1.
Sometimes you meet the best people in the worst times. And you love them because they were there for you during these times. You love them because you are no longer alone. A burden is lighter when its carried by more than just one.
"Honey wake up" my mother calls sweetly from downstairs "you need to get ready for today!". I groan and roll over, the usual fear finding a quick place in my stomach, I can't help but shake a little.
Today is the reaping for the 70th annual Hunger Games. During the dark days the 13 Districts rebelled against the Capitol, the 12 Districts were defeated. The 13th obliterated. The only thing that lies there now is a large pile of ash and dust. Each District has a job which they perform for the Capitol, for Example in District 4 they provide the Capitol with fish. Life was good in 4, I couldn't say the same for the other Districts. Where you celebrated if you made it to an old age. To remind the Districts that no one can defeat the Capitol each District of Panem would offer up one young man and woman as tribute to fight to the death in the Hunger Games. Everyone would watch a live broadcast of the show.
It sickens me that the Capital enjoys watching people die for their entertainment. I roll out of my bed and walk to my window. I can see the water rolling across the sand down at the beach. I wish I could be sitting there with my toes in the water, instead I have to stand in the town square and pray that I'm not the person reaped. Through my little glass window I see someone splashing around in the water, even from where I am I can tell who it is. The signature blond hair and build, could only be the District`s pride and joy Finnick Odair. Oh how lucky the tribute this year would be to get him as a mentor.
Finnick is an example of the Capitol cruelty. I remember before he went into the games he was nice and sweet and humble. They turned him into a cocky womanizer. Everyone wanted a chance to be with the famous Finnick Odair. His name was whispered in the halls at school girls eyed him waiting for their chance. He could have anything or anyone he wanted.
I remember watching his games, he won when his endless line up of sponsors sent him a trident. The other tributes didn't have a chance after that, they were gonners the second they go caught in one of his nets.
I turn away from the window and open my closet doors. What to wear on a day you could be going off to your death? It was expected you wear your nicest clothes, even tributes in the poorest Districts managed to scrape up a decent outfit to wear. I wish I could just show up in sweats. I don't because I know my mother would yell at me and force me into nicer clothes.
I glance at my array of dresses and sigh. Why did I need so many? My mother made sure I was well equipped in every beauty equipment possible. I need to look "pretty" all the time, I honestly don't care how I look. I usually just spend my free time swimming and working at my dads fishing store. When I wasnt doing those things I was either at school or sick.
"Hurry up sweetie we need to leave soon" my mother calls cheerfully. It was strange that most people in 4 were excited for the games, they waited for them to come. They wanted the honor of having their children shipped off to the Capitol to be slaughtered. Sadly my mother is one of those people. This was normal in DIstricts 1 , 2 and 4. Other Districts call us careers. We usually win, not that anyone like me would stand a chance. No matter what District I come from. I'm short and skinny, standing at only about 5`2. Someone like Finnick could wrap their arms around my waist twice. I was small and weak and I couldn't do anything, I wouldn't stand a chance.
I finally decide on a pale blue cardigan and light brown pencil skirt. I put on light brown leather boots, I always wear my boots when I'm not in the water, though I wish I could wear my normal sandals. I run a brush through my short brown hair. I dont have much hair I need to brush through. I grab my small golden locket and put it around my neck. The locket has small fish along it, it appears like they are swimming. My father gave it to me when I was little. It used to be his grandmothers. Inside there is a picture of my family, my parents standing together, their arms entwined and my sister Emmy and I standing in front of them. The other side is empty, I still don't have a picture there yet.
My younger sister Emmy is only 12 years old, this would be her first reaping. I know she is scared but their is no shortage of kids willing to volunteer, and she never has taken out tesera so her name is only in there once. I feel bad for kids in poorer Districts who are forced to take out tessera and have their names in the big glass ball doubled. I feel nervous and I don't have very many. My sister is an exact image of my mother, long blond hair, big sea green eyes tall and skinny. I got my shortness and dark brown hair from my father.
I look in the mirror to make sure my outfit is okay. The locket hangs neatly on my neck, just where I placed it. The collar of my shirt is turned upwards and I quickly fold it down. My short hair is sticking up in my usual pixie cut and my large green eyes seem to pop out of my head. My eyes are the only thing I got from my mother. I have long black eyelashes and freckles across the bridge of my nose. I guess I'm pretty but I don't stand out, I'm just normal. And thats the way I have always liked it.
I didn't talk to many people at school, I didn't have many friends. Many people considered me mature for my age, which did not earn me many friends and I always ended up sitting alone at break. They called me "Crazy Cresta" their names never bothered me. One day there was a girl in school who felt bad for me and came to sit with me. You wouldn't think she would be the type to really care but surprisingly she always cared for me. Though she was a bit of a piece of work. She is stubborn and loud and sometimes rude. She wasn't afraid to say what she feels.
"You should brush you hair" was the first thing she had ever said to me when she sat down "it looks weird".
"If you're here to make fun of me you can just leave" I had said, as long as people left me alone I was fine.
"I like you" she replied "you're not an annoying jerk like everyone else" she had stated.
"Thanks" I had said sheepishly not really knowing what to say.
"No problem" she had replies with a smile "Im Lynn".
