I broke my pinky. Now Caleb how did you break your pinky you ask? Cause I'm a good freaking person who was making a kids dream come true. Anyways I'm sorry it's been so long. As you can probably imagine, it's not easy to type with a finger brace on. Also, when I take it off my hand gets sore. Anyways I'll stop complaining.
Also, if I change your tribute a bit..it's because I needed to. Sorry if it bothers you.
Previously on Journey to the Top:
We traveled back to the Capitol where we got to know a little bit about how the gang is doing. We found out a number of interesting things concerning our favorite heroes...and villains. Is an uprising on the horizon?
Cellophane, Mr. Cellophane should have been my name
Mr. Cellophane, cause you can look right through me
Walk right by me and never know I'm there.
Squirrel Langston, 15
District 7 Female
"Did you hear the Penny is pregnant?" whispers the girls best friend to another girl in her posse as we sit in homeroom. I rather call her minion number 1, and the person she is talking to is minion number 2.
They clearly are trying to be secretive about it, but they obviously aren't trying very hard to keep it quiet. It's honestly something that is scary. Stay quiet, and don't really talk you go unnoticed. I can see how some psychopaths go crazy. If you fade into the background you start to realize the little things you can get away with.
School is like a game, and depending on what you want from it, and how you approach it is whether you win it or not. You have the popular group, aka preggo in the eggo, and her army of bitches. You have the jocks, aka baby daddy, and his minions. The wannabes that are constantly sucking up to them, and then the unmentionables which are the nerds and other stuff.
There is another group though. And if you blink you just might miss us. We're the unknowns. We aren't a proud group, and I really shouldn't even call us a group...because if I'm honest...I'm pretty much a loner. So really...I'm my own group.
"I can't believe her and Duke were so irresponsible. I feel so bad." says minion number 2.
Someone should tell her face that she feels bad. It says otherwise.
"Alright class, don't forget that tomorrow is the test. It's worth 10% of your final average...not that any of you care." mutters Ms. Appletree says under her breath, but loud enough to where we can all hear at the same time. "You're dismissed."
The room explodes with children getting up and the sounds of zippers from their hand bags and backpacks fills the air. I take my time. I'm in no rush. I don't have anything waiting for me other than my family at the end of the day. And they're accustomed to waiting for me at this point.
I watch as Felix drops his pencil and reaches down to pick it up, but gets distracted as Rachel stands next to her desk talking with Kyle Winters. Rachel's miniskirt is angled at just the right place so that Felix can see a little bit under it.
Raquel is complaining to Ms. Appletree about a grade on a test we just received. My guess is she got a 96, and she really should have added to a 97. Ms. Appletree will refuse to change it though, after all this is the 100th time the girl has done it.
I'm sorry, I hope I'm not freaking you out. Honestly, as much as I hate to admit it...people interest me. The beauty of their actions and motivations all have a purpose. I like studying the why. Really look deep into the matter that they are and process their behaviors from there.
I get up from my desk and slide my stuff into my bag. I don't bother to slide the notes in carefully. I wouldn't call them notes as much as random doodles on a page. As I walk out of the room and into the vast land of high school and drama, something catches my eye.
"WILL YOU GET REAPED?!
Don't forget the reapings are tomorrow at 9 AM.
Don't be late. You know what happens."
That sign is terribly insensitive. For one kid...that's going to be their reality tomorrow. They're going to experience first hand what it's like to get reaped. To have your life slip out of your finger tips.
I know this sounds harsh..but I love watching their facial expressions. There is something about a person's expression when something is too real to be true that just fascinates me. It's so revealing. For the briefest of time, you get to just see them. They take off the mask we all hide behind, and they're so clearly there.
"Hey Squirelly." says Dad as I walk out of the front door of the school.
He stands at the bottom step of the stairs with his signature smile on. He would walk me everyday when I was in elementary school. It's just something that never stopped happening as I grew older. It was our time.
"How was school today?" ask Dad
I shrug. School is school. It's not really the most exciting of situations.
"Eh. School is boring dad. In other news Penny is pregnant."
My Dad's face grows horrified. "You're cousin is pregnant?!"
"This should make for an interesting family breakfast tomorrow.
If you ain't got two kids by 21, you're probably gonna die alone.
Least that's what tradition told you.
It don't matter if you don't believe, come Sunday morning
you best be there on the first row like you're supposed to.
Same hurt in every heart...same trailer different park.
Teddy Green, 17
District 7 Male
I've never understood why people are scared of mediocrity. Everyone strives to be this different person. This person that's going to change everything. That makes a big difference, and in reality here they are. They live normal lives. The only difference being made is the one they decide works in their heads.
I'm not cynical. I'm understanding of what the situation is. I'm a chill guy. I however also understand that in the world we live in, which is very much a dictatorship, there is no room for dreams. Well, maybe not that harsh.
