As usual, it was a bright, roasting hot day in District 4. The sunlight caught the ocean and many lagoons and made the water shimmer beautifully. Many of the children waiting for their fate in the centre of the District were still wet, as most of them had been working since the very early hours of the morning. However odd this may seem to those watching at home , this was the norm for this District.
One of the few dry people in sight was the escort; a curvy girl who wore far too much makeup, tried to act like she was a teenager, and inserted an annoyingly fake laugh into every other sentence.
"Wooooo!" she screamed, running on stage waving her hands in the air.
"Hunger Gaaaaaaaaaaaames!"
The older members of the crowd erupted with applause and cheered, but the younger ones responded with much less enthusiasm.
"Alright then let's see what fine young man is going to represent us this year! Yeah!" The escort tottered over to the male reaping bowl in her ridiculous heels and stuck her hand into it. She swirled it around and finally plucked out a piece of paper. She took great care unfolding it, and announced "Jebodiah Smith!"
A tall, lean boy of sixteen emerged from the crowd and ran on stage where he high fived the escort, whom, despite her ridiculous choice of shoes, could not see above the boys sandy hair.
"Yeah!" he shouted, trying to raise a round of applause from the crowd.
He managed to arouse a few claps and cheers but also a few "boo's". He didn't seem to care.
"Ahaha!" The escort laughed annoyingly. Now let's see what lovely young lady gets the honour of being tribute for District 4! Wooo!"
She went over to the bowl full of female names, almost galloping in anticipation. She took one out and read aloud
"Chloe Imrie!"
A small girl of fourteen stumbled forward from the crowd, her wet light brown hair weighed down with water clung to her forehead and down her back.
She slowly made her way up to the stage in almost complete silence, the only noise that could be heard was the distant crash of the waves hitting the District's shore. Chloe stood rigidly next to Jebodiah. The bright sun shining in her pale face causing her to squint her light brown eyes.
"Now come on you two! Shake hands!"
Jebodiah turned round and beamed at Chloe, but she , however, did not move.
"Oh for goodness sake Chloe!" the escort hollered.
Chloe reluctantly turned round and shook her counterparts hand, and gave him an insincere smile.
"Now thats better! Hehe ladies and gentlemen, your tributes from District 4!"