Chapter 7: District 7 Reaping


District 7 Female: Holly Forrester, 17

"Where's Momma?" I hear my brother say.

"We won't see them for a while," I tell him, "we're going to live with Grandpa."

"When will we see them again?"

I swallow a hard lump, "Never."

I wake up in a sweat, remembering the conversation a year ago. I haven't felt too sad about my parents dying in the Rebellion, but the talk I had to have with my siblings always makes me sad. I get up and walk into the kitchen. My grandpa's already eating so I just find food.

I sit down across from him where he greets me and rambles about the Capitol. I nod my head as he talks. My grandpa just loves to ramble about the Capitol. One time he got a lot of paint and painted a giant mural in our garage. Yep. Grandpa's a little odd.

My siblings come in and find food. I turn to my sister, Aspen, "Did you use my lipstick last night?"

I see her fork visibly stop before going in her mouth. This is my confession, but she tries to lie, "A-a-are you s-s-sure you didn't see it?"

I put my hands on my hips, "Aspen."

She bows her head, "Yes."

"Why."

She looks up, "I-I-I... I wanted to impress a boy. And you're so pretty that I thought if I would put it on, I'd be as pretty as you."

It may be because I have a big ego, but I forgive her. But I do give her a look and, with a stern voice, say, "Only use it after you ask me."

She nods and starts to eat again.

I go upstairs and change to a collared shirt, a beige skirt, and some boots. I put on a wristwatch that belonged to Mom and head out.

As soon as I walk out, I see my best friend Bianca. She's hard to miss. She's one of the few people that have glasses in the District. That may seem like a strange thing to remember people by but, why not? She's also a nerd. She just loves school so much.

She waves and comes toward me. When she's a few feet away, someone pushes past her. I see the hurt in her eyes so I go after the guy, "Hey!"

He turns around and snarls, "What."

"You bumped into my friend," I say, but Bianca grabs my arm.

I turn to her, and she says, "Don't worry about it."

I stare at her but nod. The guy turns back around, "Stupid girls."

I'm about to go after him, but Bianca leads me to the Reaping. We stand in our rows as I look for Aspen. I see her and wave at her, worrying for her. I'm so worried, I don't even notice the escort until she has a paper in her hand.

And then I hear my name. Being called. To go in the Hunger Games. I'm not going up. I've decide that.

The Peacekeepers come to get me. When they get to me, I start to thrash. I yell every word I know and some I didn't even know I knew. When we get to the stage, they restrain me, but I'm beat. She calls the boy and I'm led away.

Still restrained.


District 7 Male: Axel Bayer, 18

When I wake up, I see that the time is 10:00. That's one good thing about Reaping Day. You get to sleep in instead of having to go chop down trees.

My dad always makes sure to wake me up to go to work. It's not like that's a bad thing. It just gets a little boring having to wake up at the crack of dawn and working until midnight for a meager amount of money. I'd prefer to work long hours for an amount of money that's worth my time.

I slowly get out of bed. I'm still wearing my red shirt and brown pants from yesterday. All I do is put on some boots, and I'm dressed for the day.

I go past my dad's room where he's enjoying the pure bliss of sleeping in. I pass the living room where my uncle's sleeping on the couch.

My uncle's interesting. When his wife died, he came to live with us. Unfortunately, he's a bum. He's a lot of fun, but he just sleeps a lot.

I go to the kitchen and fix eggs. That is one good thing about working even if it's a small pay. You do get food which is more than most people.

I eat my eggs in silence, knowing that no one will probably wake up in time to eat with me. I want to head out so I can spend some time with the guys. I finish my eggs and put my plate in the sink.

I go outside as the guys come over to me. The four of them just look up to me. My wing-man, Kyle, come sup to me and says, "Alright. I talked to that girl Cindy I set you up with last night and- are those the clothes you wore yesterday?"

I nod, seeing nothing wrong with it.

He asks me, "Did you shower last night."

I shake my head.

"Man... I think I know what your problem is."

"What problem?" I ask. Since my mom died when she was giving birth to me, I don't know what to do or say around girls.

He shakes his head, "Cindy said that you were handsome and everything but just so... boyish." I give him a questioning look, so he continues, "Girls just don't like some of the stuff you do."

I shrug when I see Cindy. I turn to Kyle and say, "Watch this."

I turn back to Cindy and yell, "Hey!"

She looks back and me and smiles and says, "Heeeey."

"How'd you like the date?"

"It was O.K."

"Thanks." I turn to Kyle, "See."

He sighs and leads me to the Reaping. We get there and head to the various sections. The escort hits the mike as she goes to the girl's bowl. She calls, "Holly Forrester."

No one goes up so the Peacekeepers go to get her. When they get her, she starts to fight and swear. I feel bad for the Peacekeepers as she wiggles.

The escort is unfazed though so she goes to the boy's bowl. She reads, "Walker Benson." No. That's one of my guys.

He starts to go up, but I yell, "I volunteer!"

I realized what I said. And what that means.


Holly Forrester-

Aspen, my brother Holland, and my grandpa all come in at the same time. They all start talking at the same time so I make them calm down. I address Grandpa first, "At least now I can see what you were talking about with the Capitol."

