Effie gets up, and gets ready for the Reaping. The fact that Effie's the oldest makes her the only child eligible to participate in the Hunger Games. Effie puts on a baby pink sundress with a baby soft pink bow.
"Effie?" Thalia asks before walking in.
Thalia stops when she enters the door.
"You're wearing Eve's dress," Thalia says.
"Yeah... I just felt like I needed to," Effie explains.
"You look so much like her," Thalia says.
"Well we both looked like you," Effie says with a smile.
Thalia helps Effie with her hair before leaving to help Benjamin.
The smell of pancakes waft through the house. Effie takes a deep breath, and exhales. The smell of pancakes are oddly calming to her. They remind her of home.
"Breakfast," Her father calls from the kitchen.
Effie goes downstairs, and sits at the kitchen table. Her father places a plate of pancakes in front of her along with orange juice.
"If I didn't have on my glasses, I would have mistaken you for Eve," Her dad says.
"Mom says I look awfully like her," Effie says.
"That means that we always have her with us," Her dad says.
Effie's blood is taken, and stamped. They identify her, and she is told to go within her line. She stands next to Annalise, Maysilee, her twin sister Maelynn, and Lilian, Eli's previous girlfriend. Thankfully Lilian had no problem with Effie dating Eli. Lilian's dating a coal miner anyway. The same propaganda video is showed once again, and Effie tries to find a distraction. When the video ends, the high pitched voice of the escort brings her out of her daze.
"Welcome children to the 50th Hunger Games. Isn't this year exciting? Twice as many tributes, means twice the fun," The escort, Edna says.
Effie bites her tongue trying not to say anything that could get her in trouble.
"Willow Quince," Edna says into the microphone.
"Last but not least: Effina Trinket," Edna says.
Effie's breath gets caught in her throat. Her hand is gripped by Annalise telling her not to go. As soon as Effie gets her hand free, she goes into the aisle Her feet drag as she walks up to the stage. She looks into the crowd, and sees her mother's tearful face. The four she just stood next to have their heads hung down. Effie turns into the boys section, and sees Eli shaking his head. On his shoulder is Haymitch's hand probably holding him back.
"Now for the boys," Edna says.
Trevor Sams...Haymitch Abernathy," Edna says.
There's a scream, and Effie knows that it belongs to Annalise. She looks at Haymitch, and he tears his eyes from her gaze.
Effie's not sure if it's the heat or if it's just the excitement of the Reaping. Effie feels herself getting lightheaded and somewhat sick. Without much time inbetween, Effie faints on stage. The last thing she hears is Eli calling out her name.
When she wakes up, she sees her mother sitting by her side. Her head pounds, and her eyes sting at the sudden brightness of the lights.
"What am I doing home?" I ask sitting up in bed.
"It's a long story..." My mother says.
"Just tell me so I won't find out about at the wrong moment," I say.
"Maysilee took your place," My mother says.
"Why?" I ask.
"You know your father has connections in the Capitol, and he had a word the President. He begged that your name be taken out of the Reaping bowl, and the President agreed. Though only on one condition: You're to go to Games school and become an escort. You'll be briefed on when you'll be relocated to the Capitol,"My mom says.