Author's note: Hello~ So uhm, this is my first story- and I'm really not too sure how to go about this, but I really do hope you all enjoy this story. Any and all reviews and constructive criticism would be highly appreciated (though flames aren't as welcome).
Chapter 1:
It took a moment too long for me to realize that I was late. All the boats that had been out since dawn, bobbing in the vast blue ocean had long since returned and it was only 20 minutes after I was expected to be home that this dawned upon me. So I ran. Half tripping as my bare feet thumped against the cobbled streets- damn near skidding to round the corners and I almost ran into a few walls too. To put it simply, I was not the epitome of grace and elegance as I made it home, my hair an entangled mess, face flushed and reeking of sweat and fish.
"I'm so sorry- I swear, I just lost track of-" My little sister, Brooke, groaned, successfully cutting me off in my apology. She was already dressed, which was to be expected, since she was like that- always prepared. Even Delta, my other sister, was dressed- which was a miracle in itself, considering how difficult it was to wrestle Delta into a dress.
"Cali, I swear to-" Brooke let out an exasperated sigh- sounding entirely too much like our mother and making me wince and duck my head. "Just go get yourself cleaned up, you look like you just crawled out of the gutters." Yup, she definitely took after our mom.
I scrunched up my nose- because I liked being like this. I liked the way the salt and sand that made my hair tangle and I liked the scent of the ocean clinging to me. "Alright, alright." I murmured, just to placate her. "You look like a fairy princess." I whispered to Delta as I walked past, because I couldn't pass up the opportunity. She just gritted her teeth and glowered at me.
"Don't make me wash you myself." Brooke threatened and that did it, in a flash, I was undressed and soaked the warm tub of water they'd undoubtedly left out for me, scrubbing till it felt like I'd taken off a layer of skin. Then, I was waddling out, covered by a towel, to grab the only dress I had. It was blue with enough sequins to kind of (really) blind me whenever the light caught onto it. I even twisted my hair- once dark, but lightened as a result of the time I spent under the sun- up in a messy form of a bun just as Brooke started ushering us out the house. "Honestly Cali- can't you at least try and look presentable?" Brooke asked, rearranging the mass of still-damp hair so that it looked a little more 'presentable' and Delta snickered, so I shot her a withering glare.
We chattered as we walked towards the square, but as we neared it, we quietened and I could tell that Brooke and Delta were nervous. They were both young- so the chances of their names being drawn were slim, but they never deluded themselves into thinking that it won't happen.
"It'll be okay." I mumbled quietly, even though I knew better. Then I was turning to Brooke, voice dropping so only she'd be able to hear me. "If I get chosen, you're not allowed to volunteer, alright?" I whispered and it took her a moment to nod. She was the adhesive that kept our little family together and hell, I was too absent-minded to actually look after Delta. "And stop the little tyke from doing anything drastic as well." I added, casting a look at Delta- because that would be a Delta-like thing to do, volunteer, I mean. And Brooke just smiled at me, though there was a twinge of nervousness on her face.
"You won't be picked." She reassured and I grinned, even though I didn't feel like it.
"I know." I said, just as we were shushed. We filed into the square, signing our names and listening to the mayor make the customary 'Happy Hunger Games Speech'. Halfway through, I started tuning out, looking blankly into the distance. It wasn't until I heard my name called out, "Cali Crossing'. Sharp and crystal clear. I froze up and looked around, hoping that maybe there was someone else by that name and it wasn't until that I realized that it was me, that it finally hit me. It was too late for a name change.
Brooke's face contorted. Like she was about to cry. She'd clamped a hand on Delta's mouth to prevent her from doing anything stupid and I shook my head, offering a small smile. "It's okay." I said, though I'm not sure whether they heard me, because the crowd was cheering and my legs starting moving. Dragging me towards the stage.
"Wonderful! What's your name sweetheart?" The escort, Nixie asked. As though she hadn't just read out my name not 2 minutes ago.
"Cali." I said, throat dry. I could practically feel the cameras on me. "Cali Crossing." And she crooned something, but I didn't hear, because I was too busy looking in the crowd in hopes of someone- anyone volunteering, career tributes weren't uncommon in this district after all. But I was out of luck and Nixie was moving on, to draw the name of the male tribute.
"Lachlan Gibbs." He couldn't have been more than 14- and thin as a stick, shaking like a leaf too. And I barely suppressed a grimace, because he looked like he wouldn't last half a minute. He tripped on his way up. So scratch that. He'd probably fall off the platform and die. As cruel as it was of me, I was kind of relieved that it was him instead of some big, muscly guy who could crush me with one hand. I gave him a sympathetic smile, but he wasn't really looking my way.
"I volunteer." The relief I felt immediately dissipated in a heartbeat. "My name's Trent Turton." I'd seen Trent around occasionally, though we didn't actually know each other that well. All I knew was that he was at least a head taller than me and he looked like he would be as able to kill me as easily as it would be for him to blink. Oh, and he was a career. I was so, very screwed.