District 2 – Tanya Ravenwood (16)

Even if I'm reaped, someone will volunteer, so I'm not too worried about how I look today. I sing as I walk. There is a dull silence in the district, not many people looking at me, which is unusual. I assume it's because I'm of reaping age, but people usually volunteer, so that can't be it. Well, I am wearing torn tights, a baggy singlet, no shoes and have extremely bloodshot eyes, so maybe that's it. Last night obviously wasn't the best. I stayed in the Library bathroom. There is no surveillance there, so it's safe. I mean, I could go home, but that would actually require me to see and talk to my dad.

It's not fun to see your dad bring home a different lady every night. Sometimes they would talk to me. Don't please, you are beneath me. You know that really old story Bambi right? Where Bambi's mum dies and then Bambi is alone? Well that's like my entire life story, they should've asked me for the rights, I'd be rich. Because of my dad's newfound 'tendencies' I find it easier to just walkaround this district than stay at home. Just like Bambi, I have been forced out on my own. Except Bambi's dad didn't own a mansion with 4 levels. Mine did. Yeh, that's how bad it is. Which in turns brings us back to myself strolling the streets in torn tights, a baggy singlet and no shoes.

Whatever, no one will care if I rock up to the reaping like this anyway. I hope to blend in, I should probably get a shawl or cowl or something to cover up my hair if I hope to blend. My see-through skin and platinum blond hair don't exactly do me any favours in a situation like this. The more detached from reality I appear, the more people leave me alone, the more rumours they spread, the more rumours my dad hears and then the more my pleas for attention and love fall at the feet of a desolate soul.

'Maybe I should just volunteer then.'

I've said that a couple of times. Just to see if he still loves me. I haven't had a response in three years.

Reaping:

The boys called first. Lanius Marais. I swear I've never seen this guy before. Trust me, I would know it if I have. He is like Popeye on spinach, except replace spinach with protein powder and replace Popeye with a T-Rex. He obviously volunteered. Replacing a whimpering 13-year-old boy with braces. Not only is he humongous in every way, he is so poised and might I add, gorgeous.

TANYA RAVENWOOD. A voice is screaming, I mean screaming! I didn't even notice because I was examining the ripples of muscles on the forearm of the new tribute. Now though, I'm fully aware of what is happening. Someone is calling out my name, which is impossible. We should have a volunteer. I don't actually WANT to go in, I only say that to my dad to get a rise out of him. By now, the Peacekeepers are barging their way through the crowd to drag me onto stage like a ragdoll. This isn't right. This ISN'T right! WHERE is our volunteer!

Oh no, I know what's going to happen next and I can't help it. I start screaming. I'm actually being dragged across the ground and I'm screaming.

'WHERE IS THE VOLUNTEER,' 'WHERE IS THE VOLUNTEER'. Why do I always make things worse?

As I am forced onto stage I am now fully aware of the situation and my eyes widen in shock. Let me recap for you. Okay, so, I'm wearing torn tights, a baggy singlet, no shoes, bloodshot eyes, I've just been dragged through the dirt, my hair is a mess, I screamed for a volunteer and now I stand here, in front of my district with dirt caked onto my face.

Well Tanya, you certainly know how to make an entrance.

I manage a bit of a wave and smile now. Is it too late? Do I still look like an idiot? My district partner clearly thinks I'm an idiot. He's standing about two metres away and staring at me with a smirk on his face whilst he is shaking his head. WHILST he is shaking his head, could it get any worse?

Well it does. His eyes flow back onto the crowd in front of him, so my eyes follow. This time I know we are searching for different things. I know my dad won't come to see me goodbye. I know it. So I try for one last look. One last linger, to see if I mean something to him. Let me reword that…to see if I meant something to him.

Eyes glossing over face after face in the crowd searching for him until I finally spot him. There he is….

Arm around a woman, whispering in her ear, laughing and giggling with her. I stare at him and catch his eye for a brief moment. He knows. And now he knows that I know. So what does he do? He turns and walks off and I know that now; I will forever be haunted by this moment, and so will he. The only problem for him is that my forever is sure to be a lot less than his.

Submissions are still OPEN!
At the moment I have openings for Males Districts: 1,4,5,7,9,12

& Females Districts: 9

Remember to include what they look like. And also possibly what you want to happen in the POV chapter. Hope you liked this one!