AN (4/2/15): **rewriting check Chapter 1 and profile for my info about it
District 4 Reaping- Marren Darya - 18
"Ah. This crap again." I said to myself as I put on my yellow short sleeved jacket. I heard some clattering down stairs and just as I had thought, my little brother.
"Hey Alek, watch with the noise you're going to wake mom up." I said with a playful smile.
"O-oh ah.. I tried to wake mother up already. She.. said she didn't want to wake up today." He said lowering his head to the floor. Great mom, you won't come down for today?
"It's alright" I said messing up his hair, "It's actually good that she's staying today, don't want you to be home alone." This year also made me a little sad, next year he's going to be 12, which means his name will go in the reaping fish bowl.
"Um.. Marren?"
"Yea?" I said while biting out of a fruit I just picked up from the table.
"Will you be home for dinner today..?" He asked looking into my eyes with his sorrowful ones. Putting on a smile I replied,
"Of course. You cook the best meals Alek." Finishing off with a wink, "But now I gotta go to the reaping. Be back soon!" With that I left, towards claustrophobic space that's called The Reaping. Ugh so many people. Where the hell do the eighteen year olds go again? oh there's Kallen.
"Marren! over here!" My overly happy best friend squealed while jumping. At least someone seemed o be in a good mood today. Snickering I went and joined with her. "I think one of the younger ones will be getting picked today" She said in a whisper-like voice.
"Why do you think that?" With my eyebrow raised, I questioned the bright eyed girl.
"Weeellll haven't you heard about the reaping's of district 1,2 and 3?" She tilted her head at me and continued, "There was only one that was 18 and two that were 17 year olds, unlike last year." Oh god last year, that year was bloody. Way to many 18 year olds were reaped that year. And then I saw it. The huge puff of blue that walked onto the stage. In a voice that was more overly cheery that Kallen's. "Welcome to another great yea-" Blah, blah, blah. "I want to say that all of you are-" Blah, blah, blah. "Now with great pleasure I would like to draw from the girls-" Blah. "Marren Darya!" Blah Blah-. Wait. My eyes widened. Gasps were heard everywhere. No way was one of the best fishers here chosen. Slowly, I backed up and walked towards the stage. I swear, if anyone stares at my ass when I walk up these stairs.
"Marren No!" I heard Kallen scream. I didn't want to turn around but my body did anyway. Her face was covered in tears, and the Peace Keepers were trying to hold her back. But worst of all, that look on her face and in her eyes. It was so painful to watch, but I did anyway, it was another good reason to win the Hunger Games. To everyone's surprise she slipped through the strong man's grasp and came running full speed towards me.
"Marren, Please No! Not My Marren!" She was screaming as she was hugging me tightly. Hugging her back I whispered
"Shhh Kallen, please go back, I don't want you to get hurt because of me." She raised her head that was buried in my chest, I could tell by her puffy face she didn't ever want to let go, but she released me. Before she could be grabbed by the man she stopped him with her hand. I knew he could tell by her expression that was wasn't going to run or anything. Looking back to me, she said
"Marren, you know that I won't make you promise me to come back alive, I don't want you to have that burden. But please, if you can... Stay alive? Alright? I know that even if you are incapable of it.. Put up a good fight. I know I will see your face again. If it happens to be in another life than so be it. Take good care of yourself Marren." Heh. Of course Kallen's the only one that could make me get watery eyes just by the use of words.
"Sure, I will put up a good fight. But not for these people. For everyone here in District 3. I don't want to force you or have you promise me this but... Everyone... Please be looking out for me." I said. Ending with a huge smile to show that I won't give in that easy. Everyone I knew and more cheered and laughed in humor but also in happiness. Feeling a great amount of pride, I walked onto the stage and took my place.
About a half an hour later I was waiting in my room for my permitted visitors. First to come into my room was Alek and my mother Marissa. Well there you are little missy. I have to admit that I was anxious about what they would say to me.
"Mar-Mar!" My little brother said trying to hold back the tears. It was quite funny how he still used that nickname he gave me when he was 2. I can tell that my mother was silently sobbing. She couldn't had it from me when she walked into my room and caught sight of me. Alek came at me in a running run. Of course I had to hug him, not just because of the sadness that filled our lives that day but also, he looked so damn cute when he cried.
"Sorry I don't think I can make it to dinner tonight Alek..." I said smiling, barley keeping the mournful tone out of my voice. I never noticed when my mother moved but now she was hugging me from my left side. In that moment I felt at such a peace. It was so warm it almost hurt.
"Sweetheart..." my mother started, "You know that you and your little brother mean the world to me. I could never love anything more than I love you two. Marrie, I didn't come to The Reaping today because I just had a feeling in my gut that you were going to be chosen. I just couldn't move my body from that bed, or witness my daughter being reaped. But that doesn't mean I never cared for you... It just meant that I cared utterly to much darling."
