Author's Note: Oh my gosh you guys are lucky. I actually felt motivated to write Kita's reaping so here you go! Maybe my procrastination streak is over. I hope so...that means only 4 reaping left until the Capitol! Read and review. Thanks guys. Who knows, maybe I'll try to write some more reapings today and publish then either later today or tomorrow? Don't get you hopes up though, I have to clean my room too. XD
I come home after visiting Zahira, my neighbor and best friend. Mama tells me to go out and find Lien, luckily I know just where to find him. My other brothers Parul, Kusuma, Guldali, Mrinalini, and Malati all shuffle around the house getting ready for the reaping so I'm glad to have an excuse to leave.
Outside the wind is blowing gently and the sun shines down upon our fields. I take a quick stop by one of the pastures to give Sage, my favorite cow, a pat on the head. Where I'm standing there isn't a cloud in sight and the blue sky makes me feel happy to be alive. It makes me forget everything for a moment. Just for a moment, everything goes away…the reaping, the Capitol, worrying about where the next meal will come from.
I spot Lien in his usual spot overlooking the fields and jog over to him.
"Hey Lien…" I say at first, but I don't think he hears me so I try again. "Lien? Mama says to come inside…it's time to get ready." I say a little louder and this time he hears me.
He gets up and turns to face me. "Alright." He says giving a little smile and putting his arm around me. He's very, very tall. He's much taller than my other brothers, but he's my favorite brother.
Back in the house I sit down on our sagging couch and wait. I had gotten ready before I went to visit Zahira. Watching my family move frantically around the house reminds me a bit of a circus.
Lien's the last to get ready and he looks a bit shocked at the fact too. He's usually one of the first to be ready to go.
Papa asks if we're ready to go and I nod along with the others. As we walk along I slide my hand in Lien's.
"Mama made them get ready early today." I smile, giving an explanation to why he was last to be ready and he smiles.
When we get to the middle of town I part ways with my siblings and get checked in with the over thirteen year olds. I find a spot next to Zahira. She gives me a look of support and squeezes my hand in encouragement.
Our escort has so many jewels plastered on her that she's almost blinding to look at, but something about her outfit is dazzling. She announces the Capitol video and I actually watch it this time since last year I was almost having a heart attack. Unlike some districts, almost everyone in district 10 pays attention to the video even though they've seen it plenty of times. I think it's just in our nature. We're patient people. We have to be since we raise cattle. Things won't go well for you if you're not gentle with the animals.
I pull my ponytail a bit tighter just as our escort announces it's time to choose the tributes. My heart begins to race, knowing the female tribute is always chosen first.
"Now for our glamorous female tribute we shall choose…" She picks a card from the top, holding it between her sparkling fingers. "Kita FeFure!"
Zahira gasps beside me and I turn to look at her, fearing the worst. It's true. I was called and my name was only in the reaping bowl once. I make my way to the stage. I try to keep strong, hoping no one will notice my lips quivering. I'm going to cry, but bite my tongue to stop them from running down my face. I have to stay strong.
"Now for our male tribute…"
"I volunteer!" Comes the shout of a familiar voice. It's Lien. Lien volunteered to be with me. I really wish he hadn't, but if anyone can win the Games it's him.
A quick exchange of words between our escort and Lien reveals the fact that we're siblings and Lien takes my hand as we enter the building.
I cry as I say goodbye to my family.
"Where's Lien?" My father asks.
"He can't say goodbye. He just…can't." I say through the tears and realize my father understands.
"This is for you. I was saving it for your birthday, but I think you should take it now." Mrinalini says quietly.
He puts a carved wooden cow in my hands, Sage. He'd always been good at woodcarving.
"Thank you so much." I say and we embrace each other.
Then they have to leave and my cow and me wait for Lien to return.