I wake up the next morning, relieved to not have any more bad dreams. Long beams of sunlight shine through the window, reflecting off of the calm blue water. It's a shame that such a lovely day has to be the setting for such a cruel event. She will not be chosen, I insist. She will not be chosen.
I walk down the stairs, rushing to eat breakfast so I can run outside. I grab a banana and my new present and sprint out of the beaten up screen door that leads to the backyard. I eat my banana rapidly as I look around the yard, trying to get as much swimming time as possible before the Reaping. Our backyard is all sand, with a few plastic toys strewn around for Tanner. He doesn't use them anymore, but they were his favorite things in the world when he was younger. I put on the flippers and the mask, eager to hop in. Once everything is situated, I trudge into the crystalline waters, hoping to see some aquatic life.
When Panem rose from the ashes of what once called North America, and the Districts were established, District 4 passed multiple ordinances that protected the waters surrounding it. District 4 wanted to make sure that it could remain self-sufficient if something were to happen to Panem. We all are pretty self-sufficient; only a fraction of the fish caught in District 4 are transported to the Capitol or other districts. The ordinances prevent anyone from throwing trash into the water or anywhere with fifty feet of it, so that no fish or other animals can harm themselves by accident. It keeps the fish healthy for when we need to catch them.
I look around the clear ocean water and see some odd fish swimming around in a school. I paddle a bit closer to the school and swim down further, but my snorkel fills with water and I choke. I swim back up to the surface and after coughing for a few seconds, I swim back to shore and decide I've had enough. Why am I doing this when I could be walking to Annie's house? I throw the snorkeling stuff on the deck, leaving it for Tanner who will probably find much more interest in it than I did.
I go back inside and grab some decent clothes. I put them on, knowing that I will return later to get cleaned up. As I start to walk down the street, I run my hands through my hair, feeling the stickiness of salt water from swimming. I smile. District 4 really is my home, nothing will ever change that.
I continue walking and run into a few people along the way. We exchange greetings and they express their hopes that I'm not chosen. After walking for a little while, I encounter my two favorite people in the world. Brittany and Shelly. Great. These two are considered the "popular" girls at school, representing the snobby, arrogant part of the Beach. They constantly fawn over me, and I absolutely dread talking to them.
"Hey, Finnick," says Brittany, drawing out both words flirtatiously. "What are you up to?"
"Oh. Hey," I respond, rolling my eyes and using a tone that points out the fact that I'm not happy to see them. "Nothing, just walking around."
"The Beach?" Shelly questions in her shrill, squeaky voice. "You're not going to see that freak girl, are you? What was her name again? Anna?"
This is why I hate them. They think that Annie walks around like she owns all of District 4, when, really, they're the ones that do. On top of that, they don't actually care about me or almost anyone but themselves.
You see, Brittany and Shelly are the kind of girls who prance around, looking for boys that they think are attractive and then scaring their targets into dating them. They couldn't care less about their victims, they just do it so they can say that they did. "Oh, look at me. I went out with this one." "Don't forget me, I went out with that one." They're snarky, pathetic girls and I can't stand them.
"Yes, as a matter of fact, I am going to see Annie. Do you have a problem with that?" I reply.
They roll their eyes simultaneously and start to walk away. Have they given up? I wonder as I go on my way towards my destination. Hopefully.
I finally arrive at Annie's home. I walk up the steps and the door opens without me even having to knock. Annie's mother stands inside the door, looking worried and distraught. Is there something wrong?
"Oh, Finnick! Thank goodness you're here!" she exclaims, answering my mental question. "Annie is in her room. She refuses to leave. Will you talk to her? I think it might help."
"Of course," I answer. I walk up the stairs, taking my time. When we were younger, Annie and I used to race up the stairs, pushing and shoving each other into the wall, trying to slow each other down. We'd always laugh afterwards and the winner would get to throw a pillow at the loser. This was before we had to worry about Reaping Day, when all we cared about was running around and playing games.
I reach the top of the stairs and turn towards the direction of Annie's room. I can hear her pouting about something from down the hall. I walk to her door and open it. I am greeted with a pillow in my face almost immediately after I walk through the door. The pillow falls on the ground and I pick it up, starting to walk towards Annie, who is lying on her bed. She grabs another pillow and holds it out in front of her, trying to shield herself. She knows me so well. I smack the pillow out of her hand and throw mine onto the ground as well, a sign of peace.
"Good morning!" I say as happily and enthusiastically as I can. "Now get out of bed or I'll grab another pillow!"
Annie laughs and then realizes what she did. She immediately shuts her mouth and crosses her arms, clamming up. I lift her up like a sack of potatoes and carry her off her bed, out of her room, and down the stairs to the living room. All the while, she screams her head off as if she's being murder. I set her down on the couch and put my finger to my mouth, telling her to get quiet. She closes her mouth and crosses her arms again and I sigh, taking a seat next to her.
"Annie," I say gently. "Calm down. It'll be okay. Honestly. You're acting like a child."
