5/7/14

Hi again! I'm sorry I took so long to update. I was going to sooner, but between school and helping my dad set up our pool I've barely had any spare time. Fortunately, tomorrow is my last day of school since I'm homeschooled, and the pool is almost up, so I'll have more time to update :)

Thank you Jess54325 following and favorite-ing, and faeriepizza for following!

Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games or anything else I may mention.

…..

Chapter 3: The Reaping: Johanna's POV

I stare at myself in the mirror, studying my reflection. I can't help but feel nervous about today. If my suspicions are correct, today our escort will call my name in the Reaping. I've never felt nervous for the Reaping before. It's not like I've ever taken a tessera or anything like that, so I've always had slim odds.

I walk over to my closet and try to decide what to wear. I need to look inconspicuous, as if I'm just an ordinary girl who's scared to death of the Reaping, so I can't wear everyday clothes like Maple and I normally do. That would be an extreme sign of arrogance. Instead, I should wear a dress. I notice something shoved to the back of my closet. I push all the other clothes forwards so I can get it. It's a small, light brown dress with black straps and a bow in the back that is an even lighter shade of brown.

I instantly recognize the dress. It's the same dress my aunt wore the year she was Reaped. This will make a nice slap in the face for the Capitol. I quickly slip it on and kick my nightgown into the corner of my room out of habit. I pick it up and put it in the laundry basket like I'm supposed to. I brush my hair and exit my room.

I notice my mother sitting at the bottom of the steps, deep in thought. I slowly walk down the stairs and sit next to her.

"Are you okay?" I ask her.

"I don't know," she answers softly.

"You know, this could just be a fluke. Maybe President Snow was just trying to scare us?"

She shakes her head and gets up.

"Or not. But it's okay, I'm good with an axe, right?"

"Of course Johanna. You're an axe prodigy," Mom smiles, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes.

"Yeah… whatever that means…" I say awkwardly.

"It just means you're very good with an axe for someone your age."

I can't argue with that. I'm better than all the other girls in my class, most of the boys too. I've been called "the crazy axe lady" a couple of times, but it's worth the bragging rights.

We hear a knock at the door and I go to open it.

"Hey Dad," I mumble as Blight walks in.

"Well, look at that. We're not on a first name basis anymore, are we daughter?"

Needless to say, Blight has always had the tendency to make jokes at inappropriate times. You'd think he would have grown out of it by now, having a teenager and all that, but he hasn't. And for once it actually makes me smile.

"Don't get used to it," I reply. He walks in and sits down on the couch.

"Do you have a strategy?"

"What?" I ask.

"Do you have a strategy?" Blight repeats.

"Oh umm….." I don't exactly want anyone to know my strategy. It feels like it would ruin the effect.

"So you don't know what you're doing?"

"No, not exactly… I just… look, I do know what I'm doing… just… trust me. Please?"

"Don't worry, I do trust you. I'm just worried."

"Come on, we don't want to miss the Reaping," Mom says sadly.

….

The walk to the Reaping is as silent as ever. When we get there, I prick my finger for the idiots from the Capitol, and I go to the 15 year old section. I deeply breathe in and out, trying to get in character. I can't believe I'm actually gonna do this.

I feel a tap on my shoulder and I quickly spin around. There stands Maple, rebellious as ever.

"Wow, the great Johanna Mason's getting soft on me, isn't she?" Maple says, flipping her reddish-brown hair.

"Ha, very funny. My Mom made me wear this," I say, rolling my eyes. I'm not planning on telling Maple what happened last night. It's too risky.

"Well, it sure is hideous. Brown isn't your color."

"I dunno. I kind of like it," I say defensively. No point in getting in character with Maple around.

"Oh d-"

"Maple Woods! My mother is here!" I say, hoping she gets the message.

It's not like it makes too much of a difference anyways. Mom is used to her cursing by now. She told me that every time Maple cusses, I should replace it with a different word in my head. Which, in my opinion, is stupid advice, but I do it anyways.

"Oh, right, well you can tell that-" idiot "-that she isn't the boss of me!" Maple declares.

"So as you were saying," I laugh.

"I was about to say, 'Oh-" dolphin "- here come the Victors."

Sure enough, Ivy Birch and Pine Larkforest ascend the stairs and sit next to Blight.

Pine is a rather old man with gray hair that was once dark brown and amber eyes. He won the 4th Hunger Games at the age of 18, so he's about 80-ish. Ivy is a year younger than Blight, with short black hair and leaf green eyes. She won the 40th Hunger Games at the age of 13, making her one of the youngest Tributes to ever win the Games.

I notice Ivy whispering nervously to Blight. Blight nods his head sadly and Ivy lays her hand on his shoulder. Then Mayor Rowan walks onstage and starts giving his speech (which Maple promptly starts mocking). After what happened last night, I never want to hear another speech ever again, but unfortunately I have to. He reads the list of District 7's 4 Victors (the other one died before I was born. Her last name happens to be Maple so I always tease my friend about it).

Edward appears out of seemingly nowhere and strides onto the stage. He struts over to the girls' bowl and pulls out a name. I nervously tap my foot as I prepare to put my plan into action.

He unfolds the name very slowly to add suspense (what an idiot). What if this is all a big misunderstanding? What if President Snow didn't mean what we thought he did? What if we're just overreacting?

"Well, isn't this a surprise!"

That's it, I'm doomed.

"Our female Tribute this year is Johanna Mason!"

Maple's eyes widen in shock, and I pretend to be twice as shocked. At first, I'm almost afraid I won't be able to, but slowly fake tears drip out of my eyes. I make sure to tremble a bit for added effect.

"Come on up dearie, we haven't got all day!" Edward says, his three red eyes glowering at me like a spider about to eat its prey.

I let out a whimper and slowly creep up the stage. Those who don't know me give me a sympathetic glance. Those who do raise their eyes in confusion.

"Now, let's Reap our male Tribute!" Edward says as I continue crying and whimpering. "Grover Cedara!"

A boy who appears to be somewhere between the ages of 14 and 16 slowly walks onstage. Unlike me however, he doesn't cry. Most Tributes try to seem strong.

I wipe the tears from my eyes and get a glance at my mom. Unlike my tears, hers' are real.

"District 7, I give you your Tributes: Johanna Mason and Grover Cedara!"

…..

So… I'll try to update by Saturday, if nothing more important comes up.

Quote of the day!

"Yes, I'm the new mascot! So let's go out there and… beat the other guys at… whatever it is we are doing!" Shrek, Shrek the Third

Sorry if I misquoted that, it's been a while since I've seen that movie.

Iku Ze, and may titan clan light your path,

Jeena the Spectrobes Princess