I'm at the front of the 16 year old section. My hands grip the rope as I stare up at the stage. Around me everybody is chatting, gossiping more like it. Rumour has it Cato's volunteering this year. I smirk at the thought; oh how I would love to see him ripped into pieces by some crazy tribute. My eyes leave the stage and flit to my left at the 18 year old boy's section diagonal from me. I can see Cato laughing with all his friends.
Friends…who needs them; I'm quite ok by myself.
My attention is drawn back to the stage as Comet our plump district escort makes his way to the small podium. "Welcome," he squeaks beaming out at the crowd as silence falls. "Welcome, to the 74th annual Hunger Games reaping" he announces, dramatically throwing his hands in the air as the audience breaks into applause. "After this small video we will begin the reaping" he squeaks and then he takes a step back and turns to the large screen to his right. I have seen this video so many times that I probably know it by heart.
Once the video has ended Comet gives a nervous giggle and announces "without further ado I shall reap the district 2 74th annual Hunger Games tributes" he once again tosses his hands in the air and I roll my eyes. He looks slightly taken aback by the lack of applause but quickly recovers moving towards that glass bowl holding the names of all district 2 girls within the age of 12-18. I nervously wring my hands; I know my name's only in there once, my family is rich both my parents being victors, but I don't want to go in this year. I want to volunteer when I'm 18 like my dad did. Comet's hand hovers over the bowl then he plunges it in pulling out a single piece of paper. He slowly makes his way over to the podium and then makes a big deal about unfolding the slip of paper. "This year's female tribute from district 2 is" he begins pausing dramatically and looking round at the audience "Hayley Thyne" my heart flutters in my cheat and I stare at him in shock. Around me the crowd parts "up you come Hayley" squeaks Comet I give a small nod then flick back my chocolate brown hair stand up straight and duck under the rope. I make my way up the stairs ignoring Comet's helping hands then stand turning to face the crowd. "Let us applaud for Hayley Thyne, district 2 female tribute," the crowd applauds dully which makes me purse my lips. "Now for the district 2 male tribute," Comet makes his way to the boys bowl but before he even reaches in Cato's voice yells "I volunteer" Comet as if expecting this turns around "well thank you young man, could you make your way onto the stage" Cato weaves his way through the crowd then climbs onto stage. "And what would your name be?" Comet asks leaning in close to the microphone. "Cato Honore," he smirks at the crowd and I roll my eyes as they burst into a much more enthusiastic applause.
Looks like the district has a favourite; how comforting.
"Now, shake hands," Comet demands shooing Cato towards me, I extend my hand and he takes it in an iron grip glaring at me. I glare back but know it's not half as intimidating as his. Next we are ushered away into the justice building to say our final goodbyes to friends and family. I wait there staring at the door willing it to open and my parents to enter. But deep inside I know they're not coming, they don't care if I win or die. They don't even acknowledge I exist. Mom locks herself away in her room getting drunk and crying and dad's out having affairs with younger women. As the hour begins to draw to a close I curl up into a ball resting my head on my knees and cry; wishing Adrian was here. Eventually my tears stop and a few minutes later I am escorted out of the building and into a small car that will take us to the train station. Cato and I sit in silence as Comet blabbers on about something or other his mop of Aqua hair flicking me in the face every time he turns to face Cato. Which is a lot, clearly he has a favourite too. I sigh and lean back staring out the window watching as the streets pass by in a blur.
10 minutes later I'm climbing aboard a huge hunk of metal in the shape of a bullet. "Now," says Comet as we settle into the couches being denied access into our rooms. "As you are one of the closet districts to the Capitol you will be spending one night there while we wait for the rest of the tributes to arrive" he squeaks in a not so serious tone "so behave yourself, now your mentors will be along later," he says then he gets up and leaves the room. Cato and I sit there in an awkward silence until Cato gets up and leaves not even looking at me.
Ok, so i've had this idea for a while and well i decide to write hope you like :)