Denver Robinson
Thankfully, persistence is a great substitute for talent
"So mom, what do you call someone that doesn't fart in public?"
My mom shakes her head, "Please not today Denver..."
"You call them a private tutor!"
I burst out laughing as my mom's worried eyes start to tear up. I stop at the sight of it and engulf her in a hug. "Mom, I'm going to be ok, you don't need to worry about me." My mom holds onto me tighter and I can feel her sob lightly.
"Mom, I'll be home and you won't have a thing to worry about. Anyways If I do get picked, you know that most of the kids here would volunteer."
I'm being honest, ever since the rebellion the number of District three victors have gone way up. It's a new drive for the District because they stayed on the good side of the Capitol during the final war. After that, many kids started to actually build up strength and become real competitors. For example this kid from two years ago was a real beast. His name was Titus and his family had him hopped up on steroids, now he lives happily with a smoking wife in the Victor's village. I've never had the desire to become a big lump of stupid, but that's just me.
My mom finally becomes reassured and calms down. She sits down and gives me a real look over. "You're really wearing that Denver?"
I glance down, "What? This is what all the cool kids wear these days" I try not to laugh or give away my position. Truthfully, I don't know why I chose this outfit, it's pretty unique. A bright orange shirt with purple overalls, now that's style. My mom softly chuckles and her brown eyes on my way out the door, seem to show a fragment of the women she used to be.
I grab a biscuit on my way out the door. I bite down into the soft, mushy goodness of it, thank the heavens my mom can cook. I stride down the street as I happily daydream when I run into one of those trained doofus's.
"Watch it kid!"
"You've got to be kidding me Daryl, I'm in your math class you troll."
Daryl turns his big head towards me, "Who you calling troll, midget?"
I make the decision to ignore him and keep heading down the street. Honestly, anything I said would just go over his tiny brain.
"Don't walk away from me! You'll regret it you retard!"
Yeah, like he can really do anything.
Kennedy Bronze
Women hold all the power. They should use it like a whip, not offer it up like a sacrifice
I dreamt of fire last night. It licked my sides and gave me its secrets. I inhaled it in like oxygen and I exhaled power. In my dream I wasn't scared of it, because for the first time in my life I felt free. I felt everything melting off me, giving me a new purpose. I was like the phoenix in the stories my sister tells her daughter late at night. I was exactly what I was meant to be.
The sound of my niece, Huxley, wailing wakes me up. I shake off the feelings from my dream and face reality. I quietly walk downstairs and meet the tired eyes of my sister Flash. She is shaking and I can feel the aftereffects of her nightmare radiating off her skin. "It's ok Flash, how about you let me take Huxley and you can grab some more shut eye." Flash gives me a nod and shuffles back to her room.
I head to Huxley's room, knowing how hard it is for Flash today. Flash is twenty year's old and basically alone. The love of her life, and her daughter's father was killed three years ago in the Hunger Games. After his death, Flash became a shell of her former self. Huxley is all that she has left to remind her of him, even naming her daughter after her father to keep his memory alive. I open Huxley's door to find her sitting on the ground holding her stuffed animal Cuddles.
"What are you doing Hux?"
"Cuddles got scared so I took him out of his toy bin, but then I got stuck!"
I chuckle at her and she glances up at me, "Can I have a story auntie?"
"Of course Sweetheart, which one do you want to hear?"
"The one about the ouchie on your tummy!"
I groan quietly and hoist Huxley onto my lap. "When Auntie was just 5 year's old, she decided she wanted to try something new."
"What was it?" Huxley smiles because she already knows my answer.
"Auntie decided to balance on the fence out in the yard."
"But Auntie, that's dangerous! Why did you do it?"
"Because Auntie is silly-" I wanted mom to pay attention to me, "And she tried to show off her balancing skills!"
"Silly Auntie! That's a silly story. I think I'm going to snuggle with Cuddles."
I smile again at her, "Ok sweetie."
I exit her room quietly and start walking over to my room. I pass the kitchen mirror and I can't help but look at my reflection. I can just make out that fire once again, and I can't help but wonder what it means.
