Laurel March POV District 7
I woke up early so I could make breakfast ready as well as get Acacia (my fourteen-year-old sister) ready as well as me. I went to the kitchen and saw that we were out of eggs. I could either beg the neighbors or I could make something without eggs. It took me a minute to realize we had leftover pancake batter. I put the first pancake on to cook and then take a minute to breathe. I felt the memories coming so I braced myself.
I could hear her screaming in the other room. She is screaming so loudly, so horridly. I then hear my father throwing things in the other room. He is crying, I've never heard him cry before. Her screams get louder. I hear him mutter," I did this to you. I swear, I'll never get you pregnant again. "
She let's out one last horrid screech then, she…stops. Another, younger, voice starts to wail. I prefer this crying then my mothers. The mid wife says it's a girl. I have a baby sister!
"John," my mother said calling my dad by his name. "Name her Acacia."
After a minute or two I hear my father begin to shout and cry again. I can't handle anymore. I run away from my house, my life, and my world.
I now wish I stayed. My mother asked for me once then she passed away. My father coped with her death by working 24/7. Ten years later a tree fell on him. It is a common death her in the lumber district, I just never expected to loose both parents at such a young age. I was then forced to grow up so much quicker than any thirteen-year-old should have to.
I stood up and brushed the few tears that escaped. I flipped the pancake then went to wake up my sister. She was only three years younger than my but it felt like I was her mother, not her sister. I gave her instructions to take the pancake of the pan and put another one on. I went to the bathroom so I could get ready first so I could help her. I brushed my reddish brown hair. I then put it in my normal bob that I keep it in. I looked in the mirror to put some eyeliner around my warm forest green eyes that always seem to have a playful sparkle to them. I looked down at my arms and saw my creamy fair skin with freckles. The freckles are also on my face. Acacia basically looked exactly like me except her hair is longer and she was blessed enough not to have freckles.
I got dressed in my reaping dress; a purple knee length dress. I then put on my sister's friendship bracelet (I switched my locket for it). I went back to the kitchen ate a pancake then got my sister ready. Her dress looked like mine except it was a pale green. Her token is the locket I switched with her. Once we did her hair we set off.
…
I stood in the seventeen-year-old section while Acacia stood in the fourteen-year-olds. We both listened to the mayor's boring speech and then gawked at the glowing person on stage. He was literally glowing. Our escort is weird, I think looking up at him. Before I knew it he reached his hand in the bowl and said the name that might make my sister the last March in this district.
"Laurel March!" He shouted in his dumb capital accent. I looked over at Acacia and shook my head. I could see it in her eyes, she was going to volunteer. She obeyed me and stood there silently crying. I got on stage and waited. I didn't even see the male tribute, all I saw was Acacia. We shook hands and marched in the City Hall.
…
"I should of volunteered! I killed Mom and now I might kill you!" Acacia shouted through her tears.
" No, you didn't kill me or Mom. Be careful until I return. The district will keep you in the community home until I return, okay? Or the Makeys said you could stay with them. It's you choice." I said rubbing her back. She shook her head.
"No! If the stinking capital takes you they'll have to take me as well!" She said wrapping her arms around me.
"Acacia! Don't you ever say anything like that again!" I ordered her right as the peacekeeper opened the door. She squeezed once more then aloud herself to be ushered out the door.
I was glad she was the one going through that door, because I wouldn't have been able to.
Authors note: here is a picture of her reaping outfit.com/Items_Big/6574_