Little Mockingjay
Bye none other than my amazing self :) AND I MUST NOT FORGET MY BESTIE FOREVER MATTIE! SHE IS MY AMAZING CO-WRITER AND SHE IS ALSO THE MOST AMAZING PERSON IN THE WORLD!. she also sends threatening but motivational emails if i dont send her my latest chapter. (Ex. SEND IT 2 ME NOW! OR I WILL COME WITH MY NINJA STEALTH AND SET EVAN THE EVIL BUTTERFLY ON YOU! BEWARE!) btw, she sent me 9 of those... yes 9. the whole butterfly thingy is a VERY long story, so dont ask. this story i also dedicated to her because i love her more than pie. This little paragraph thingy is a sure sign of my insanity. My other friend Maddie and i are working on a theory that to some degree, everyone is insane. Do you agree? haha idk but if you actually took the time to read all this, you are probably bored and i will let you get on to reading my story ;)
Sadly, I do not own the Hunger Games, though I wish I did. :( I only own the characters I created :)
My name is Laina Mellark. I am fourteen years old. My home is District 12. My parents are Katniss and Peeta Mellark. They survived The Hunger Games. Twice. They led a rebellion. The Hunger Games are over because of them. Or so we thought…
I wake up suddenly to a friendly meow near my ear. Our family's old cat Buttercup is sitting behind my head meowing loudly. I get up and scoop him gently into my arms and walk into my bathroom. I set the cat down on the toilet seat and begin to roughly pull a comb through my blonde curls. I brush until all the tangles are out, and then I skip happily to my room, Buttercup trailing behind. I change into grey pants and a navy blue three quarter sleeve length shirt, and then walk down to my small but cozy living room.
I smile as I see my mother and father in our kitchen, making us breakfast. "Good morning, sweetheart," my mother says, returning my smile. "You sleep okay?" "Yeah" I reply. My sister, Allianna, and my brother, Sathen, are also sitting in the living room. Just then, there is a loud knock on the front door, and I jump up to open it.
"Hey, little Mockingjay." says the familiar face of Haymitch Abernathy, my parents' mentor in the Hunger Games, as I open the door. I'm not sure why he calls my mother and me that, but he does. Mockingjays are my favorite birds because they always listen to me when I sing. I love singing, but I don't like to sing in front of other people. Whenever I sing in the woods, though, they all stop their singing and listen to me. When I'm done, they start repeating my song. They always make me feel better. "Hey, Haymitch." I say happily. "Are your mom and dad home?" he asks in a slightly concerned tone. "Uh, yeah, they're in the kitchen." He walks into the house and says to my siblings, "Hey guys. How's it going?" They both reply with a nonchalant "fine". "There's the Mockingjay," Haymitch says as my mother walks into the room. "Haymitch," my father says. "What are you doing here?" Haymitch is silent for a moment and then whispers something to my dad. "Alli, Sathen, Laina. Outside. Now." My father says sternly. He is hardly ever strict with us, but we have learned that when he is, it was best for everyone if we obey. "But we haven't eaten yet!" Sathen protests. Okay, maybe Alli and I have learned. "Now." My mother says. Sathen scowls but goes outside. "I just wanted some food…" He mumbles to himself as we walk out the door. I have to hold back a laugh. I'm not really sure what we're supposed to be doing out in the hot sun, but I am very curious to why we are not allowed inside and what they are talking about that we can't hear. About twenty minutes of sitting on the hard front steps later, Haymitch comes back out of our house. "Can we go back in and eat now?" Alli asks hopefully. "No." Haymitch says. "Allianna, you take these," he pulls out a bow and a sheath of arrows. "And go hunting. Sathen, your father told you to go open up the bakery early. Laina, you go to Johanna's house and wait with Harana until the hospital opens, then start your shift."
