Chapter One: Reaping
For the Treaty of Treason. For the district's uprising, to keep the peace. Each district was to offer one male and one female tribute to compete in what we call the Hunger Games. District twelve is a poor district. Mining for coal. There were thirteen districts. Due to the uprising, thirteen were wiped out by the Capitol. To show the other districts the power the Capitol possessed and to keep them in line. My mother died when I was younger. My father recently died in a mine explosion. I tend to my mother's old shop. It was a flower shop. In the back, we made medicines. The district would come to buy a single flower only to actually buy medicine that my mother taught me how to make. It helped out a lot. Since there was no hospital in the district. They would go to Everdeen's place as I would supply the healer there. This year, it would be my second to last reaping. This year, they said it was going to be different. Something new. Usually they waited until every twenty-five years but this time, they weren't showing mercy. My name is Flora Solstice. I know. An unusual name for someone. And this is my story.
Flora had just come home from school while placing her hand made bag onto her mattress that was now on the floor. She sighed as it was dirty. It was hard. Life was hard. It made matters worse when she had to get her name put in extra times for the reaping. Just to have food to survive. She went to the back of her shop and picked up a few bottles before filling them up. Carefully measuring a couple. Smiling as she carefully placed them into a smaller bag. Flora had locked up her shop and left. Humming softly as she came upon the bakery. She walked inside and took a deep breath. The smell of fresh bread made her stomach growl.
"Hey there Flora!" A boy's voice came. He had a gentle smile.
"Peeta! Good to see you. Give this to your mom, will you?" Flora smiled as she handed Peeta a vile.
"Ah. Good. Her cough was getting worse this morning." Peeta spoke. "Please, take a few loaves." Peeta smiled as he left to go to the back. Flora packed two loaves and slipped it into her bag. A woman came into view and smiled.
"Thank you Flora. I don't know what to do without your mother's teachings." The woman spoke.
"Of course and no problem Mrs. Mellark." Flora smiled as the woman gave her a hug. She then left the shop with a soft smile. It felt murky outside with the mud and thick air. She made her way down the path. Knocking on a door. A young woman answered it.
"Hello Katniss!" Flora smiled as Katniss let her inside. She pulled out a loaf of bread and handed it to Katniss who gave her a hug.
"Hello Flora." Another woman spoke.
"Mrs. Everdeen. I brought you the items you requested." Flora smiled as she pulled out the rest of the bottles. Setting them on the counter for her.
"I don't know what I would do without your help." She received a hug from Katniss' mother.
"She was kind enough to give us bread." Katniss spoke with a smile.
"Mom. I'm scared." The voice of a young girl came. Flora frowned. It was Katniss' little sister Primrose.
"Hey. It's okay. Your name is in there once." Katniss spoke softly while hugging Prim.
"You should go get ready." Mrs. Everdeen spoke as Flora nodded.
"Right. See you at the reaping." Flora spoke. She frowned as she left the small house. She nodded to a few others she knew. She mostly kept to herself except when she spoke to Katniss. Katniss. Her only friend she had. Often brought her game or invited her over for dinner to eat. Her stomach growled again. Sighing as she held her stomach as she made her way home. Flora frowned at the broken mirror. She was a mess. Taking a small bath in the large oversized bowl before changing into her gray dress. It was the only nice piece of clothing she had. Brushing her hair while putting it half way up. Taking a deep breath before locking up her shop. She handed the key to Mrs. Everdeen. It was just in case her name was called. She turned her heels and followed the others towards the Justice Building. She had only been inside twice. Both times from the passing of her parents. She received a medal for her father. 'Sacrificing his life to better the district.' Is what it said. She stopped and bumped into Katniss.
"Sorry." She spoke as Prim was getting scared again. Katniss had calmed her sister down. Watching the little girl walk forward and get her finger pricked for a fingerprint to put in the records. Flora raised her finger and got the same thing done. Watching as everyone gathered in lines by age. Flora was standing next to Katniss. Then a woman in so much pink, it made a few people around her snicker lightly. Flora frowned. It was how the people in the Capitol dressed. Effie Trinket. Flora kept her eyes upon the woman as she spoke.
