POV District 7 Aleas Chemore
"Don't worry," My mother assured me as we walked, hand in hand, towards the town square. "Remember? There's no chance either of you will get reaped." I had reminded myself that every night and morning since the card reading. I don't know what it was about the Quarter Quell that made me uneasy - I had survived four years so far, and Cidet had survived six. But I was still scared. I didn't want to see what was left of District 13. I just had to hope that they would rig it to pick the kids with the biggest conspiracies against the Capitol, the ones who had conspiracies about District 13. But I felt almost knocked off my feet when I realized that would probably mean Cidet for District 7.
"Come find me and your aunt after, ok?" My mother reminded me before heading off after her sister, leaving me alone. I could see Cidet was already in line, and I quickly jogged over to him and jumped in line behind them. I almost said something, but I could see the muscles in his back were tense as soon as I had approached. I bit down on my tongue, keeping myself quiet, and looking around aimlessly. What if he was more scared than I was? This was his last year, eighteen. No one could let their guard down even at his point, because eighteen-year-olds had the best chance of getting reaped.
"Unless you come find me," I muttered under my breath, as if my mother was still beside me. I glanced upwards, remembering where I am. Cidet didn't shift a single muscle. I fixed my eyes on his very short cut black hair, waiting to see if he'd turn to meet me.
"Next," Before I knew it, Cidet was out of line, and I was next. As I let the peacekeeper prick my finger, I watched him almost sprint to this section. I had no explanation for that, but what did I know about Cidet? Maybe he just wanted to get the Reaping over with quickly. When the peacekeeper let me go, I shuffled along to the fifteen-year-old girls and waited for it to start, shifting on my feet.
Once the Anthem began and District 7's escort, Belm Picker, began. He was wearing a deep blue suit, accented by brown shoes, shirt, and flower. He was very handsome, unlike pretty much all of the other male escorts I had ever seen. But it was always buried under makeup and bright clothes. The only thing he left untouched was his face features and long-ish black hair because he even came to the Reaping with different eye colors every year. This time he had a bright blue. I studied his outfit during the whole Dark Days recount until he said, "And now, we will have the ladies go first."
My eyes kept shifting from him inching his way to and from the bowl to the cameras set up around the square, biting my lip. I had always been extremely wary of them. I hated talking in front of people, and the idea that everything I did would be in front of people I can't even see. "Don't stand out," I muttered under my breath. "If you don't stand out, the cameras will ignore you, the people will ignore you.
"Aleas Chemore." I looked up at my name, and when my eyes focused on Belm, I almost fell off my feet. I realized who said my name. I realized what it meant. My mouth hung open, and I glanced around at the other girls as their gazes slowly collected on me. Their eyes were full of pity and sympathy for me, and one girl gently nudged me towards the rope. I tried to walk forward, but my legs were pulling back on me. Peacekeepers were waiting, and as soon as I broke away from the cover of the other girls they whisked me up to the stage.
"Alright!" Belm announced enthusiastically once he had led me over to the center of the stage. "Now for the guys!" I bit down hard on my tongue and sunk my finger nails into my palm, trying to keep from running or screaming. I kept my eyes fixed straight in front of me, focusing on a banner that had all the District crests. District 7's was bolded in the center, with the Capitol seal on either side. Maybe the cameras would focus on Belm instead of me. And I only shifted my gaze when he returned to my side with my district partner - or otherwise my home opponent. "Cidet Shyn."
This had to be a sick joke. "What?" I asked, leaning over and whispering to Belm. He gave me a look of such confusion and disgust before turning and walking over to the other side of the stage. I stayed frozen, watching as my cousin headed towards me. I had always had the feeling all along, but only now was I facing the fact that he hated me as his green eyes bore into me like a blade. And it probably wouldn't be very long before I felt the same pain as he flung and axe blade into my back. And that was if he didn't decide to start the games early. My hand was dead weight in his when we shook hands. And as Belm turned us around and ushered us into the Justice building, I whispered to the escort, "Please kill me now."
Belm gave me another look before silently moving us into our waiting rooms. I didn't want to go against Cidet. He was tall, he was strong, he knew how to fight, he already seemed to have a lack of compassion, he was the perfect tribute. He was one of the people from the lower districts that could actually stand a chance - though I had only seen a lower district victor in old reruns. The careers have been winning every live game I've ever seen.
The door creaked open, and I expected to see my mother and aunt, but I didn't. It was Belm Picker. He leaned against the doorway, the same expression still plastered onto his face. "What's your problem?"