Johanna Mason is one of my parents' friends. Her daughter Harana is my best friend. We are both training to become healers for our district. My parents say I get my healing instincts from my mother's sister Prim. Prim had died in an accident when she was almost 14. I'm not sure exactly how she died; my mother won't talk about it. I had also inherited her blonde hair and blue eyes. Even though my father also had blonde hair and blue eyes, my mother insists they come from Prim. Harana's father is my mother's childhood friend, Gale Hawthorne. Her mother and father got divorced when she was quite young. Johanna had wanted to keep in touch with my mother, so she moved here to District Twelve.
"Thanks, Haymitch." I say. "No problem, sweetheart." I walk quickly to Harana's house, and rap loudly on her door. When it opens, Harana's face smiles at me. "Hey Laina! What are you doing here?" "Honestly, I'm not really sure." I say truthfully. "Haymitch showed up at my house, talked to my parents about something, and then was sent over here and wait with you until the hospital opens." She looks at me for a moment then says, "Well, okay then. But we've only got about twenty minutes till class starts." I walk into Harana's house. It is a bit smaller than ours, but bright. And then again, they only had two people living there. "Mom!" Harana calls. "Laina's here!" Johanna walks down from the spiral wooden staircase in the middle of the room. "Hey, Laina. Your mom told me you would be coming over! She said you hadn't eaten yet, would you like something?" "Yes please." I say. I am starving. "Thanks, Ms. Mason." She made me a bowl of hot grain with fruit slices, and a strip of dried beef.
I eat the food and then Harana says, "We'd better go or we'll be late." I nod and she yells, "Bye, mom!" and closes the door behind her. It is a short trip to the hospital, but an endless day at work. In the first hour, I deal with three broken legs, five burn patients, two patients with pneumonia and one little girl with a tracker jacker sting. How did she even get that? There aren't any tracker jacker nests around District 12. I should know.
At two fifty five, I pack up my things, give the last dosage of medicine to all the needing patients, and say good bye to Harana, who has to work a double shift today. I run home. I want to know what Haymitch told my parents. It has been bothering me the entire day. I burst in the front door, and see Allianna sitting there looking very irritated. "What's wrong-" I begin to say, but she simply says, "Just read the note." She hands me a note that says,
Alli and Laina,
I went hunting. Your father is at the bakery. Stay at the house and I will be back soon.
Love,
Mom
"So?" I say, still confused. "I went hunting for no reason! I got this," she indicates a small cut on her calf, "For no reason!" I stare at her torn between the desire to laugh or to hit her on the head. "Aren't you at all curious about what mom and dad were talking about when they kicked us out?" I ask. "Oh. Actually I kind of forgot about that." She shrugs. It greatly amuses me how oblivious Allianna can be sometimes. It is a wonder to me how she can hunt without getting herself killed. "Anyway," I say to her. "Do you want me to fix your leg?" "Oh yeah." She says and extends her leg so I can tend to it. In a perfect world, I'd make her do it herself. She did know how to bandage minor cuts and scrapes, but sadly, my world is far from perfect. It isn't long before my mother returns with my father and brother, but the wait seems endless. Whatever they had been talking about was making me very anxious! Good or bad, I didn't know (hopefully good). Hopefully, a surprise, but one can never know.
As soon as my parents enter the house, they are showered with a barrage of questions. "What were you talking about? Why weren't we allowed to know? Is it good? Is it bad?" I ask. "Why couldn't I have eaten first?" Sathen asks. I give him a puzzled look and withhold a laugh. "Just tell us!" Alli says. My parents look at us, my father even smiling a bit. "Come sit down." My mother says in a trembling voice. We sit down in our living area. I now realize that most likely, this is not good news. My mother can't act to save her life. "There has been a change at the Capitol." My father says. "President Paylor has died." Okay. That isn't terrible news. It is sad, yeah, but I'm not heartbroken. "And…" I say, waiting for any other news. "The new president, President Allab, has decided to reinstate the Hunger Games. He gained control of District 13, and has declared that the Hunger Games are to be reinstated. Now, we have the Hunger Games again. No one has tried to oppose them, because they have weaponry the rebels have only dreamed of." My mother says, attempting to keep her voice steady.
