DISTRICT 9 REAPING
I looked up at the ceiling above me, my fingers twitching. I didn't know why, but something told me that something horrible was going to happen today. I turned my head to see my sister, Sapphire, sound asleep. I looked to the other side to see my twin Adi asleep as well. I let out a sigh of relief.
Sapphire stirred beside me and her eyes fluttered open. I smiled as her blue eyes twinkled in the starlight that trickled through the small window on the ceiling.
"Drew?" She began, but I silenced her softly and murmured,
"It's okay, Sapphire. Go to sleep. It's still night." I stroked her golden hair and watched as her droopy eyelids fell over her eyes and she faded into sleep. I felt Adi tap on my shoulder.
"What?" I whispered as I turned to see her.
"What? What are you doing up so late?" She said, meeting my gaze at the ceiling.
"Oh...me? Nothing." I said. Adi looked at me for a minute, her deep blue eyes unwavering, then turned and settled down into a daze. I then turned back to the ceiling to see a shooting star boom over the sky out from the window. I gasped in awe as it fluttered through the air, then disappeared in the distance.
Once it was gone, I smiled hugely as the stars slowly faded into a deep orange sunrise. The cold of the night was replaced with a warming feel.
"Drew!" I heard my mother call, and I was brought out of my daze as the sun rose up.
"Drew, Sapphire, Adi MacDonald! Please come for breakfast!" My mother's voice rang out. I shook my head and clambered over Sapphire, who haven't even stirred yet. Adi got up as well.
"Wake up, Sapphire." I said, patting her shoulder. Her eyes burst open and she screeched,
"Ah! What?" She blinked, her eyes wide.
"It's okay." I soothed her. She calmed down a bit then climbed out of bed.
I padded out across the study room with my sisters, my feet moving gracefully as we made our way into the huge kitchen.
I smiled at the sight of delicious cheese buns and waffles. A real treat, because it was usually just toast. This time my mother even made us fruit syrup, made from crushed fruit and sweet sauce.
"Thanks." I said, and all of us ate our delicious breakfast. We said nothing as we ate the cheese buns and waffles, yet babbled on as we made our way back into our room and to the bathroom.
"Should I wear a braid? Two braids? Oh, I know! Maybe a bun, or just down? Perhaps I should have pigtails..." Sapphire said as she brushed out her gold hair. Adi was just as talkative.
"White ribbon or black ribbon? Ponytail or braided bun? Silver dress or white dress? White shoes or white pointy shoes?" Adi said, looking at all her options, letting her blonde hair raise and fall as she scurried across the room.
"I'll just go with the usual!" I laughed, combing out my blonde hair that had unique blue tips. My blue eyes laughed with me as I brushed my teeth, then slipped into my Reaping outfit.
"What do I do?" Sapphire wailed after she was in her dress, but still wondered about her hair. I chuckled then walked over to her and braided it twice down her back.
"Cute!" She giggled, then she slid into her shoes.
"I'll just go with braided bun." I heard Adi murmur. She carefully and gracefully braided her hair back a few times, then fixed it in a bun on top of her head.
Once they were done, we padded to the square.
"Ladies first!" The crazy lady screeched, and there was this whole thing were someone named Milo got picked and a girl with long blonde hair volunteered. The crowd was silent. Even us.
"Now, the BOYS!" The lady screamed. I covered my ears until she pulled out a name.
"Jonathan Trill!" The lady said. Oh no. That was Sapphire's best friend. I couldn't think for a second, when suddenly Sapphire was running towards him, calling his name. The boy stopped and looked at her sadly. He was ill. He have been ill for a while.
"No..." I whispered, then ran up to him and yelled,
"I volunteer!"
I wasn't thinking straight, or was I? No, I was. There's a reason I volunteered. I couldn't let either of them, Sapphire or Jonathan, suffer. I had a job to do.
"No! No, Drew!" Sapphire clutched my hand. I tugged away and looked at the ground.
"I volunteer." I repeated. I walked up to the stage, determination surging through me, and stepped up.
"What's your name?" The lady asked.
"Drew..." I said, thinking about my sisters, my mother, my father I never knew...
I suddenly realized that they rested in my grasp. I was determined to win.
"Drew MacDonald." I said loudly.
