I walk back the town square to see the peacekeepers setting up the massive T.V that will project the games live as they unfold.
"I won't be picked i have only taken one tesserae this year, most of the other have taken at least 10! there is no chance i will be chosen" I think to myself but I know its just a failed attempt to comfort myself. Everyone has the same chance of being drawn, every ones names are in their, their are no restrictions on who can be chosen except the obvious 12-18 age limit. I continue walking tell the square is out of sight and my thought about being chosen left behind with it

I walk past the miles of houses, District 6 being one of the largest Districts means that it is able to house more people. As I walk past the homes I see parents crying as they dress their children to look their best if ever chosen. A large muscular man brought to his knees at the thought of losing his one and only son. Miss, Lubinski the Grade 8 school teacher sitting outside of her house, tears streaming down her cheeks as her husband dresses their children for the reaping.
"Is this punishment really suitable for the crimes that were committed" I think, "sure their is gonna be a consequence to the rebellion but does taking parents children away and making them fight to the death really fit the bill? NO! this is more then we deserved."
I feel the hatred for the Capitol fill my body as i walk to my house. but that hatred quickly vanishes as the thoughts of me being picked enters my mind again. "What if I am picked? forced to have to kill others younger then me to survive"
I quickly shake my head and begin to run to my house, as if i could outrun my thoughts. but deep down i know that until the reaping is over the thought of being picked will haunt me, will haunt every teenager in District 6.
iIopen the door to my home and quickly run inside

"I layed some clothes out for you" my mom mumbles as she boils water to make tea for my sister.
I quickly look down at my clothes, ripped and dirty from working in the factories. "thanks" i look up at my mom and smile.
I can see that she is dong everything in her strength to not fall on the ground and cry all day at the risk of her 3 children having to go through the threat of another Reaping, well another for me and my brother. my sister, Cassia just turned 12 last month and is going through her first Reaping.
I walk into my room, a small square bedroom with a thin bed in the corner that has a set of clothes layed neatly on it.

I slowly undress myself. the dirty work clothes sticking to my skin from the sweat. I slowly peel them off and wipe my body with a damp rag in hopes of removing some of the dirt that rests in my pores. I look at the clothes, obviously fresh from District 8. I outgrew the largest pair of reaping clothes we had, my brother is even to small for them.
I found it funny me being two years younger then him but being 4 inches taller and having way more muscle then him. the thought that 6 years ago he used beat me up brings a smile to my face.

I slowly slide the plain blue dress pants up my legs before slipping on the white button up shirt and rolling the sleeves up to my elbows. I look at myself in the mirror. the clothes fit perfectly but the thought of how much my mom spent on them instantly makes me hate them. I didn't have to look nice for the reaping why should I? but if it would make my mom happy i would do it.

The door to my room slowly creeks as it slides open. mom slips through the small opening she made for herself and quietly shuts the door. she gives the new clothes a quick scan.
"oh they look good on you" she smiles
I look down at them before looking at her. "how much did you pay for them?"
Mom walks around me checking the backside of the clothes pretending that she didn't hear me.
"How much did you pay?" Imumble.
"You don't have to worry about it" she says as she walks in front of me and fixes the collar to my shirt
I grab onto her hands, I can feel them shaking and know that she is as scared as me for the event that happen every year. "how much?" I ask
she looks me in the eyes. "I know your worried for me in all and know the situation we are in financially but I'm a grown woman, I know since your dad left you tried helping me in every way that you can but your a kid! your suppose to be out playing with your friends not working 8 hour shifts at factories so we can make a little more cash to sustain are selfs. and besides you have more to worry about then what a new set of clothes cost" she says.
she looks at me in the eyes before walking back to the door. "you know i love you"she opens the door and walks out

I smile thinking of the small speech she gave, "you have to be the only one in District 6 with a southern accent mom" i mumble before chuckling to myself

I walk out of the room to see my older brother enter the house. It's is final year to be eligible as tribute for the games. he walks past my sister and grabs a piece of toast from the table and begins chewing on it.
"JORDAN!" mom yells, bringing my brother to a halt. she walks up to him and grabs the toast from his mouth, a large chunk already bitten off. "its for after the reapin'!" now there is some clothes set out for you, their your fathers so make sure to treat em well"
Jordan rolls his eyes before walking into his room

"Nicholas" mom calls.
"Nick" I quickly correct her.
"If I wanted to name you Nick i wouldn't have placed 4 extra letters in your name" mom says, "now make sure your sister gets to the Reaping in one piece, ok?"
I give her a quick nod and run my fingers through my sisters dirty brown hair, "shes in good hands"