Ingrid Cosgrove
My hands trembled as I held the cup of tea to my lips and I sipped.
"You nervous?" My mother asked. My head spun. So many thoughts, not enough space.
"Yah," I eventually answered.
I dreaded reaping day. Everyone does, but I think I hate it the most. I mean, I don't really care if someone else gets reaped, save my siblings, because I'm not the one who has to endure the Hunger Games. And I don't like to have to feel pity of people who DO get reaped. I know it's selfish but, who else doesn't think of themselves first.
"I have a dress for you upstairs," Mom said. "I bought it at the store." I nodded silently. I would check it out later.
Finally, I spoke.
"Do you want me to get anything at the store?" I said. My words sounded heavy and dull. "You know, for dinner." Mom nodded.
"Can you get bay leaves, garlic,onions, and turkey?" she asked. "Okay," I replied. I sipped the rest of my tea, stood up, and headed outside.
"Don't forget your coat," Mom called out. I sighed and went back in. I yanked the coat off the hanger and rushed outside before she could tell me to get my mittens, scarf, hat, and boots. It's spring, by the way.
As usual, Leanne, the one who reaped our names, stood on the platform.
"Welcome to the 35th Annual Hunger Games!" Leanne said. "There will be 2 tributes from each district competing."
No one bothered to listen. She said the same thing every year. I sigh, purposely loud enough for Leanne to hear. She gave me a look.
" As usual women first," she continued. She walked over to the clear reaping ball and chose a folded piece of paper. She walked back to the mike.
I took a deep breath and looked over to my twin brother, Leo. We exchanged looks. Please don't pick me. Please, please, please.
"The female tribute is..." Leanne paused to build up suspense. "Ingrid Cosgrove!" All eye's turned to me. I walked up to the platform, avoiding any eye contact with my family. If I looked into their eyes, I would see their sadness, their worry, their fear that I would never come home. If I saw that, I might cry. Or worse.
"Now for the men," she announced. She walked over to the boy's tribute ball and pulled out a slip of paper.
"Leo Cosgrove!" she said loudly. Leo? My brother? How? The chances of that happened were so little... I glanced at my brother. He looked surprised, and frightened.
We shook hands.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the 35th Annual Hunger Game tributes!" Leanne announced.
And that was it. We said our goodbyes and boarded the train.
Jean and Morris, our mentors, waited for us at the dining room. Leanne had led us there. Once there, she went over the schedule for the day. "Okay, we are currently on our way to the Capital. First your prep team will prepare you for you, then your stylist will dress you for your big chariot entrance. Then your stylists will dress you for your interview with Caesar. Now, excuse me, I need to run to the restroom."
I wasn't exactly listening. All I had my focus on were the green grapes.
Green grapes!, I think to myself. Whoa! I've seen purple only a few times, but green? It's a miracle. I pop one in my mouth. Mmm, juicy.
A line of Avoxes enter the room carrying bowls of redish-orangish soup. They served us. I took the first spoon I saw and dug in and...mmm, it was creamy and thick. I couldn't stop eating. I gulped the soup down. Leo gave me a look. I shrugged it off. There was also a bread basket next to the fruit bowl in the centre of the table. I took a bread roll and ate it with my soup. This has been one of the most filling meals I've ever had.