IVY KING
Sweat poured down my face as I circled the meat in satisfactory. 2 hours over the fire can make you like that. It was cooked thoroughly enough for the feast tonight. After the reaping. It couldn't be me, or Faith Dells or Dallas Rockwind, we had all had our names in their 4 times, unlike Dallas' older sister Reese, she took tesserae, she had her name in 39 times. But still, 39 times is tiny compared to the thousands of children in District 11. I winced, for the moment I let my mind move from the meat, my hand landed flat on the grill. I shrieked in pain and jumped back a few feet. My hand was red. It burned horribly and I was forced to leave my duty by the fire and rinse my aching hand under the faucet. If I were to be drawn for the reaping, the capitol would fix this minor injury. I forced my hand from the freezing relief and back to cooking. The rest of the hour I had to work with one hand, while my other was cradled in my shirt pocket. Carlianne, my younger sister, hopped into the kitchen. She inhaled the sweet smell of Meatloaf, the rare treat my occasional squirrel catch would bring into our home. She reached to grab a chunk of meat and seized her hand. "For tonight. After were all safe for another year." She sighed, her brown hair brushing her forehead. At eight she was one to have an attitude. "I'm safe for another 4 years." She retorted stuck out her tongue and with that stormed out. I sighed. She really didn't know how lucky she was.
I looked stunning in a simple pink dress down to the knees. My hair was in a French braid down to the middle of my back. I took in the sight through the pool of water from the recent downpour. I reached for the comfort of my mother's silver locket. I panicked when I realized its absence. I searched throughout the house for 10 minutes until I stopped and checked my pocket. With relief I pulled it out and placed it on my neck. Looking at the run down clock at the wall, I went in search of Carlianne. In minutes she was wearing my old white dress that went a little past her knees. Tied around her waist was a blue silk ribbon. It fit her perfectly. "Here, let me do your hair." I suggested, I grabbed a blue rubber band and did a simple ponytail. I stood back to admire my work. I pursed my lips, something was missing. I grabbed my necklace and put it on her. Now she was perfect. My bratty little sister looked like an angel. Without warning she hugged me. "Don't get drawn Ivy, please." She whimpered. "I won't. I won't it's only in there four times." I promised her. I glanced at the clock, 12:45. I rushed out of the house Carlianne by my side. And I prayed, for once, my father would make it on time.
When we got to the square I was ushered into the 15 year old section while Carlianne was lead to the side. I scanned the crowd for my father, but he was nowhere to be seen. I was so lost in thought I didn't even here Diamond begin to speak. Her hair was as long as mine, but died a light blue. Her eyes wore sparkling golden eyeliner. But the most disturbing was how her eyes were tattooed with three small blue hearts. "I would like to welcome you all to the 95th annual Hunger Games reaping!" She exclaimed. The only victor from 11 took his seat on the stage. He had thick black hair and a dark complexion. Diamond had finished her speech and, for a twist of things, reached into the boy's vase first. "And the Male tribute for this year's Hunger Games is…" She paused for a moment. "Quince Demure!" A muscular dude about my age, made his way up the steps. He had lighter skin, unlike most people in District 11. "Any volunteers?" Diamond asked. Nobody did. Diamond looked uncomfortable. "Moving on! To our girl tribute, for this year's annual Hunger Games, the girl tribute from district 11 is…" It wasn't me, or Faith or anyone in the fifteen year old section. It was Reese Rockwind. I spotted Dallas, his miserable face, and I knew there was only one thing I could do. I raised my hand and shouted. "I volunteer!"