Connifer "Connie" Kauree heaved herself up another branch, pushing the dark brown hair out of her eyes. It was getting too long and needed to be cut AGAIN. Her hair grows super fast and constantly needs to be cut to maintain the pixie style. She closes her eyes and pictures flipping from the tree, picturing how to land. And then, she jumps landing perfectly.
"I give you a 7." Connie's eyes widen. "Palmer!" She runs and hugs her cousin. "Does Kathryn know you're here yet?" she asks. "Not yet." "Well then let's go surprise her," Connie says running towards the house. It's been a while since Palmer has been around. She's been frantic about the games and has been training the past couple of days. "You know what you would do for the training. I'm stumped," Palmer says. Connie shakes her head, laughing lightly. "You worry too much Palmer. I don't think either of us are going to be picked for the games," Connie says. Palmer glares at her.
"Okay… okay… I guess I would do something involving climbing," Connie says. Kathryn is sitting on the stairs, her hands crossed across her chest, eyes glaring at Connie. "You do realize the reaping is today, right? We have to… Palmer!" Kathryn jumps from the stairs, grabbing Palmer in her arms before quickly continuing her glare directed towards Connie. "We have the reaping soon, and you have leafs in your hair, and is that mud on your face?" Connie looks down sheepishly, trying to wipe the gunk off her face. "Come on… let's go get ready."
Alex Moore picked up the wooden sword. "You ready, Scott." His best friend looked at him wearily. "I guess." With that Alex charges at Scott, fake sword ready to "kill" his friend. He smiles before quickly maneuvers himself in position.
"Oh God, you got me!" Alex howls falling on the floor. "Alex, I'm so sorry! Are you bleeding?" Alex can't contain his laughter anymore. "They're wooden swords, Scott. Do you really think I could get hurt? You're so gullible." Scott rolls his eyes. "I'll see you at the reaping." "Are you serious? Lighten up dude." Scott turns quickly, glaring at Alex. "It's the day of the reaping. I'm tense."
"Obviously."
"For the 75th annual hunger games and our 3rd quarter quill the tribute's lives will be connected with each other. If your partner dies, so do you." Connie's eyes widen. This means the games will go faster. Alex's eyes squint. "This doesn't make sense," he mutters. "Be quiet," Someone near him mutters.
"Now for the reaping." The man reaches his hand in the bowl, deliberately making it as slow as possible. "Connifer Kauree." Connie stares in disbelief. "Connifer." She's not sure who pushes her forward, but it snaps her out of her trance. She makes her way to the stage, her eyes searching the crowd for Palmer or her sister for reassurance. She can't will herself to say anything when she gets on the stage.
It all feels like a dream… no nightmare. She feels something wet on her cheek; making her wonder if she forgot to wipe the mud off her face from earlier. She quickly wipes whatever it is from her face, and sees its clear. She's crying. She's crying in front of potential sponsors. "And, the boys. Alex Moore." Alex knows what he's supposed to do. He walks on the stage. He can't force the smile on his face that usually comes so easily. In all truth, he's terrified, but who's going to volunteer for a 17 year old especially when no one volunteered for the small girl next to him. She had to be 14, maybe 15. His grey eyes look over at her, analyzing who's going to be stuck with him because their lives are connected. "Are you crying?" he whispers. She looks over at him, fear dominant in her eyes. "No," she mutters. 'Well' he thinks. 'We're screwed.'
I hope you enjoyed this really short, crappy chapter. I'm so sorry it wasn't good. I'm going to try harder on the next one. I just wasn't given a lot of information on these two. Sorry! And, thank you everyone who reviewed. You really keep me motivated!