Traveling to a week before the reaping:
Today is Noah's wedding day and I'm probably more nervous than him. Mainly because it doesn't seem that people understand the difference between green and emerald. I have taken on this position very seriously and it is kind of odd how much time and work I've put into this. Mags says it is because I'm connecting it to something else in my life.
We have exactly three hours until the wedding takes place and I'm currently standing in front of the bookstore, which I have converted into the almost perfect place for their wedding. I have brought in tables from the candy store and covered them with hazel tablecloths so they wouldn't be so bright. Everything should be perfect in the reception area that Annie is working on down by the sea. The only bad thing is that it seems that Noah's tie isn't the right color.
I walk up to Daniel and ask to see the checklist. He hands it to me and I go down the list making sure everything is in place. The wedding dress has been delivered, the cake has been made, the reception has been set up, everyone has RSVPed, and all that is left to do is fix the actual wedding area. We probably should've put our tasks in a better order.
Before I know it, the wedding is about to start and I barely have enough time to change out of my paint splattered jeans and into my suit. I run back to the bookstore and meet Daniel and Noah around the back of the bookstore. Noah looks really nervous.
"How's it going?" I ask him.
"Okay. I'm really nervous. You did get everything right, right? This has to be perfect," he says.
"Yes, I got everything right and then double checked," I assure him. He nods, but he still wrings his hands. His dad comes around the corner and stands with us for a moment.
"They're ready. Good luck, son," he tells Noah. Noah pulls him into a hug and when they pull apart, they give each other a quick look, which must mean something between them. Then, Noah's dad enters through the door, leaving it open a little bit so we can hear the cues on when to enter.
When we hear Noah's cue, Noah pushes open the door and walks in. We wait for a while, which must be when they are saying vows together. Then, it is our time. We walk in and Annie and Jessica's sister, Amanda are walking in from the other side. Annie picks up the bowl of salt water from the table next to the door and stands behind them, holding the bowl out, but I don't think they even notice her presence. They each reach out to the bowl filled with salt water, tap their fingers into it, and then touch the other's lips with it.
Then, it is finished with a kiss and song that reminds us all of the sea voyage that is marriage. Everyone files out except for a select few that are attending the after party down by the sea. We brought one of the televisions into the cabana also so that we could watch the announcement of the Quarter Quell. It is mandatory viewing and we didn't plan on breaking up the party for the government.
We all walk down to the beach, still dressed in our suits and dresses, but we really don't mind. It is just sand. The decorations turned out wonderfully, which means I don't have to be worried about that anymore. Hopefully, I can have a little bit of rest before the next round of death starts.
We settle in just as the official announcement comes out. We missed the part about Katniss' wedding, but that is okay, no one is going to tell on us. It is just in time to hear President Snow give the legendary speech.
"That's right, this year will be the seventy fifth anniversary of the Hunger Games, and that means it's time for our third Quarter Quell! On the twenty fifth anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that their children were dying because of their choice to initiate violence, every district was made to hold an election and vote on the tributes who would represent it," he announces. It would stink to know that your own neighbors voted for you to go into the arena, practically issuing your death. I don't know if I'd want to return home.
"On the fiftieth anniversary, as a reminder that two rebels died for each Capitol citizen, every district was required to send twice as many tributes. And now we honor our third Quarter Quell," he continues. The little boy dressed in white walks forward, holding out the box as Snow opens the lid and pulls out the card marked with 75. He opens the envelope and reads it to himself once, building the anticipation. What will he throw at us this year? His voice doesn't quaver as he reads:
"On the seventy fifth anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that even the strongest among them cannot overcome the power of the Capitol, the male and female tributes will be reaped from their existing pool of victors."
I hear a plate shatter as it hits the crowd, breathing sharply cut off, and the nervous murmurs of a few. I can feel everyone's eyes on me and Annie next to me. I can't look at them right now. I can't talk and if I tried, it would just be a mess of sobbing and screaming. So, I do the only thing I can do. I run right into the sea. My suit gets soaking wet, my eyes sting with tears, and my hands are shaking, but I don't care.
I'm going back into the arena and I might never come back.