"You're acting like a child," she mocks. At least I got her to speak to me. Annie's mother walks into the room a few seconds later, carrying a tray of fruit and bread. I'm still pretty hungry, considering my breakfast consisted of a banana. I grab an apple and a slice of bread and nibble on them.
"Ah, I see you got her out of bed," she says to me. "Thank you. Now, both of you. Eat up! You've only an hour before you-know-what."
Annie's mom has always been smart and careful with her words, especially around Annie. She knows that if she says the wrong thing, people can lose their temper very quickly. I respect her for this ability of always thinking before speaking. It's just not something I can manage.
Annie and I eat the food that was so nicely prepared for us, occasionally exchanging looks, but never speaking. When we finish, I tell her I have to go or else my mother will go ballistic. Annie nods in response, still not speaking, and very soon, I am on my way home.
When I walk through the door, my mother is waiting for me. She eyes me for a few seconds, looking angry. Then a wave of happiness washes over her, calming her, and she speaks.
"Good morning, Finnick," she says. "Reaping is in forty-five minutes, so go and shower. We want you looking nice."
I follow her directions and march upstairs. I step into the warm water after undressing. I just stand there and for a couple moments before washing my hair. I scrub myself clean and towel off, then proceeding to my bedroom. I walk in and see that something has already been laid out for me. A white dress shirt and khakis. The normal attire for boys during the Reaping.
I put it on along with a pair of brown loafers and a brown belt and walk downstairs. My mother smiles. The kind of smile that moms give their sons as if saying "You look so handsome!" that kind of smile. Her expression quickly changes to a worried look and she runs up to me.
"Finnick!" she yells. "You forgot to comb your hair! Let me fix that for you!"
I hold her by her shoulders and look her straight in the eyes. "Mom. I've got it covered," I assure her. "I know how to manage myself." I grab a comb and walk to the vanity nearby. I comb my hair back to please my mother, creating a small bump in the front. When I finish shaping the rest back, I turn to her. "Good?" I ask.
She smiles. "Perfect," she remarks. I smile. Her expression changes again and she turns to the stairs. "Trenton! Faster!" she yells to my father.
"I'm coming, I'm coming," my father says, carrying Tanner down the stairs on his shoulders. Tanner wears a miniature version of what I'm wearing, while my father wears a nice light blue dress shirt with black pants and a tie. On the tie, there is a tiny pin of a fish that his father gave to him before he passed away. The pin is pure silver and it means a lot to my father. Judging from the time when he was alive, my grandfather was very close and kind to my dad. It shows in my dad's personality.
My mother smiles again when she sees them. My mother is a beautiful woman. She has flowing brown hair and chocolate brown eyes, with almost no signs of aging. She goes swimming every day to keep herself healthy and refreshed. Both of my parents are extremely loving towards Tanner and me, and I appreciate it greatly.
My mother claps her hands twice, loudly. "Alright, time to go!" she announces. We'll be late if we don't leave now!"
My father nods in agreement and we start our walk. The District Square is just north of the Market, about ten minute walk from our house. As we walk along the bluestone streets, I notice the nervous looks on everyone's faces. The children walk stiffly with fear plastered onto their faces, and their parents following gingerly behind. Most of the Coast residents dread Reaping Day each year, as not many of the children train for the Games. The Beach denizens, however, mostly look forward to it, except for a few families, such as Annie's. Annie's parents didn't want to put her through the daily brutality of Career training.
As we pass through the Market, my father abruptly stops and stares at one of the very few stands that stays open on Reaping Day. He mutters a few words to the clerk and hands him a few macks. The clerk disappears for a few moments and returns with a bag of small oranges, handing them over to my father. We continue walking and my father takes out one for each of us. My mother gives him a look.
"Just something to hold us over," he explains. My mother nods and peels Tanner's orange quietly. We all peel and eat our oranges in silence, as we have arrived at the District Square.
The Square of District 4 is basically a petite Capitol, carved out of shiny metals and surrounded by multiple shops that sell anything from flashlights to clothing. Right in the middle of the Square is the Justice Building, where laws are established and the Peacekeeper Corps reports to work. If someone were to die, their family could visit here and receive a small sum of money to live off of. Currently, the Square is covered with banners and decorations, as the Capitol treats it as a huge festivity.
I sigh, feeling tension in my stomach and nerves all over my body. Most of the children in the crowd look the same. I scout out the area for Annie, but I can't seem to find her, seeing as District 4 is one of the most populated districts in Panem.
My mother touches the back of my shoulder and I jump, startled. I look at her and sense worry in her eyes. That little glint in the corner and the way her eyebrows and slanted downwards gives it away. She opens her to mouth to speak but I stop her.
"I'll be fine, Mom," I say. "I promise." She looks at the ground and then back at me. She nods understandingly and walks away with Tanner and my father to where the adults and younger children sit to watch the reaping. When they find their seats on the side of the Square, I turn to registration. Before starting towards it, I shake off every nerve restraining me. I have to contain myself.
I walk slowly to the check-in desk and get in line with the rest of the boys. I see that the boy in front of me is one of my classmates and friends, Lucah. I tap him lightly on the shoulder and he snaps around quickly. I jump a bit, surprised at his sudden reaction, and he notices.
