A/N: Here's chapter 2! Thanks for those who reviewed last chapter and I hope you enjoy this one! :)
Aria's POV (age 14)
Today is reaping day. Obviously, I'm not going into the Games this year because I'm only fourteen. Even if I get reaped, someone will volunteer. It is district 2 after all…
I wake up and see a note on my nightstand:
Aria, it's reaping day. You better look perfect or else.
-Dad
Ps. Don't forget to train before you leave.
There's that "perfect" word again. I still have no clue what it means… I've spent the past 3 years trying to figure it out, but I still can't…
According to Dad, perfect means any time that I'm like Lydia, which isn't that often since we are different people with different personalities. Any time that I do something that Lydia didn't do, wouldn't do, or never did when I was my age, Dad hurts me in different ways.
My body when I'm not dressed looks like someone who was in a battle. It is full of scars, bruises, and wounds galore.
Not to mention, I also have various stab wounds and scars from knives that spell out words like "bitch," "imperfect," and "fake."
This is why I hate Lydia. Her "perfectness" is going to get me killed one day. I've been hospitalized several times for blood loss and that's only because dad was trying to write the word "imperfect" on my stomach with a knife.
I end up going to the training center and only see a few people there. I still can't believe Dad made me do this… but it's either train, or get the word "failure" next to "bitch"…
I start off by running 3 laps around the gym, lifting weights and throwing knives. I then decide to leave since I need to get ready for the reaping.
I shower and put on reaping clothes. A strapless pink gown that resembles a prom dress, black heels, and throw my hair into a half up-half down style. I then put on makeup to cover up my scars and to "beautify" my naturally beautiful face, and I feel totally fake. But this is what Lydia would do…
Ugh I freaking hate Lydia! She's a whore and neither of my parents realizes that! I spend my time trying to be a clone of her and I don't even know who I am anymore!
I walk downstairs and see my dad reading a newspaper.
"You finally look perfect for once Aria," he says.
"Thanks," I say.
"Just like your sister," he says.
Of course. Everything for Lydia. Everything is about her too…
"Of course. I always have to be exactly like her, right? That's what makes me perfect? When I do something like her and not be myself?" I ask.
"You always have to be like Lydia. The more you are like Lydia, the more perfect you are," he says.
"But why can't I just be myself?" I ask.
"Because that's not who I want you to be," he says.
"But I don't want to be like Lydia! I want to me myself! My name is Aria, not Lydia," I say.
"I don't care what you want Aria. You must act like Lydia. Right now you are being a bitch and Lydia was never a bitch to me," he says.
"Well that's because she's a whore! And I guess that a bitch is who I really am! And I'm proud of it!" I say.
"I would whip you with my belt right now, but you're all ready for reaping, so afterwards I'll whip you. And it is never good to be a bitch," he says.
"Yeah well it's never good to abuse your children either, but you still do it!" I say.
"That's because I have a reason to!" he says.
"You know there are other ways to tell me what I did wrong, other than to carve it into my body!" I say.
"You know what bitchface? Just get out of my house now!" he says.
"Fine," I say and walk to the square.
The square is starting to fill up. I walk to the section marked off for fourteen year olds and wait for the mayor to give his speech. While he's giving the speech, I zone out and start to think about what's going to happen when I get home after the reaping. I'm going to get so many new bruises my body will turn into a bluish purpleish mess.
I just wish that for once, I could finally be myself and not get abused for it. Every time I do something like me and not like Lydia, fear runs through my mind. Who saw me not act like Lydia? Will they tell my dad? If so, what will he do to me when he finds out I'm not perfect?
I snap back to reality and realize, today could change my life. I could get reaped and I would avoid a whipping session! Then, when I win, I'll finally be perfect in his eyes because I won!
I see Reyana reaching into the bowl with the female tributes' names in there. My name is in there only three times, for each year I have been eligible to be reaped.
She reaches into the bowl and pulls out a slip, the name reads as…
"Aria Shaster!" she says.
Yes! I was reaped! Now I won't get abused anymore by Dad!
I walk to the stage with confidence and smirk down at the people of district two, already looking like someone who knows that they're going to win.
Then an eighteen year old boy whose name is Donevin volunteers for whoever was reaped. Donevin and I shake hands with Donevin and I am ushered to the Justice Building to say my goodbyes.
My parents are first.
"Just do everything that Lydia did and you'll be fine," my dad says.
"Aria, you got this. You can win and we'll be waiting," my mom says.
"Bitchface, you're going to win. Good luck with Donevin though, he's strong," Dad says.
"Okay. Is there anything else?" I ask seeming bored.
"Here's your token," my mom says pulling out a diamond bracelet from her bag, "It was your grandmother's before she died. She gave it to me saying to pass it on to you, but I never found the right time to do so, so I'm giving it to you now."
I take it and put it on my wrist. It actually looks nice with my dress…
"Thank you," I say.
"Just remember, as long as you have a knife, you will be a victor. Do you have a knife on you right now?" my dad asks.
"Yes," I say.
"Good," my mom says.
"Where is it?" Dad asks.
"It's a small pocket knife that I shoved in my bra," I say.
"Good," Dad says.
The Peacekeeper knocks and I give my mom a hug as my dad rushes to leave.
"Goodbye sweetie. I'll be here when you return," she says.
"Bye mom," I say before she leaves.
My sister is the next one to visit.
"Win. Just like I did," she says.
"Okay bitchface. Any other instructions?" I ask.
"I hate you," she says.
"I love you too!" I say sarcastically.
"Bitch," she says and leaves.
The peacekeepers let me know that it is time to board the train to the Capitol.
My name is Aria Shaster. I am not perfect and I am punished for that. My scars tell my past, but the knife in my bra will tell the future. The future of my victory. Maybe then when I win, I will be Aria Shaster instead of Lydia Shaster's clone.
I still don't know who I am really, but people say that I'm a bitch. So a bitch I will be until I learn more about myself through other tributes and the Games.
A/N: Sorry for the shortness of the chapter… I hope you enjoyed it :) review! And you get to meet the tributes next chapter! :)
And Donevin was originally played by MydniteShadow1996, then got taken over by Claire-DaThug, and then finally by AndItsGonnaBeTotallyAwesome.
