Chapter 2
Ian and I usually work from about 5:30 to 5:00 on the weekends, but since it's the Reaping we were allowed to go home early and clean up. It's a good thing to be cause we were all covered in dirt and tracking mud everywhere. I say goodbye to Ian and slowly make my way home.
When I get home I purposely leave my boots and track mud though Genevieve's perfect home. When I walk through the door I see Genevieve putting Mayflowers blonde hair into a complicated up do. God she's so prissy I can't wait for her to turn 15 and she'll have gone work in the woods. I bet she won't even be able to pick up an ax without being in danger of breaking a nail. I accidentally snort and acknowledge them of my presence. Dang it there goes my chance to sneak in. Genevieve turns and looks me up and down. I happy to see she looks disgusted by the amount of dirt and mud on me. God she's stupid doesn't she know this will be her precious twins in a year? I kick of my boots and walk past her to my room.
"Hey! Pick that up Johanna!"
I just ignore her and lock the door to my room. I look in the mirror and see I look absolutely disgusting so I go to run a bath. We might not be as poor as district 12 but we still can't afford hot water so I have to take my bath in cold water. After I get out my nicest outfit, a simple brown dress and black flats. I decide to take my hair out and let it flow down my back. After I slip out the door and to Mia's room. I walk in and see her playing with her dolls on the floor.
"Hey Mia Pia" I call using my silly nickname for her
"Jo!" She runs towards me and I pick her up
"Have you been in here all day silly"
"Yep"
"It's so pretty outside why don't u go play out there?" I ask
"Mayflower and Sebastian were playing with their friends out there"
I don't respond, I know how much they scare her.
"Lets get you all pretty" I finally say
"Yay dress up!"
I smile "Yep"
After we get her all dressed up she sits on the bed and I brush her long black hair.
"What if you get picked?" she asked quietly.
She may seem like a little kid but she understands things pretty well. Genevieve and my father need to be more careful about what they say around her.
"I don't know"I respond
"But if you don't come back then I'll be stuck with...them" I could hear the fear in her voice.
I hug her "It will be ok. I promise" I take her hand and we walk to the Town Center, together.
At the center she goes with father and I go to sign in. I walk to the group of 17 year olds and stand there. Even in a crowd I'm always alone. I suddenly wish Ian were the same age as me. I scan the crowd looking for him and my eyes land on Mayflower and Sebastian, there surrounded by a huge group of friends. I shake it off and continue looking for Ian.
Finally I find him in the huge crowd. "Good Luck" I mouth. He offers a small smile and then it's time to start.
The mayor comes up on stage and reads the same boring speech as always. I zone out until our escort walks on stage her name is Kashia and this year her hair is dark purple, bone straight an falls down to her hips. She's wearing bright purple eye shadow and lipstick and I'm pretty sure I see purple contacts. I'm guessing there's a theme going on.
"Helllooo District 7!" she drags out the hello like every year and like every year no one looks entertained. She introduces herself and then gets to the point
"Ok ladies first" every girl in the town center hold their breath and waits.
Kashia sticks her hand into the bowl and reads in a loud clear voice "Johanna Mason"
Every eye in the town center somehow finds me and the wheels in my brain start turning. I think for a split second and then dig my nails into the palm of my hand until I start to cry. Not quietly but very loud. The Peacekeepers come to take me to the stage and I slump my shoulders and try to make my self as small as I can. I'm thankful I wore my dress with sleeves because it covered my muscular arms and made me look very slim and small. I continue sobbing and when the Peacekeepers push me on the stage I quickly disheveled my hair. I slowly walk to Kashia and hope I look scared. I stand next to her
"Why don't you introduce yourself to the crowd" She says
"J-Johanna M-Mason" I say in a stuttering voice
"How old are you Johanna?" "S-Seventeen" I stammer
"Really?" she looks genuinely surprised "I though you were younger"
Good so it's working. "
Ok a big round of applause for Johanna Mason!"
There's little clapping and I know what everyone is thinking; we'll never see her again.
"Ok it looks like its time for the boys!" Kashia's voice cuts through the silence like a knife.
In the crowd I can see Mia crying her eyes out and my father tearing up. Genevieve just looks bored and the twins don't seem to know what to think. I find Ian in the crowd and I'm surprised to see he's crying, Ian never cries. Ever.
Kashia pulls out the name and reads, "Chad Barker" I scan the crowd and see a huge, buff guy making his way through the crowd. He has to be at least 6"4 with spiky black hair. Perfect my 5"3 will look ever smaller compared to him. He comes and stands next to me and I make a show of looking up at him and crying all over introduces him and then has us shake hands
"Ladies and Gentlemen I present to you the District 7 tributes for the 68th annual Hunger Games!"
Loud claps follow that statement. It looks like they think there going to have a victor this year, just not the one they were expecting.
Please tell me what you think! If I get good feedback I'll continue.
~TeamKatniss7