Ruby Glitzy

The pitter patter of raindrops hitting the old steel roof was the only sound that came from my small little house. My mother was passed out, as usual, on the couch, from yet another dose of morphling. I lay on my bed, pulling my knees to my chest, and tried to make myself fall asleep. But I couldn't. Not after today.

Flashback

A loud knock at the door caught my attention. I had been preparing dinner for myself and my baby sister, Jada, who sat in her high chair playing with her spoon. Turning off the stove, I grabbed Jada, and went to answer the door. To my surprise, two Peacekeepers stood on the doorstep.

"Glitzy, Ruby Esmeralda?" One asked me. I nodded, fearful. What had I done wrong? Without waiting for an invitation, the Peacekeepers pushed past me, and into our shabby home.

"Ruby Glitzy, you have been chosen for a great honor," the first Peacekeeper began. Great honor? I hadn't done anything…

"You have been chosen to represent District One in this year's Hunger Games," the second finished.

End Flashback

The mere memory of those words sent chills down my spine. Worries plagued my thoughts, preventing me from falling asleep. Who would take care of Jada? What would happen: would my mother take care of her, or would she be placed in foster care? Leave it to my district to choose me. ME! I clenched my fists. I came from a career district, yet I myself was no Career. I was a tall, slightly chubby girl. My white-blonde hair, cornflower blue eyes, and porcelain skin gave off looks of innocence, and naivety, not ferociousness. Add in the fact that I hated the Hunger Games, whereas everyone else in my district loved them, celebrated them, even! Tears formed in my eyes. These past few months had been a living hell. As a child, my life was wonderful. I had a caring father, a loving mother, and anything a little girl could want. Then, my father died. He died shortly after my mother became pregnant with Jada, in a fire that had destroyed our home. My mother became extremely depressed afterwards, which led to her addiction of morphling. Thankfully, the drug hadn't harmed Jada. Yet because of my mother's addiction, I had to care for our family. We had lost everything in that fire, over a year ago. Our once beautiful mansion was replaced by a grungy little shack that we now had to call home. I worked a small, part time job in order to make ends meet. Now, what would happen?

I laid my head down on my pillow, and closed my eyes, half hoping I would wake up, and realize this had all been a dream. But instead of waking up from this nightmare, I woke up on reaping day.

Ace Romanus

"ACE!" My uncle called. "Hurry up, lad! We don't want to be late!" I sighed. My room was buried in what looked like an avalanche of clothes; shirts, ties, pairs of pants, and everything else I owned was scattered. Yet I was still in nothing my undershirt and underpants.

"Ace! Hurry up!" my sister, Cadence, came bounding into the room. Her jaw dropped at the sight of my room, and it was hard to restrain my laughter. Of course, my little sister was ready: her sunshine yellow dress complemented her blonde curls nicely. Cadence rolled her eyes at me.

"Honestly, Ace! You are fifteen years old, and yet you still can't dress yourself!" I shrugged playfully. True, it was a bit sad that I took forever to get ready whereas my nine year old sister could be ready in five minutes. Cadence sighed, and grabbed a random pair of pants, a white button down shirt, and black dress shoes, and threw them at me.

"Here, now GET DRESSED! You don't want to shame the district by being late!" And with that, Cadence disappeared. I hurriedly put on my clothes and dashed downstairs. My uncle Jakob and Cadence were waiting for me.

"My goodness, Ace, what took you so long? I was going to send out a search party!" my uncle joked.

"He was trying to find something to wear," Cadence said, earning a glare from me.

"Nervous, eh? Don't worry, you'll be fine, Ace. Now let's go, don't want to be late for your special day!" My uncle and Cadence disappeared out the door.

In truth, it was my special day. Today was the reaping for the 74th Hunger Games, and I had been chosen by the district leaders to represent District One in the Games. Most would consider it a big honor; in a way, it was. Yet I was less than thrilled to be leaving my home behind. My uncle had cared for my sister and I for the past five years, since my parents died in a fire. Cadence was only four, so she didn't remember much. Jakob, my father's older brother, had graciously taken us in, and we had lived with him ever since. Of course, Cadence was often mistaken for Jakob's daughter, rather than his niece. They both had the same curly blonde hair, sapphire blue eyes, and slightly tan skin. My straight black hair, grayish-green eyes, and pale skin made me the outsider. Of course, Jakob treated me like his own son. He even trained me for the Games, in case I was ever reaped or chosen to volunteer.

