The Seventieth Hunger Games chapter 1
Hey guys! So, this is the first real chapter to my new story. Please review and tell me your thoughts and ideas. Now, on with the chapter!
Lily's POV:
The morning of Reaping Day was as dreary as ever. It took me 4 minutes just to get out of bed. I finally stood up and walked to the window. I see the streets and people milling about. For District 12, I live in a pretty good place. I feel sorry for the people that live in the Seam, but nobody in Panem can truly be happy. Sure, the Capital citizens can wear their "glamorous" clothing and strange makeup to try to fool themselves into happiness. But even for them it's not real. I got dressed in my Reaping Day dress. It's a mint colored light-to-dark ombre peasant dress, that's cinched at the waist and has short sleeves. It's summer now, thank God. I, of course, wore my little oval-shaped gold locket that I got for my 13th birthday. It was my favorite thing that I own. I left my waist-length hair loose and looked in the mirror. I looked okay. Everyone tells me I'm prettier than I think I am. But when I see myself, I just see a normal 15-year-old girl. I couldn't think of more things to do, so I went downstairs. The bakery was as busy as ever. People were getting treats to celebrate with, if they didn't get reaped.
"Lillian?" Mom said.
"Yeah?" I replied.
"I need you to go to the market and get more ingredients," Mom said. "Reaping Day is the busiest, sometimes and we're running out."
"Alright, mother," I said.
My parents and I have never been on the best of terms. They want me to focus on studies and be a perfect, classy girl from the good part of 12. If I do that, they think maybe, I can get to the Capital, someday. I would rather go to the Hunger Games. I'm smart. I know that. At the school they have old computers and I'm always getting into things that I shouldn't. Once, I accidently accessed the Capital Bank mainframe. That year, a surprisingly large sum of money was given to District 12. I was never caught.
I made my way to the market. I had slept late and it would be reaping time in almost an hour and a half. I looked at the list my mother had given me and picked out the things. My youngest brother, Peeta was only 12 and it was his first reaping. I wanted to spend some time with him today. Peeta was always my favorite brother. He's the only one that doesn't agree with what my parents want me to be.
After buying the ingredients, I walked home fast. I saw Katniss Everdeen walking around with Gale Hawthorn. I've seen them a lot. Katniss is in Peeta's class and Gale is the class under mine. I like Katniss. She's a very good shot with a bow. But there's something about Gale that bothers me. I'm polite to his face, of course. But there's something.
I walked back into the bakery and set the bag of ingredients on the counter.
"Thank you, Lillian," Mother said. "Go help Peeta with the cakes."
I sat down at a table with Peeta. He was unusually quiet, but I knew why. Before I could ask him Peeta said, "It's Reaping Day."
"Yes, it is, Peeta," I replied.
"What if I get picked," Peeta said. "I'm old enough now."
"It's your first year, Peeta," I said. "You won't get picked."
"But what if you get picked?"
I froze. "I won't leave you, Peeta. Even if I get picked, I'll try to win for you."
"Promise?" Peeta said. "You'll come back?"
I didn't say anything for a minute. "Yes, Peeta. I promise. But I don't plan on getting picked."
I stood in the middle of the crowd in front of the Justice Building. Effie Trinket stood in front of the microphone and Haymitch Abernathy sits in a chair near the back of the edge of the stairs that they were using as a stage. The mayor sat there, as well, looking distracted.
"Happy Hunger Games," Effie said into the microphone. "And may the odds be ever in your favor."
"Oh please," I muttered to myself.
Two large bowls sat on tables on either side on Effie. One, held the girl's name and the other held the boy's.
"As always," Effie said, "ladies first."
Effie's hand fished around the bowl for a moment. Then, she pulled out a piece of paper and read the name in a clear voice.
"Lillian Mellark."
I stood still for a minute. How? How is it me? My name isn't even in there that many times.
"Lillian Mellark?" Effie repeated. "Please come up here."
I wasn't going to give them the satisfaction of seeing me upset. I held my head high and walked up the stairs next to Effie. I looked out to the crowd. My parents looked disappointed… yes, disappointed. Not sad. Not worried. Disappointed. I wasn't surprised. To them, all they were losing was a possible ticket to the Capital. Even if I got to the Capital, I wouldn't bring them with. Vincent and Will, just looked worried, but Peeta looked heartbroken. I gave him a small smile.