"Sorry, Finnick. I'm just really on edge today," he says. Isn't everyone?
"It's alright," I offer in reply. "You're not going to be chosen, okay? Just forget about it. After today, you can go back to taking care of your sisters."
He nods and goes silent, turning back around to face the registration desk. I understand that he wants to be left alone, so I keep my mouth shut.
I close my eyes and think of Annie. If I can't see her in the crowd, might a well just imagine I can, right? Picturing our peaceful childhood memories seems to soothe me. Suddenly, I am tapped on the back by someone behind me and I calmly turn around. I don't recognize the boy, but he points in the other direction and I see that the line in front of me has vanished. I blush and step up to the desk awkwardly, holding out my index finger.
"Name?" asks the Peacekeeper in charge of registration.
"Finnick Odair," I state blankly. The Peacekeeper nods and takes hold of my finger. She pokes it with a sharp shock tool and holds it down of a sheet of something paper-like. My blood forms a fingerprint where I hold my finger. The Peacekeeper dismisses me and I walk over to stand in a group with other fourteen year olds. I am friends with most of them, but no one wants to talk today.
Including me.
I hear a voice boom across the Square as boys and girls continue to sign in. "Attention, District 4!" says the voice of whom I recognize as the mayor's. "Welcome to the Reaping of the 65th Annual Hunger Games!"
Mayor Trowsend is the most pampered man in all of District 4, getting a huge house in the Beach and countless Capitol luxuries almost whenever he wants. He's a modest man, though, and the special treatment doesn't go to his head. He's a normal man with three children. Lucah and his two sisters.
Being the mayor, Mr. Trowsend is almost always at the Justice Building for work, leaving the kids at home, by themselves. Lucah manages all of the cooking for his sisters, along with managing house cleaning and schoolwork, as their mother died a few years ago. A busy life. Lucah can manage it though. His chances for being reaped are slim, though, so he shouldn't be worrying as much as he is.
The mayor gives the normal speech for the reaping: the Treaty of Treason. After that, the inevitable happens. Our district escort.
"And now, please welcome Dakota, the escort of District 4!" says the Mayor enthusiastically as Dakota leaves her chair and waves to the audience. The crowd is roaring with nervous applause as she makes her way to the microphone.
"Thank you, Mr. Mayor," she says in her Capitol accent as Mayor Trowsend takes his seat next to the mentors and Cod. Dakota watches as the Mayor takes his seat and then turns back to the crowd, brimming with excitement. "Now then, let's begin!"
Dakota struts across the stage in her silly outfit, a puffy green wig and an azure blue dress, decked out with sequins and pointy shoulder pads. To top it all off, her face is caked with make-up and she is sporting six inch purple pumps, the heels shaped like little fish. She reaches the girls' reaping bowl and forces her hand into the pool of paper slips. After twirling her tiny hand around the bowl a few times, Dakota snags a small strip of paper walks back to the microphone. Once she reaches her spot, she gives a dazzling smile and unfolds the paper.
"Marina Overby!" she yells excitedly. Poor girl, I think and then realize who was just called up. Marina. From the fruit stand.
I look around, trying to spot her, and finally, I see her walk up to the stage stiffly. Her face is white as sea foam. She has her hands behind her back, no doubt clenched together in a vice grip. She must be questioning if this is real or not, but it is. Completely real.
"Give it up for your female tribute!" yells Dakota, squeezing the microphone stand. Marina smiles weakly. Dakota gives another smile and begins to start another sentence. "Any volunteers?" she asks.
Volunteers! That's right! Someone has to volunteer for marina. I start looking around, seeing if anyone will go in her place. After about a minute, no one speaks up. I sigh heavily and look back up at the stage.
"Alright, I suppose not!" says Dakota. "Now for the boys!" She walks to the boys' reaping ball and that's when I cross my fingers that neither Lucah nor I will e picked. Dakota grabs a slip and struts back to the microphone, just like before. She gives another dazzling smile, just like before, and she opens the paper carefully, just like before.
She takes a deep inhale before calling out the name and I hold my breath. "Finnick Odair!" she yells and the blood drains out of my face. No! This isn't happening. This can't be happening. Tanner, Annie, my parents, I can't just leave them all!
I straighten up unconsciously, with no control over my legs, and start walking towards the stage. An expressionless look cemented on my face, I walk up the stairs and over to my place on the stage. I can't hear anything other than a ringing in my head as I watch Dakota speak. I turn my eyes towards the crowd and notice my mother, pale as a ghost, covering her mouth with her hands. I keep looking around and I see Annie, crying into the palms of her hands, and I can't do anything about it.
My hearing returns as Dakota stares at me, as if expecting something. I turn to Marina and she has her hand held out in front of her. I grab it and give it a firm shake as the crowd bursts into applause.
"Ladies and gentlemen, your District 4 tributes for the 65th Annual Hunger games!" yells Dakota as I realize that there were no volunteers. Absolutely none. For either of us.
Do we even stand a chance?