Chapter 4
I wake up to the sun blinding me. I cover my eyes with my hand look over to my side, seeing Will and Rye sleeping peacefully. I pull myself to my knee's and scoot over to them, gently shaking Will. His eyes take a minute to open but when he see's me he smiles. "morning," He says softly, he gently taps his sister and see's her gorgeous eyes open. She sits up and stretches, yawning at the earliness. I look at her and smile largly, "I bet Alison has made a really big breakfeast. Race you?" I say before me and her jump to our feet and run back to my house, entering through the back door. I let her reach the dinning room table before me. "I win!" She laughs breathless. I laugh with her, walking to the counter and bringing her plate to her, walking back to bring me and Will's plate. I place the plates down and plop down, picking up my fork. "Thanks' Alison," I smile at her, I can see the worry in her eyes. I give her a reassuring look before digging into my food, ham and egg tart, crispy hashbrowns, sausage and a nice raspberry muffin. After eating I hug Will and Rye, it tugs at my heart when I hugged them, fearing one of them I will never see again. I kiss her forward, "Make sure to look really pretty," I smile before getting up and looking at Will "Try smiling. You'll be fine. Both of you will be back here soon enough," I smile and hug him really quickly, hoping I don't get teary eyed. "See you guys soon," I call out to them as they walk out, Rye reaching for Will's hand. I close the door and head upstairs to my room to get ready. Only an hour before the Reaping. I scrub myself clean, rubbing lotion on my skin to make it glow, I dry my hair and let it fall in beautifully constructed waves, pinning my side bangs back. I slip into a dress Alison bought me for special occasions. Like when we have ceriomonies for the people who I've taught everything I know to, or when I award the winners at the wresteling or archery competitions, the mayor thought I was the best person to do that. But this dress I've never worn, it was too beautiful. But today just seemed like the right day. It was a light blue dress that was sleeveless and stopped a little above my knees. There was this quilted fabric that went over the blue fabric, giving me sleeve's as well. Then I slipped on the little brown belt that sat on my hips and I jumped into my white ballerina shoes, pulling at the little bow to make it perfect. I skipped down the stairs to see Alison already ready, her hair pulled back to show her strong face. I ran into her arms as her eyes threatened to water. She stroked my hair. "Don't worry Alison, I'll be perfectly fine." I assure as I pull back and take her hand cause I know it's time.
We walked to the center of the village, seeing all the boys and girls in District 10, wearing simple yet happy clothes, seeing serious and scared faces on everybody. I gave Alison before quickly walking over to the tables and signing in my name. I then walk over to the sections roped off for the 15 year olds. As time passed I was beginning to be squished in the area by all the other girls. Some of them need to lose weight! When the sun was in the sky our representative stepped out on the stage wearing balloons of variety shapes to her head, a knee length dress with stripes of colors flying out, purple high heels with a balloon taped to the back. She wore thick eyelashes with glitter and purple lipstick, her white skin seeming to be glowing pale white. She cleared her throat and began speaking about what an honor it was to be selected and showed us a quick video from the capitol, something about the rebellion, I didn't watch, I was too busy being distracted by her outfit! Finally it shut off and I saw her walk over to the crystal ball full of the girls names. I stop breathing.
Her hand swirls around in the bowl and finally she grabs a slip of folded paper. She walks back to the microphone and opens the slip of paper. "Rye Arlin," She spoke loud and clear. Everything went silent.
My eye's widen and I see Rye shaking as she's walking to the stage. My District 2 side comes out, "oh fuck no," I say and start pushing through the people. "I-I, move fat ass!" I scream at the other girls and finally make my way through the crowd. I run to Rye before the Peacekeepers can catch me. I hug her with all might, hoping it'd make her disappear but it doesn't. I see the Peacekeepers coming closer, I reach my hand to my thigh and slip out the Knife Will got me and hold it towards them. "Take one more step towards me or Rye and I'll kill you without even blinking," My voice is steady. "Sophia I'm scared," She's beginning to cry and I bend down and hug her "I know sweetie I know, go find Will it's going to be fine," I stand up and say " I volunteer," Loud and clear. Our host motions me up to the stage, "What's your name?" She asks in a perky voice. "What's your name?" I retort back. " Elle Sparkles," She giggles. "Great, hey Sparkles call the next tribute so we can go already, I'm tired of looking at you, the balloons are hurting my eyes," I didn't mean to be so rude but it was first instinct. I turned back to District 10, most of them crying cause they don't want me to go. I snatch the mike "Please don't cry. I'll make District 10 proud I promise," I smile. And then deep in the crowd on the boys' side I hear it, "I volunteer!"
I see someone pushing past all the boys in the 17 year old section. Finally he breaks through and runs up to the stage. Will. What the fuck? Our host Elle smiles, "Well this is exciting we rarely EVER get tributes from 10," Will looked at her annoyed, "Well now you got 2 volunteers," He mimicked my bored tone. We shook hands and were quickly escorted City Hall. They tried to separate us. "Get your hands off me!" I screamed turning around and punching the Peacekeeper. They tried calming me down but it didn't work so they decided to just let us be together. Rye, Alison and her husband where the first to visit. "Sophia! Will!" Rye screamed as she ran into the room hugging us both. "Please don't go!" She sobbed. I pulled back "Don't worry we'll be back," I say hugging her again, "Alison should take care of you. You can even sleep in my room," I smile before getting up and looking at Alison. I run into her arms. "Promise you won't die," She said. I looked at her, "I was trained in District 2, I'll be fine," I say. "Yeah your District 2 side really came out," I laughed at that and she smiled. "Don't forget your token," She says before leaving, seeing the Peacekeeper ushering them to hurry up. She takes out my fathers necklace with the word survive on it. I smile "thank you!" I say quickly hugging her. She says some words to Will but I couldn't hear. "Thank you for being there for my wife. After my brother died i-," I cut him off with a hug "I know. And I'll always be there for your family. You guys took me in. You are my family," I say as the guard pushes him back. I quickly hug Rye before they drag her out as well, her small self kicking and screaming at them. And then there was Me and Will.
We boarded the train and as soon as the doors shut I push Will against the wall, pressing my forearm into his neck. "What the hell Will! Rye needs you and you fucking volunteer!" I scream in his face. He struggles to speak, "I needed to protect you," I was taken aback. "Me need protecting? I'm not fucking 5. I trained in District 2! Now I have to kill you!" I scream, moving my arm away and walking around the compartment, pulling at my hair. Will coughed, looking up at me "I'm sorry I was just scared for you," I calmed down. "You-you are so sweet but so stupid," I saw turning back to him and hugging him. He was scared to hug back but eventually he did. I nestled in his chest.
"Promise to kill me quickly?" I hear him say. I only nod. If anyone was coming out that arena it's me. No matter what.