Hey guys, guess what I'm really craving right now? REVIEWS! Please, please, please, please review! I really need to know what you guys think. I will listen to constructive criticism not flames.
Here is the reaping chapter! Enjoy (:
Instead of walking in a calm pace, I speed walk. When I pass by the Moches Hangout and see no one, I grin, thinking that my knife-throwing fit must've scared them off. Halfway to my home, I start to jog.
Once at my house, I burst through the doors. My mother and siblings are in the living room with different type of fabrics piled on the furniture next to sewing kits. There are two mannequins standing in the middle of the living room, one of them wearing my reaping clothes. I stare at what I see. It's amazing. I told my mom to not make my reaping outfit girlie. Fierce and intimidating was the image I was aiming for and she listened. She made it exactly that.
On the manikin, I see a blouse along with jeans, not a dress. Instead of sparkly sandals, I see flat leather boots. I will definitely stand out. My mother's voice makes me stop staring at what I will be wearing for the reaping.
"So, how is it?" She asks.
"It's… exactly what I wanted." I say as I continue to stare at the clothes.
"Do you like it?" She asks, watching me.
"Yes. Thank you." I respond and hug her. She lets out a sigh of relief and hugs me back.
"Do you want to see what I made for Amethyst?" she asks.
Honestly, I don't. All I really want to do right now try on my reaping outfit, but I don't want to hurt her feelings, and she did make me an awesome outfit. Amethyst wants something sexy and my mother did not fail at that as well. A silky, strapless magenta dress that exposes the back and stops at the knees was made for Amethyst.
My mother was once a well-known fashion designer throughout the district. She was in charge of making clothes for Capitol citizens and department stores. When she found out she was pregnant with me, she decided to quit. My parents thought it was a good idea since his jewelry business was thriving at the time and they both agreed that it would be hard taking care of a baby and going to work.
After exchanging compliments, my mother leaves with Garnet and Geode to prepare what they are going to wear for the reaping. Even if they won't have to worry about it, my mother still wants them to look presentable.
I gently remove the clothes from the manikin. Amethyst does the same and darts into her room. I walk into my room and strip off my training suit. First I put on the dark blue, sleeveless blouse and black skinny jeans. Over the blouse, I wear a black leather jacket and slip on the leather boots my mother bought.
Fierce. Intimidating. Those are the words one would say when they see me walk into the square.
Other than the nice clothing, I notice something else. Zeya left scratches on my face. They're the same size as the first line on my pointer finger. They occupy the area near my hairline, and though they look small, it did not feel good. I didn't notice it earlier, but I'm glad that my mother didn't notice it either. She would've dropped a bunch of questions on me. My father would be less worried, seeing that nothing else is wrong. Oh well. She'll see it when we're in the Justice Building..
Since it's not yet time for the reaping, I take off my reaping clothes and put on something comfortable. To kill time, I played sword fight with Garnet and Geode and helped my mother clean the house. I also took a walk around the house, taking in the images of our spacious rooms, elegant painted walls, and comfortable couches and beds. While in the games, I'll remember how my home looks like and that'll drive me to make sure that no one steals the title of Victor from me.
When the time finally comes, I put on my reaping outfit. My mother offered to apply lipstick but I kindly declined. My father arrives just in time to give us a lift to the district square. Although we have a car, Amethyst and I choose to walk to training center because it's good exercise.
We pile into the car and drive to the square. When we find a good place to park, we get out and find girls and boys between the ages of 12 and18 in their expensive suits, glittery dresses, and overly done-up faces. Our parents wish me luck for getting the volunteering spot first. Amethyst and I say goodbye to our family and line up to sign in. Amethyst has been attracting a lot of male attention while I was catching everyone else's eyes with my unique style. They find themselves looking at me since I'm the only girl that doesn't have a dress on.
The lady pricks our fingers and places it on a book, where a drop of our blood leaks onto the page. Amethyst and I watch a twelve year old girl shake with fear as she sees the device in the woman's hands approaching her finger.
Amethyst walks over to the sixteen year old girl's section and I wade over to the eighteen year old girl's side. I spot Shine among the crowd and stand next to her.
"I love the whole badass getup." She says, looking at what I have on.
"Thanks. You look glamorous." I reply. She has on a silver dress with black roses stitched on.
We look over at Reina who stands in the seventeen year old section. She smiles at us and we smile back. Shine and I begin with some small talk until a thump on the microphone catches our attention.
"Hello, glamorous people of district one!" Morraina Heltsment exclaims. Majority of the people in the square cheer in response.
Morraina has a ridiculous style of fashion just like any typical Capitol citizen. This year, she's wearing a lime green, spiky wig and a bright purple dress along with yellow heels. Last year, she wore freaky piercings but decided to stay away from them when an accident occurred.
I take a glance at my family in the crowd. My mother gives me an encouraging smile and my father shows me two thumbs up. My little brothers wave excitedly and even blow kisses.
"Today we are going to pick one young man and woman to compete in the 66th Hunger Games!" Morraina says, clapping her hands.
"Now, as always, ladies first!" She walks over to the girl's reaping bowl.
"Elena-"
"I volun-"
"I VOLUNTEER!" I say as loud and fast as I can.
Damn. I wasn't focusing on whose name Morraina picked. I was daydreaming on how the arena would be this year. What snapped me out of my gaze was when I heard someone about to volunteer. That someone wasn't me.
All eyes are on me because of the words that have just spilled from my mouth. I look over to see who was about to volunteer and spot a girl in the same age division with dirty blonde hair and bright blue eyes, glaring. There are some people in the crowd who talk in low voices about what just happened. If the girl was to start a fight, I'm sure everyone would get excited. Scuffles at the reaping are always exciting.
I smirk and walk up to the stage confidently, not caring one bit if what I did was unfair.
"That was interesting, but since you completed that sentence first you have earned the title as the female tribute of district 1!" Morraina keenly squeals.
"What is your name, dear?" She puts the microphone near my mouth.
"Amethine Gemmis." I state proudly.
"Well Amethine, congratulations! Now it's time to choose the boys." She tells everyone and waddles over to the boy's reaping bowl.
I look over at the girl who failed to volunteer first. Her eyes are still clearly saying I hate you so much. To mess with her, I flash a big, pearly white smile. Her glare tightens.
Morraina holds the small piece of paper in her hands and unfolds it slowly.
"Tyler Gillsen."
"I volunteer!" Someone yells.
This boy will be my district partner. Regardless if we like each other or not, we'll have to get along to make our district look good. I turn to see who he is and my heart falls to my stomach. He's not just someone who I've seen around the center. He's my friend.
Evan.