Let's look at the facts though. The odds of you being a celebrity and moving to the Capitol are like what? slim to nothing. You have to win the Hunger Games, and yes we are at a slight advantage being as we work with axe's but, we don't train our whole lives for moment of glory in a killing blood spree.
We've had a few slip through the cracks, but none of us are as attractive as the District 1 and 4 tributes. None of us are as fierce as the District 2 tributes. None of us are as wily as the District 10. We are just here. The kids that get dressed as trees every year for the chariot rides.
"Babe you're doing it again." says Arden as she leans up against my locker and puts on a smirk.
Remember when I said we couldn't dream? Yeah, Arden is the reason I corrected myself. The girl is incredible. She is everything I've ever wanted and more. I'd love to get married to her, raise a family.
"Doing what?" I ask confused.
She pouts and puts on serious eyes as she stares me down and then begins to laugh. "You went all serious face on me again."
I chuckle under my breath as she takes her hand and touches my cheek.
"It's ok though." she says, "It's kind of hot."
"Yeah?" I say with a smile as I lean in and we kiss.
"You two this is a school hallway, not a sex building. Please exit the premises if this is how you plan on spending your time after school here." says Ms. Appletree as she is walking down the hall escorting a student by the ear.
"Aw, come on now Appletree." says Arden as she smiles, "Can you blame me?"
She pauses with the boy and his ear still in her grasp. With her right hand she covers her mouth and gulps.
"In case you were wondering." she says as she is covering her mouth still. "That was me swallowing the throw up that just came into my mouth."
I roll my eyes and grab Arden's hand as we are walking out towards the building, and just to annoy Ms. Appletree I spin her around and plant a huge kiss on her right in the middle of the hallway in front of the door.
"Young man that is highly inappropriate!" screams Appletree as she is stalking towards me and Arden. We run out of the school and down the steps towards the streets.
"You nervous for tomorrow?" ask Arden in between her laughs and deep breathing.
"No. At least I don't think so." I say "We haven't needed to take out a lot of tesserae so I should be fine."
"Same for my family." says Arden.
The rest of the walk home is spent hand in hand talking about how school went, and hearing about the latest drama in the crowd Arden travels in when she isn't with me.
"Penny is pregnant!" she said as she slaps me on my arm in shock. "Vanessa told me in Appletree's class today."
"That's not a surprise. Duke is kind of a slut." I say with a giggle.
"I just feel bad for her…" says Arden as she leans her head against my shoulder. She then picks her head up and gives me a strange glare. "Don't get any ideas Mr. Greene."
"Oh of course not." I say with a chuckle as we turn on her street and continue on towards her house.
Cellophane, Mr. Cellophane shoulda been my name.
Mr Cellophane.
Squirrel Langston, 15
District 7 Female
"You told them I'm pregnant!?" says Penny as she barges into my room after the discussion with her mom and my parents happen.
"Good morning to you as well sunshine." I say as I turn over and lay my head on the cooler side of the pillow.
"How did you even find out?"
"Might want to talk to your two friends." I say, "Vanessa has a loud voice. Also watch out for Arden...she's a loose cannon."
"I can't believe you did this to me." she says as she storms out of my room.
"Squirrel can you come help since you're up?" calls Dad from the kitchen.
I sigh as I get up and slide into my house shoes and walk towards the kitchen. Dad is already getting on his coat and heading outside when I walk and grab mine off the coat rack.
"I hope she didn't drill to hard into you." says Dad as he slides into his work boots and opens the door.
"I'm not to worried about it." I say as I pick up the ax from the side of the wall and walk towards the pile of wood we've been working our way through for awhile now.
"Ok, so you do half, and I'll do the other?" says Dad as he walks and begins the chopping by putting a block of wood onto the stump we use as a table.
I begin my half of the wood. I'm not bad, but I'm not good. Most girls my age get the chop in about 4 swings, and I can do it in 2. Dad can do it in 1 however, and I really just want to be able to beat him.
After about 20 minutes, and 3 trips hauling and loading the wood back towards the back porch, we are back and having the most awkward of family breakfast I've ever seen.
Penny keeps giving me death glares, as Aunt Belinda watches her and just shakes her head in anger. Mom is holding back fits of gigglles, and Dad is totally oblivious to the situation at hand.
"Well I suppose I'm going to go get ready." I say as I walk towards my room. I pick out the clothes that I'll be wearing for the reapings, and then head to the shower. I let the warm water just fall on my face, not to long however, we have a big family, and I don't want to be the one that uses all the hot water.
20 minutes later I'm dressed and ready for the reapings. Penny awaits at the door still angry from the events that unfolded, and we walk towards the town square. The princess and the unknown peasant.
Momma's hooked on Mary Kay,
Brother's hooked on Mary Jane,
Daddy's hooked on Mary two doors down.
Mary, Mary quite contrary,
we get bored so we get married.
Just like we dust we settle in this town.
On this broken merry go round.
