Its 20 years after the terrifying 75th Hunger Games. 20 years after the rebellion led by Katniss Everdeen. 20 years after the world as we know it changed. My name, Delphi Erwin. My home, District 4. My age, 16. I bet you're wondering why I'm telling you this. Well, this is my story. But be warned. You may not like what you hear.
The calming ocean breeze washed over my face and I sighed in relief. "A few more days!" I shouted. "And I'm free from my parent's restraints!" I lifted my arms above my head and span happily, my light red hair hitting me in the face. I stopped and fell onto the soft golden sand, feeling giddy. A small giggle escaped my lips and I clamped a hand over my mouth but it kept coming. I felt warm hands cover my eyes and I smiled. "Watch what you're doing Delphi, you're going to hurt yourself one day." A familiar male voice said. I tore their hands off my eyes and my smile grew wider, creating dimples in my cheeks.
"Davvid!" I cried as I stood up. I embraced him tightly.
"Del- Can't breathe!"
"Oh sorry." I let go and looked at my best friend. His sandy hair fell into his lively green eyes and he flicked it away. His tanned skin had a few freckles on his cheeks that stood out in the bright sunlight of District 4. He was incredibly handsome and I'd told him that several times but he never believed me. "So, what are you doing here? I thought you'd be working."
"Nah," he said. "I got the day off. So I decided to collect some driftwood for my sculptures." I nodded. Davvid was a keen sculptor and people all over the district bought his sculptures. "I'll help you if you'd like." He nodded and we started to comb the beach.
We walked back towards the city, arms loaded with driftwood. "So Davvid, my birthdays coming up," I nudged him with my elbow. "Just thought I'd let you know." He glanced at me, smirked and raised an eyebrow as if to say 'I know that and I know what I'm giving you.' "What's your latest sculpture going to be then?"
"I'm glad you asked, it's going to be a-" As he droned on about his new sculpture, I thought about my upcoming birthday. I'm going to 17. In my home, 17 is an important age. It's when - and if - I choose to or not to leave home. "So what do you think?" Davvid's voice pulled me out of my daydream.
"What?" He chuckled.
"Were you even listening to me?"
"I erm…Well erm…No…" I could feel the blood rushing to my cheeks and I looked down. I heard him laugh again. Obviously because I was looking to the floor, I collided into a pole. I crashed to the floor, the driftwood scattering around me. "Ow, my head."
"I did tell you earlier to watch what you're doing because you were going to hurt yourself."
"Yeah, I realise that now." I grumbled as I stood up. He and I bent down to pick up the driftwood I had dropped and our hands brushed against one another's. When we straightened back up, I shoved my pile into his arms and started to walk away. "You have got to tell him," I murmured. "But not today."
