Hammil Redwood [District 4] POV:
"You'd think I would like fish after living in District 4 for all of my life." My best friend Oceana says, plopping down beside me at the table and wrinkling her nose at the salmon sitting on my plate. I chuckle, shoveling the last fork full into my mouth. I turn to Oceana, who looks at me expectantly.
"I think it's about time we head out." I say, pushing back my seat, I balance my plate on my muscular arm. I glance down at Oceana's outfit and she gives me a smug smile.
"Wow…..you actually look like a girl today!" I joke as she slaps me playfully on the arm. We head out the door, laughing. We walk in comfortable silence for awhile until Oceana points to my parents walking down the street.
I see my mom glance over to Oceana and I, she turns to my father, utters something, then the two keep walking as if they didn't see me. I sigh at my own stupidity. Why would I actually think that my parents would stop to greet me, whom they haven't seen sense last night. Oceana slips her warm hand into mine and I manage a half-hearted smile.
My parents avoid me because of my sister. She was about 13 when she decided to steal some food because my parents had gone out, gotten themselves drunk and returned home, much poorer then they were when they left. There had been no food in the house for about a week. When she stole some bread from the bakery, she was caught. She was brought to the square where she was whipped. Trying to stop the peacekeepers from whip, I threw myself in front of it. It whipped my arm leaving a scar and causing me to faint. Later, I awoke at home with my dead sister lying by my side and my two parents pacing the room. They yelled at me and blamed me for being the one alive. Now they completely ignore me.
I feel a light tugging on my arm and Oceana leads me to the eighteen year old area. Somehow, I had managed to sign in without having my train of thought interrupted.
"Good luck." She says planting a chaste kiss on my cheek. I give her a sweet smile. The escort wobbles onto the stage, plunges her hand into the girls bowl and pulls out a slip of paper.
"Anabella Coral!" She screeches. A small girl walks forward, her jet-black hair swaying in the wind behind her. She lifts her chin up in the air and gives a small smile. The girl gives the crowd one more smile and the escort pulls out a second slip of paper.
"Hammil Redwood!" She screeches. My eyes automatically flit to Oceana who looks devastated. I take a step forward, carefully placing my heel on the ground. Gulping, I take the rest of the way to the stage in two strides, easily pushing past the children of all ages.
"Shake hands!" She screeches. I reach forwards, clasping Anabella's small hand in mine.
"Good luck." I whisper, so that only she can hear.
"Ditto." She murmurs back, planting a smile on her face. We are led inside the Justice Building.
