Hey you guys I want to thank basetball1029, layla cole, Fiddlegirl, and lastsacrifice for the Happy birthdays. You guys really made my day. Anyway yours truly got stung by yet another scorpion on Monday so I have to wear yet another cast on my swelled foot. Happy reading you guys R and R!

~unicorn819

The Reaping District 3

Chimella McSamsing

I open my eyes to the sun shining through my window. I leap out of my bed and run to my bathroom. Today's the reaping and I'm so exicted. I hope I get picked because I know I can win. Just thinking about the Games make me exicted and giddy. I brush my teeth, brush my wavy dark green hair and pull it into a pony tail. From there I grab the box of clothes from under my bed and bull out a pair of black denim shorts and a white blouse with black bows on the sleeves. My silver piece sits undesterbed on my dresser, so I pick it up and slip it into my pocket. I slip on my black sandals and race a downstairs where I meet my twin sisters Paula and Patrice. I weave my way around them where I literally run into my other twin siblings Mike and Milly. Mike just huffed and picked himself off the floor while Milly just reached out her small 8 year old hand to help me up. We both walk towards the table where I meet my mother and father and yet another sibling named Lola. "Well hello dear." My mom says to me," Hey mom." I say giving her a genuine smile. I grab a bowl of berries and sit down at the table. "Chimella, are you volunteering this year." My mother says with teary eyes. Instantly my heart breaks into a million pieces at seeing my mother about to cry. But I cannot lie to her. "Yes mom I am." I reply with a halfhearted smile. Instantly she rises from her spot at the table and races towards her bedroom with tears streaming down her face. "Mom I…." But I am cut off by the sound of her bedroom door slamming. I have to go after her. "Mom!" I call after her and run towards her bedroom door. I open it to find my mother sobbing on the edge of her bed holding a pillow. I walk towards her and tell her," Mom I promise I will come home." She looks up at me with her red puffy eyes." I promise with all my heart that I will come home, it is a fact." I can sense that my mom is feeling better when she pulls me into a big hug. I almost instantly hug her back. "But mom if I don't make it back you has to promise me that you will not blank out. Lilly do you hear me?" I very seldom use her first name but this time it was mandatory. She nods her head and we hear the sound of a trumpet. That means the reaping is about to start. I take one more look at my mom and more tears start to form in her eyes. "I'll meet you in the justice building." I say before giving another hug and walking out of her bedroom. I walk slowly savoring every bit of my house for it might be the last time I see it. I finally make it into the kitchen and collecting Patrice and Paula and walk out the door. Out there I meet my friends Geoff, Dakota, Peak, Meggie, Auralee, and Zenla. We all walk in silence as we make our way to the reaping. The lady pricks all of our fingers and directs us over to the 12 year old section. We all quickly squeeze through the crowd and take our spots. The escort walks onto the stage wearing a black dress that complemented her pale skin. The black dress had red sleeves that molded into a hair bow with shiny red lipstick on. She made her speech, we watched the video and then she headed over to the girls reaping bowl. "This is it." I thought "it's now or never " The escort pulls out the slip of paper and reads the name. Again for the second time today my heart shatters into a million pieces. The name she calls out is Patrice McSamsing. Fear courses through my veins. Now I have to do it. Right before my dear sister can get up to the stage I say it. "I volunteer!" I shout. Everyone's eyes turn and look at me. Patrice's face flushes as a mask of relief washes over her. She runs to me and gives me a giant hug. I can't start crying now. I have to be strong. I gently push her behind me and mount the stage. "Well well a volunteer, what's your name dearie?" The escort says in the famous Capitol accent. I try to sound confident but my voice comes out hoarse and dry. "Chimella McSamsing "I reply to her. She gives a squeal of delight and walks over to the boys bowl. The name she picks out is Tanner Matthews.

Tanner Matthews

That wierd feeling in my stomach has been with me up until the reaping. Like you know something bad is going to happen. But like a fool I just ignored it.

The day started normal, I woke up just like anyother person, got up and brushed my teeth and put some clothes on. When I put the dark green button on shirt and the kakie pants on I felt something wierd. I looked in my small mirror to make sure I looked ok, my curly blonde hair was messy and unruly, what girls back then would call "sexy", and my bright blue eyes stared back at me in the mirror. I was never handsome compared to the other boys in District 3.

With a sigh I slipped on my old worn worker boots and walked over to the kitchen.

My mom was in there making a small fruit salad out of a few berries we grew in the garden. I picked up my small bowl and got a small cup if water and sat down on the chair in front of the table doing my usual routine , picking out the strawberries and blueberries and eating the

rasberries last. But for some reason I felt like I was going to bring the berries back up. To calm my stomach I drank the entire cup of water and put the bowls on the sink.

10 minutes till the reaping. I have time to get my ring. I walk to my room and pick up the solid gold band off a small table in the corner of my room. My grandmother gave it to me so when I find the right girl, it says " forever and always." but the feeling in my stomach says that I wont ever see my room again.

I walk towards the front door and kiss my mom on the cheek and head out the door. I stuff my hands in the pockets of my pants and head towards the town square.

When I get there the lady pricks my finger drawing the crimson liquid known as blood dots onto my finger. When I walk over to the 16 year old section . When I get close to the middle I let out a sigh of releif. Now all I have to do is make it pass the reaping.

The escort walks onto the stage wearing a black dress that molded into a red bow on her head and shiny black lipstick. She made a speech about something but I blanked out for a bit.

When I snap back into reality I notice a girl with wavy dark hair standing next to her. She sticks her hand in the bowl. Finally the bad feeling has made sence. The name she picks out it my name.

See you guys soon! Love you Chapter 4 will be up as soon as i can have it up.

~unicorn819