"Now, a message from President Snow." She spoke as the large screen on her right turned on.
"My fellow citizens of Panem. Starting this year and forward. Due to the uprising and to remember what the treaty is about. Two females will be reaped this year." With that, the screen shut off. There were angry outbursts going on. Flora was angry. Along with them.
"Silence!" The mayor had shouted. Flora frowned at this. Hearing whispering before they stopped.
"Now. Ladies first." Effie spoke with a smile. She walked over to the large glass bowl and pulled out the first piece of paper.
"Primrose Everdeen!" Dead silence. Flora felt her face lose color as it drained. Prim. She had only just turned old enough.
"Where are you dear?" Effie asked. Flora frowned. Watching the young girl tuck in her shirt from behind.
"Prim?" Katniss shouted. The guards came to grab her.
"No! Prim! No! I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute!" Katniss shouted. Flora gasped as did many others.
"Ladies and gentlemen, our very first volunteer." Effie spoke with delight. Katniss walked up to the front and stood near the Capitol woman. "Now for our second lady." Effie spoke as she put her hand back into the bowl and picked out another piece of paper.
"Flora Solstice." Effie spoke. 'Oh.' Was all Flora could say. Her heart was beating fast as she had goosebumps rise upon her arms. Her eyes stung. She didn't have anyone to volunteer for her. There was no one. She was alone. She stepped out of the line and made her way up to the front. Standing next to Katniss while frowning.
"Now for the boys." She spoke while pulling out a piece of paper.
"Peeta Mellark!" Effie shouted. Flora's eyes met the baker's eyes. She frowned as he made his way up front.
"Our tributes from district twelve!" Effie spoke. There was no cheering. There were no happy faces. No one smiled. Flora felt her body get pushed forward into the Justice Building along with the others. Flora sat alone in the single room. Watching the crowd leave as Katniss and Peeta both have families they were saying goodbye to.
"Time's up!" The mayor shouted. Flora frowned and walked through the building with the others. Flora found herself in a compartment on the train. It was a small bed but she sat on it anyway. Sighing softly as it was soft. 'Better than the one at home.' She thought. Hearing a knock on her door, she opened it. Effie was standing in the doorway. The woman had changed clothes. Flora couldn't help but admire her choice of fashion.
"Come on dear. Time to meet Haymitch." Effie spoke. Flora nodded her head and followed Effie into another room. Katniss and Peeta were already there.
"And here is Flora." Effie beamed. Gently pushing Flora forward by her shoulder. Flora sat down while looking at Haymitch. The man was drunk. She didn't blame him. He was, after all, a victor from a previous game. She remembered his game all too well. The tributes were doubled.
"Any advice?" Peeta asked.
"Yes. The sooner you accept your death, the better." Haymitch spoke while drinking a glass. Flora scoffed and rolled her eyes.
"You don't seem likable either." The man spoke while eyeing her.
"Then I guess it'll be a quick death." Flora retorted back. Her eyes glaring at him.
"You're supposed to be our mentor." Katniss spoke. The man stood up and left. Flora shook her head and left as well. She didn't want to be anywhere near the drunk.
Flora found herself sleeping in the train bed. She couldn't sleep well. Tossing and turning all night before leaning up. The sun had barely risen on the horizon. Deciding to get dressed before heading out of her room. She sat down at the table that they were at yesterday.
"Earlier riser?" Effie's voice came. Flora looked over. The woman was now wearing a lighter shade of pink. Her makeup had matched as well. As did her wig. This woman sure knew how to make the colors look good on her.
"Couldn't sleep." Flora spoke softly. She could feel Effie's eyes on her as the woman in pink sat down. Looking at all the food on the table. She had never seen so much in her life.
