Avian Tiller

District 6

I open my blue green eyes and step out of my bed. I frown when I notice a pile of clothes on the ground, and walk closer to see what the big mess is about.

On top of the pile is a note, Reaping Day, it said.

My moms probably already there. She tries to avoid me on reaping days, every since I turned twelve. I feel bad for her, ever since her older sister died in the hunger games they have followed her.

Not that she leaves me with nothing when she goes. My dads here, and there's always piles of food, and then my clothes, all ready. Besides, I'm used to it. I don't mind as much as I used too

I grab the outfit she had set out. A deep black shirt, with black jeans, and black shoes, and pull everything on. Without even checking I headed out of my room and was surprised to see my mother sitting there.

"Mom? You aren't at the reaping?" She is shoveling food into her mouth, looking like she hasn't eaten in days.

"I was hungry…" I suddenly realized why I never saw her until after the reaping. She was a mess – Her hair hung flat and mess around her head, her eyes looked sad and red.

I ran my fingers through my dark hair, the same as my mothers. "Ok. That's ok. What are you eating?" She passed over some toast and strawberry jelly, and we ate in silence until my dad came over.

"Why so glum?" His voice as loud and happy, because he knows he is the one who will have to cheer us up.

"Its reaping day. Why wouldn't we be?" I stare into the eyes of the man who is so jolly he should be fat and wearing a red suit. In reality though, he is thin and pale, and he doesn't really wear red much.

"Well cheer up! What if today was your last day?" He takes his seat beside me and starts eating a piece of toast.

"It could be." I mutter as I stand and make my way out the door, and to the reaping. I can deal with him right now.

OoOoO

I walk through the crowd of people, all gathered to watch the reaping. Girls in dresses, boys in tuxes, there are so many. I finally land in the 14's section and wait for the treaty to be done.

"Now welcome our escort, Relish Daniels!" A young girl, that can't be near 18, steps onto the stage, with white hair literally trailing behind her.

"Ladies first!" Chirped the girl. She made her way to the girls' bowel, her gold eyes never leaving the crowd.

"Luna Night!" She calls out.

Several cries come from the crowd as a girl with long black hair makes her way to the stage. It swirled around her face, blocking any recognition I may have of her

She steps onto the stage loudly, the clack from her shoes echoing around us. Half the district covered the ears, and I smiled. She seemed like a fighter; hopefully she would make it back.

"And now the boys!" The girl calls. Her voice sounds like she is about to break down into hysterics as she says this, and my smile becomes even bigger.

"Avian Tiller!"

That's me! My poor mother…

I walk forward quickly, wanting to get this over with as soon as possible. As soon as I am up there, I stick out my arm for her to shake.

"Congratulations to the tributes from District Six, Luna and Avian! Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor!"

OoOoO

My mother is hugging me so tight, I feel like I may break in half. I don't say anything, because I know she needs this. Honestly, we both need this.

I spend the time thinking about what she will do if I die. She would probably break down again, if she loses her only son. Her only child.

"That isn't going to happen." I accidentally say aloud.

"What?" My mothers voice is weak as she says this, but I pretend not to notice..

"I'm not going to die, I am going to make it home. I promise. Do you believe me?" I look into her eyes and will her to realize her answer to this question determines my will to live.

"You can make it home Avian, I know it." She gives me one last squeeze before leaving the room, and letting in my father.

"Avian you can do it. I know it. Try your best ok? Come back home." I nod in assurement, to sad to speak.

All I know, is I better win.

OoOoO

I walked onto the train alone, because I didn't have any time to visit Luna. I gazed around, trying to see everything going on.

On one side of the train a girl with black hair and red highlights leaned, and Luna stood by her. They weren't talking yet but they looked like they would soon.

Next to them a boy stood scared. He looked nowhere near prepared for this.

In a corner stood a girl with stormy eyes, and a boy with very dark green eyes, talking to a short girl with read hair.

A girl with almost bronzed hair was in a different corner of the train, talking to a girl with golden curly hair. She constantly looked at a guy across the room with blue eyes.

That guy was talking to another guy, whose black hair went just a bit shorter then many girls I knew, and then another skinny boy stood near them, talking to them but still looking excluded.

I decided to go by the boy who looked scared, just to comfort him.

"I am Avian Tiller. I just got on, I'm from district 6. You are?"

He lifted his pale blue eyes toward me, and I smiled. A gesture he returned reluctantly.

"Jay Wilcox. I'm from 3."

"You ready for this?" I didn't tell him what 'this' was, but I'm sure he understood.

"No. Are you?" The way he said it assured me he knew exactly what I would say.

"Definitely not."

A/N I'm off to the library tonight (: By the way, If you are wondering about the word chortle in the other chapter, it was only because I could resist ;) Its and inside joke word. Well, off to eat lunch! One more tribute than we are halfway there! I'm excited to get these reapings OVER! So for sponsoring, everyone starts with two points. Heres the sponsor thing –

1 point per review

2 points for chariot outfits (Im bad at these)

3 points for arena suggestions

5 consolation if your tribute dies, 6 if it's in the bloodbath.

If you submit any other idea, depending on what it is you will get points accordingly kk?

Then the item list -

small food item, small bottle of water, other small items. - (Like a loaf of bread, a nail file or something for an item I don't know) 2 points.

Small weapons, knife, dagger, 12 arrows, jug of water, larger food items. - 5 points

Large weapons, bow and 12 arrows, trident, sword, small medicines, large feast, - 8 points

life saving medicine and items – 12 points

I will add up the points when I get the time to do so, but remember – you cant sponsor your own tribute!