After being lead to the justice building, I wait for any visitors I know I'll get a couple as loads of people know me I just doubt any will be cheerful. After twiddling with mothers sash and redoing m hair a couple of times, Athi bursts in with Maisie close behind.
"Cassie!" Athi exclaims running over her hair bouncing all over the place since the yellow ribbon had not been tied in place properly. "I bought you these!" I noticed the box of keepsakes that I'd hidden under the bed was being held by Maisie. I opened the top and pulled out the first slip of paper as I opened it the feather fell out and slid to the floor.
"It's... It's beautiful!" cried Athi carefully picking it up.
"It's yours" I told her "It's your birthday gift from Ian." A knock came on the door just as Maisie opened her mouth to speak. I laughed "it seems your communicating with me through the art of knock speaking." We took a moment to compose ourselves before the mayor entered, closely followed by the Bakers family (whom my mother saved a year ago).
"I received these two forms when I entered my office" the mayor said. "One was for yourself the other was for your sister. Unfortunately I received them too late for you however; I would be more than happy to sign for your sister if you wished me to."
"Yes" my tone was cold and I looked at Maisie who was staring into the abyss."But can you change the name on the other?" I asked
"Why yes but..."
"Then change it to Maisie. If I cannot go with my sister then I request my best friend Maisie who has no other family members, to accompany her to the capitol."
"Yes a good decision, a good decision." He mumbled leaving the room in a flurry of fabric.
"Hello Cassie" Mrs Baker sat down next to me. "We won't be long but we came to wish you luck and we were going to say that we'd take your sister in, but it seems she was given a better deal."
"Thank-you" I whispered "I would have entrusted her in your care had another offer from someone in the capitol not, well, offered."
I stood up with the Bakers as they left Mrs Baker hugging me before leaving. Then in comes Athi's best friend Lila who ran over to Athi before even acknowledging anyone else's presence!
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY ATHI!" she cried. "Oh, uh, hi Cass, sorry someone else didn't volunteer." Athi looked at me begging to go with Lila.
"Go, enjoy your birthday, you'll be safe from the reapings now." Before she left, she said "Come back for me Maisie's an awful tribute sister" I laughed as we hugged for what could be the last time.
It was finally just me and Maisie. "How can I ever thank you Cassie, you've made me immune from the reapings by moving me to the capitol."
"Just keep my sister safe, that's all the thanks I need that and when you're there, try and find a rich guy and persuade them to sponsor me till their money runs dry!"
We laughed for a moment before pausing and laughing again we didn't stop laughing until Maisie was told that she had to leave. Before she left, she said "There was a queue to see you, you know, I was accompanying your sister so I got priority." She paused unsure of what to say
"I'll miss you; I think the whole district will. You were my best friend."
"Hey less of the were and more of the always will be! She left laughing and for the first time in the justice building laughter rang through the halls on a reaping day."