Reaping day. Everyone's always gloomy. I've known it since I was little.
I get dressed quickly. I put on a purple velvet dress. It's my favorite.
Once I'm finished getting dressed, I go around the house cheering everyone up.
My mother sits down in a chair once she's ready.
Amber is struggling with her dress. It's green and white and fluffy.
"Let me help you with that."
Amber stops struggling for a moment.
"See, the sleeve is inside out. Let me get it out."
Amber waits patiently.
Once I get out the sleeve she pulls on the dress fully.
Kembrith finishes just then.
My father stands up. "Finished."
"Dad, you forgot a belt loop!" I giggle.
"What?" Dad looks down. "Oh!"
I laugh.
Mom prepares breakfast. "Breakfast" turns out to be a very small piece of bread for each of us and two apples to share.
It's better than nothing.
Now that I'm not cheering everyone up, I get nervous. The odds aren't in our favor.
I stare at my bread slice. Amber nibbles at hers. Only Kembrith starts eating.
"Come on, you two." Dad urges us.
I eat the bread, then take part of an apple.
Usually by now Kembrith would leave for roof jumping.
When I was eight, he let me come with him. It was fun, but also scary.
I remember last year when I tried to do it myself. It was fun at first, but then I slipped on the Radshills' roof. I ended up scratching at the roof for at least a half hour before finally losing my grip. Luckily, I only ended up with a sprained ankle.
Kembrith took the blame.
Before I know it, it's time to leave for the reaping.
It's okay. You're only in six times. I tell myself repeatedly.
I finally stop thinking about it.
...
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