One Among Others
I wake up to my birthday. What luck right? You do not understand the irony yet. Today is March 21st, reaping day. In my district, everybody is exited to see the two tributes, one girl, one boy. I don't have one friend. I would never allow myself. Only because, I was one day going to go into the Hunger Games, like my great grandmother, great grandfather, on both sides, my mother, father, and my older brother. And to top that, they are all victors, and I will be too.
I wait. Any moment now, mom, dad, and brother will bardge in, handing me a cake, decorated with icing that looks like blood. Typical, when my brother turned twelve, he got one like that, and in one year, when Caius was 13, he volenteerd. Because when you turn 12, your identity goes into the small glass bowl to be reaped.
I have been training for the games sinse I was born, when I was 3, I could throw a knife farther than my dad and hit the bulls eye. Even if I got reaped today, I would most likely win.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY AURA!" My mom barges into my room at 5:00 am. My dad and Caius follow close behind. Yup, exactly as I thought, blood icing.
"How is my little girl?" My dad asked as he lifted me up in the air. I weigh only 75lbs, and I am 4ft 8in. Not to tall, well fed, but light.
"Good dad, what are my training scores?"
"Well, how is a... 10?"
"Meh, I could do better,"
"Aura, why are you always so hard on yourself?" Caius asked jokingly "Anyway, Mom, Dad, Her present?"
"Well, we are going to have to eat this cake or rip it open, because the box is in the cake." Mom spoke in a serious tone, that turned into laughter. "I am kidding, Its right here." She hands me a small box. I lift the lid, and in the careful wrapping, is a pin, with three waves in the middle of the circle. The family symbol. "The reaping starts in 30 minutes. Get dressed." My mom, back into her usual strict state.
They all leave my room, but before they do, they all take a peice of cake. My short black dress hangs in the corner of my closet, waiting to be used. I slip on the dress, and look at myself in the mirror, I look like I am seven, but I put my wavy golden brown hair into a slick ponitail and put my side bangs on top of my head and clip them into place. I go down the stairs and out the door. The reaping started 30 minutes ago. But then again, The speech is about 40 minutes long, so I have to leave now. No doubt that my family is there already.
I run and as soon as possible, I join the 12 year olds. The girl up on the stage has a smile way to big to be real claims her name to be Mallion Newman.
"Ladies first!" Mallion says and she puts her hand into the bowl, then pulls it out as she carries a pearl white peice of paper. "AURA BANKER!"
Yes! I WAS CHOSEN! I dont have to volenteer! I walk up on stage with a big smirk on my face.
"Gentlemen, your tribute is... Ross Hayn!" Ross walkes onto the stage. He is obviously 18, buff, trained for the games, but not smart. I could use him. "Any volenteers?" Nobody makes a sound. Good. "AND NOW CONGRADULATIONS TO OUR DISTRICT 2 TRIBUTES, AURA BANKER AND ROSS HAYS!" Next thing I know is that we are walking to the Justice Building.