District Four: Cassandra Vale's Reaping

"Morning Mum" I call to my Mum as I walk downstairs.

"Morning sweetheart. You're up early?" she questions.

"I'm going for a run. Aren't you working today?" I respond, filling up my water bottle and grabbing my timer.

"I have the day off. Be back in a hour, you need to get ready for the reaping"

I groan. How could I have forgotten about today? Great!

"I will be, don't worry" I tell her, kissing her cheek.

Ever since my Father and my sister, Ariel, died, my Mother has been extra protective of me. My sister and Father were killed because the Capitol suspected that they were plotting against them, which they weren't. My Mother works 24/7 to support us both, and that's why I was surprised to see her. I go for a run around the whole district. I don't plan on volunteering for the games, but I wan't to stay fit and healthy. As I run, I try to push all panic of the reaping out of my head. Ariel never had to worry about this. As soon as she turned twelve, Dad set her away to train as a Peacekeeper, so she could never be reaped.

I check the time and let out a small shriek. I'm on the other side of the district, and I have to be home in five minutes. I sprint with all my might and arrive home thirty minutes late to find my Mother a wreck.

"Where have you been?" she yells.

"I'm sorry, I lost track of time! Please stop yelling!" I sob, covering my ears. I hate shouting. I don't like yelling, whether it be at me or at other people.

"Sorry darling, I just got worried" my Mother appologied, wrapping me in a bone-crushing hug.

"I'm going to get ready."

"You don't have time for a bath, just wash yourself quickly. Then, go into your room, get dressed into your reaping outfit, then I'll do your hair for you"

"Thanks Mum!" I say, happily as I skip up the stairs, happy that the yelling has stopped and our row is over.

I really quickly wash myself and then towel dry myself. I then go into my room and pull out my reaping outfit, a green dress that matches my eyes perfectly. I put it on and call my Mother to do my hair. She brushes my black hair into a straight, glossy sheet. I love my hair, it really brings out my eyes. Once my Mother is satisfied she holds up the mirror. I don't mean to sound arrogant, but I look quite beautiful, with my tanned skin and light freckles. I am not short, but I'm not tall either.

"You ready to go?" my Mother asks.

I nod. We link arms and make our way to the square where the reaping is always held. Some people in district four think that is odd that my Mother and I, a sixteen year old girl, still link arms, but to be honest, we've both been through so much together, that we've become so close. Also, with my Mother always working to support us, we hardly ever get to spend any time together, so we cherish the precious moments that we do get to spend together. Once we get to the square, I kiss my Mother's powdered cheek and go to sign in. Then I go join my friends Katie, Frost and Eliana. I wave over to my boyfriend, David, in the boys section. I try to talk with them, but Eliana being the competetive person she is, kept talking over the top of me, and telling the others how apparently I wasn't a "true friend". Ugh that girl. I tried really hard not to let the tears fall as well. She keeps going on until out escort, Maybelline Arb saunters onto stage, dressed as a cat, with a surgecally attatched tail?! She plays us the same video as she does every year, telling us about the Dark Days and how the Capitol stomped down the flaims of rebellion and eliminated district thirteen. Finally, it is time to pick the female tribute. She walks over to the reaping bowl and pulls out a name.

"Faith Melanie" she purs.

I hear a gasp from Eliana as she goes ashen. Where have I heard the name Melanie before? Oh my god, it's Eliana's twelve year old sister! I can't let a twelve year old die! This is my chance to show Eliana that I am a good friend by saving her sister's life.

"I volunteer" I call out, walking past Eliana with a smile. It is not until I get to the stage and Faith has gone back to her place that I realise what I have done.

A/N hi! so that's the district four females reaping! I hope you liked it! Let me know in the reviews what you thought of Cassandra and how I portrayed her! A big thanks to DaughterofLove7491 for Cassandra!Also, the knew quiz for sponsor points for your tribute is now up on my forum (the link for which is on my profile), so feel free to check it out! Also, just to let you know, I am now a betareader, so if you are looking for a beta, please feel free to have a look at my beta profile, as I am currently accepting beta requests! Thanks xxx