I got up out of my makeshift bed and attempted to wash my hair with the cold water from the faucet in the kitchen. I had raided an old boutique for a nice dress for the reaping several days ago and had found what I thought to be a beautiful piece. It was a long dress with no sleeves made from dark green fabric as soft as silk but sturdy like cotton, with embroidery around the neck line and shoulders with gold thread. I felt guilty when I took it from the shop but decided either I was going to take it or someone else was, and I had been dreading the day I'd have to wear it ever since. I slipped it on and turned to look at my reflection when I realised there was no mirror in this small apartment. Strange to think that some people even in a place such as the Capitol had lived without items I thought were necessary for everyday living. I left my shelter and joined the hundreds of children walking the streets towards the Centre. Some kids had families with them, giving them words of encouragement while others, like me walked on their own. I was one of many children orphaned during the war.
When I reached the Centre. I couldn't believe my eyes. A new mural had been painted on the side of the mansion of the Mockingjay in her armor with her bow raised to the sky. I had always admired Katniss and never thought her to be the evil person the Capitol workers wanted us to think she was. People in uniforms section us off according to our zones and before I know it I'm standing in a line with all the other 16 year old's from zone 6. President Paylor begins the reaping with a speech about how this is a way to end the suffering faced by the people of the districts, to quench their thirst for blood. Personally I feel it's a bit dramatic but judging by all the cameras' this is being broadcast nationwide, and God knows our nation loves some drama.
I barely even register whats going on around me untill the mentors are announced. "Zone 1, Johanna", President Paylor booms. "Zone 2, Annie. Zone 3, Myself. Zone 4, Haymitch. Zone 5 Peeta. And lastly zone 6, Katniss." I can't believe it, they're all actually here! As I'm thinking about my proximity to both Mr. AND Mrs. Mellark the tributes are being called. Each zone has 4 tributes in total, 2 boys and 2 girls. The zones start with 1-Capitol merchants, followed by 2-Capitol staff, 3-Capitol politicians, 4-inner Capitol, 5-wealthy Capitol and finally 6-outer Capitol. Of course these terms were associated to our previous living quarters and not our current ones and also with our parents, whose job's may have influenced where we lived. I snap back into focus when Katniss walks towards the podium with the rebel's symbol on it. "Ladies' first!", she says imitating Effie Trinket. The first name to be called out is Zara Wetheral who is in the year below me in school. I suddenly get nervous as Katniss reaches in for the second slip of paper. "Blossom Lore, 16", she reads out and I feel my blood run cold. Somehow I find my way onto the stage where Kaniss grips my hand and whispers "Head high",into my ear. I feel numb and suddenly exhausted as if I haven't slept for several days. Two boys' are called up to join me on the stage, but it takes my several minutes to come out of my shock and realise who they are. One is a boy I've never met before and the other is Zach Fargil.
Please let me know if you want to read more. I'll update hopefully in the next couple of days