I sit up in bed. Yawning slightly, I climb out onto the wooden floor of my bedroom. Clara, my little sister is still asleep, on the other side of the room. I go downstairs and start cooking breakfast, porridge, the usual. My mother wonders downstairs, hand in hand with Clara just as breakfast is ready. we sit in silence as we eat up. The porridge is a little cold, a bit lumpy as well, but it's food and something that will keep us going until lunch. Then Mother goes to her washing, her poor hands already scrubbed raw. I change into my old, faded jeans and green tee that is just slightly on the small side. I brush my long, brown hair into a ponytail and then do a round of the district. Giving out freshly washed clothes, taking in a new batch for this evening. I return at lunch, placing the wad of notes and purse of coins in the draw. We have a plain roll, the bread slightly stale but none the less food. While my mother continues with her washing and Clara plays with her rag dolls, I do the shopping. I buy some food, wool, shoes for Clara because her old ones have worn through and soap. I return home and make supper. A stew with vegetables that I picked up. After supper we gather around our battered telly and watch as Ceaser Flickerman's face and blue hair fill the screen.
"Hello, hello, citizens of Panem! Now the time has come for the announcement that we have all been waiting for. Who are the lucky eligible? Well, we'll hand over to the wonderful President Snow and Prince Cato to tell you!" The screen cuts to the president, white faced and smartly dressed, along with his grandson who have been presented perfectly. Not a speck of dust in sight.
"Welcome, welcome." The president begins "I am pleased to announce today of who will be the lucky citizens to be eligible for the reaping. After deepest consideration my grandson has decided to keep the normal restrictions. " A cheer erupts and the screen cuts back to Ceaser. I let out a sigh of relief and hug Clara tightly. She is safe. I am not. But just knowing that there's no way that Clara will be involved has made me feel so much happier.
"Well, I'm sure many of you will be celebrating tonight. So 12-18 year olds remember to have your pictures and blood tacken along with filling out those forms! I wish you all the best of luck and remember to watch the recaps of the reapings an hour after the reapings!" The screen blanks and I smile.
"Clove, am I going?" Clara asks, voice filled with anxiety. I smile at her.
"No Clara, your not. You're safe." she looks at me.
"What about you Clovey?" I shake my head.
"maybe." She frowns slightly but hugs me tightly. We celebrate Clara's freedom with a small pastry that I brought at the market. Then we all go to bed.
"Night, night, Clovey." Clara whispers as I blow out the candle we use instead of electricity. My sister is safe, I think. In a week I will be too. then everything will go back to normal. What could possibly go wrong?