Cambria's POV
District 6
I woke to the sound of a dog barking, just like any other morning. But this isn't a regular morning. Today is the Reaping. Tivoli, my older brother, has his name in the bowl 7 times, 6 because he's 17, and one for tesserae to help support our family. Cambria Everett is in the bowl 3 times, because I am 14. I have a younger brother as well, Reed, who is 12 and has his name in only once.
"Cambria, will I get picked?" Reed asks timidly. "I can't do anything."
"There's no way to tell Reed." I respond quietly. "It's all up to Sasha Kinsley."
Sasha Kinsley is District 6's advisor, and the lady who chooses the names of the tributes out of the glass ball.
"Your only in there once Reedy." I say, doing my best to calm his nerves.
He nods and I push off of the carpeted floor, scanning the house for my mom. I notice Tivoli's coat is gone from the coat rack and his black boots are missing as well.
"He must have headed out before the bell." I think to myself as I approach what my mom has set out for me to wear.
My white blouse and her patterned skirt are sitting on the dresser.
"I think your old enough now." my mom said, her hand resting on my shoulder.
The bell sounds and all of the children of District 6 filed out of their homes, all of their faces twisted into a nervous grimace. I approach the line of kids leading up to the Peacekeepers that are pricking fingers and sending everyone off to their designated age divisions.
"Next." the Peacekeepers calls and I present my hand, waiting for the sharp prick.
"Where is Conan?" I ask myself, while frantically looking about for his dark head in the crowd.
Conan has been my friend since my first year of school, where they taught us the basics of transportation and not one of us first graders had any idea what they were saying. I need his support right now more than ever. I want to yell out his name and run into the crowd looking for him, but I veto that idea because I don't want to be noticed.
"Who are you looking for Cambria?" Tivoli's voice sounds slightly mocking.
"Conan." I reply steadily, trying to hide the upset in my voice. "I need to talk to him."
"He's over there, I would go now." Tivoli says before turning and heading for the rope square marked 17.
I dash through the crowd and tap Conan on the shoulder, so thankful for Tivoli's height advantage.
"Good luck." he says as he turns around.
"And may the odd be ever in your favor." I say, mocking President Snow's voice.
A Peacekeeper grabs my shoulder and escorts me to my rope division, just as Sasha walks onto the stage.
"Welcome to the 98th annual Hunger Games!" Sasha announced enthusiastically. "We are now going to choose which of you wonderful children will represent District 6 as a tribute."
The crowd is silent, every possible tribute frozen with the fear of being thrown into the arena. My heart races as Sasha reaches her hand decorated with powder blue nails, into the glass ball containing my name, printed in black ink.
Everyone holds their breath as her hand emerges with the paper and she takes as breath.
"Cambria Everett" Sasha announces her voice tinged with the choppy Capitol accent.
My heart stops as the image of me standing in the arena fills my head. Cambria Everett, that's my name.
I walk towards the stage, my knees wobbling. I can feel every pair of eyes burning into my neck.
"Now for the boys." she says quickly her hand hovering over the glass ball.
I can't get my mind off the boy's name in Sasha's hands.
"Conan Whitman." her words echo off the walls of the Justice Building.
From my place on the stage I can see my best friends face, all of the color drained out, his dark hair stuck to his face with sweat.
"Conan, please take your place next to your fellow tribute on the stage." Sasha chimes.
Before I can make sense of what I just experienced we are whisked away into the Justice Building. The last chance I may ever get to talk to my family.