Hello! I know there's been a slight delay in my recently daily/bi-daily updates but I'm here with a new chapter for you! School is pretty demanding at the moment but I'm trying my best to write a little every night. So I hope you enjoy and don't forget to Review X

Ch9. Mentor

I woke up to the sun streaking through the gaps in the window blinds. The summer mornings were what I lived for. Being woken up as the sun rose was one of the greatest feelings.

Although, it wasn't a great feeling today.

Today was reaping day, and I was safe from the reaping bowl, however Daniel still wasn't. His chances were the slimmest out of any other sixteen year old I knew. His name was written on five slips of paper, mixed in with thousands of others. Being an only child and from a considerably wealthy family in the District, he never had any need to sign up for Tesserae. I still didn't want to get my hopes up that he would be safe. No one is safe.

The reaping wasn't until noon, and I doubt I would be able to go back to sleep for an hour or two, so I sat in my bed, alone with my thoughts.

Maybe I should just get up, my prep team will likely be coming to get me ready for the Reaping.

I wonder if Daniel is awake.

Hmm, I want toast.

My fingers played with the little rope bracelet on my left wrist, which hid the scar I had given myself all those months ago when I returned from the Victory Tour. I sincerely wish the next Victor is uninteresting to the Capitol and they never have to go through anything like I have.

I hadn't taken the bracelet off since I had bought it at the District market. It was just a simple bracelet, but it was simply beautiful.

My stomach grumbled and decided to get out of bed and make myself breakfast.

Yes, I'll have toast, I thought to myself as I scanned the kitchen cabinets for the bread.

Once I sat down too eat my breakfast, my mind buzzed with nerves about today. Once those names are selected from the reaping bowl, there is nothing anyone can do. I'll be the one who has to guide them with my 'expertise'. Thankfully, Finnick will mentor them the most, I can sit at the side lines.

When it was nine o'clock, there was a knocking of the door. So I opened it to reveal my prep team, bright and shiny in their clothes.

While they dress me, my mind goes back to last year. When I was getting myself ready for my reaping.

The sun was shining much like it was today, but the sun did nothing to cheer anyone up. My mother woke me at ten o'clock, even though I was already awake due to nerves and anxiety of the day to come. I washed myself in the small bathroom, trying to make my hair presentable for Capitol cameras. My hair was towel dried, and my comb attacked the tangles in my hair and my mother put it in a half up half down hair do. It made my hair significantly less wild. I was then dressed in a mint green dress which cut off at my knees and white sandals.

I ate breakfast with my mother and father, toast with a strawberry spread, while Murphy, who was two months old at the time, ate mashed fruit and baby food. When it was time for the reaping, I walked to the District square with my parents and I got into line for register.

I can just remember how I had felt my heart stopping the moment I heard my name being called out in Tillie's shrill accent. How I heard gasps from all around me. How, as I made my way to the steps of the Hall of Justice, that I may never return to District 4 ever again.

Brought out of my memory, my prep team instructed me to twirl in front of the full-length mirror in my bedroom. They dressed me in a white blouse with frill detailing down the front and a pale blue knee-length skirt and little white flats.

Mother and father were woken when my prep team arrived, and my mother stood in the archway of my door, "You look beautiful, angel." she said, admiring how my prep team had made me look presentable. I smiled in return before Tillie sauntered in, schedule in hand, ordering me out of my room and out of the house where Finnick stood outside waiting.

Mentors for the Games were to be at the Square early so that we were seated in one of the chairs at the side of the large doors of the Hall of Justice. Rambling on and on about how the Reaping would play out, Tillie paced back and forth before Finnick, Mags and I. "First a speech from the Mayor, then the Capitol film, then promptly after, I will take the stage to announce this year's tributes. It will just be marvellous!"

I had long before learned to drone out Tillie's repetitive speeches and overly happy tone. Just nod every fifteen seconds and 'hmm' and 'ah' every fifty. Finnick had taught me well.

Before too long, we were told to take our places outside the doors as Mayor Bernarbelle started to give his speech.

I searched the sea of possible tributes to find Daniel. He stood out from then all. Significantly taller, his untidy brown hair sticking out at different places. I caught his eyes, and he smiled a small smile at me, just enough to show his slight dimples.

Static from the microphone took me by surprise. I had been staring at Daniel the whole way through the Mayor's speech and the Capitol film. Tillie, excited as ever, applauded as she stepped up to the microphone.

"Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to the reaping of the 74th Annual Hunger Games. It is now time to announce this year's tributes from District 4. And may the odds be ever in your favour. Ladies first!"

Tillie's hand hovered over the top of the girl's bowl before diving into the sea of names and settling on one single slip. She made her way back to the microphone, holding the slip out before her.

"The female tribute," she announced, holding the suspense as the fiddled with the folded paper to open it. "Kelly Callahan."

The girl emerged from the crowd making her way up to Tillie's side. From guessing alone, she looked eighteen. About five foot eight in height, just an inch or two taller than I was. Her face told a story. Last ever reaping, only to be reaped when she thinks the odds were in her favour. Stone cold expression. Stiff composure. Definitely seemed threatening.

I couldn't have told you who she was before now, which will make mentoring her an easier task.

"And now for the gentlemen."

Tillie walked over to the right side of the podium, where once again she fiddled her fingers in the bowl before deciding which one she would pick. Her heels clicked as she stood up to the microphone once again.

"Lastly, the male tribute for District 4," Tillie took her time opening this slip.

"The male tribute for District 4…" she repeated. "Daniel Jacobs."

My head snapped to my side to Finnick, who only held his head down. I tried to locate him from his previous place in the crowd, but he was already making his way up. My heart burst when he looked at me, but I couldn't do anything. I couldn't say anything. Daniel was reaped and there was nothing that could be done.

"Well, there you have it. Our tributes for District 4, Kelly Callahan and Daniel Jacobs! Happy Hunger Games to you all!"

Peacekeepers escorted those of the District out of the Square while escorting Kelly and Daniel into the hall. I waited behind for a second. Stepping closer to where the two reaping slips had been littered on the floor.

I had never seen how the names were printed on the slips and curiosity got the better of me for a moment. I knelt down to pick them up and made my way into the justice building, taking a look at the two slips.

Two slips. Two names written in cursive text. Two tributes.

Two that did not read Daniel Jacobs' name.