CHAPTER ONE
When I wake up, I automatically look for my sisters by my side. None of the three lay next to me, but in the other room. Oh, yes. I know why: Today is the reaping. My stomach churns, and I decide to get up. I crawl into bed with my mother, and silently cry. My mother gets up, and grips my arm.
"Rue," she said, "Go to Matthew's,"
I get dressed in a green shirt and overalls, and comb my hair, and throw on my boots. I begin to walk to my mom's friend, Matthew's house. He lives about a mile away, so it should give me some time before the reaping. I walk a few blocks in scilence, admiring the lovely flowers. A mocking jay lands a few feet away from me, and bursts out a melody. I have never herd it before, but I decide to sing a different a song to the mocking jay:
Somewhere we can be free
It only can be found in the hardest place to find, deep inside your mind
The flowers don't wilt, and the trees are green
The water is blue and the fish decide to play
I forgot the next line, but the mocking jays wait for more. When I don't say anything, they easily pick it up, and soon, the air is filled with music. I slowly look for a good tree to climb. There are really no bad trees to climb. I pick one, and climb up to the top. I look for the closest tree, and find one a few feet away. I leap to the next tree and the next. I can almost fly. I would love to fly. Anyway, jumping trees is almost a second nature. I can see everything from up here; from nests, to the fields of food. I pick those food everyday, but get nothing in return, because only adults get the money. I don't see the harm in doing the work. I jump once more, and climb down from the tree.
I knock on Matthew's door, and he takes a while to answer, but does.
"Hello Rue. What can I do for you today?" he asks.
I feel slightly embarrassed. The only time my mother makes me see him is for food. But I still try to come, only to make him feel good.
I smile at him, because he knows what I need.
"Come on in,"
I walk in, and head straight to his kitchen. There he sells arrays of food, vegetables and some dairy products. I grab two eggs and a tomato, and hand him a few coins. He counts the money, and a smile appears on his face.
'Thank you," he says. I smile and head out.
I find a patch of onions, and pick some. It might go well with our breakfast. I get back into the trees, and head home. When I get home, It is only a half an hour until the reaping. I get ready while my mother makes a breakfast of sunny side up eggs, with a tomato and onion. I put on a light green dress and leave my hair. I put on a necklace,that looks like a star. I eat the breakfast, and our family leaves. I hold my dads hand, while we follow the crowd to the town square. When we arrive, I let go of my dads hand and get in a circle of 12-year-olds. My best friend comes next to me.
"Hey Rue," she says.
"Hello Cherrie,"
"I don't expect to get picked." Cherrie whispers in my ear. I nod my head, because I don't think she will. Many kids our age don't.