"Are you going to eat? Get some strength up." Effie asked as she was drinking her coffee. Flora frowned at the sight. She decided to eat some eggs. Her eyes went wide as they hit the spot in her stomach. She grabbed seconds and ate some more. Trying not to look sloppy while doing so. She looked up to see Effie smiling at her. She blushed before drinking her juice. It tasted like apples.
"Hey Flora." Peeta's voice came. She nodded her head to acknowledge him. Haymitch came in not too long after. The sun was now up.
"How do you find shelter?" Peeta asked Haymitch. He began drinking again. Flora scrunched up her nose.
"Cute." She heard a whisper from Effie as Katniss came in just in time for them to ignore Effie.
"How do you find shelter?" Katniss asked.
"Please, pass the marmalade." Haymitch spoke. He reached over as Katniss grabbed a knife and stabbed the wood between his thumb and finger.
"That is mahogany!" Effie shouted after a gasp.
"Wanna know how to survive? Get people to like you." Haymitch spoke. "So far, you girls aren't doing so well." Haymitch spoke.
"We're here!" Peeta spoke as he stood up to look out the window. He was right. Flora stood up as well and looked out the window. The Capitol. It was huge! The tv did not do the city justice. Huge buildings with rainbow hues all over the city. Different flashing lights to catch people's attention. Even homes and apartments were beautiful and well made. Flora felt uneasy at the beauty.
"It's huge!" Peeta smiled. The train had slowed down as they were herded off.
"Peeta! I love you!" Several female voices shouted.
"Katniss! Hi!" Others shouted.
"Flora! Flora!" A chant was happening. Flora felt her face flush. She had never thought about any of the Capitol people who cheered for her. She looked around and found Effie smiling at her. She smiled back before turning to the crowd and waved. Hearing the cheering from them before following the others again into a building. She stopped and looked around.
"You girls follow me." Effie spoke as Haymitch led Peeta to another area. "Here is where you are going to meet your designer. They will clean you up and dress you as well." With that, Effie was gone. Flora heard a lady come in.
"Change into these and lay on the table." She spoke. Flora and Katniss looked at each other and changed out of their clothes and into the paper hospital gown. Flora laid onto the cold table and sighed. Feeling someone brushing her hair before washing it.
"You have beautiful hair." The woman spoke.
"Thank you." Was all Flora could say. She felt warm water going down her legs as she looked up. Someone was giving her a bath. The next thing she knew, her leg hair was being waxed. She groaned at the pain. It soon numbed out as her eyebrows were getting plucked. Her hair is being blown dry. Feeling the brush again before they left. Flora sat up as Katniss was still laying down. She sighed a little.
"Pamper us and then parade us around." Flora sighed while running her fingers through her hair as her nose scrunched again. It felt like it had been hours since their cleaning. Flora hummed softly while Katniss was just laying there.
"Hello. I'm Cinna. Your stylist for you both." Cinna spoke softly as Katniss sat up finally. The man walked in. He was beautiful. 'Huh.' Flora thought as she got a closer look at Cinna. He was wearing makeup and made it look good. Cinna had led them to a different room. He was eyeing us. Katniss stood up first as he circled her and then it was Flora's turn. Feeling the eyes circle her as he was thinking.
"So each tribute is supposed to reflect their district. I have an idea for you both.
"Miner outfits?" Katniss asked. Flora frowned at this. Every year there were some ridiculous black costumes.
"No. This year we want the Capitol to remember you three for several years to come." Cinna spoke. Flora was now interested in what he had planned. "You're not afraid of fire are you ladies?" Cinna asked. Flora and Katniss both looked at each other before shaking their heads. It was not long after they found themselves standing by a chariot. It felt odd being in a tight black like suit.
"I will light you three on fire before you exit the tunnel." Cinna explained. Peeta stood on the left, Katniss in the center as Flora on the right. It felt weird. Really weird. Flora sighed a little while looking around. There were so many bright colors from the other tributes' costumes. She had only hoped Cinna did something amazing.
