Hullo everybody!
Long time no posting. Sorry about that - I was just too lazy to rewrite my other story, Heart of Stone.
Anyways, this is a new story - a Finnick/OC story, which was requested. It will be told in four parts - this story being part one. Enjoy and tell me what you think!
"Donnie, wake up." I said softly as I prodded her gently.
The little girl only mumbled softly and turned the other way.
I sighed softly and walked away, cursing myself for not being a little more harsh and shaking her awake.
Instead, I walked to the small wardrobe and pulled out my best dress – an ironed and flowing white dress. I slipped it on and tied the white sash tightly around my waist.
"Donnie," I called, "Time to wake up!"
The little girl grumbled and rolled out of bed.
"Where we going?" she yawned.
"Today's the day of the Reapings." I said softly. "Don't you remember?"
"Weepings?" Donnie repeated, her little baby teeth mispronouncing the word.
"Yes, Donnie." I smiled sadly. "The Weepings."
"Why we have go?" she said sleepily, trotting to the washroom.
"We just have to, Donnie." I said, following her.
I helped Donnie into her pale blue dress and tied her hair into a tight bun while she moaned and fidgeted the whole time.
"Keep still, Donnie." I pleaded. "Please."
My voiced cracked on the word please. Donnie stopped fidgeting and looked up at me.
"Sissy sad?" she said simply.
"Yes." I sighed. "Sissy is very sad."
I tied the rest of Donnie's dark blonde hair into a bun and patted her off the stool. She wobbled off to the family room, no doubt to get something to eat.
When she left, I turned back to the mirror. My eyes were slightly pink-tinged and I hoped that nobody would be able to realize that I had cried myself to sleep the night before.
With another deep sigh, I join Donnie in the family room for breakfast.
Every step is a knife to my heart. Every breath is painful. Everything about today is breaking the carefully-sewn heart I have. I hold Donnie's hand tight and walk, forcing myself to take one step in front of the other.
The Reapings.
I never did like them, never did like the Hunger Games in general. Nobody in our district did. But me in particular, I couldn't stand them.
I couldn't watch the Hunger Games without having to hold in tears, or scream, even though I was safe and sound on the couch at home.
The Reapings made my knees wobbly and my breath come short every single year, ever since I was twelve. But this year was worse. This year was to the point of unbearable, every second coming with a terrible memory.
When we finally reached the Town Square, I felt like I was going to be sick, or cry, or both.
I was squeezing Donnie's hand so hard I could hear her whimpers, and I immediately let go. I ushered her to the pen where the children under the age of twelve go.
I was not worried for Donnie. She was at the innocent age of five, and had seven more years before she would be entered in the draw.
I wasn't too worried about myself either. I was only fifteen; my name only in the draw four times.
I didn't care about myself. I just wanted to get through today and continue living my life. The past year has been hard on me, and today would be the worst day of it all. As soon as I get over today, everything will slowly get better.
I walked robotically to the fifteen-year old girl's area and stood next to two girls, both who were shorter than me.
Breathe in, breathe out. This will all be over in an hour. Breathe in, breathe out.
I didn't listen to anything. Everything was tuned out.
Breathe in, breathe out.
Marliese Canory, our district's escort from the Capitol, walked up to the sphere with all of our names in it.
There is tension in the air as she fishes around the bowl for a slip, everybody holding in their breaths. But not I. I take in deep, shaky breaths of air, reminding myself to keep on breathing.
Her hand catches a slip. She walks back to the podium and unfurls it slowly.
"This year's female tribute representing District 5 for the 69th Hunger Games is Anxol Enkeli!" she announces with her strange Captiol accent.
Breathe in, breathe out.
Everybody is staring at me.
Did I forget to wash my face? Do I have something on my teeth?
Breathe in, breathe out.
They are looking at me with sympathy and pity. This is nothing. I have been getting those looks all year. But why now, during the Reapings?
The Peacekeepers are coming towards me.
Breathe in, breathe out.
What have I done wrong?
Wait. Pause. Rewind.
What did she say?
Somebody pushes me out of my spot with the girls.
Breathe in, breathe out.
She said… she said…
The Peacekeepers practically carry me to the stage.
Breathe in, breathe out.
She said my name.
I am District 5's female tribute for this year's Hunger Games.
A bit short, I know. But they will get longer, I promise!
Any comments, feedback, questions? Reviews as usual, are always appreciated.