"Y-ea!" My brother chipped in "Mar-Mar you have too much friends and I know that everyone would never know and love you like I do! I can't thank you for everything you've done for us. *sniff* B-but Marren-"
"Times Up!" a Peace Keeper announced to them. With that he started dragged them away from me. Alek kept struggled to turn his head towards me and eventually he climbed on top on the man's shoulder and yelled
"Mar-Mar you will always be my most favorite sister!" and with that me started weeping and shaking uncontrollably. The Peace Keeper never stalled in his movements, and he shut the door. I could still hear Alek's Crying, but now I heard my mothers. I... I just can't do this. It's just too cruel.
Marren - Train
Come on Marren. Smile bigger; don't show anyone your thoughts through your eyes. You've done it before. Slowly making my way towards the train, I looked back at my partner, Zale, to see you were doing the same thing I was to the crowd. I can still see your sadness in your eyes. Silly boy.
"You coming or are you just gonna keep staring?" I finished my question with a shake of my butt. I made a small humorous noise at him and smirked. He might be a little fun to play with. Walking to the top of the stairs I stopped. Amazing. The train seemed to shine with such a welcoming light. I took small steps as I placed my hand over the wall and slowly felt every bump and object there was. I didn't even notice the wall in front of me.
"Hey um Marren... there's a wall." his voice snapped me from my peculiar trance.
"OH. I um" I scratched the back of my head in awkwardness, "thanks for that" I stated.
Looking to the floor. Very cool Marren. Very cool.
"Anytime." he quietly said. I looked up right into his eyes, then punched his shoulder. With a big grin on my face I said
"Hey aren't you a man? Speak a little louder well ya! If we are going to win the Hunger Games we don't need a lady here." Of course I implied myself as a man, I have the attitude, and I'm more built because of all the hard fishing I done. He just stared at me. I wanted to draw another set of eyebrows to give him emotion, and for my own humor.
"You're too pretty to be a guy, but I don't like talking loud." He looked towards his feet. When he did this, it brought me back to Alek, he always did that. I smiled softy towards him. I felt my motherly instinct kick in and I started to tickle his stomach. Hope he is ticklish. He laughed and tried backing away from me.
"I- please don't tickle me." He said softly. I could feel a vein twitch in my head. I thought I said no woman here. I just tickled him harder than before.
"WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT YOUR QUIET TALKING?" He pushed me away. Boy was I not ready for that. Aw shit. On my ass did I fall.
"Please stop." He stared at me. He better stop staring at me soon. I noticed his arm froze and retreated. The corner of his lips slowly sunk lower on his face.
"I'm sorry, for not being man enough for you. No wonder you only talked to my brother." I hated to stare but, that's what I was doing now. He walked away from me. I felt something inside my brain break. *sniff* *sniff* What the hell was that just now?
"Asshole." I crossed my legs, than my arms and sat were I was. Man my head hurts from everything that happened in such a little amount of time. I should have ate something else besides that one piece of fruit. I leaned my back against the wall and closed my eyes. I heard some stirring around me. Who's there…? I stuck out my feet more, unknowing how actually close the person was. Better hope they see my legs. Something hit my legs sooner after I stuck them out.
"God dammit." I launched myself on top of the person grabbing their shirt. My eyes widened. Dammit all. Our eyes widened at the sight of each other's.
"O-oh hi there Zale" I felt the blush on my face. More awkward than before, where's a time machine when you need one? I heard something I didn't move, but my eyes did towards the sound, ready in case I needed them.
"Mar..." He said quietly to me. I still didn't move, I waited for the other person to make their move. Or maybe I was to embarrassed too? "Hi." Zale said with an awkward tone in his voice. I looked down to him, which I shouldn't have. His face was fully reddened like my hair, his eyes shined with embarrassment. I almost made a noise. That face was too damn cute for that girly man.
"Aw she wanted to make-out with you. Very cute." He laughed. I felt my hand grasp Zale's shirt harder. Whoever said that about me, in my presence, is gonna get their ass kicked. Trainer or not. There will be hell to pay. I flipped myself around, the moment my eyes caught his eyes, daggers flew. I smirked, showing some of my teeth, a hint of hell was in each side of my lifted lips. I felt Zale try to move from under me, I was light enough but by force of habit my legs kept him from moving at all. I opened my mouth and said
"Why Hello!" I matched Kallen's overly eager tone. I flicked my hair back, and smiled big. I may be smiling but I know you can still see my mood in my eyes. The man stood there, be smiled back but I could tell he was confused. Quicker than most eyes could barely follow, I grabbed my shoe and launched it at his face. Bull's eye. I forced my body to the left and used my hands as support and my full body was up in the air. I flipped than twisted my body and landed on my feet perfectly. I ran to where I was told my room was. I closed the door as quietly as I could and kicked off my other shoe which landed right before where my bed was. I ran to it. Jumping on top of it, I hid under the covers of my bed. Can I ever show my face proudly again? I curled unto a ball and laid there, the scene kept replaying. My eyes teared with embarrassment. I can't believe myself. I clutched my sheets. I must be the real idiot here.
