The following morning felt rushed and overwhelming. And for some reason it felt about 10 degrees warmer than it actually was. Azalea didn't know if sitting by the window contributed to that. The mirror that she looked into was broken unevenly down the side, and small, but otherwise it worked just fine. She turned her head to a profile view as she tied her hair back with a thin, dark green ribbon, and knotted it into a loose bow. Then she let her hands rest upon her lap and looked at the person staring back at her.
Even on occasions like this, she never wore make-up. She thought make-up just hid the true person someone was; the people who wore it weren't confident with themselves. Her dress matched the ribbon; same color, a velvety material and brown twine twisted for a neck border. Taking a breath in, she closed her eyes, and tried to find a peace within herself. She had done this every time before the reaping, since Luke was old enough to be a tribute. It had been the only way she could stay, at the very least, sane. She didn't go and gather with her family before it; looking upon Jasmine and Luke made guilt rise up inside of her. If either of them gets chosen today… I don't know what I'll do.
The knot in her stomach twisted painfully as she was called downstairs. She meandered and procrastinated as much as possible to avoid seeing the faces of her siblings. But she had to come down sooner or later. The last step was the most inflicting on her heart, and it took her the longest to get down. When she looked up her heart broke, and her control over her emotions fled to the unknown. Jasmine was clad in a pink dress that faded to a darker shade the closer it got to the bottom hem of the dress and her hair was entwined beautifully with matching ribbons. A flower was perched behind her ear. Luke was wearing a silk, sky blue outfit, which was similar to the one he went hunting in, only it was nicer and he kept this one only for occasions like this. (There weren't many) His hair was down for once, not pulled back by mangled twine. They both smiled weakly, feeling the same way, at her. "Hey Lea." They said in unison.
She could just barely keep the tears in. "Hey." They both had high chances of getting in. This may be the last time I ever see them. "Hey guys." Her voice was shaky; she thought her spine was crumbling. Jasmine couldn't contain herself either; in one swift movement she took a leap forward and embraced her too tightly. Azalea returned the gesture and Luke came in slowly. Throughout the small house, you could hear a melody of pitiful, soft sobs.
"I wish these stupid Games didn't exist." Jasmine cried. Luke stroked her hair. "We know, Minnie. We feel the same way." He was handling this best. It took them a little while to realize their parents were standing in the doorway to the entrance of the hall. Their countenances were both sympathetic and sad. Brutus' arm was wrapped around Abelia's shoulders. "You three ready?" Their mother asked, even though she knew they never truly would be.
But everything has to move on and end at some point. They nodded and kissed the cold skin of their parents' cheek as they sulked to the door. Azalea felt the weight of her emotions, as if she were chained by her ankles, dragging behind her as they ventured over to the reaping.
Having the large throng of people around her; she had never felt comfortable with it. On the opposite side of the crowd, she could hear several stifled whimpers and cries. A small boy to her left, who looked about seven or so, was trembling and clutching to his mother's dress. His eyes were wide and full of wonder and fear. Azalea wondered what his life was like, considering he wasn't old enough to be drawn from the reaping, but he had to look forward to it. Someone, who was named Titus, stepped up onto the platform; where the glass orbs filled with the names of all the eligible children of District 9 inside. She felt a hand slip into hers. When she looked over, she found the warm face of Silene, in a pure white dress. She wasn't smiling, but her friend's presence made her feel good.
"Welcome, people of District 9," his voice was booming and deep. "to the Reaping of the 99th Hunger Games!" No one expected the crowd to cheer and roar their approval. A quiet applause waved through the crowd. "As you all know," Azalea noticed the shine of grease in his jet black hair. And there was a wise shine in the dark eyes of his. "Every three years, on order of the Capitol at the 90th Hunger Games, two extra tributes are chosen from each district. Today is the third anniversary of that tradition. We are one Game away from the fourth Quarter Quell, as well." A pitiful, sickening reminder. It was only then that she remembered something else sickening. Her eyes wandered the horde, searching for Sors and his gang. It didn't take her long to catch sight of them. They were directly across from where she stood. When Sors caught her glance she smiled devilishly, and held up her necklace. There was determined voice that came from the look in his eyes. You're going down; you and all your little friends.
