Author's Note: Ok, here you go guys. Your district five female tribute! In response to a review I got about the reapings not "connecting" and there being too many "extra players" I'm not sure exactly what you mean by that, especially since if the tribute doesn't really know the other tribute then it doesn't make sense to have them interact. But I will say that there are some reapings coming where the tributes know each other so I hope you look out for those. Anyways, not sure if I'll be updating tomorrow since it's Monday, but please read and review this chapter. Enjoy! :)
I wipe my forehead across my arm and sigh. It's already been a fairly long day and it's only eleven o'clock in the morning. I take off my gloves and glance at my accomplishment. Rows of beautiful, healthy flowers of all colors surround the front porch of our little white house with blue trim. Today was our maintenance day. Once a week I like to pull the weeds in my mother's little flowerbed. I would pull the weeds in the vegetable garden out back too, but unfortunately it's reaping day and I don't believe the Capitol would be very considerate if I stayed home.
Through the daisies I see an animal. It's a little brown rabbit. We're far enough into the countryside away from the power plants and windmills that plants and animals are fairly common here.
"It's ok, I won't hurt you. You can come out." I coo thoughtfully at the little creature.
"Kara? Are you still out there dear? Please come in now. You must get ready for the reaping, we'll be leaving soon."
I groan. "Alright Mum, I'll be there in a moment!" I call out.
I smile once more at the little rabbit before getting up and dusting off my sundress. Scampering into the house, I hurry to my room where my mother has a dress already sitting out on my bed. It's similar to the one I'm already wearing, only it's light green and has short sleeves instead of being sleeveless.
I brush out my hair and my mother comes in to braid it for me. She kisses my forehead then takes my hand and leads me out of the room.
"Oh, don't you both look beautiful!" My father gushes and takes off his work hat.
He must have just gotten home because he's still in his work clothes and his covered in sweat and grime.
He goes to change and comes back in a few minutes, fresh and ready to go. The three of us head outside and down the trail that leads back to the center of district five. Overall, district five is a small place. Most of us live cozy lives out in the countryside and people travel into the little town to work.
I jog off to catch up with my good friend Carolina who is walking up ahead.
"Hello." I smile.
Carolina smiles back gently. "Hello Kara."
We walk together into the crowd of other kids waiting in the peacekeeper lines. I smile brightly at the peacekeeper about to take my name.
"Name please?" She says monotonously.
"Kara Summers." I say, my big, brown eyes smiley in the sunlight.
The peacekeeper gives me a funny look before telling me to proceed.
Finding a spot next to Carolina, I glance behind me and across the way. I see Hydro and a couple other boys I recognize. Hydro has always been kind to me. He bows his head suddenly. I think he's praying.
At the sound of the high-pitched Capitol accent, my head whirls around.
"Hello everyone! I will be district five's new escort and my name is Razzle. I'm pleased to meet you all and am very excited to be choosing our tributes for this year."
Razzle seems fairly nice so I'm not sure why there isn't a friendly response, but I watch the Capitol video picking up every detail on the cold game the Capitol has created.
"Now for our female tribute!" Razzle shouts once the video is over and shoves her hands into the rustling papers of the female reaping bowl.
Carolina finds my hand and holds on tightly.
"Kara Summers!"
Carolina squeezes my hand, then lets go. I look up. Everyone is staring at me in dead silence, the girls in my section giving me sorry looks clear a path for me to walk through.
When I get onto the stage I'm frozen.
"Hello dear, are you excited for the Games?"
I shake my head slowly.
Razzle hurries away to choose the male tribute.
"And for our male tribute we have… Hydro Cerberus!"
Someone in the crowd gasps and Hydro hurries to the stage. He shakes my hand kindly and I give a tiny smile. He's gives me one in return. At least I have one friend.
In town hall my mum and dad come in with Carolina to say goodbye.
"Please be safe my darling." My mum cries, kissing my cheeks and holding me close.
"I love you my sweet Kara." My dad says and hugs me tightly, burying his face him my dirty blond braid.
"I love you too Dad." I say and he lets me go.
"This is for you." Whispers Carolina and she hands me a little box. "It's from your parents and I."
When I open the box I find a pretty little locket. I smile and put it on.
"Thank you." I manage to choke out as they're ushered away from me.
I look longingly at the locket, my symbol of hope in a cold Game.