Shocked. Scared. Appalled. Any of these words can be used to describe how I am feeling. "What." I say, even though I heard them correctly. The Hunger Games. Not again. A fight to the death. On live TV. Between teenagers. Who, in their right mind would want that? But that's it. These people aren't in their right minds. Great. My country in being run by total idiots. "You guys have learned about it in school. 12-18 year olds. Alli, you're 19. You don't have to worry. Sathen, Laina, you both will only be entered once. Don't worry too much about it. You should be safe." Yeah, Prim should've been safe too. But no, that didn't matter. "Another thing," this time my father spoke. "Your mother and I will have to mentor whoever is chosen. We have arranged for Haymitch, Johanna and Annie to look after you while we are away." I can't believe it. It is horrible, repulsive; disgusting that children should be thrown into an arena to fight to the death! And now I will have to be without my parents while being forced to watch. My mother's voice breaks me out of my thoughts. "The Reaping will be in a week." "A week? A week!" Sathen says. Sathen is one of those people who hide their emotions. If he is hurt he will just shake it off. But this, this is different. I can tell even he is terrified. "Yes. A week. But please don't worry too much. I promise you'll all be fine." How in the world do they expect us not to worry? We have just heard about the most horrifying news I can imagine, and all they can say is not to worry. Great advice, guys.
As soon as my parents stop talking, I run up to my room, and the tears start falling. What would happen if my name was called and my parents are forced to mentor me? Or Sathen? Or Harana? The only reason my mother agreed to children is because the Hunger Games were over. This must be even worse for her. I flop down on my bed and cry myself to sleep.
I wake up in the middle of the night, and my eyes hurt from all the crying. I get out of bed and quietly make my way down the rickety set of stairs. I slip out the front door, and I creep to a spot in the Meadow where I always go to think. I hide under a willow tree. I discovered the spot when I was five or six. It reminds me of a song my mother had taught me. My mother insisted that Allianna, Sathen, and I memorize it. I would hide under the willow when I was sad or upset, and sing the soothing words to myself.
Deep in the meadow, under a willow, a bed of grass, a soft green pillow. Lay down your head, and close your eyes, and when they open, the Sun will rise. Here it's safe, here it's warm. Here the daisies guard you from every harm. Here your dreams are sweet, and tomorrow brings them true. Here is the Place where I Love You.
I found it almost always calmed me down. Then, my father, the only other person who knew where my secret hideout was, would come and find me.
I slide down onto the ground, and hug my knees against my chest. What I really want now is to be as far away from this nightmare we call Panem as possible. I just want to run, as fast as I can. Away. Somewhere where the daisies really can guard me from every harm. But sadly, the daisies can't protect me from the Hunger Games. At some point, I fall asleep because the next morning, I wake up to someone calling my name.
I don't feel like answering. I just want to be left alone. The sun's rays shine through the willow's branches, and I know I will have to get up eventually. Suddenly, my father's head peers between the branches of my willow. "Laina." He says walking toward me. "You can't just disappear like that. We were so worried." "I'm sorry." I say apologetically. "I just needed to get away for a little to clear my head." He comes over and sits down next to me. My father's arm rests protectively over me and I rest my head on his shoulder. Sometimes, I feel as if I have a better relationship with my father than I do my mother. I don't know why, it just always seems that my father is more easygoing than my mother. Maybe because I remind her so much of Prim, who she couldn't always protect. Maybe just looking at me brings back the terrible memories of her death. Maybe it is because she is scared that her children would be in the Hunger Games. This is her worst nightmare. I don't want to end up like her. Most nights I wake up because she's screaming in her sleep. She never says why she does, but I'm sure it's because of the Hunger Games. She's really overprotective, and I think that's why I feel I have a special connection with my father that I don't with my mother.
