A/N: Okies! So due to Hecticz's and Flittercherub's review, I redid this chapter a little bit ((: Haha, poor Lily. Tell me what you think of the chapter please? :3
[Chapter 02: I Volunteer!]
"No," I whisper, watching as little Dani stumbles up the steps. She hacks a violent cough and almost trips, if it weren't for Nicolette, who catches her as she sways dangerously.
"Oh dear," says Steffi. "Don't worry. The Capitol will take care of you." I knew the truth. Dani wouldn't last long inside the arena or the outside world. She was already dying, with only a year to live as said by the local doctor. Anyone can tell from her conditions.
Inside, I burn with anger. But it is not directed at Steffi this time, it's for the Capitol. I despise how they treat us this way, dining on fine food and altering their appearances into weirdly aliens while we all starve here with only a small of food to eat. They don't even have to do much! I wish I could stomp up right into their faces and give them a taste of my mind—and most likely my fists too.
"I can't let Dani go," I whisper to Lily, who is staring at the stage with a look of horror. She knows how bad Dani's condition is. "She'd die before she sets foot in the arena."
"We can't do anything about it," she whispers back, her eyes set on the stage. I look over to Etlen, who has a troubled expression on his face. I know that Dani being a tribute has affected us all. Why wouldn't it? She's the only one who dares approach and talk to us all. In other words, she's kind of grown on us. I tighten my grip on Lily's hand as I make my final decision.
"Correction," I say steely, "you can't." Just then, Steffi asks:
"Are there any volunteers?" Without another thought, I throw myself out and yell in a strong voice:
"I volunteer! I'll take her place!" Gasps emit from all around me as I walk forward onto the stage. All eyes are on me, and I know that the people are shocked.
"No!" shouts Lily unexpectedly. "I volunteer!" And this time, I'm shocked. Lily? In the arena? Facing the wild unknown? The very idea is ridiculous, even more ridiculous than saying that Etlen would become president of Panem. All around, people are shocked and confused.
"Are you out of your mind?" I hiss at her, pulling her hand down harshly. Then, to the audience, "No! She won't! I am!" She struggles against my grip and puts her other hand up.
"No! I volunteer in her place!" she yells stubbornly. This time, anger boils within me like no other, and I am shocked to find that it is against my sister. You stubborn idiot! I think. What in the world are you thinking?
"NO! She's not volunteering! I am!" I yell over her, placing my free hand over her mouth and holding her down with the other hand. "Ignore her! My sister's gone crazy over the summer!" She yells something out, but it is muffled by my hand. I can tell people around us, especially the Capitol people I bet, are amused by our actions. "I officially volunteer in Dani's place!" Desperate, I shoot a glare at Etlen, who quickly comes to our side to hold down Lily.
She shoots me daggers with her eyes, and I ignore her. I couldn't help but wince a little, as if those daggers can actually do damage. "Excellent, excellent!" says Steffi, clapping her hands wildly. "A heartbreaking performance!" I keep my face emotionless. Dani runs over to me as I make it to the top step and throws herself in my arms. Great, I can't help but think sarcastically, one more to doubt my actions.
"Please don't do it," she begs, her tears soaking into my bare shoulder. "Please, please, please." I hug her back, uncaring that the cameras were all on me. The Capitol people can just screw themselves for all I care.
"I can't let you die," I say gently, stroking her back. "You need to go on and have a full life." Even the words feel like lies in my mouth. We both know the truth.
"No," she whispers, hot tears flowing freely down her cheek. "Nononono. Ivy don't do this!" She then coughs, but stops as I pat her on the back. "I-Ivy, please don't do this!" I pull her away from me and grasp her by her shoulders.
"Listen to me," I say firmly, "you have to go home and get better, okay? Go watch your mom, your younger brother. You have to get better for them, got that? I promise I'll win. And when I do, I'll treat you to whatever you want. Just get better." She nods, her tears beginning to stop.
"P-promise?" She holds up a pinky. I nod solemnly, twisting my pinky around hers.
"Promise." Etlen then comes on stage, his face trying to conceal his shock, and takes Dani back to her family. I catch a glimpse of Lily controlling her tears, and hugging a very handsome boy, who tries to calm her down, and I know that's why Lily's been going to the marketplace an awful lot lately.
"Very emotional," says Steffi to the cameras, dabbling at an imaginative tear. Then, to me she asks, "What's your name, honey?" I keep a poker face on. If I show tears, then I will be marked as a weakling at the replays. And if I do, then I will be marked as an easy prey.
"Ivy Willow," I answer shortly. I know the last volunteer tribute was Katniss Everdeen, which is why my decision is accepted unquestioned, but warily.
"Well come on everybody," says Steffi bubbly, "let's give a round of applause for District 6's newest tributes!" Instead of clapping, the people of District 6 bow their heads with four fingers over their heart, a sign of farewell or goodbye.
I feel hot tears threatening to spill, but I blink furiously, trying to make them go away. Instead, a single tear drops from my left eye, and that's all I allow.