A/N: I only meant this to be a oneshot, but based on your reviews, I may extend it. Also, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR REVIEWS! I never expected to get this many! Love you all!
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN THE HUNGER GAMES!
Every year, two children from the districts are chosen to be televised in a fight to the death. Ever since I was little, it was tradition to hold a huge party on each of the nights the Games went on. My parents would spend thousands and thousands of dollars on food, entertainment and costumes to wear. Every year, I would watch with glee as the children met their various bloody deaths. Laugh as they were speared, shot, blown to pieces. Cry when my favorites died, then promptly forget about them. It was like a book, where you liked the characters were nice, but not real. That all ended this year. The day of my twelfth birthday was the day when the reapings were shown. My parent's important friends, all of the Capitol's most influential citizens, even President Snow was there. In the Capitol, twelve is an very important birthday. When you turn twelve, you get your citizen papers, making you an official member of the Capitol.
The night of my party, I was in my room, curling my bubble-gum pink hair into perfect ringlets. I had dyed my eyes a brilliant blue for the occasion, and lined them in a silver pen. My mom had even let me get a tattoo. It was of silver vines twisting up and down my arms, with golden leaves that changed with the seasons. The Avox maid had set out my birthday dress: a lilac gown that had fairy wings sewn to the back. My daddy said that when I wore it, I looked like a princess.
"Aurelia!" My mom called. "District One Reaping is about to begin!"
"Coming mom!" I hastily changed into my dress, and floated into my dining room, which was packed with people, all watching the Reaping on the huge TV that took up most of the wall. I found a place to sit, and focused on the television. The District One escort, a short plump woman with blue spiked hair was calling the names of the Tributes.
"...Glimmer Lee!" A beautiful girl with long blonde hair, pale skin and sparkling green walked up, smiling and waving.
"And... our male tribute... Marvel Turner!" A somewhat mean looking boy swaggered up to the stage, grinning at the cameras. "That's it for District One! Now, a word from our sponsors!"
Behind me, the adults were whispering, placing bets on the Tributes. The program came back on, and the whole room fell silent again. For District Two, a cruel-looking girl called Clove with thick brown hair and dull green eyes and an even crueler-looking boy called Cato were called. The tributes from 3 and 4 sped by. I remember one was called Calla, another Rowan. Their faces blurred together, all becoming the same. I remember a red-headed girl from 5, called something like Eve. A bunch of children from 6, 7, and 8 that looked as if they had no chance of winning what so ever. 9 had an interesting Reaping. The girl tribute, a slender brunette called Sophie tried to run away when her name was called, but the Peace Keepers caught her. She was screaming and crying, but no one volunteered as Tribute for her. My father was laughing at her desperate cries, mocking her. I giggled to myself. Sophie seemed to be the sort to try to kill herself in training. That could be interesting. The boy tribute simply walked up, and didn't give us any sort of show, which was disappointing. 10's tributes looked as if they'd last half a minute in the arena.
"Welcome to District Eleven's Reaping!" A man with silky green hair spoke into the microphone.
"We'll go with ladies first.. no?" He reached into the large glass bowl and made a show of fishing around in it. He nearly pulled out a name, then shook his head and put it back.
"Aha! Here we are!" He had a small slip of paper in his hand, and triumphantly read it.
"Rue Fields!"
No one came up.
"Rue Fields?"
Finally, a girl walked slowly up. She was pretty, with waist long black hair, and skin the color of coffee. But, it wasn't until she had reached the stage that I realized something. She looked my age.
"Ahh.. Miss Fields.. good day."
The girl nodded.
"Now, today is a very special day, isn't it?"
The girl, Rue, looked confused.
"It's your birthday, isn't it?"
Rue nodded.
"How old are you turning?"
Rue finally spoke, her voice a pretty musical whisper. "Twelve."
All around me, the grown up were laughing at her, joking about how long she'd last. But, I couldn't hear them. All I could here was Rue's whisper. Twelve.
"Mom?" I whispered
"Yes, sweetie?"
"That girl, Rue..."
My mom laughed.
"She'll last.. oh, 10 minutes."
Suddenly, I stood.
"Mommy. I don't feel good. Can I go to bed?"
My mother nodded, still laughing over Rue's fate.
I ran to my room and tore off the fairy dress, and pulled out my money and cell phone. Shaking, I dialed the number for potential sponsors. How, HOW could my home do this to children? I had to help her. I had to.
"Hello?"
"Yes, my name is Aurelia, and I'd like to sponsor a tribute."
"Who?"
"The little one. Rue."