She made herself superior in the mind and lifted her chin. She sent him a final narrowed gaze before she looked back up at the stage. She had missed the speech about the Hunger Games, at least. But she still wasn't going to thank him for that.
"We'll choose the guys first!" Titus took a step to the glass orb and spun it around a few times. Then he reached in, his hand sunk deep into an ocean of paper. It didn't take him long to select one and pull free. He brought it to the level of his chest and unfolded it. Azalea could hear the blood pound at her temples, just begging to be released. Oh please… don't let it be Luke… please… "Derek Rhymel!" the booming voice bellowed.
Azalea stole a quick glance at Sors. His face had drooped with disappointment and frustration; and another emotion, grief she supposed. Not only was he going to lose his right hand man, but he had just lost a bet. In the attempt to keep a straight face, he slapped Derek on the back as he parted from the group and made his way up, gloomily, beside Titus. "Does wish to volunteer in his place?" Dead silence; the only reaction of the crowd. Sors might have offered, if he weren't so self-centered and lost for words.
"The girls next!" Titus called, moving on. Azalea squeezed Silene's hand, Silene tightened her grip too. There was sweat at both of their brows. And even if this name drawn wasn't one of them, they still had to worry about the next. The procedure was repeated for the orb that represented the girls and another name was drawn. Silene was the only thing keeping her from losing control of her spine right now. "Laelia Myrica!" A small girl, with sharp brown eyes, olive skin and wavy light brown hair strutted from in front of them, and joined Derek.
Satisfaction didn't exactly hit her when her name was called. But Azalea hadn't completely loathed her, yet she could never say she had liked her either. Laelia was one of the major ones who had made fun of Silene when they were younger. And she still made fun of Silene, and now her, of course, for standing up for her. Laelia had been with the popular crowd from the start.
Soon enough the boys' container was being spun again, and Titus was choosing yet another name. Azalea thought she could relax more, when the second boy's name was chosen. Her hypothesis was wrong. If anything, she was even more nervous. Subconsciously, she began to chew on her fingernails. "Caden Dire!"
That name rang in her head for a while, repeating over and over, like an echo. Caden Dire. Caden Dire. Caden Dire. The dire wolf was an extinct species of dog. She remembered that. But it wasn't the first thought in her mind. I liked that boy once.
She could see clearly from where she stood, he was parting with a family, his father, and two younger children. A hand desperately clutched his and pleaded. That must be his girlfriend. She thought. That was the reason she stopped liking him. Caden shot the girl, (who if she could recall correctly was named Lilac), a sympathetic gaze, and as he held it there, he slowly released her hand and made his way up to the front. She tried to mute out Lilac's sobs. Compared to the other two, Caden was a giant. He was slightly on the skinny side, but he was tall and lean. His hair was brown, (but had a tint of red to it) and his eyes were blue. Not Luke's sort of blue, a more summery misty tone. He moistened his lips and stood a little straighter.
The last name was about to be drawn. The crowd suddenly went deathly silent. This is it… Azalea began to think. Silene… oh, please Lord, not her. Not Minnie, either. No… it can't be either of them. They've got so much left to live for… please if anything… Titus was taking his time, a really long time, drawing the name. His hand sifted through the bowl, and spiraled around. The suspense was eating her from the inside. Just pick already, get it over with!
Titus could tell the rest of the crowd was feeling the same way. As gradually as possible he lifted the chosen name up to his face. Azalea's palms became sweaty, her heart pounded, she thought her ears went deaf. Why? Why does he have to make this difficult for all of us? Jasmine stood nearby, gripping on Luke's arm, his hand was entwined with his little sister's. Seconds and minutes ticked by as he unfolded the piece of paper. Just when Azalea thought her ears had been shot with a gun, she could hear, crystal clear as day, what the next name was. It went off like a cannon in her ear, compared to the others. Oh yes, it was like looking through the clean glass windows. "Azalea Fellin!"