Ch 12: District 11's Reaping
Gianni Scarpulla, 17, District 11 male
"Gianni, wake up," my brother Frankie yelled through my ear.
"What was that for?" I started. I'm sleeping!"
"Mom said to come eat breakfast," Frankie said.
"Yelling was a little overboard," I said.
"Maybe, but anyway, come eat breakfast," Frankie said.
"Ok," I said.
I come into the kitchen with Frankie and we both sat down with our parents. Frankie is lucky that he doesn't have to worry about today, he's 19, therefore he is too old to be reaped. I'm only 17, so I only have two more reaping days until I'm free.
"Frankie, we're so proud of you," my mom started.
"What for?" Frankie asked.
"You're free, son," my dad started. "You don't have to worry about today anymore."
"I'm free, but Gianni isn't," Frankie started. "I wish you were too old to be reaped too bro."
"It's ok," I started. "It's two more years, I got this."
"I hope so," Frankie said.
"I know so," I said.
"I'm positive that you will be free, Gianni," , my dad started. "Just like Frankie is now."
"And then the both of you can live your life," my mom said.
My family and I ate breakfast until we had to get ready for the reaping. I went into the room that Frankie and I shared and got out my clothes. I putted on a white polo with khaki pants and waited for my family. After my family was ready, we left for the square. When we arrived at the square, I said goodbye to my family and went to get signed in.
"Name?" The peacekeeper asked.
"Gianni Scarpulla," I responded as my finger is pricked.
After I was signed in, I went into the 17 year old pen and found my best friend Vinnie.
"Hey Vinnie, what's up?" I asked.
"Not only is the reaping today, I have work after," Vinnie said.
"I thought you get off on Reaping Day," I said.
"I did," Vinnie started. "I chose to work today so I can get extra money," Vinnie said.
"That's a good reason, but I'm going to enjoy my day off after the reaping," I said.
"Don't rub it in," said Vinnie.
"I just did," I said laughing.
Vinnie and I laughed until the escort came on stage. Our escort is Melissa Asher, she's new. I think this is her first year escorting us. After the speech, the reaping started. Melissa went to the boys bowl and pulled out a slip
"Gianni Scarpulla," Melissa announced.
Dammit, the impossible happened, I been reaped. Vinnie was shocked as the peacekeepers took me to the stage. My family was devastated. I decided that I can't be scared, 48 tributes is a lot. But maybe I can do it, maybe I can outlast everybody in the arena. I know for certain that I'm not afraid.
Grace Rayner, 17, District 11 female
My alarm beeps loudly as I woke up. I groaned, i didn't want to wake up yet. I turned my alarm off and went back to sleep. A couple of hours later, my mom wakes me up.
"Grace, get up, it's time for breakfast," my mom said.
"Ok," I said.
I reluctantly got out bed and went into the kitchen to eat breakfast with my parents.
"Morning Grace," my dad started. ""How is your morning so far?"
"To be honest Dad, Reaping Day shouldn't happen, The Hunger Games shouldn't happen. It's not fair that me and other teenagers are being punished for what our ancestors did," I said.
"Believe me honey, I know it's not fair. But we have no control, the Capitol controls the games," my dad said.
"I know," I started. "I wished that it didn't exist though, I'm scared about going to the arena."
"You don't have to be scared," my mom said.
"I know, but this year has 48 tributes. I'm scared of dying," I said.
"Don't worry, you won't get reaped. You have to be confident," my dad said.
"Ok," I said.
"Don't let today get you down," my mom started. "Look on the bright side, you have today and next year until you're free."
"Yeah, I can't wait until it's over," I said.
"Just know that your mother and I will always be there for you, Grace," my dad said.
"Thanks, guys," I said. "You know what? I'm not scared anymore, I can do this."
"That's our girl," my dad said.
My parents and I ate breakfast until I had to get ready. I putted on my navy blue reaping dress and waited for my parents. When my parents were ready, we left for the square. When we arrived at the square, I said goodbye to my parents and went to get signed in.
"Name?" The peacekeeper asked.
"Grace Rayner," I responded as my finger is pricked.
After I was signed in, I went into the 17 year old pen and found my friend Alice.
"Hey, Alice," I started. "What's up?"
"Today's another boring reaping, I wish it can just end," said Alice.
"Me too, but there's nothing we can do about it," I said,
"I know," Alice started. "So, 48 tributes, what do you think is going to happen in the arena this year?"
"It's going to be bloody," I said.
"I think so too," Alice said.
Alice and I talked until our escort Melissa came on the stage. After the first boy was reaped, Melissa went to the girls bowl and pulled out a slip.
"Grace Rayner," Melissa announced.
I was shocked, I couldn't believe it. I been reaped. This year was probably the worst year to be reaped because there's 48 tributes this year. I was escorted to the stage by the peacekeepers. I can't give up. Even though I been reaped, I'm not giving up without a fight.
