Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games.
A/N: There will be twenty-four oneshots in all, going in district order, boy/girl. Each one will feature a different person and their reason for sponsoring the designated tribute. Updates will hopefully be one a day, with one exception. Please, enjoy and thanks for the very kind reviews :) By the by, if you have any concrit or anything, please feel free to tell me. It's always appreciated.
12) Jane Berry – District Six (Girl)
I made two mistakes. The first was promising my daughter she could have anything she wanted (within reason) for her birthday. The second was watching the Reaping with her.
My little girl is only six-years-old but she has a huge heart. Sadly, she still hasn't grasped that the Hunger Games have no real significance on our lives. Interesting to watch but, for me at least, completely irrelevant to anything in our day-to-day lives.
She, however, took one look at the screen and saw the girl from District 6 hug the boy next to her after her name was called at the reaping. Then she looked at me with sad eyes.
"Daddy, Jane's going to die."
It took me a moment to work out who Jane was. "She might not, honey," I said soothingly. "She might win." If everyone else in the Games had heart attacks, I added under my breath.
She wasn't fooled. "Dad, she might not see her boyfriend again. We have to help."
What was she expecting me to do? "I can't take her place, sweetie."
She left the room.
Now, it's after the Opening Ceremony and her little face has been creased in thought all day. "Dad," she says suddenly, "how do they get those presents? In the arena, I mean."
"Um … people give money to the tributes and their mentor buys the presents."
She grins. "Daddy," she says in the tone of voice which means my wallet is about to become lighter, "could you give Jane money?"
"Sweetie, I don't think it would help much," I tell her. This girl is about sixteen but she doesn't look up to much. I personally think she'll die on the first day.
Valene's eyes brim with tears. "But she won't see her family again."
"Honey, most of these kids won't. That's their punishment."
I shouldn't have said that. I knew when I was speaking that explaining the point of these Games to a six-year-old was a bad idea but I still did it. And now Valene is sobbing.
"Can't we help them all?" She straightens and looks at me pitifully. "As my birthday present? Please, Daddy?"
"I could only sponsor one," I begin hastily.
"Jane."
"Well, er-"
"Please?" Her blue eyes are pleading. Tears are streaking down her cheeks. I can't deny a face like that; I pick up the phone. She squeals and hugs me. Well, she should.
"Hello. Yes, I'm going to sponsor Jane … Berry? Yes, her please."