After a while, my father says, "We have to get back now. Your mother will be worried." He gets to his feet, and then helps me to mine. "By the way," he whispers in my ear. "Your mother might yell at you some. She was a bit angry when I left to find you. Don't take any of it personally. She's under a lot of stress."
As it turns out, a bit angry is quite an understatement. I patiently listen to my mother rant about my disappearance, how I should have at least written a note about where I was. Well, that would kind of defeat the purpose of my secret hideout. Besides, my father always knows where I am. When she finishes, I quietly apologize and make my way to my room. I turn the lock on the door, not wanting anyone to come into what feels like my only sanctuary. Suddenly, I realized I have to be at work in twenty minutes. I quickly dress and then bound down the stairs. I grab my bag off the hook, and I hear my mother say, "Laina, where are you going?" I stop. "The hospital." I reply. Where else would I be going on a Thursday morning? "You don't have to go. Most of the shops are closed and the mayor has requested that all the children working in the hospital or mines take the day off." I don't care. I would rather be working than have to sit in my bedroom thinking about what may or may not happen to my family. And honestly, I have never really been one to do what people have asked of me. I turn toward the door and start walking again. "Harana won't be there." My mother says. Alright. Really the only reason I want to go to the hospital is to talk to Harana. "Fine." I say irritably. "I will be in the woods if you want to see me." She doesn't bother to argue with me, but I'm sure she would prefer me to stay home. I grab a bow and some arrows, merely for protection from who knows what could be in the woods. I turn sharply, and head out the door, slamming it behind me.
I have been told once that there used to be an electric fence surrounding District 12, but the electric fences between the districts have been removed after the rebellion. Now, we simply have tall chain link fences, but there are gates in multiple places, giving me easy access in and out of the woods. I haven't been in the woods without my parents in a very long time. The last time I was, I had almost died. I loved being out in the woods, and I used to wander around them every day after school. One day, I dragged Harana with me because I wanted to show her a refreshing little pond I had found a couple days before. I didn't know how to swim, but on hot days, I would walk around in the shallows, or sit at the edge, with my feet in the water and watch the fish nibble at my toes. Anyway, so after I brought her to the pond, Harana being her timid self didn't want to get in the water. I willingly showed her that there was nothing to be afraid of, and I went deeper than I had ever been before. Little did I know that there was a steep drop, making me lose my balance, and my head go under the surface. I struggled, screaming for help, and not knowing how to swim either. She screamed too, and that was the last thing I heard before I was dunked under for the last time. I don't know how it happened, but just as I was running out of oxygen, an inexplicable force pushed me back onto the shore. I choked and coughed up water and a little bit of blood gasping for air. Harana ran to my side, saying things I couldn't comprehend. She said something about a hospital, and then I blacked out. I woke up in the hospital a day later. I had full recollection of the incident, and was perfectly unharmed as far as I could tell, but they made me stay in the hospital for two more days. I was about eight when it happened, and for months I wouldn't go near the woods. I slowly got over my fear, but still refused to enter without my mother or father. I also refused to get near large areas of water, and am still not too keen on them. I figure it would be best for everyone if I stay away from my pond for now.
I stay relatively close to the fence, having not entered by myself in more than a year, and practice my aim on some nearby trees. I need to practice a lot more. I then pretend that the trees were the idiots from the Capitol. Needless to say, my aim gets a whole lot better. When it begins to get dark, I head home. I have accidentally shot a rabbit and two squirrels so I figure I will bring them along. I pick my bag up off the forest floor, and walk back to my house. I enter and hold up the rabbit and squirrels. "Like we didn't have enough food, Laina." Sathen says, eyeing the game. I glare at him. "I didn't mean to. It was an accident." "I'm surprised you even made it into the woods let alone killed something." I open my mouth to retort, but instead decide to throw a dead squirrel at him. "Laina!" My mother yells from the doorway. "We do not throw dead animals at people!" I can hear my father laughing from behind her. She shoots him an angry look, but she is close to laughing herself. "Well what else am I supposed to do with it?" I question. "Put it in the cooler over there." My mother says. "Fine." I say. I turn to Sathen. "Give me the squirrel." "No!" he says. "Go ahead put it away yourself. I don't care." I walk toward the cooler when the squirrel comes flying at my head. I catch it with one hand, put the game in the cooler, and turn to Sathen. "Nice try." I say, and wink at him with a mock smile. I win.
