have a volunteer. Come up sweetie"
I slowly walk to the stage.
"And what would your name be?"
"A-A-Aurora Jordan"
"Well it seems we have our tributes from district 18 for the 245th Hunger Games!"