I followed my uncle and sister as we began our walk to District One's Town Square, where all the reapings were held. After checking in, I went to stand with the other fifteen year old boys, while uncle Jakob and Cadence were led to the roped off area for adults and younger children. After a while the Capitol representative came to the stage. She launched into what a pleasure it was to be here, etc. After her tedious speech on the history of the Hunger Games, the rep finally walked over to two large glass balls, which contained the names of every eligible boy and girl in District One. Before reaching into the girls' ball, the rep called out,

"Do we have any volunteers?"

There was silence. I was a bit shocked; usually the district picked a girl to volunteer, yet no hands were raised. Suddenly, a startled gasp came from the sixteen year old girls section. A hand shot up, and a girl came forward. She looked like one of those porcelain dolls you see in antique shops: long, white blonde hair, pale blue eyes, and pale skin. The girl walked to the stage, and it was quite obvious to see she was slightly trembling. When asked her name by the Capitol representative, the girl murmured,

"Ruby Esmeralda Glitzy."

The rep then moved onto the boys. When she asked for volunteers, I raised my hand, and called,

"I volunteer as tribute!"

I made my way to the stage, and, after stating my name, shook hands with the girl, Ruby. In a way, I felt bad for her; her hand shook as it met mine. It was a bit strange that she had been chosen to volunteer; after all, she didn't look very strong. But then again, looks can be deceiving.

The Peacekeepers led us off into two separate rooms, for our final goodbyes. Cadence came first. She could hardly contain her excitement, rambling on about how I would win the Games and bring such honor to District One. Just as the Peacekeepers were about to lead her out, Cadence ran back to me. In her hand was a small golden locket, in the shape of a heart, on a slender gold chain.

"Here," she said, handing it to me. "It's for good luck. Don't look inside until you're alone. Love you, Ace!" Cadence embraced me, then allowed herself to be led away. Uncle Jakob was next.

"I assume that's Cadence's necklace?" my uncle chuckled. I nodded.

"Well, I suppose you'll be keeping that as your token. It was your mother's, you know. You're so much like her: your looks, you personality… She and your father would have been very proud." My uncle smiled.

"You'll do good, Ace. You are intelligent, and can hold your own. I have complete faith in you." Jakob embraced me, and as the Peacekeepers escorted him out, he winked.

Ruby Glitzy

When the Peacekeepers brought me into the small room to say my final goodbyes, I felt like tearing my hair out. I'd looked so stupid! I had been so wrapped up in my thoughts that I hadn't heard them ask for volunteers; then on stage, I was trembling like a child! I held my head in my hands. There was no way I was making it home alive.

The door opened, and my mother was led in, carrying Jada. For a while, we just stared at each other. Then my mother said,

"Ruby, I…." Tears formed in her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Ruby. This is all my fault. I should have been a better mother. I've failed you, all because of the morphling. My little girl…." Something broke inside of me. My own mother, who was usually emotionless, near lifeless, crying over my going into the Games.

"Mother, this isn't your fault," I said. "You couldn't have stopped this, any of this. My being chosen, the fire, dad…" Tears began to fall from my mother's eyes. "Just promise me, mother. Take care of Jada. If I don't come back…" My throat closed, and I couldn't speak. My mother nodded as if she understood.

"I promise, I'll take care of her, like I should have been doing." My mother offered me a slight smile. I should have told her how much I loved her, how great of a mother she had been, before the fire. But the Peacekeepers came and took my mother away before I could say another word.

I was brought out to the train station, where my partner stood. Funny; my partner looked just like him….I shook my head.

'No', I mentally scolded myself. 'He's gone. No amount of wishing can bring him back.'

Sighing inwardly, I boarded the train, my hatred of the Games growing with every step I took.

Yes! District One is complete! Let's welcome Ruby Glitzy and Ace Romanus! District Two is soon to come!

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