[THIRD PERSON POV]
Indigo Zale had one job and one job only. Win the Hunger Games and come back alive. Though she never did expect to fall in love with someone.
The morning air was cool and crisp and Indigo could just feel the breeze of the sea and taste the salt in the air. The air felt refreshing against her heated skin, still shining with the last bit of sweat that she never could get off. She blew out a sigh, as she heard footsteps getting closer to her. The sidewalks and street was empty besides a few other early morning people mulling about.
"I'm so ready to volunteer this year!" Her best friend Asher said as he finally caught up to her, knocking his shoulder against her own. A chuckle escaped her as she softly shook her head. Indigo ran her hand through her hair, moving her hair out of her face.
She turned her head to face him better as they walked along the sidewalk.
"Why am I not surprised you're going to volunteer?" she asked.
"Indigo, we've been friends for so long, you're not surprised because we're a career district. Someone has to volunteer, besides Beck and Starr both agreed that it'll be us this year!" Asher exclaimed as they turned the corner. Indigo let out a pleased sigh at that thought.
"The one moment we've been training for all our lives starts today. All the hours of training, all the tears, sweat and blood. It'll all be worth it Ash." She breathed out, fingers twisting together. Was she a bit nervous about it? Of course she was.
She had put years of her life into training for the Games.
Growing up with a single mother hasn't been easy, but they made it work. Her mother worked with the local fisherman, working weekdays. Then on the weekends, her and Indigo would have a bonding day. It might not be much but to Indigo it meant everything.
Indigo and Asher part ways as they reach their houses. Asher promised to come by when it was time to go to the reaping so they could walk together to the town square. Indigo quietly opened the door, and shut it behind her. Being careful to not make any noise, she kicked her shoes off by the front door.
There was movement from the kitchen, and after peaking in, she saw her mother reheating the last of the dinner from the night before. Stopping by the laundry room, she peeled off her tank top and shorts, before making her way back to her room and the bathroom attached to it. The water was warm, and she used lavender on her hair and body. She didn't really feel that nervous now, more so excited.
It was finally her time to show what she was capable of.
Indigo cut the water off about twenty minutes later, grabbing a towel from the hook and wrapping it around her body. It was about nine in the morning as she finished drying her hair, and after putting some sea salt spray in it, she quickly braided it into two braids. . Indigo went back to her closet, went through all her dresses before selecting the first one that caught her eye. Slipping on the white lace dress, it went down to the bend of her knees and would keep her from overheating in the already warm day.
Her flip flops were waiting for her, as she reached for the bracelet her best friend, Luna had given her for her birthday last year. It was a piece of sea glass, that was a mix of blue and green on a leather string. This would be her token.
All dressed, and made to look amazing, she walked back downstairs where her mother was finishing up some coffee. After grabbing a mug and pouring herself some, she leaned against the door frame and smiled at her mother.
"You'll be okay right?" She couldn't help but ask. Indigo hated the fact that her mother would be by herself when she went through the games.
"I'll be okay. Nina and her family are going to come stay with me." Her mother spoke softly, giving her daughter a smile. "Not hungry?" She asked.
Indigo shook her head. While she wasn't as nervous as she was before, her stomach still was in knots. "Too nervous and excited to eat right now."
The female nodded, knowing that her mother would be taken care of while she was gone, solved the last worry that filled her body. Finishing off her coffee, she placed the mug into the sink and moved to stand by the door while her mother finished eating. A knock sounded on their front door followed by "You better get your ass out here Indy!" The black haired female just let out a laugh at Asher's words.
A few minutes later, her and her mother were out the door. Asher had cleaned up nicely s he wrapped his arm around Indigo's shoulder. They headed into the center of town and halfway there, Indigo was joined by her best friend Coral as well as Coral's boyfriend Justin. She couldn't help but tease her friend as they all fell into gentle conversation, topics always coming back to the games. They kept asking her and Asher if they were ready, and both of them reassured them that she was more than ready. She would show what District Four was made of.
After being checked in, she and Coral went to their section,finding their other friends from the academy. Taking a final deep breath, she let it out slowly. Their escort was on the stage a few seconds later, Magnus Waltz was in his typical suit, a resting bitch face secured.
"Welcome to the Reaping for the 74th Hunger Games! May the Odds be ever in your favor." He called out, as the ever so familiar video began to play. It was soon over and the first name was soon to be called.
"Hannah Archer." From the 12-year-old section, there's a gasp amongst the crowd.. Indigo couldn't help but roll her eyes, and eagerly stepped out, proclaiming that she volunteered. The relief that filled the little girl's face, let her know that this moment was worth it.
"And your name?" Magnus asked once she was on stage.
"Indigo Zale."
"And now for the boys." Walking over, he selected a name from the few slips in the bowl.
"Bris Blade." There was the look of terror on a thirteen year olds face before it was replaced with relief as Asher stepped out and volunteered quickly.
They were told to shake hands, and Indigo was lead by a flock of peacekeepers to the Justice Building. Coral and her mother came in at the same time. There were no tears in any of their eyes, but instead a look of pride and excitement.
"Do what you have to do to come back. I don't care who you have to kill, just try to get home to us. Make us, your father and your brother proud." Coral had spoken first, and her mother had pulled her into a tight hug.
"I love you." Was whispered into her ear from her mother.
"Remember that you've been training for this for all your life. You have everything you need to win and come back to us." A few minutes passed in silence before Indigo spoke up.
"Take care of Mom for me Coral." She made her friend promise her as a knock sounded on the door along with "Times up."
Looking up at the clock, Indigo was surprised to see that twenty minutes had gone by, half of the time spent with them. She gave them one last look, a smile appearing on her face as she followed the peacekeepers out of the building and back into the sunlight before being basically shoved into a car along with Asher. The train appeared, and as she stepped out, she took a last breath of salty sea air, before following Asher onto the train.
She could do this.