Reaping day is my least favorite day of the year. Go to any other district and everyone else might be saying the same thing. But not here in two - today is the most celebrated day of the year for us. I've never really cared too much for reaping day, personally. Having my father home from district four is always a treat, and I can't say no to a day off school, but otherwise I don't see anything so great about the day. But today is different - it isn't like every other reaping day where I'll stand waiting for the names to be called or taking bets on volunteers with the other seventeen year olds. No, today I'll be volunteering for the games.
Just a few weeks ago my trainers pulled me aside and excitedly told me that I'd been chosen this year to volunteer. I'm not completely sure how this process of choosing works. I just know that all of our teachers and trainers observe and discuss for months deciding who should volunteer. Of course, anyone can choose to volunteer themselves, but we know that we're supposed to listen to the trainers decisions and follow them.
The only issue is that I don't want to compete in the games. I've never dreamed of volunteering, of fighting and winning the games. I know there are so many others that would eagerly take my place, but giving it to them wouldn't feel right. I suppose I technically could have said no, or could just not volunteer, but what would that make me? A coward? A failure? Wouldn't I let everyone down? Of course, no one knows I was chosen other than me and my trainers, but I'm sure it would get out somehow if I don't volunteer. It always does. And no one would look at me the same way knowing I'd been too weak to volunteer. But something doesn't feel right. I'm not the strongest or the most skilled fighter, so why was I chosen? I know an honor's been bestowed upon me, but it feels more like a death sentence.
That day I walk with my parents and younger brother to the reaping. My father carries my brother on his shoulders as he waves around a flag of Panem. Peacekeepers often hand them out to children on reaping day. I look around my village as we walk. My neighbors are exiting their houses, waving to us as they prepare to leave for the reaping. I can't keep the thought out of my mind that none of them know that I'll be the one volunteering today. That I'll be in the arena, trying to give our district another victor.
Upon arriving at the town square, my family and I split up so that I can be accounted for and enter the area for the other seventeen year olds. There's a big rush of excitement as everyone enters and chatters among themselves. I look to see if I can spot any of my classmates, but I can't get the thought that I'll sweat through my white dress up on stage out of my head, and I'm too distracted to properly search for anyone. After a long wait we're quieted down, and I know the reaping is about to begin. Our escort, Ona Acker, takes the stage dramatically and sits down next to Mayor Rand. She uses a small mirror to carefully comb through her long gold eyelashes, and I can't help but question how she'll be able to read the names through them. Our mayor steps up, wishing us good morning and happy Hunger Games. He tells the story of the rebellion and his pride to be from such a loyal district as two. He also acknowledges the many victors lining the stage, expressing joy to have so many winners. He then hands the microphone over to Ona to choose the names.
"Happy Hunger games!" she booms to us, and someone gives a little cheer.
"I see someone's excited! Now, let's find out who our lucky little tributes will be! I say … ladies first this year!" She trotts over to the gigantic glass bowl containing our names and plucks out a paper. I feel my heart stop in my chest. Do I really want to do this?
But as she shouts the name and a small thirteen year old girl looks up, I stick my hand in the air.
"I volunteer!" All eyes are on me as I walk up to the stage.
Ona sticks the microphone in my face, saying, "what's your name then?"
"Evangeline Oakley," I shout, and a cheer erupts for me. Ona goes over to the boys bowl and picks out a name, but a volunteer rushes up before she can even finish speaking. He bounds up the stage and introduces himself as Remus Fawcett. The crowds cheering roars in my ears as Ona announces us as the district two tributes, and I can't help but smile. I was chosen for this role, and I will make my district proud.
After the reaping ends I'm guided into a room in the Justice Building. I've visited the building on select occasions, picking up clean uniforms for my father, but I've never seen this room before. There's a low table where fruit and cookies are laid out for me, some chairs and sofas, and a wide television screening the district one reaping. Soon one of my trainers, Emily, rushes into the room. She curtly shakes my hand and congratulates me on successfully volunteering, something I'm assuming is routine for trainers to do. She has a long conversation with me, reminding me of my strengths and preparing me with advice. Finally, she wishes me good luck in the games before trading places with my family.
"We're so proud of you, honey!" My father says.
"So proud!" My mother echoes as she hugs me. "We're counting on a win from you, sweetie."
"Evie's gonna win the games! Evie's gonna win the games!" My brother shouts as he runs in circles around the room.
My father sits me down to give me advice as my mother adjusts my blonde curls and slides a set of silver earrings softly into my earlobes. "I used to wear these earrings to reapings when I was younger," she tells me, "now they'll give you good luck in your games!"
I hug them each goodbye tightly. They seem so sure that I'll be back soon, but I'm not sure I'll ever see them again.
I meander around the room, half watching the reaping as I wait to escorted from the building.
I notice that both the tributes from one are volunteers as well, but I don't catch their names. I suppose that they'll be my allies in the games.
I'm not entirely sure what to do in this extra time, as I surely can't relax, and I'm grateful when the peacekeepers come to gather me. It's a short and silent ride to the station, where I board the train that will take me to the capitol, and away from my home - possibly forever.