It seems impossible to me that at a time like this, we can actually act like siblings and mess with each other. But I like it. That in the midst of a horrible thing, we can still laugh, that life goes on.
I walk upstairs to my room laughing, something that a few hours ago I thought to be more unlikely than Sathen becoming president. Now, for the first time, I start to feel better about life, my family, everything.
After a dinner of miraculous nonstop laughter, I walk happily up to my room, and when I enter, even Buttercup seems to be in a good mood. I find him rolling around on my bed, and when he sees me, he stops abruptly. I cuddle him in my arms, and kiss the top of his head. Tired, I crawl into my bed and Buttercup curls up next to me. I fall into a deep, dreamless sleep, and I wake up with the same pleasure I had felt when I fell asleep.
The next day, I sleep in late, again not having to go into work. When I walk down to my living room, I ask my mother and father if I can go talk to Harana. "Of course sweetheart." My mother replies. I take this as a "She already knows about the Hunger Games, so go ahead talk all you want." I get dressed and run out the door to Harana's house. I knock on her door so hard I am surprised I don't break it down. She opens the door and says, "Geez Laina! Are you trying to break it down?" Oh the irony. "No! I just really need to talk to you!" I say. "Fine. Do you want to come inside, or…?" she says. "No. Follow me." I lead her to my willow. And we sit down. "Ok first," I say looking at her. "What did your mom tell you about The Hunger Games?" she looks at me for a moment then says. "Beside the part about them happening again, nothing. I mean, I know that she was in them. I don't live in a box. Also what we learned in school. But other than that, nothing." I sigh hoping she might have more information. Her mother is not as careful as mine when it came to withholding secrets. Not that I am judging.
"Oh one more thing." She says. "My father is going to be the head game maker." Well that's news to me. I wonder if my mother know about this… hmm we'll just have to see shall we? "Are you worried about that at all?" I ask. "Like, are you sad he's going to be researching different ways to kill people?" I see her expression change. "Actually I hadn't thought about it like that." She says. "I'm sorry," I say. "Just forget I said anything." She looks at me. "Don't be. I just… I thought it would be cool getting to see him again. Not like in person, but at least on a TV screen. I don't remember anything about him." I can't blame her. I would feel the same way if it were me. From what I know her mother never talks about it. It must be hard for her not knowing where half of her comes from. "Hey!" I say so loudly it makes her jump and I scare most the birds out of the tree. Oops. "God Laina give me a heart attack why don't you." "What if, when my parents go to the Capitol, they take you with them? You could meet your dad; go behind the scenes of the Hunger Games." I pause. "Get a little something for your best friend!" I say smiling. "Is that even allowed?" she asks. "Who knows? But it would be cool right? I mean think about it. I wouldn't mind going to the Capitol. Would you? They have some pretty cool stuff there." I respond enthusiastically. "Yeah not to mention the everlasting joy it would bring me to meet my father." She says. "My thoughts exactly!" I say and we laugh. "By the way, how on Earth do we go about asking your parents? Or worse… my mom! She'd never let me go!" she exclaims. "Do you really think she would deny her child the joy of meeting her father?" I ask back. "Yes." She mumbles. "No! And my parents love you like a daughter. It's definitely worth a shot." "Fine, but it was your idea!" she says. "Gladly." I say smugly.
As we walk from my willow, I say to her, "By the way, don't tell anyone about my hiding place unless you wish to face certain death." "Don't worry. I won't." she responds in a slightly scared tone. We make our way to my house first, to ask if it's even a possibility. "Well, it really isn't up to us. The tribute train is still a public train anyone can ride, so you'd have means of transportation." My father says after we propose our idea. "But you'd have to check with your mother and your father for that matter. We'd be happy, though, to make sure you got there and back safely." My mother, however, had to leave the room when she found out that Gale would be head game maker. "Why don't you two go talk to your mother," he says addressing Harana. "And see what she says."