Teddy Greene, 17
District 7 Male
"TEDDY!" Gabby comes running into my room. Her little hands smack onto my mattress as I feel her tiny form climbing onto the bed. She begins jumping at the end of it, and then belly flops on my back.
"Hi." says the 5 year old with a sheepish smile.
"Monster, how many times have I told you not to jump on my back…" I say as I turn over and sit her down next to me. "BECAUSE NOW I HAVE TO TICKLE YOU!"
She screams in laughter as we have our daily tickle fight and then she threatens to pee, like always, so I stop.
"Teddy momma says it's a scary day today." says Gabby with a anxious look on her face.
"Well it's not a not scary day."
"Why is it scary?"
"Because we have little monsters like you running around." I tease with a laugh.
"Not funny Theodore."
She only calls me that when she's frustrated. I smile to myself as I lay back down on my pilllow and she lays on the one next to mine. We just sit there for awhile, until her 5 year old self can't take the quiet any more.
"Are you going to tell me? Or do I have to belly flop it out of you?" she says flustered.
"It's reaping day."
"What's that."
"It's a day where kids get picked, and then they have to go to the Hunger Games."
"Is that like when you go to dinner?"
"Yes." I say. "Exactly like that.
She sits up and begins telling me about her boyfriend, yeah I'm already having to deal with this, and how he tried to hold her hand at recess.
"Kid, there is no holding hands in kindergarten." I say with a exasperated look.
"That's what I said." says Gabby with a smirk, "He just couldn't keep his paws off me." she flips a piece of her hair, and I put my head in my hands.
"You're too young for this." I say with a laugh, "But I have to get ready. I have to go to the reapings!"
"I hope you get picked for Dinner Teddy!" she says. She meant well, but I hope that doesn't jynx me.
"I'm perfectly fine with the food I have here." I say as I pick her up and walk her over to the door. "See you in a few kid."
Ya girl I saw you come in, with all of your girl friends.
Just posting up and shooting bucardi.
Ya I got my boys with me, we're just blowing off steam.
Not looking to pick up anybody.
So I was gonna walk on by...you turned around and we about died.
Gel Farbs, 46
District 7 Escort
Marriage number 6 down the tubes. I can't really help myself. The ladies love me, and I love the ladies. My latest wife found was one of the girls that split up me and wife number four and five. She should have known that life wouldn't' be any different. Now I'm looking at a potential wife number 7, and she's a vision of lovely.
"Sir it's time." says Marcella as she walks into my room I've been sharing with my new soul mate.
"Coming darling." I say to Marcella. "I'll see you later." I say as I lean in and kiss the 25 year old girl that sits on my bed.
"Hurry back." she says with a smile
I walk out of my room and towards the exit of the train. I walk onto the platform, and directly onto the stage that they have set up fro the reapings.
"Hello District 7!" I say as I smile for the cameras that are flashing everywhere before me. "Let's get this thing started!"
I walk over to the girls bowl and pull out a random name from the very top of the bowl. Walking back towards the microphone I open up the envelope and stare at the name before me. What the hell kind of a name is Squirell…
"Squirell Langston."
A mousey girl of about 15 I'd say walks up to the stage. There is tears in her eyes, but you can tell that she is doing her best to hold them back and not let the others know that she is scared. When she arrives I shake her hand and hold out the mic to see if she wants to say anything. She looks like the contemplates and then decides not to.
"Ok, now for the boys!" I say as I walk over to the boys section and draw a name from the very bottom of the bowl. Gotta give the people what they want. A show.
I walk back over to the mic and unwrap the envelope. "Theodore Greene"
"MOMMA TEDDY GETS DINNER!" I hear a tiny child's voice as a woman wails. A 17 year old boy walks up to the stage. Something about this kid just seems average. I'm not sure if it's his looks or demeanor. However, he is very much the opposite of what I'd expect a lumberjack district to produce.
"Anything you want to say kid?" I ask as he stares at me with shock in his eyes.
"Mom, Gabby, Arden…" he says, "I love you guys...I-..I-I'll see you soon."
"DISTRICT 7 YOUR TRIBUTES THEODORE AND SQUIRREL!"
I still don't understand the name Squirrell.
So these two were actually super hard to write for. I was surprised. Maybe it's I'm out of practice?
Anyways who did you like better? Teddy or Squirrell?
Predictions?
Remember folks I'm still looking for bloodbaths...and inactivity is a sure fire way to get yours selected ;)
IN OTHER NEWS I PLAY POKEMON AND GOT A SHINY DRAGONITE FINALLY SO IF YOU WANNA BATTLE LETS GO PUNKS!
Keep it classy,
Caleb
NEXT TIME ON JOURNEY TO THE TOP: Hopefully the writer will no longer have to wear a hand brace anymore and get District 8 on time! We will travel to the 8th district of Panem, Who will they produce? Do they have what it takes to make the Journey to the Top?