The Reaping
Mockingjays.
I heard my four noted whistle from the wheat field; one of my sisters must be calling me. I nimbly jumped from branch to branch, arriving at the wheat field, where I found my sister looking up the tree I was in, whistling the Mockingjay tune.
"Rue! There you are!" Bluebell, my sister, scolded me, putting down her basket of apples.
I laughed, because it's funny how my younger sister always acts as if she's the oldest one.
Bluebell's angry face broke into a grin, but quickly turned grave again. "Today's the reaping. Mom wants you home. Now."
That knocked the smile right off my face. I hopped off the tree and followed Bluebell home. I try to tell myself that the odds are most likely going to be in my favor, but that's not that easy. My eyes start to tear up as I remember my best friend Thorn, who I used to play with in the forest. I wish I hadn't become best friends with him. Then I wouldn't feel the pain when his name was called in the reaping.
A tribute from District 1 killed him with two stabs of his sword, and I never felt the same without Thorn again. Thorn was the one who was in love with music, and I treasured it with my life after he died. He and I used to sing in the forest for the Mockingjays to copy, and we'd have the best time.
Bluebell pushed open the door to our house where immediately my mother hustled me into the bathroom to wash up and get ready for the reaping.
Carnation, Lavender and Edelweiss, three of my other sisters, were getting dressed and helping Bluebell also get ready for the reaping. My last sister was being taken care of by my grandmother. She was born a beauty and everyone in District 11 envied her and I. They say that our family was born from natural beauty, but it was mostly me and Iris.
As I got out of the shower, my mother held up a silver-blue dress. I recognize this dress. It was Thorn's gift last year.
I hold back tears as I slip on the beautiful dress, which is down to my ankles. Last year, I remember that it was floor length. I must have grown a bit.
While my mother is tying the blue ribbon on my back, I unexpectedly burst into tears. My mother pats me on the back. She must know that the dress reminds me too much of Thorn.
"Let's go, Rue," Bluebell calls from the door. It must be starting.
My mother and I walk out, my sisters and grandmother insisting on coming along even if they didn't have to.