Chapter 7: District Eleven

Female: Demicola 'Demi' Presquarel

I don't know what time it is when mum comes in to wake me up, all I know is that when we comes over to lightly shake me awake, her whole body is quivering. There is only one day of the year that she continuously shakes; Reaping day. I get up and walk down to the delicious toast she has already prepared for me. She is so worried about me getting chosen because when she was younger her little brother died in the bloodbath. I never had a father, so I was always the one who had to hug my mother and tell her everything was alright when she got nightmares. I think about all of this while eating my warm, crunchy toast. We are pretty well off for citizens of District 11, not the richest people but we do have enough money to feed ourselves on a usual basis. Unfortunately, there os still no way to buy my mums calmness back. I look over at her, sitting in the corner and just freaking out. She spends the whole morning shaking, and when there is a knock on the door she jumps out of her chair and clutches a knife. I don't know where she got a knife from, but I don't ask, I just get up and open the door. My boyfriend Mas walks in and sweeps me of my feet. He pulls me in for a deep kiss and I feel my mums eyes watching how cute we are together. I grab his hand and lead him upstairs to my room.

"How are you going, baby?" he asks in a sweet accent. He starts to play with my long, thick, wavy brown hair as he stares into my eyes. I love his eyes; the jade green colour of them goes perfectly with the crystal blue of my eyes.

"Nervous, anything can happen today; and my mum is freaking out again. What if I get reaped, Mas? Or worse, what if you get reaped? Even if you win all that fame and glory might go to you're head and you'll be way out of my league over in that Victors Village." I reply sweetly.

"Demi, you know I could ever live without you!" He replies, rather fiercely actually.

Suddenly he grabs the chain around my neck that I always wear, follows it along and clasps the silver pendant that's shaped into half a heart with a jagged edge. He then gets the matching pendant he wears around his neck and puts the jagged edges of them together; they fit together perfectly, just like us.

"I bought these for us for a reason,; to symbolize that we are forever. If I go to the games I will win and come back for you." He says, almost in a whisper, as a leans down to gently kiss me.

"I love you, Mas" I breathe onto his soft lips.

"Not nearly as much as I love you." He whispers back.

I stay there for a while, remembering everything about him; his smell, his taste and his amazing, handsome face. He is the most amazing person ever; my best friend, my boyfriend, my only love and my everything.

I slowly and regretfully pull away, I really need to get ready for the Reaping today.

"Close you're eyes." I say cheekily.

He covers is eyes with his hands but separates his fingers so he can see through them. I giggle, slip off my night gown and step into a loose, lilac coloured dress that cuts off mid thigh.

"Zip me up?" I ask him.

I hear him walk over, stand behind me and slowly sweep my hair to the side. He slowly zips up my dress and I shudder as I feel his sweet breathe down my neck. I spin around and passionately kiss him. He breaks away and just hugs me. As his strong arms embrace me I bury my face into his stocky chest as if I am made completely for him. I find his hand and start to walk away, he follows me and we walk, still entwined, all the way to the Town Square. We prick our fingers and regretfully walk away from each other. I stand in line with a few girls from school in the 16 year old female section, but long for this to be over so I can get back into Mas's arms. I see my mum arrive with her whole body shaking. I wish I could help her somehow! Suddenly our colorful escort Lasrita comes onto stage, this year she seems to have decided to go with a lilac theme with her hair, eyes and clothes all a matching lilac colour. She obviously doesn't like it here in eleven, but I'm guessing she is hoping for a promotion soon.

"Right, let's get straight to it!" She states in her high-pitched, squeely voice. "Ladies first!" she literally sings. Almost everyone in the crowd rolls their eyes, I just try to stifle a laugh. She walks over to the female bowl and pulls out; "Demicola Presquarel!"

That's me.

I know its me because I hear the thud as Mas falls to the ground and his screams being drowned out by my mothers shouts. I slowly, clumsily walk to the stage, and see Mas and my mum on the ground hugging and shaking.

Male: Masano 'Mas' Kal

Demi and I go to get our fingers picked and go find our places, me in the 16 year old male section and here near by in the same age group but female. I miss her already! She is such an amazing girl! I look over and see my 21 year old brother, Jaymin, just rocking up. I assume my dad is somewhere either drunk or hungover, and I don't know where my mum is. She left us two years ago because dad was getting drunk and abusing us. She said something about trying to go to district two, a week later Jaymin got a envelope filled with money and a note that said;

Leave that house, adopt Mas and take him with you. I love you.

We both assume it was from mum so we did what it said and now I am my brothers kid. I pay attention as Lasrita goes to the females bowl, I pray to god that it's not Demi! Suddenly she yells it, Demi's name. My knees buckle and I hear two people screaming: Demi's mum and me. I can't stop screaming! How can I save her? Why did this happen? Suddenly she says "Masano Kal!" two more screams join in; Jaymen's and Demi's. Everybody is screaming and yelling and I'm so confused. They can't put us both in the arena! They just can't! The peacekeepers come to take me away and I feel strong arms around me. Jaymen's is trying to grab me and get me away from them. They are going to kill him!

"Stop!" my voice booms out.

I slowly walk to the stage and go straight to Demi. I pick her up from the floor gave her a long kiss and whisper that I will protect her. I hear that stupid escort say something about how usually tributes just shake hands, but nobody laughs. I look out into the crowd and see them all standing with one hand on their hearts. I know that sign; it is a sign of sorrow filled respect here in eleven. I start to cry as I realise the full truth. One of us must die, and it must be me.


Authors Note: I almost cried writing this, I love these two so much and I can't imagine killing off either one of them! Keep reviewing because I barely got any for the last chapter so I really need some more, I don't even know if people are reading this story so please let me know what you think if you are!