Swimming . The simple word itself as an amazing effect on me. I glide through the water effortlessly. Today is the reaping. In my district, we volunteer. But not me. I spend my time swimming and not training for the hunger games. Chances are, I won't get picked anyway, or volunteer, so I just don't worry about it. I swim to the shore and pull a towel over my soaking my body. I walk along the sandy shore. We have a nice beach here in District 4. It's nicer than most districts, or so I hear. I walk, picking out seashells. I find a very round looking one with baby blue coloring and put it in my pocket. I get to my home. I live on the beach, many of us in my district do. I open the door to my home and look around. My home is very large, as it should be. I am greeted by a hug from my father.
"Hi, dad. Working today? It's only eight in the morning. My father is a peace keeper and starts work at nine. "Yes. Gotta make sure everyone is under control during the reaping!", he grins, hugging me. I look down at the green towel covering my body. "Dad, let me go get ready" I say clearly annoyed. "Okay Anna., he laughs. It's Annie", I say under my breath. My dad insisted on my name being Anna, as according to him, the name Annie wasn't strong enough. But my mom absolutely refused, as she felt the name Annie was more elegant, sweet, and girly. He finally agreed. But he still calls me Anna, much to my dismay.
I drag myself up the marble stairs. I enter my bathroom and begin washing myself in the shower. I hate my dad, I think to myself. Sure, he's cheerful and happy. But he's also annoying, abusive, and he doesn't even call me by my name. He often calls me stupid, fat, and lazy. I step out of the shower and grab a black brush with white bristles with the name "Marilina" carved in the handle. My mother. She died thirteen years ago, when I was three.
I brush out my hair and get ready. When my long dark waves are perfect, I put my hair in a waterfall braid. I put on a long flowing blue dress.
I know I look beautiful, but I don't feel like it. I put on some strappy silver heels and give myself a sad smile. I know that in about a week someone I might know will die. I flow elegantly down the stairs and find my dad in his peacekeeper suit, smiling.
"Ready to go? You look amazing," my dad said in a fake tone. "Whatever, let's go., I said,rolling my eyes.
" You will not talk to me that way, you stupid girl!" he slapped me across the face. I blinked back tears.
"Let's go, Anna. We can't be late." I start crying. How can my life get much worse than this? I just want to disappear…. And suddenly I have the perfect solution. I am volunteering for the seventieth annual Hunger Games.