A/N: Hello and thank you for finding my first story! I've been readin gon here for a few years now and I finally decided to write something of my own. Since this is my first attempt, its more of a test run, so feel free to tear it apart (constructively please!) because I want to figure out where to improve. Right now I most likely won't continue this story, but if it gets enough love I will think about it! Thank you and have a lovely day.
I inhaled the fresh air deeply, enjoying the sensation of the wind on my face and the sound of the leaves rustling in the breeze. I am surrounded by trees as I bask in the peace of the warm afternoon. Quiet moments like these always make me feel calm and centered, and that is something I certainly need, today more than ever. Today is the day two innocent kids are sent off to be paraded around for the amusement of the Capitol, then thrown into a battle to the death. Yup, today is the Reapings for the 65th Hunger Games.
Fortunately, I know there is not a large chance I will be the unlucky one to be Reaped, because even though I'm 17, life in District Seven has been good to me, and I have never had to take out tesserae. Both of my parents work in high-up positions in the district's lumber industry, with my dad being a regional manager and my mother being a leading eco-consultant. As a result, money has never really been an issue, and I can't recall ever missing a meal. This doesn't mean my life has always been smooth sailing. Even though it wasn't necessary, I still took a job working in lumber yards. For me, it was a way to connect more with kids my age, and not feel so isolated. As an only child, I had often tried to make friends, but that was never easy for me, since many other kids resented my wealth. Working in the Yard made me one of them, and I finally felt like a normal 17 year old girl.
A horn sounds, pulling me from my musings and signaling it was time to go home to get ready for the Reapings. I made my way back through the woods my peers and I were working on. On the way I met up with Brooke, my closest friend.
"Are you ready for the Reapings?" I ask, some what rhetorically.
"Is that even a question? Of course I'm not, who ever is!" She laughs out. "Although as long as its not you or me, I really don't mind who it is."
"Yeah you're right, and really what are the chances of that" I laughed with her.
I like Brooke, she's the only one who knows about my family and doesn't care. When she needs help meeting her daily quota of logs (since she is much smaller than me), to help her avoid the pay cuts our superiors love to hand out. Brooke is the oldest of seven children, and her family is quite poor, so every little amount counts to them. I usually get aways with not meeting my quota because of who my parents are, but when I don't, the worst they can do is cut my pay, something I'm not very concerned about.
We made our way out of the Yard, chatting about who we thought would get Reaped, and came to the part of the road where we diverged.
"I'll see you later Brooke, save me a seat!" I said as I gave her a hug. What can I say I'm a hugger!
"Ok, sounds good, I'll see ya in a bit Aspen!" She says, turning around and heading towards her neighborhood.
I made my way down the road to my house, which is larger than most of the other ones in our neighborhood, and much cleaner. I noticed mom and dad weren't home, which I expected, since they will probably be at work until the last possible minute. What can I say, they didn't get to where they are today by being lazy, but sometimes I wish they were around more.
I entered and went upstairs to my room, mentally trying to decide what outfit I should wear to the Reapings. 'Not like it matters,' I thought to myself, since only the kids who are chosen are even seen, the rest of us just dress up for nothing really. Despite my thoughts, I went through and picked out my favorite dress, a pale blue high-low, and some matching heels.
After I get dressed, I look in the mirror. I've never had any real complaints about my body, I'm fairly average height wise, at 5'8, with bronze hair and grey eyes. I put on some light makeup and head out to the Reapings.
When I arrive, they take my blood sample and I make my over to my age section, where Brooke has saved me a seat next to her.
"Oh my gosh Aspen, you look ADORABLE, I love your dress!" Brooke gushes, albeit a tad distractedly.
"Thanks, you look great too, Brooke, that necklace is very stunning, and your dress is very cute!" I reply politely, even though she is wearing the same dress she has four years in a row. Fancy clothes aren't really a priority when you barely have enough money to eat I suppose. Now that I get a closer look, I can tell how stressed she is, this year she'll have three other siblings, and all of them have taken out maximum tesserae. I hate to say it, but the odds are really not in her favor. I tell myself if any of her family gets Reaped, I'll force her to let me help their family, although Brooke has blatantly refused any of my offers of money try and keep her mind occupied I talk to her about anything non-Game related I can think of. She seems to calm down a bit, which is a relief to me.
While we continue our chatter, our district escort, Bonabelle Chromea, walks onto the stage. After delivering a speech about the purpose of the Games and what an honor it is, which I didn't pay attention to, we watch the standard video, which I also didn't pay attention to. Finally the two glass orbs with every child in the districts' name in them. After mentioning something about ladies first, we all watch as Bonabelle reaches in and pulls out a single slip. We are on the edges of our seats in anticipation as she reads out,
"The lucky lady from district 7 is... Aspen Arbre!"
I don't understand at first, how could it be me? My name was only in there a handful of times! Wait what, I don't want to go! No!
Before I know it people have pushed me to the stage and I'm staring out at my district, paralyzed. I am going in the 65th Hunger Games.