Kisa~14~District 7
"Kiiiiiiisa… Kiiiiiiisa… KISA!"
I open my eyes to find the dappled face of Charl, my 9 year-old freak… I mean, brother. I shove him off my bed, "Scram."
"MOOOOOOOOOM! Kisa pushed me!"
I leap out of bed, "You twerp!"
He throws me a gap-toothed smile and runs out of my room. I chase after him, mumbling angrily.
"Mommy, ground her!" Charl whines to my mother, who's nursing Kristie, the newest addition to the Rosson family.
Mom sighs and pats his head, "Not today, Charl."
Charl groans loudly and crosses his skinny arms over his chest. He narrows his eyes at me across the room. On my way to the kitchen to get some breakfast, I ruffle his hair, "You are such a drama queen."
"I AM NOT A DRAMA QUEEN!" He screams and races out of the room. Kristie begins to cry.
"Can't you all just STOP YELLING?" Kellis, my older sister, marches out of her room and places her hands on her hips.
"I'LL STOP WHEN YOU STOP, BUTTFACE!" Charl calls from his room.
"You are SO immature, Charl!" Kellis shouts back to him.
"ENOUGH!" Mother cries with the wailing baby in her arms.
Ah, family… such love.
xXXx
I place myself in the fourteens' section and watch the Reapings of 4, 5, and 6 on the screen made by District 3 in the village square. The contrast of the two tributes from 4 is surprising. The boy is tall, muscular, and unnerving, while the girl is lean, short, and rather plain. If I were in the Games, I wouldn't look forward to going against the male. District Five's female tribute doesn't even make it to the stage. She is carried by a pair of Peacekeepers. Her male counterpart is about 15, with curly blonde hair and dazzling blue eyes. My knees turn weak just looking at him. His name is "Damien Darles".
Last is District 6. They produce two 16 year olds, but the boy is bawling like a small child, so they didn't seem like a big threat. We're next… District 7. I feel a hand on my shoulder and turn to find my best friends, Arty and Tarla, grinning at me. Tarla, who's actually 15, but sneaks in to chat with us, starts talking super fast about who she think will be picked and how she "soooo hopes it won't be any of us!"Arty just rolls his eyes and let's her talk. But even Tarla can't talk over Mayor Burlee, who is staring daggers at her in particular.
Tarla swallows and we sit, pretending to listen to the speeches and Treaty of Treason. Finally, our stupid escort, who's name I still haven't learned, stands up and says in his so-fun-to-mock Capitol accent, "How about we start with the boys this year?"
He walks over the tub and pulls out a name, "Barkley Nettleton!"
I recognize that name from somewhere. Turning, I see that Tarla's usual happy smile has turned to tears. Oh, right, that's her boyfriend. He has curly hair and big brown eyes that are shared by most of the District. Barkley's 16 and really strong, so I'm sure the odds are in his favor….
But then I think about that District 4 guy, and I'm not so sure.
Barkley walks to the stage and I wrap my arms around Tarla.
"Any volunteers?"
Everyone is silent, except for Tarla, who's making a large fuss.
"TAKE ME INSTEAD!"
The Peacekeepers take her away from the crowd.
The escort walks over to the girls' tank, "Kisa Rosson."
I hear a shriek. I know it's Tarla as she's being dragged away. I don't know why, but I'm smiling. I have absolutely no reason to, but I am. I'm going to die, but… I can't help it. Our escort pats me on the back, "Great to have your enthusiasm."
Suddenly, it all sinks in and tears begin to stream down my face.