My thoughts brought me back to when his face was completely red. My heart twitched in my chest. I knew he wasn't that much of a man but his face shouldn't have looked like it did. *Growl* Dammit I'm still hungry. I got off my bed and silently slipped out of my room. I don't see anyone... I snuck into the room, but I froze when I saw Zale. I went on my knees and crawled on the floor while I saw him throw the apple peel to the floor. I went under the table and picked up an apple myself. Than out of nowhere the TV came on. The reaping for the Districts were being shown. Than it came to our District. When I heard my name being called the camera zoomed in on my. Oh great look at my face, I looked pale and frozen with eyes huge. I saw my twinge of fear in them, not because of the Games, but because of my family.
"Marren No!" and then our little show continued than ended, her face though most of it was still painful too look at. Then I saw him. I busted out laughing and then completely fell out from under the tables covers. He still he look stupid, but at least he looked cute also.
"Proves my point." He started to walk away
"W-wait" I managed to grab his foot through the laughter, "I wasn't laughing because of what you think I am."
"Fuck off." He mumbled, trying to shake my hand off. He tried harder but I wouldn't let go. I was about to say something my mouth said something else.
"I'm sorry about before." In shock I released his hand. He just stood there. I tried to seem like I meant to say it. "It's just, when I was on the fishing boat we used to get other fishers trying to steal our catch.. I just reacted like I usually would with them." I looked down in shame and sat there quietly.
"It's fine, that's not really what I'm mad about it's just..." He began to trail off on me. Before I realized I mumbled.
"Now I feel stupid for worrying and blushing to much about that." I froze. Oh my god why did I say that.
"You're not the only one who feels stupid." He quietly stated. With that I hoped right up and stood to the left and him and blended over to get a better look at his face. I questioned him in a soft voice,
"What do you feel stupid about then?"
"I mean I can't fish, and I have no body strength, my brother treats me like I'm 12, I couldn't get you to talk to me till we were sent to our deaths. So, I feel pretty stupid." he said. He looked over to me. I smiled.
"That would never mean you're stupid, it basically means that you're someone who over thinks things. You actually remind me of my little brother," I felt my hair being blown by an open window I smiled and felt my eyes narrowed softy from the memories of Alek filling my head. "Usually don't allow this but because of what you just said, during the hunger games you can stare at my back. Don't worry I'll try to protect you as much as I can." I looked up at him waiting for a reply.
"Funny my brother told me to protect you." he stated warmly. I laughed at that.
"Then it should be obvious to you." I smiled.
"What should be obvious to me?" He questioned me through words and eyes.
"He doesn't think of you as a 12 year old then." I ruffled his hair, "No way can a 12 year old can protect an 18 year old." I smirked. He smiled and tried to fix the hair I just messed up.
"Yeah, hopefully." He said still smiling. I never heard him.
"JEEZ you two take your feelings back to the room." The man from before entered the room. I made my cheek puff in protest to him being there, even though I was slightly blushing. I saw his face look away from the man before us. "I'm August. Your trainer." he said loudly for the whole damn train to hear. I still noticed Zale wasn't looking at him. Respect your higher up. I took my finger and place it on his right cheek and turned his skull to face August. He looked down and shook his head at me. "Tch" I turned my face back to our trainer to see him looking back between the two of us. He was grinning. If only I had kept my other shoe on.
"And your names?" he said.
"Marren Darya." I stated with a tone of annoyance in my voice.
"Zale Nêreus." He said quietly.
"Man you two are lucky, you got some cool names, I'm almost jealous of you two." he said. Zale nodded. I made a noise. August walked towards me, held out his hand, but not to shake mine. Instead he poked my forehead hard making my head tilt back a little. "You little missy, are to feisty, do you want me to find some way to calm you down?" He smirked at me that shown a twinge of wickedness in it. I must have made a stupid face at him because I felt my month drop and my face probably featuring the famous "what the hell" thought. August busted out laughing and said "Cute." my eye twitched.
"Who the hell are you calling 'cute'!?" I said in a loud voice, but not yelling. Laughing once more he stated
"You two are too interesting, We'll talk about The Games later but from now you to go to bed and not in the same bed. I want tonight to be quiet for me to think" Without letting anyone else talk he walked back to his room. Leaving us there. I blushed madly at the thought of what he just said. I turned to Zale to say something only to find he was half way across the room. He waved at me. My eyebrows rose.
"I'm going to sleep." he laughed with so much awkwardness. He slowly walked out of the room and headed towards his room. I run to catch up to him in the hallway in front of his door.
"Wait I-... Um I... I just feel like I had to tell you something sorry" I told him in a normal voice but then it turned into a whisper. I looked down to the floor.
"Oh, me too, it sucks being shy" He said to me. I lifted my head.
"W-what I'm not shy!" I said blushing.
"It seems like it" He told me and slowly turned around. I looked up at him. Either I'm too short or he's too damn tall. He looked back towards me, there was something swirling in his eyes, but before I could see what I was he opened his door.
"Goodnight, Mar" He told me with a smile and walked into his room, slowly closing his door.
"Night... have sweet dreams." I said to his door. I turned and began to walk soundless back to my room. What's he doing to my brain? Wonder if there was something in the food here. I crawled into my bed and fell into a cloud of purple.