"No. Absolutely not." Ms. Mason says when she hears our idea. "But mom that's so unfair! Why am I not allowed to meet my own father?" Harana asks. "It's not that. I don't want you to be alone in the Capitol. It's dangerous and you could get hurt!" "But I won't be alone! I'll be with my father! And Mr. and Mrs. Mellark if I need them! Please!" Harana cries, and there are tears running down her cheeks. "Um, maybe I should go." I say quietly. It's awkward when Harana's mother yells at her in front of me, but this is different. "I'm sorry Laina." Harana says. "Don't worry," I say. "Let me know if you need anything." I smile, and then bolt out the door.
I go directly to my house. I push roughly on the front door and find myself locked out. "Ugh." I groan and walked around back. I stand on top of a few wooden crates and enter through my window. I walk downstairs and see Allianna lying in the couch reading a book and Sathen watching TV. "Hey where are mom and dad?" I ask making them both jump. "I swear you are getting more ninja-like by the second. First the squirrel, now this? Crazy…" Sathen mutters. "If I were really a ninja," I say. "I wouldn't be showing of my skills, now would I?" "Mom and dad are in the kitchen." Allianna says, not even looking up from her book. "And by the way, I think we all know who the real ninja is." And she smirks at us. I walk into the kitchen and my parents are talking in hushed tones. "Laina, there is dinner on the stove, we'll be out soon." I grab a plate and begin to eat. When I finish, my parents come out and say, "You guys need to go to sleep." "At 8:30?" asks Sathen. "Go. Now." says my mother and we reluctantly get up. "Wait. Laina stay a moment." "Psh yeah treat the ninja specially," says Sathen. "Up." says my mother laughing.
"What?" I ask confused. "You talked Johanna about Harana going to the Capitol right?" "Yep." I say. "But she didn't want Harana to. I don't know why." "Well, we talked to her, and she agreed." My father says. "Really? Seriously! Oh my gosh, I can't wait to tell Harana!" "Hey, hey, hey. Hold it Little Mockingjay." I start to get up but my mother's voice stops me. "What?" I say. "Don't go telling Harana yet. We want her to find out from her mother. Not you." I sigh. How was I supposed to keep that secret from my best friend? "Ugh. Whatever." I say, and begin up to my room. "Laina," My mother calls after me. I turn around, eyebrows raised. "What?" I say innocently. "Don't tell Harana." She says. "Yeah, yeah. Fine I won't." I say, walking away again. She rolls her eyes and laughed.
I climb into my bed and pull the covers up to my chin. I am happy for Harana, finally being able to meet her father. Then, I remember the horror that would be taking place in only a few days. The Reaping. What I have been trying (and almost achieved) to push out of my mind. I know I will have to face it eventually, but for right now, I am content with enjoying Harana's happiness.
The next day is pure torture when I go to the hospital. Some of the more experienced Healers can't save a dying patient, which always tends to put a damper on the rest of the day. There aren't very many patients, so that leaves plenty of time for Harana and me to talk. Obviously, her mother has not told her about going to the Capitol, so it is practically killing me that I couldn't tell her.
I walk home gloomy about not being able to talk to Harana about her trip to the Capitol. I pick up our family's book of people who had lost their lives in the rebellion, and walk to my willow. (I told my father where I was going, even though he would've figured it out by himself.) I enjoy looking at the book, even though it is filled with people who are no longer with us. My Aunt Prim looks beautiful as her goat licks her pale cheek. The resemblance between us is really remarkable. Then come both my grandfathers. Next is the handsome Finnick Odair, eyes the color of the sea. Cinna, my mother's friend. Boggs. And last, Rue perched like a bird, ready to take flight. I'm not sure exactly who she is, how she died, and how my mother knows her. She looks from another district, though. Dark skin, dark eyes. Definitely not from here. Stuck between the pages is a picture of Finnick and Annie Cresta, my parents' friends', newborn son, Finnick Jr. He is older than Allianna now, but I'm not sure of his exact age.