"Wonderful," Effie said. "And now, for the boys."
Effie reached into the other bowl and pulled out a name.
"Ethan Elliot," Effie said.
I didn't really know him. He was in my class, but I didn't know him. Ethan walked up to where Effie and I stood. After the Treaty of Treason, Ethan and I shook hands. Then the anthem and we were taken into custody. By that, I mean we were ushered into the Justice Building by the Peace Keepers. I was taken to a separate room and sat on a chair. After a while, the door opened and Peeta walked in.
"Peeta," I said. I stood up and Peeta ran to me and hugged me. I bent down so that I was at his eye-level.
"I'm sorry, Peeta," I said.
"Will you keep your promise?" Peeta said. "Will you try to come back?"
"Yes," I said. "I will try." I hugged Peeta again.
"Listen," I said. "Keep yourself busy and don't worry too much. You're gonna have to do cakes without me for a while, okay?"
"Okay," Peeta said. "It'll be okay, Peeta," I said. "One way, or another. But I will keep my promise. I will try to come back to you."
Peeta nodded.
"I'm gonna miss you, Lily Peeta said.
"I'm gonna miss you too, Peeta," I said.
We hugged one last time, before Peeta had to leave. None of the rest of my family came to see me. I expected that. Before long, it was time to leave for the train.
The train was as glamorous as I'd imagined. Ethan was really quiet and hadn't said one word to me, not that I cared. You can't have friends in this game. It's too easy for them to turn on you. I sat at a table with Effie and Ethan. Ethan was staring out the window and refused to answer Effie, so she turned to me.
"How old are you, dear?" Effie asked.
"15," I answered.
"It's Lillian, isn't it?" Effie said.
"It's Lily," I said.
"Well, Lily, I'm sure you'll love the rooms in the Capital. It's beautiful."
"It makes sense. They let us live large for a week, before they send us off to our deaths, right?"
Effie looked flustered.
"That's what I thought," I said.
We reached the Capital 2 days after that. Haymitch was unsurprisingly unhelpful. But maybe he'll be better when we actually get there. I sat in a large white room. I was waiting for my prep team. That's what Effie called them. I eyed the wax strips and brushes and other beauty tools. I wasn't very dirty for 12, I don't think. I guess that's a perk of living in the better part of the district.
Finally, three people walked into the room, two women and a man. The first woman had purple hair, was very tall and the usual, odd Capital makeup. The second had green hair, was very short and had dyed her skin blue. The man had stark white curls and way too much eyeshadow.
"We are your prep team," the first woman said. "I'm Cassia. This is Lauria and Trevian. We're here to make you presentable, before you meet your stylist."
"Uh, okay," I said. "I'm Lily."
"Oh, we know you, silly," Lauria said.
"Okay," I said.
"Let's get on with it," Trevian said.
In the next two hours, I was washed, manicured, pedicured, hair conditioned, and more. They barely had to wax though. My family couldn't afford wax strips, but we could afford a shaving razor. Cassia put my long hair in two braids and then, they stood back and looked at their work. I saw wearing a thin silk robe and that's it.
"I think she's ready," Trevian said.
"Yes," Cassia said. "Let's get Tigris."
I have no idea who Tigris is, but I hope she doesn't make my costume involve me naked. I few minutes later, the door opened and a tall woman walked in. She was maybe 27, or 28. (A/N: I don't know if it's always that girls get boy stylists and boys get girl stylists, but I don't really care.) The woman had black hair and an interesting face. Her face bordered on feline. She had a small nose, her skin was tattooed with black tiger stripes, and she had a tiger tail. She was pretty, in a weird sort of way.
"Hello, Lily," Tigris said. "I'm Tigris, your stylist."
"Hi," I said.
"Well, I see your prep team did a good job," Tigris said. "So, why don't we go to the next room and talk about your opening ceremony costume."
I stood up and followed her out the door and into a small sitting room. Two small velvet couches were on either side of a table. On the table was a chicken and pasta dish that was cooked in a creamy sauce, a soup with mushrooms and peas and onions, small rolls that were shaped like flowers, a plate of cookies, and some small fruit pies.
"Wow," I said. "That's a lot of food."
"Yes," Tigris said. "How horrible you must find us, here in the Capital, being from the poorest district."
