"Mirain, honey," her mother calls up to her. "It's time to go." When there is no response, her mother climbs the rickety staircase that leads to Mirain's room. Opening the door gently, she watches her daughter fondly.
Mirain is sitting on her bed, her long bony fingers playing with a frayed edge of her blanket. Her lengthy black hair has fallen into her eyes and is covering most of her face. But her mother knows her well. She knows that her pale grey eyes are nervously twitching. Her mother also knows Mirain has perfect ivory skin, a pointed nose, and pink lips that look so pretty when she smiles.
"Mirain," her mother says softly.
At the sound of her mother's voice Mirain jumps, startled. "Oh," she breathes, when she sees who has spoken. "It's just you."
Her mother smiles warmly and walks over to her. "Yes," she says running her fingers through Mirain's dark locks. "It's just me. We're all ready to go. Your father and Merenda are waiting for us downstairs."
"Oh," Mirain breathes again. "I didn't realize…"
"It's okay," her mother says, sitting down on the bed. "I'll braid your hair, then you can put on a pretty dress, and we'll be on our way."
Mirain nods, taking deep breaths. She tries to calm herself as her mother brushes out her hair. When Mirain's hair is done, her mother helps her put on her red Reaping dress.
"You look beautiful," her mother says.
Mirain blushes, tilting her head down. "Thanks."
"Well, this is an exciting day for us all, isn't it?" The Capitol representative pauses, waiting for some form of agreement. All she gets is a few stiff coughs. "So excited that we're speechless, I see. Not for long! It's time to pick this year's female tribute!"
She struts toward the large, glass bowl filled with slips of paper each with a girl's name on it. She giggles. It sounds high-pitched and forced. "So exciting!" she says again. She reaches in the bowl, swirling the papers with her fingers. Finally deciding on one, she lifts it out.
"Okay," she says. "This is it. Our girl tribute is… Mirain DonLester! Come on up, Mirain!"
Mirain's breath catches in her throat. She stands up, and makes it to the stage.
"Give it up for your female tribute, District 8!" This time the crowd doesn't disappoint. They clap loudly.
A little too loudly for Mirain, hearing that roaring noise in her ears only makes her more nervous. Black splotches begin to make their way into her vision, and it is all she can do not to pass out.
She doesn't recall a boy's name being called, but suddenly there is one standing next to her. He's tall and muscular, probably around her age. He grabs her hand. Mirain doesn't know if he is trying to be kind or simply showing off for the audience. It doesn't matter to her. She is grateful to have something to hold onto.
The crowd claps again, and Mirain holds onto the mystery boy's hand as tight as she can.
Sitting in the room with her family, Mirain is somewhat calmer. Still, she can't bring herself to find words to say. Her family doesn't either. They sit together in silence, Mirain's mother brushing her hair.
Sooner than Mirain would have liked, a Peacekeeper comes to collect her.
Mirain's mother pulls her in for a quick hug. "I love you. Don't forget that. No matter what happens."
The Peacekeeper pulls her away, and the last thing Mirain sees are her family's teary smiles.
A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed last week with a birthday wish. It made my day extra special. A special thanks to snowflower4444, for reminding me that even though you know these characters better than I do, I can still describe them. Even though this chapter isn't too long, I hope I've done better at that.
This week, instead of birthday wishes, let me hear any constructive criticism you have.