District Nine Reaping

Piper Bellmark's POV:

You know when people judge you for something you've only did once? Yeah, thats happened to me in my life and it has sort've made an image to people on how I appear. I used to always get into fights. More physical, than verbal. I was surprisingly good as well. I always pinned down my sister, Brin, who was three years older than me and I never took pity on her. The weaker I saw her in my fights, the stronger I saw myself. However, times have changed, and i have matured a lot since then. The only problem is my sister is still frightened of me. Even though she's now nineteen, living with her boyfriend, and is not a reapee anymore, Brin barely talks to me or acknowledges me.

My ruthless relationship with her in my early years backfired and have gave me consequences. Currently, many people of District Nine see me as a reckless mess or a brat because they witnessed the behavior I had against my sister. In my opinion, I am not a brat, but I guess to others I act ill-behaved.

During the months before the reaping, my friends, Emme and Malory, go out to the wilderness part of nine to spend countless of hours collecting herbs, fruits, and flowers in order to make a little side cash for the day. Of course, we don't sell these items to the poor people. We sell these delicacies to the rich of the rich. Most of the time, we try to make deals with the rich boys, but some of those guys are a little awkward to start a conversation with.

Other than my fighting issues, my life is stable and great. Both of my parents are healthy and work on a rich farm and in District Nine's famous brewery. My love life is questionable though. Emme, Malory, and I talk about the boys of District Nine saying how nice it would be to have a boyfriend to always have at your side. I have the most knowledge about boyfriends considering my sister has one, but Emme and Malory disagree with my ideas.

On the reaping day, I met up with Emme and Malory as we were checking into our age sections awaiting our escort.

"So Piper? You gonna talk to Nick after the reaping? I heard he's kinda into you, and we all know you too have been talking and flirting a little too much lately."

I replied back to Malory saying, "Are you kidding? We weren't flirting! We were just talking about how Nick would like to work for my dad at the brewery, and he asked me to ask my dad for a possible internship."

"That's exciting! Tell him that your dad said he wants to have a meeting with Nick at your house, but instead, when Nick arrives at your house, you bring him into your room, and make out with him! Then you'll know if Nick really likes you or not because he'll continue or he'll leave and never talk to you again."

"Emme, your so stupid sometimes. Why would I ever lie to him to get him to kiss me? If I want him to know I like him, then I'll tell him myself."

"Oh really," said Malory. "So since you admit you do like him, tell him right after the reaping. Unless you want Emme and I to confront Nick ourselves?"

"You wouldn't dare do that-."

"Attention everyone of District Nine! I am your escort, Lily Abriles, and I will begin the reaping process now!"

Everyone knew this bubblegum hair looking doll was a new escort because escorts never begin the process before the routinely Hunger Games video. Oh well, I thought, we all make mistakes, but Lily's mistake will cost her her job for next year.

"As usual, the beautiful young ladies shall be chosen first!" Lily made her way to the girls' bowl full of names very lightly. "Piper Bellmark!"

Malory and Emme both looked at me with fear in their eyes. I was a deer in headlights as well, but quickly shrugged it off and tried to look as brave as possible. I smiled intensely at my District once I reached the stage. On the stage, I could see Malory mouth to Emme, "Looks like we're actually going to have to tell Nick now."

Jesse Brownstone's POV:

I guess you could say I'm a rich kid with a lot of knowledge. I'm very different from regular District Nine boys. Rather than working in the fields, I go to my room everyday, and read books for hours upon hours. I love to read about physics, chemistry, politics, warfare, and history. I especially like the history aspect of things because I have always wondered the conditions of living throughout the Dark Ages or in the time period before that. Reading warfare is also quite unique considering I'm more of a wimpy kid that most people would not think to have an interest in war. However, reading helps me to learn more about my interests, but also isolates me from many of the other children.

My parents are wealthy owners of many crops and farms in District Nine. I think we have around one hundred and more employees working for us. I see many of the kids always slugging their way to the fields with droopy eyes and distasteful expressions. I do feel really bad for them, but at the same time, they don't want to see or talk to me. I try talking to people so I can fit in and make friends. The only problem is that I always seem to mess up. For example, one of the boys who works on the crop had a really nice wristband. I asked him where he got it from and said I thought it looked really cool. Afterward, I told the kid I had way cooler clothe items than the wristband, and said he could come by my room to look at them after he finished his work shift. Apparently, this really upset the boy because I acted way too arrogant without even knowing it.

Making friends just never worked out for me. My older sister, Jolene, didn't want anything to do with me since she was so popular at the school and had no time for the family. On the other hand, my younger brother, Timothy, is quite distant in relationship with me because of the major age gap and he's a tomboy. Other than that, I practically have no real friends other than my books and the brand new Capitol computer my father just installed in my room two months ago.

I don't really care about the Reaping since I already know nobody but my parents will miss me. I also know I have a very slim chance of being chosen considering I have never entered for tesserae unlike all the other children in District Nine. When Lily called the girl's name, I was shocked. The reason I reacted in this way was because Piper actually sold some nice things to me before, and she was one of the only people I communicated with. Still, I only talked to her maybe twice in my whole life so I wasn't devastated or anything.

Lily then went to the boys' bowl full of names. "Jesse Brownstone!"

All the boys in the fifteen year old section made a wide circle surrounding me. I stared at them all, watching them as they sneered and grinned because they knew the "stuck-up Brownstone boy" was going to die. All my thoughts and emotions swirled through my head like a whirlpool and suddenly, I felt very nauseous. Two Peacekeepers arrived in my area ready to bring me to the stage, but before they grabbed me, I puked everywhere all over them. The Peacekeepers look at me with disgust while all the boys around me were either dying with laughter or pinching their noses from the horrid smell. At that point, the Peacekeepers practically dragged me by the arms to the stage and threw me up there. I just curled up into a ball on the stage and started to cry hysterically.

Lily looked distraught and Piper faced in the other direction as I cried. I don't even think Lily made us shake hands or even announced our names because the last thing I remember is her saying, "District Nine Everybody."

Well, at least I know one thing for sure. I look like fresh meat compared to the other tributes, and I am now one hundred percent sure I'll be the first one to die in the Bloodbath.

Author's Note: Hi guys! Yes, I know it has been awhile. Currently, it's my last week of school, and I have decided to gain my motivation back for this story. I'll be posting more often nowadays so get ready because the Reapings are almost over! Also, please review because it really helps considering I haven't wrote for awhile. Get ready for next chapter!