"Flora, this is for you." Cinna spoke as he handed her several flowers to hold. She raised a brow at him. "For your name." Cinna spoke as he picked a few flowers and placed them into her hair. She felt the chariot start moving. Hearing the crowd cheering. Her eyes found Effie's blue eyes as the woman smiled and waved as they came out of the tunnel. Cinna had light their costumes on fire.
"Look at that folks! District twelve!" Flickerman's voice boomed over the crowd.
"Come on! They'll love it." Flora heard Peeta as he and Katniss held hands and raised it. The crowd went wild. Flora looked at the flowers in her hand and she knew. She started tossing them towards the crowd. Most of them were caught.
"I love you Flora!" A man shouted. Hearing her name being chanted along with Katniss and Peeta's. She chuckled nervously before tossing the flowers to the ladies instead.
"Look at that folks. Young Flora giving back to the crowd! Such a flower girl!" He shouted as more cheers were happening. She smiled and waved before blowing a few kisses. It seemed the ride had come to an end. Flora then saw him. President Snow. Something in her stomach grew with anger. Looking at the man in black. He was old and with white hair. He wore a white rose on his suit jacket. Raising a brow as the man stood up and raised his hand. The crowd went silent. The fire had gone out on their costumes.
"Welcome, welcome! Ladies and gentlemen. Tributes. We thank you for your bravery and courage. Welcome to the annual seventy-fourth Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favor." Snow spoke loud and clearly. Flore looked at Katniss who was glaring at him. Peeta on the other hand only watched. The other tributes were smiling and what not. Flora felt disgusted at this. The chariots then took them back down the lane and into the tunnel. Flora hopped off with a sigh.
"That was a good idea Flora. Tossing those flowers." Cinna smiled as he kissed her cheek. Flora nodded with a small smile before Haymitch came into view with Effie.
"That was brilliant you three. Now." Haymitch started before his eyes caught something. Flora followed his line of sight. Cato. The boy from the career district. "Let's discuss our next item on the list out of sight." Haymitch spoke. Flora raised a brow before feeling Effie's hand on her lower back as she was pushed forward. She followed in silence as they arrived at the elevator.
"Each district gets their own floor. Since you are district twelve, you get the penthouse." Effie explained. The ride up the elevator was a short one. She looked out the window as they went up to the top. Once inside the building on their floor, Flora gasped. The place was huge! Definitely bigger than her shop.
"Be sure to eat and head to bed. Training starts tomorrow." Haymitch explained. Flora was led by an Avox to her bedroom. She saw there were already clothes for her in the wardrobe. She took a quick shower before changing into what looked like sleep wear.
She walked out of the bedroom. Her hair was still wet as she ran into Katniss.
"Sorry." They both said to each other before smiling lightly. They made their way to the dining room and sat down. There was so much food again! It seems that the Capitol never goes hungry like in twelve does. Haymitch took a spot at the head of the table. Effie had sat down next to her. Flora could smell the rose scent coming from Effie. She smelled so beautiful. There was so much beauty coming from Effie that Flora had to conduct herself. 'No! Stop thinking that! You're going into an area to die.' Flora had to remind herself. There was no time to flirt or even think about someone. She was alone and had to remember that. Huffing at her own thoughts as she began to eat.
"Everything alright?" Effie asked Flora who nodded her head while keeping her eyes on her plate.
"Who's idea was the hand holding?" Haymitch asked.
"Cinna's" Peeta spoke.
"Great. Touch of rebellion." He added.
"Rebellion?" Peeta asked in a confused look.
"Go to bed and get some rest. Tomorrow begins training and I will tell you exactly how I want you to play it." Haymitch spoke. Flora frowned. She felt like Haymitch was going to work on Katniss and Peeta more. She shrugged and stood up. She turned her heels and left. If she was going to die in the arena no matter what, at least she was going to go down fighting. At least give them a chance. Flora came back into her room and crawled into bed. At least she wouldn't disappoint anyone. There was no one there for her.