"Annie" I had replied with a smile.
"Annie time to go" my mother calls impatiently from downstairs, I quickly snap out of my day dream and pray that neither Lynn or I get reaped. Were 17 only one more year before we would both be safe. Once I'm downstairs my mother claps her hands and gives me a hug.
"You look beautiful darling" she says. She eyes my hair but I dont care. She was quite mad when I came home one day with all my hair chopped off. She stopped complaining when she realized it wasn't going to make my hair grow back any faster.
"Your so pretty" my sister gushes from beside my mother. Her blond hair is pulled back from her tanned face with a pretty yellow ribbon and she is dressed in a pretty yellow sun dress. I happen to be one of the only people in District 4 who doesn't have a tan, Lynn always teased me about it, though shes even paler than me. But no matter how long I am out in the sun I only ever stay pale, white as snow my father would say. Not that there was any snow on the beaches of 4, I had only seen it in pictures at school.
"You too Pooky" I say with a smile, Pooky has been her nickname since she was little. I take her hand and hold it comfortingly. Not only was this Emmy`s (Emelia`s) first reaping but their father had passed away last winter from the flue. They were doing fine with me and my mom working the shop but nothing would ever dull the pain in our hearts. At least our mom managed to keep it together for us, she pushed away the pull of depression. For this I love her, for her love for the Capitol I hate her. No I hate the Capitol, they've brainwashed her, as they have so many other people.
We step out onto the streets and a cool breeze whips across my face. At least we wouldn't have to stand in the square with the hot sun beating down on us. We walk to the town square where the District is gathering. We get our fingers pricked before I have to say goodbye to Emmy and join the 17 year old girls. We are quite close to the stage now that we are 17, next year we would be the closest you could get without the peace keepers blocking you. I find Lynn in the crowd and walk over to her.
"This is a pain" she says scornfully "I could be doing something actually interesting right now".
I smile "Well hello to you too, you look nice". Today she has actually put an effort into her clothing, usually she doesn't care. Or can't afford the nice clothes that my mother continuously buys me. Lynne's family is one of the poor families in the District, they got food on their table at night but just barley. They all worked hard, not that I don't.
Lynn is dressed in a pale blue dress, the sleeves cover her arms and the skirt reaches her knees. She has on a pair of blue flats and her hair is tied with a pretty blue bow. Her hair is curly and red, usually sticking all over the place but today pulled back nicely. Her orange hair, freckles and pale skin stand out, at least Im not the only one. Her big blue eyes twinkle when she looks at me.
"Not to bad yourself" she tells me, that was the closest complement you would get from Lynn. Im happy she cares enough about me not to point out every single one of my flaws like she does with other people.
"Don't they realize how ridiculous they look?" she says while glaring at the stage. Our escort is seated beside the two mentors and the town mayor. Her outfit goes perfectly with her name. Shes dressed in what appears to be a large daisey, the large white petals just making room for her head. Daisy's hair is bright pink and her face is covered in white makeup. She looks like a scary pink clown.
"I think its the style" I say with a giggle before my eyes drift to the person she is talking to, more like hanging over. Finnick Odair looks amazing in khaki pants, a button down white shirt that shows his chest underneath and normal black shoes. His blond hair is sticking up everywhere. I can see every single girl here swooning over him. He looks in my direction and he winks. I glance around to see every girl staring at me like they want to kill me. I blush and look back at Finnick, he smiles at me again and I quickly smile back. He turns his head away and Lynn elbows me in the ribs.
"What was that?" she gushes her voice an octave higher.
"I dont know" I answer honestly.
"Well I think someone likes you" she says playfully. But I shake my head, Finnick Odair playboy of the Capitol wouldn't want anything to do with an ordinary girl like me. There were much prettier girls here than me, he probably does that with everyone. Actually come to think of it, he does it a lot. My heart rate lowers momentarily before I see Daisy step towards the microphone and I clutch Lynns hand and pray that they can make it through one more reaping.
"Welcome, welcome" Daisy says cheerfully in her silly Capitol accent "welcome to the 70th annual Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor".
Lynn scoffs but I ignore her, not wanting to draw attention to us. Daisy starts the video and we wait patiently for it to end, we see the same one every year, nothing special. The mayor says a few words, his voice drones on and I feel myself begin to drift off. Lynn elbows me when Daisy has moved to the boys glass ball.
She reaches her perfectly manicured hand into the glass ball and ruffles around the papers. She clutches onto the slip of paper and walks to the microphone. "Ivan Woodscott" she calls out. A tall muscular tanned boy walks to the stage and the crowd cheers, he could really stand a chance in the games. "Any Volunteers?" Daisy asks. No one volunteers, which surprises me. Ivan smiles and winks at his friends standing in the 18 year olds section, I think he thinks he can win. He looks like he stands a good chance.
"Now for the girls" Daisy says before skipping to the glass ball holding the girls names.
She plucks out a small piece of paper and walks back to the microphone. The crowd waits in anticipation as she unfolds the small piece of paper, I can swear I hear the paper rustling together as she unfolds it. Daisy pauses for effect before reading out the name.
"Annie Cresta", the look on Finnick`s face replays over and over in my mind for the days to come.
A/N: Hope you like it so far, hoping to post the next chapter soon!