Nick Pepe, 17, District 11 male
I wake up early in morning so I can get to my job as a harvester. I leave my small house and ran to the field I work at. I got to the small hut where my boss Xander works in and went to sign in. Xander was surprised when he saw me.
"Nick, what the hell are you doing here? It's Reaping Day," Xander said.
"Dammit, I forgot," I said.
"Well, at least it's early. Go home and get ready for the reaping," Xander said.
"Ok, Xander, see you tomorrow," I said.
I left the field and ran back home. I can't believe that I forgot that today happens to be the worst day in history. The Hunger Games are cruel and unforgiving. I wish it can end. I got home and found my parents already in the kitchen.
"Where were you, Nick?" My dad asked.
"I forgot today was Reaping Day and I accidentally went to the fields," I said.
"At least you won't be late for today," my dad said.
"Yeah, that will be painful," I said.
I remember last year when a boy decided to skip the reaping and he was whipped in front of everybody for it.
"Breakfast is ready," my mom announces.
I sat down at the table with my parents and began to eat breakfast.
"are you off today?" My dad asked.
"I am now, I thought I wasn't," I said.
"Then relax, you deserved it," my mom said.
"I'm definitely taking a nap after today, I woke up early for nothing," I said.
"Are you nervous about today?" My mom asked.
"Not really, there's a small chance of me being reaped," I replied.
"Let's hope the odds are in your favor," my dad said.
"I hope so," I started. "I only have two more years left."
I ate breakfast with my family until I had to get ready. I took a shower and got dressed. After we were all ready, we left for the square. When we arrived at the square, I said goodbye to my parents and went to get signed in. After I was signed in, I went into the 17 year old pen and found my friend Ethan.
"Hey Nick, why do you look tired?" Ethan asked.
"I accidentally went to the fields," I said.
"You did know that today is Reaping Day right?" Ethan said.
"I forgot," I started. "I'm lucky that I made it here."
"I'm never going to let you live this down," Ethan said.
"Shut up," I said.
"I'm just joking with you," Ethan said laughing.
Ethan and I talked until our escort Melissa came on the stage. After the usual speech, the reaping started. After the first the boy and girl were reaped, Melissa went back to the boys bowl and pulled out a slip.
"Nick Pepe," Melissa announced.
I was shocked as the peacekeepers took me to the stage. I said earlier that I wasn't scared and I'm still not scared. I'm going into the arena brave and I will come back home, or die trying.
Zoe Gemmel, 17, District 11 female
I wake up to the sound of my twin sister Gabby shaking me.
"Zoe, wake up," Gabby said.
"I'm up, I'm up," I said.
"Mom said breakfast was ready," Gabby said.
"Ok," I said.
I followed Gabby out of our room into the kitchen. We both sat down at the table with our dad as our mom finishes making breakfast.
"Good morning, girls," my dad said.
"Morning, Dad," Gabby and I said in unison.
"How are you girls feeling about today?" My mom asked.
"I'm tired," Gabby said. "I want to go back to bed."
"You can do it after the reaping," my dad said. "What about you, Zoe?"
"I'm scared about today," I said.
"I understand, there's a lot of you scared of today," my mom said.
"You haven't been reaped yet," my dad said.
"But my name is in the bowl 6 times today, the odds just get bigger every year," I said.
"Zoe, you have two years left, you won't get reaped," my dad said. "Just keep telling yourself that, imagine that you and Gabby are going to be free from the games."
"Ok, Dad," I started. "I'll try that."
"Good, there's nothing to be afraid of," my dad said.
"Enough talking, let's eat," Gabby said.
My family and I ate breakfast until me and Gabby had to get ready for the reaping. Gabby was wearing a white dress while I was wearing a red dress. After my parents were ready, we left for the square. When arrived at the square, Gabby and I said goodbye to our parents and went to get signed in.
"Name?" The peacekeeper asked.
"Zoe Gemmel," I replied as my finger is pricked.
I waited for Gabby to get signed in. When she was signed in, we went into the 17 year old pen. I got more nervous as we entered.
"Don't be afraid, everything will be alright," Gabby said.
"I believe you, good luck," I said.
"Thanks, you too," Gabby said.
Our escort Melissa then came on the stage. After speech, the reaping started. After the 2 boys and 1 girl were reaped, Melissa went back to the girls bowl and pulled out a slip.
"Zoe Gemmel," Melissa announced.
No, no, no. My worst fear has just happened. Gabby was stunned, she gave me a hug as the peacekeepers took me to the stage. When I was on the stage, I see my parents shocked. I never had more scared in my life and now I'm being force into the arena.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Melissa started. "I present to you our tributes from District 11!"
We were then taken into the justice building.
Ok guys, District 11 is up. One more district until we have our 48 tributes. Enjoy the story and leave a review about your favorite tribute so far. District 12 will be up soon.