From Fearful to Victor
Chapter 1: Reaping Day
I wake up, and feel the dread rising in my stomach. It's Reaping Day. My name has been in those bowls for five years now, and I haven't been picked yet, but I might be picked this year. This thought alone makes me want to vomit. My name is in there fifteen times. Since I'm seventeen my name has to be in there six times, but we also have the option of applying for tessera to get some grain and oil. However, to get tessera you have to enter your name another time. Most families take the risk though, because they don't want to starve, like my family. I crawl out of bed after trying, and failing, to calm my nerves. I go down our rickety stairs to find my mom and sister already awake. "Good morning Johanna," They both say to me "I've drawn a bath for you," My mother says. On Reaping Day you must bather, and dress nicely. I think this rule is kind of stupid, since the reaping is practically a death sentence here in the districts. However, I go into the bathroom where a tin tub of warm water is waiting for me. I scrub my dirty hands, and feet, and wash my hair. After I'm as clean as I can be I go back up to my room where I find my only nice outfit, a cream blouse, and green skirt laid out for me. I put it on and go downstairs. I have worn this outfit for many reapings, and when I first put it on I felt beautiful, but now it just feels like habit wearing this outfit for the reaping. Illana, my sister, is already eating a measly breakfast of bread. I sit down at the ruff wooden table and eat as well. The Reaping isn't until 11:30, so I have an hour to spare before we have to go to the town square.
. . .
At 11:30 the alarm blares and my mother, sister, and I head to the town square, cutting through the forests, since they surround most of our house as we live near the edge of our district. The dark green of the forest calms me, and I begin to calm a bit, but get nervous again as we near the town square. I sign in, barely feeling the prick of the needle that pierces my fingertip as I am too focused on the reaping ahead of me, and head to the section for the seventeen year olds. My mother and sister head to the back, to watch. The town square is rid of it's usual lumber piles, and is looking much cleaner since the reaping is a televised event. The trees surrounding us make a beautiful scenery however. Oh how I wish I could be in those forests now. After a few minutes, when everyone is in their correct sections, Autumn Miller, the District 7 escort, walks out onto the stage, wearing her ridiculous bright clothing, shoes, and wig. This year she is wearing bright yellow, and she stands out against the dark green of our district. "Welcome, welcome, and happy Hunger Games!" She says, "First we will watch this very special film," Everyone turns to face the large screen behind us, and the traditional film about the uprising and creation of the Hunger Games plays. I mostly tune out this part of the reaping, the only part I care about is who gets picked. Instead I focus on the forests, and I look at my mother who looks back at me with reassuring eyes. After the film ends Autumn goes over to the bowl full of the girls names. "Ladies first," she says. I hold my breath as she picks the first piece of paper her fingers touch, and walks briskly back over to the microphone. She opens the slip of paper and reads out, "Johanna Mason."