"I'm one of the more fortunate," I said. "I live in the better part of 12, it's not so bad."
Tigris and I sat down, each on one of the couches.
"Now, my partner, Florian, is working on Ethan. And, as you know, it's customary for your opening ceremony costumes to reflect your district," Tigris said.
"So, we'll be dressed as coal miners?" I asked.
"Well, the whole coal miner thing is a bit… boring," Tigris said. "So, Florian and I have decided to spice it up a little."
I was slightly alarmed. "I'm not gonna be naked, am I?"
Tigris laughed. "No. Florian and I have decided to take the coal colors like, greys and blacks and make something nice out of them and to mirror coal by using obsidian jewelry. How does that sound to you?"
"Good," I said. "As long as I'm not naked, I don't care that much."
Tigris smiled. "Do you have family back home?"
"Yeah. My parents and I don't really get along. I have three younger brothers, but the two oldest just follow what my parents think. But my youngest brother, Peeta… he's the one I'm fighting to live for."
"Well, I'm sure you will go home to him."
"Thanks."
The next night, I stood in front of the mirror. My dress was sleeveless. The halter top fit comfortably around my neck and the V-neck front went down a bit, but not so far that it makes me uncomfortable. I watch the layers a black and grey chiffon and tulle skirts that flow whenever I move. On top, a layer of lace covers the silk underdress that was sewn into the dress itself.
"What do you think?" Tigris said.
"It's beautiful," I said.
I was not wearing much makeup. Just highlighting in places and some black eyeshadow. My long hair flowed around my shoulders loosely. Tigris said it looked best down.
"I think you're ready," Tigris said. "Let's go."
Tigris and I walked downstairs. The elevator opened and I saw a large opening in the wall that leads to the opening ceremony stands and things. Several carriages were lined up. I saw Ethan standing in a carriage talking with to man with short blue hair. That must be Florian.
"There is some time before it starts," Tigris said. "Go wherever you want down here, talk to anybody."
"Okay," I said.
I saw Haymitch and Effie by the carriage that Ethan was standing in. Haymitch actually looked sober. I was right. He's pulling himself together now that we're here. I choose a back wall and leaned against it, watching the people milling about in front of me.
"Are you a new tribute?" Said a voice to my left.
I turned sharply. A boy stood in front of me. He was maybe, 17 with, bronze-blonde hair and sea green eyes. He was very tall and muscular. He was quite handsome and I think he knows it. I knew who he was in the back of my mind.
"Yes," I said.
"What's your name?" the boy asked.
"Lily," I replied. "And you're Finnick Odair."
"You know me?" Finnick said.
"You're a victor," I said. "One of the youngest. Though, you're a career, so it's not that surprising."
"You look pretty young yourself," Finnick said. "How old are you?"
"15," I said. "District 12."
"12?" Finnick said. "You look too good to be from 12."
"I have a good stylist," I replied. "She thinks the coal miner thing is too old."
"She's right then," Finnick said. "I was wondering when they were gonna change that."
"Okay, why are you talking to me?" I asked. "You're a mentor. Shouldn't you be with the District 4 tributes?"
"I should," Finnick replied. "But, I like seeing this place through the eyes of someone not about to fight for their lives. What about you? Family back home to fight for?"
"Yes," I said. "I don't get along with most of my family, but I'm fighting for my youngest brother. He's 12."
"Sweet," Finnick said. A bell sounded.
"You should get back to your carriage," Finnick said. "That's the starting bell."
"Thanks for the tip," I said.
I ran off back to the carriage.
"Where were you?" Effie asked.
"Around," I replied.
I climbed into the carriage with Ethan.
"Remember, this is to help attract sponsors," Tigris said. "So, smile and wave. Good luck."
I gave her a nod and smiled. Then the District 12 carriage pulled out. I saw the others in front of us and the stands full of screaming people. I smiled and waved at the stands, just like Tigris said. The carriages pulled around in a circle and I looked up at the announcers. They were saying something, but I wasn't paying attention. I looked back at the stands. Lots of Capital people screamed and cheered for their favorite districts. How am I gonna get through this?
Alright, you guys, so that was Chapter 2. Not all the chapters are gonna be this long, but I'd rather have the first chapter be really long than really short. So, please review and tell me your thoughts and ideas. I'll update soon. Bye guys, - Lily