LUX
Rays of golden yellow sunlight poured in through my shades, which were slightly open, even though I was positive I had shut them before dozing off last night. I tried to avoid the bright sun hitting my emerald eyes, but light still pounded on my eyelids, begging for entrance. With an annoyed huff, I gathered myself together and sat up. My abnormally large sized circle bed looked like it was made for a king, which I would be in a few weeks. I would be after my defeat of the twenty three other tributes. I will be the king.
Rubbing my tired eyes awake, I pushed my cold toes into a pair of black slippers made from the softest wool you could find. I pushed forward my bedroom door and dragged my still slumbering legs to the kitchen. A whole plate of pancakes had been prepared, a first from my mother. It was only because today was the reaping.
I piled as many pancakes onto my plate as it would hold and drizzled the thick maple syrup over the top. Mesmerized, I watched as it oozed down the sides, gliding over the baked dough. I stared at it like it was the last home meal I would have in ages, and that's because it was. My mother, Melinda, doesn't really care about us much, except when it comes to winning the games. Maybe it can finally be time to prove her wrong, and have home cooked meals more then just once a year.
After shoveling the last bite of syrup-logged pancake in my mouth, I wiped my face with my napkin and made my way back to my room. I needed to look presentable, the whole Capitol will be watching me today.
I washed up quickly and thoroughly, soaping up where I needed to. I let the water cascade down my back, savoring my last home shower before the games. Wrapping my beige skin in a towel, I ran a comb trough my golden tresses and gave myself a smile in the mirror. Today was as good as any to be confident, even cocky. With that I slid on my heather gray suit under my dark navy dress shirt and gave my reflection one last smile. For good luck, I think.
Suddenly the door to my room was being shoved open and a voice slightly higher then my own remarked, "We`re leaving now Lux, even I`m ready." The voice came from my brother, Agate. Only two years younger and at age 16, he still has two years of training before he is in my place. I frown at him and turn towards my door. I am ready to volunteer.
At the center of our town, the Reaping is just beginning. Our escort, Mathilda Burke, paced along side the stage, waiting for everyone to be ready. I glanced at her outfit, a strange mixture of pin-straight tennis ball yellow hair and a fuchsia pantsuit. Soon I would be surrounded by people just like her. And for some strange reason, I couldn't be more elated. It was all my family has ever wanted, for me to win the games. And their view on it has changed mine. I am fascinated with the Capitol, and the games. I will win the 63rd Hunger Games, and I will go down in history.
Situating ourselves didn't take long, and soon the ceremony began. Girls went first, and I eyed my competition warily. A girl I had trained with this past month, Harper Swallow, had volunteered. Her straight black hair and blunt bangs gave an eerie effect to her, but through our training together I was positive I could take her. I in took a small breath, and waited for her to read off the name of the next tribute.
"Caspian R-," she started in a bellow, but my voice cut in.
"I volunteer!" As soon as the words were out of my mouth I made my way to the stage, smirking with the same cocky smile on my face. Today was just the beginning of my claim to fame.