He gives me a sad smile, "Just remember I love you. And sorry for rambling so much."

I smile back at him, "Don't kill my siblings. I would hate to get back and find their dead bodies."

He gives a throaty laugh, but my brother and sister genuinely look worried.

I turn to Aspen, "Don't you dare use my lipstick, mascara, or perfume. I swear that if I get home and they're messed up, I will take you to the Capitol and leave you there. Do you understand?"

She nods but laughs. I talk again, "If you think I'm joking... try me."

At this, she stares at me but nods again. I speak to her one more time, "Take good care of Holland. And remember I love you."

She repeats this so I turn to Holland, "Be a good boy. Listen to Grandpa and Aspen. Tell me if she goes in my room while I'm gone."

He nods so I continue, "Aspen is in a very... interesting time in her life. She's going to start liking boys, and boys are going to start liking her." He sticks out his tongue at the prospect he finds disgusting. I smile, remembering when I was like that.

I continue on with my thought, "Now, if Aspen comes home from a date where she's crying because of the boy. Get revenge on him. I'm not joking. MAKE HIM PAY."

He nods. "Good. I love you," I say.

We give an awkward four way hug and then they leave.

Bianca comes in, tears flying from her face. She starts to give me a rib-crushing hug, and I try to get her to calm. She finally dies and says, "You're a girl."

This makes me pause for a second, but I nod. She continues on, "Boys will fall over themselves to ally with you if you play your cards right."

I ask, "You want me to prostitute myself?"

"Not per se. Just remember backstabbing could be fun."

I understand what she's saying. She looks at me and gives me one more hug. I have to choke back my tears but remain strong. She looks at me and says, "Please come back."

I put a hand on her shoulder and say, "I will. And if anyone bullies you, tell me."

She pushes her glasses back and nods. We give one last squeeze and she leaves. The Peacekeepers put handcuffs on me and leads me to the train where the take the cuffs off. "Was that necessary?" I ask, but no one answers.

My partner's sitting there with our female mentor. He looks at me and asks, "Do you happen to like frogs?"

I look at him and ask, "Are you high?"

He looks confused and shakes his head. I turn to look out the window. I hear the mentor talk to him but who cares. He'll be dead soon.


Axel Bayer-

My dad and uncle are the first ones in. My dad comes right in saying, "I hope I've provided you with everything you wanted."

I'm a little surprised at this comment because I expected him to come in crying, "I don't have any problems with how you raised me."

My dad nods, "The only thing I wish was that I was able to provide you with was a mom. I know it hasn't been easy with girls because of that."

I forgive him, and my uncle chimes in, "I know I never really spent time with you but come back and we will."

I shake my head, "We had a lot of fun. Just maybe not sleep so often and help Dad while I'm gone."

He smiles, "When you get back, can I sleep all day again?"

I laugh, "Sure. In our house in Victor Village."

They leave when the gang comes in. Walker comes forward immediately and starts to talk, "Thanks so much man. I can never repay you for what you're doing for me."

I wave him off, "I'm sure you would have done the same for me."

I see the tears start to shine in his eyes, "The problem is... I probably wouldn't."

I nod, knowing that it's a big decision. Plus I have a higher chance of winning of winning than him with our four years of age difference. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a marble. He rubs it and looks at me. He stretches out his hand for me to take it. I take it as he says, "I found this a few years ago. If you take it, it'll bring you good luck."

"Thanks," I tell him. I put in my pocket, and I'm going to make sure it's safe.

One of the other boys in our gang says, "You can probably win. You're good with axes and strength."

The last boy, Chris says, "You are our hero."

"Thanks," I say to them.

I turn to Kyle who sighs and says, "When you get back, you'll be a hero. Just remember when you're in the Capitol not to forget about us."

I laugh at this comment as we shake hands. "See you around man," he says as they all leave.

While the Peacekeepers lead me to the train, I have time to reflect on the Games. I didn't tell anyone, but I was planning on volunteering this year. I wanted to show everyone who I was. That I can bring glory to this District. To be a hero. And I will come home.

At the train, our escort's sitting down eating her lunch. I hate it that's a female one this year. I'm just so awkward.

I sit next to her and eat some soup that's sitting out. She smile and starts to talk about some pretty gruesome things in the Games. I realize she's easy to talk to because she's like a man.

We strike up a conversation when the girl comes in. She sits in a table across ours. I want to get in good with her because she is my district partner.

I ask her, "Do you happen to like frogs?"

She gives me a strange look and asks me, "Are you high?"

I shake my head no as she sighs and turns away.

Our mentor looks at me and has me lean in, "I can help you with talking to girls."

I smile at this humorous thought, but she's not kidding, "You're probably going to need to ally with girls. I can help you."

"O.K."

"Good. Now girls can be complicated sometimes..."

A:N/ Sorry for the long wait. Been busy with the 24by24 story. Look up the author 24by24 to read it. Anyway... Next chapter will be up sooner and Reapings are halfway done. Yay. Things will get better as the Games begin.