Clare's POV 10:07- Reaping Day
I awake on Reaping Day to the sound of my sister Lily shaking my other sister Erica awake. Erica is my twin sister. We are complete opposites; I have straight, messy hair with pink highlights, Erica has perfected curls. She prefers running around the backyard with Lily and our older brother, Ryan, when I'd rather sit inside, reading or doing homework. We share a room, but each side is as different as the North Pole is from the South. My half is painted a light, neon green, Erica's, a hot pink. I have a grey metal loft bed with black desk and white lamp underneath. Erica has a white, four-poster canopy bed with a flowery-purple desk under her window. Our biggest difference is what we wear. While I usually try to rock my T-shirt, skinny jeans, and sneakers, Erica sports short skirts, blouses, denim jackets, and stylish boots.
I'm technically older then Erica, by a few seconds. Lily is 5 years younger than us, Ryan is four years older. I groggily sit up in bed, smacking my head on the ceiling.
"What time is it?" I ask, still half-asleep.
"10:07," Lily replies curtly. "The Reaping Cere monies start at 11:00."
"Ugh." I answer, climbing down from my bed. I grab the nicest thing in my closet, a wrinkle white blouse that's two sizes too small, skinny jeans, and my winter boots. I get changed, and head out of the bathroom when I hear my sisters gasp.
"That's what you're wearing to the Reapings?" Lily asks, still shell-shocked. Erica elbows her.
"C'mon. You can borrow something from me." she says, pulling me by the arm to her closet.
A half an hour of arguing later, we finally agree on a white sun dress, black leggings with a lace trim at the bottom, and dress sandals with white roses on them.
"Now onto your hair."
"Oh no you don't," I argue, shaking my head. "You got me into a dress, and open-toed shoes. I think I should decide what to do with my hair." Lily rolls her eyes.
"Fine," says Erica, still unconvinced. "How do you want it?"
"Down,"
"Then you'll have to brush it."
Ten minutes later, my sisters are satisfied with my appearance. We head to the Town square, splitting our separate ways, Lily, Ryan, and my parents to the families sector, Erica and I go to booths to get our fingers pricked.
"Clare Terri," I tell the lady at the booth.
"Next!" I find Erica and we head to the 15 year-old section, awaiting our fate.
I've never been scared at Reaping Day, never had to. My Uncle Haymitch, he was a victor 23 years ago, during a Quarter Quell. He is kind of a drunker, but when he's sober, he is really kind once you get to know him. He promised me this year, after the Games, that we can move to District 3, so after I've outgrown the Reaping age, I can study to become a computer programmer. I don't mean to brag, but I was his favorite. He'd take me out to the woods, past the fence, unto what lays beyond. Our favorite spot is an old tree stump, with a pond a few feet away. Some days we'd just sit on our stump, and throw pebbles into the pond as we talked. I wish time could have stayed like that forever.
"Clare," Uncle Haymitch said, a little before sundown last night.
"What's wrong?" I asked, as I threw a few pebbles into the pond. They bounced on the calm surface of the water.
"You're getting better. Try like this," Uncle Haymitch expertly threw a pebble that skipped three times. "Tomorrow, I leave for the Capitol with this year's tributes."
"Yeah, I know." Plop!
"Clare," Uncle Haymitch turned to face me. "When the Reaping is over, I need you to get your siblings and parents get out of here. You will go to District Thirteen. You must run away."
A million questions flew through my head, but the only thing I managed to say was "B-but…"
"There must be no question, no hesitancy. You must go Clare."
"But Dis-trict Thirteen is destroyed, Un-cle."
"Trust me Clare. It's for the best." When I didn't respond, he threw his arms around me in a tight embrace. A few seconds later, Uncle Haymitch gripped me by the shoulders, saying, "Clare. You cannot tell anyone about this. It must only be you, Erica, Ryan, Lily, and you're parents. If you don't… well, it will be grave for all of us. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Uncle Haymitch. But what about you? Will I ever see you again?" I said, tears forming in my eyes.
"I'm sorry Clare, but I must stay here in twelve. I will join you all, soon enough." He handed me a small, flat, copper disc, about the size of a coin. "When you arrive in twelve, my friend will be waiting for you. Show her this, and you will gain admittance into 13."
I closed it in the palm of my hand, thinking about what lay ahead…
Our escort, Effie Whats-her-face, sauntered up to the girl's bowl. "Ladies first!" she called. She dug her had around the bowl a bit, til finally grabbing a slip. "Clarissa Terri?" The Peacekeeper dragged me up to the stage. This can't be real.
But it is. Effie continues to the boys bowl. "Bryson Newmark." A husky boy ambles up from the 17 year old section. "Clarissa Terri and Bryson Newmark!" I shake hands with my district partner.
I am going to die.
A/N: You guys have officially met ¼ of the tributes. I hope you guys liked it, we've been trying to update as much as possible. So, who is your favorite character so far? Let us know in the reviews or PM either me or LittleSeerOfTime. J