When All Else Fails
Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games and any of its characters (though I would like to).
Note: Hey guys this is my first Hunger Games fanfiction. I am open for all reviews, opinions and criticisms. I just went in to edit some of the chapters.
Enjoy!
Chapter 1- We are District 4
"Fantastic!"
Well that's a first. I've never heard any trainer in the academy say that to me before. Usually they'd bitch or complain about the fact that the spears I throw are always two centimeters off from the bull's-eye. Really? I've been in this training center since 8 this morning. It's now 5 in the afternoon on another wasted Saturday. I'm cranky and worn out from the training. But hey, at least I did something right, right?
"Finally you did something right today."
Exactly. I breathe a sigh and training is finally dismissed. I practically jumped for joy all the way to the locker room, shed my training clothes, and run out the door. Wind rushes past me and whips my hair around my face as I breathe in the fresh sea air of District 4.
"Lana!"
Shit. I forgot to wait for him again. Devin Spades, my best friend, caught up to me looking rather peeved. I decide to just play it cool.
"Hey Dev. Thought you left without me."
"No asshole. You left without me. Again."
I chuckle and punch his arm lightly. Devin and I had been best friends since we had first met in the academy at the age of 10. He lives with me since both of his parents were both reaped in the 72th Hunger Games. Neither one of them manage to survive.
"Tomorrow's the big day," he spoke softly.
I nod and we both head up the steps to my house. "The odds have been in our favor so far right?"
He doesn't say anything else and walks inside. Dinner was quiet. Even dad lacked conversation. He was always quiet during this time of year since mom was reaped when I was 4. Sleep was worse. Always was. Morning came and I found myself outside with Devin throwing knives at tree trunks until 1 in the afternoon.
"Time to get ready guys." Dad's voice broke us away from our trance and we both trudge inside. I shower and dress in mom's favorite spring yellow dress, leaving my dark brown waves cascading down the length of my back. The Reaping bell finally starts to ring, signaling District 4 that it was time. Devin and I silently walk there with dad in tow. We all separate, Dad leaving to stand with the rest of the other families while Devin and I checked in. I situate myself in the crowd of 17 year old girls, rubbing my sore finger and waited for our escort to arrive. Zelda Lockes, the escort of District 4, waddles her way upstage to the microphone. Of course she is dressed up in the usual colors. Electric blue dress down to her knees, green heels, white powered face and gold lips. Her blonde hair was pin straight and held large peacock feathers as an accessory. Capitol people. Their taste in fashion gets weirder and weirder.
"Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor," she chirps. Next is the video from the capitol. I don't know where these Capitol people got this idea that the Hunger Games was the best thing ever invented. Ludicrous. I drifted in and out not really caring. Let's just get this over with.
"I get so emotional when I see this." Of course you do. "And now we will choose one man and woman for the honor of representing District 4 in the 74th annual Hunger Games. But of course, ladies first. Any volunteers?"
Yeah right. Even if we did attend the academy, we still don't have any balls to volunteer. Zelda dips her perfectly manicured nails into the reaping bowl of girls and picks the first slips her tips meet. Ripping it open, she reads the name into the microphone.
"Lana Colt!"
You have got to be fucking shitting me. The group of girls part like the Red Sea to clear a path for me. My face lacked any type of emotion as I ascend the stage, reaching a clapping Zelda. "Lovely! Just lovely!
There are no volunteers for the boys and Lockes reaches in for the slip of paper. "Devin Spades."
Kill me. Just kill me now. Devin bounds up the stage and Zelda instructs us to shake hands. Zelda ends the show and leads us into the Justice building. Devin and I separated into two different rooms to wait for goodbyes. Dad was first. We embraced for a few silent moments and he unwraps his arms to hold out something.
"Here. Wear this. It was your mother's."
He clasps a necklace with a pearl dangling from it. I'm desperately trying to keep back the tears that were threatening to overflow.
"I believe in you. I believe in the both of you. Be strong. Do whatever the hell it takes. Come home."
He hugs me one more time and leaves to say goodbye to Dev. A few more of my girlfriends from school come to say goodbye and then Dev and I depart from the train station. Zelda leaves us in the lounge cart to retrieve Finnick. Ah yes, Finnick Odair. He would come and visit the academy to train some of us from time to time. Even though Dev and I were a pain in his ass, he shamefully admitted that we were more skilled than any career he's trained. Good to know his skills haven't gone to waste.
Zelda returns with him in tow, mumbling something about waking him from his nap. He recognizes us instantly and smirks. Soon enough though, the smirk falters.
"Can't believe the BOTH of you got reaped."
He sighs disappointedly and leads us over to sit on one of the plush couches.
"Well, since I've already seen you guys in actions, I'm not worried about lack of skills. You guys are most definitely considered Careers. But the real question is…do you want to be in it?"
Dev and I decide to leave it undecided until we see what the tributes are really capable of. After a delicious dinner was served, we found ourselves watching the replays of the reapings. District 1 was called first. A girl with blond, long hair actually volunteered. Her name was Glimmer. A boy volunteered next by the name of Marvel. Geeze, the name parents pick for kids these days. Next was District 2. A big, tall, buff, blonde volunteers. He rushes through the crowd and practically leaps upstage. He announces his name, Cato, and stands there with a sinister smirk. His district partner is a 15 year old looking munchkin, but trust me, the same smirk she wore screamed for a bloodbath. She announces her name Clove. So these are the Careers.
I boredly skim over 3 to 10 reapings to catch the little girl reaped for 11. She was adorable and so innocent looking. I felt so bad for her. I also take note of the male tribute for 11 and was surprised of the volunteer for 12. This Katniss Everdeen, she was brave. No one known has ever volunteered for their own siblings.
"All right loves! Time for bed. We'll be arriving at the capitol in the morning." Zelda squealed.
We shuffle our way to our rooms and I decide to jump in the shower. I strip off my reaping dress, folding it neatly and putting it at the end of the bed, and step into the shower. I press the button for warm water and stand under the spray, letting the water clear my mind. My mother's pearl slips between my fingers and I hold it tightly to my chest. Now was the best time to let some tears fall. I stand there sobbing for a little while before I got out and the blank expression returned. I dress myself in shorts and a t-shirt before slipping into the large bed. Crying made me tired and before I knew it, I was out like a light.
There you go guys. Read and review! :D