Not ten minute later, Harana bursts through my willow's branches, and throws her arms around me. "Oh my gosh Laina, I love you so much! You are the best person on the face of the Earth!" I hug her back. I'm guessing her mother told her. "Thank you. But I didn't really do anything." I say, releasing her. "Yes you did! It was your idea. You get full credit! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" We talk for hours under the Willow, and she can't stop thanking me. When it got dark, we both head home. "Laina, I cannot thank you enough!" She says, hugs me again, and we go in separate directions.
The rest of the week is fairly the same. The hospital isn't busy. I talk with Harana, (she still wouldn't stop thanking me) and the mood at my house keeps getting more and more sullen as the Reaping approaches. In fact, the day before the Reaping, I don't see anyone the entire day, except my mother occasionally drops in to see if I am okay, or to give me some food. The entire day, I just mope around in my room with Buttercup. I eat dinner by myself, which is odd because we almost always make an effort to eat together as a family. It is especially odd since tomorrow is going to be a nightmare. When I finish, I climb into my bed.
Sleep is definitely out of the question. I am too nervous about the outcome of tomorrow. I keep worrying, not necessarily about myself, but Harana. And Sathen. Everyone. My parents. Having to mentor children they possibly know, then watch them die. I hate it. I drift in and out of consciousness for the next couple of hours, until I finally fall asleep.
"Laina," I hear in my ear. "Sweetheart, it's time to wake up." My mother shakes me gently. The Reaping. Today. I wake up with dried tears on my face. My mother smiles sweetly at me. "I laid a dress out for you. Go wash up and I'll help you do your hair." I rise from my bed slowly, dreading the next couple hours.
I walk into the shower and wash the damage the tears have done to my face away. I rinsed out my hair; I turn off the hot water, step out of the shower, and cover myself in a towel.
As I walk into my room, my eyes widen. Lying before me is the most breathtaking piece of clothing I've ever seen. The dress is shimmery, light blue, the exact color of my eyes, strapless, and a small collection of jewels at the end of the tapered bit of fabric under my chest. I slip it on over my head; a perfect fit. I hear a soft knock on the door, and my mother tiptoes into my small room. "Do you like it?" My mother asks tentatively. "Of course!" I say. How could I not? It was gorgeous, the most exquisite thing I've ever encountered. "Great!" She says. "It was a dress Cin-…a friend designed for me, and I thought you should have it. Let's see, how should we do your hair?" Several minutes later, my hair was done up in a way I did not know existed. It is twisted and braided and several ringlets hang down around my heart shaped face. "Time to go to the City Circle." she says, standing up and kissing my forehead lightly. I follow my mother down to our living room. I find Allianna dressed in a one shoulder sea green dress, her long dark hair straightened so it falls down to the small of her back. She looks beautiful.
As we make our way to the City Circle, we meet up with Johanna, Harana and Haymitch, all looking their best. When we arrived at the City Circle, a woman who I learned is named Astoria Pelano, the escort for the tributes of District Twelve, is directing children left and right. The twelve year olds in the front, eighteen year olds in the back and everyone else in between. My mother and father kissed Sathen and I and the stand in the crowd with Allianna. After we are all in place, Harana by my side, Astoria talks and talks and talks. It's really not how I want to be spending my day, but what choice do I have? "Now let's start with the girls!" I hear Astoria say. My heart is beating a thousand times a minute. Harana squeezes my hand beside me. I look at her and her eyes are closed. I squeeze her hand back. "And the female tribute from District Twelve is," She reaches her hand into the glass reaping ball, pulls out a slip of paper and reads the name.
"Laina Mellark!" She reads in a high, clear voice.
.
