Chapter 3.
Salem's words make me stop in my tracks. He notices this immediately and stops as well. I can't help but stare at him for several seconds. He still looks the same as ever: A nearly exact copy of me, except for the fact that he's taller and his hair is short. We have the same wavy blonde hair, and the same dark blue eyes that are relatively uncommon in our district. Yet, I see him differently. There are a lot of pretty boys in District 1. The kind of pretty boys that would like to have a pretty girl by their side to show off at every social occasion. I thought that Salem would be one of those boys once he finds a girlfriend, and that I would be one of those girls when I get a boyfriend. But now I see that Salem isn't like that at all. Being his sister, I feel like I should've known.
"You're judging me, aren't you?" He eventually says.
"It's just… I didn't expect this." I tell him.
"I just hope I made the right choice trusting you, then."
My first response to that is a sigh. His words hurt.
"You are my brother. Why wouldn't you trust me?"
Salem's voice turns to a whisper. "Because my position is a scary one to be in, considering the time and place that we live in."
I nod, because I understand. There is no law that forbids homosexuality in Panem, but it is frowned upon. Not only by the Capitol, but in all the districts as well. Times are hard and people would rather see a man and a woman bringing forth children to ensure the future.
"So what do you want me to do with this?" I ask him.
"Nothing." He replies almost immediately. "I just needed someone to know."
"Can I know who it is?"
"Not yet."
"Okay."
It seems the conversation ended, so I start walking again. Salem and I make our way home in silence.
That night, I lie awake thinking for a couple of hours before sleep catches me. I think of my old classmates in high school and wonder how many of them will be volunteering tomorrow. I still haven't completely made up my mind about volunteering myself. But then I think: Why not? The odds of getting picked are small but if I do get picked there is so much to gain. I can always try…
The next morning I'm woken up by the small beam of sunlight that falls in my face. Remembering what day it is, I shoot up straight in my bed. What time is it? After a quick glance at the clock, I come to the conclusion that it's 9:30. We have to be at the Central Square at 11:00. I'm just getting out of my bed when my mother walks into the room.
"Oh, you're already awake." She says. "Go and get ready, we're leaving in a little more than an hour. You can use some of my make-up if you want."
Since it's reaping day, I'm taking a little more care of my appearance than usual. I take a quick shower first, then I go back to my room to find something to wear. I browse through my dresses, until I find a short, purple summer dress that's perfect for this type of weather. I head back to the bathroom and glance at myself in the mirror. I put my hair up just to see how it looks, but then I decide to leave it down. I open my mother's make-up box and look at the contents. First I put some powder on my face, then I make sure my eyes stand out by putting mascara on my lashes. Last, I put on a light pink lipstick. Then I walk back into my room to put on my silver sandals and head downstairs for breakfast.
Mother smiles at me when she sees me. "You look beautiful."
I smile back at her. "Thank you."
Then she walks up to me and takes something out of her pocket. "This would finish it, though." She says as she puts a silver necklace around my neck. The pendant is a small, heart-shaped diamond.
I look at the shimmering pendant for a second, then I look up to my mother again.
"This is beautiful," I say, "What is-"
"It's a family gift." My mother says. "It used to be your grandma's. She gave it to me when I turned seventeen. Since you've turned seventeen this year, I thought it would be your turn to have it."
"Thank you." I say again.
After breakfast, the four of us head towards the Central Square. The trams are being ridden today, but because they are so crowded we decided to go by foot. We don't live that far away from the Square anyway, it's only a thirty minute walk.
It's only half past ten when we arrive at the Square, but the place is already packed with people. This is not unusual in our district: everyone here is very eager and enthusiastic about the Games. Salem signs in and walks up to the left side of the square, which is the boys' side. Then it's my turn to sign in.
"Next."
I step forward and hold out my hand. The woman behind the counter grabs my wrist and pricks my finger with a needle, then presses my bloody fingertip onto the paper. She pulls out an electronic device with which she scans my fingertip. My name appears on the screen of the device.
"Next."
I walk over to the right side of the square, where all the girls are. The youngest ones are in the front, the oldest in the back. So I stand in the first-to-last section, in between all the seventeen year olds. I recognize the wavy brown hair of Amelia in the section of the sixteen year olds, before me. To kill the time, I study the crowd. There are a lot of familiar faces: Friends, classmates, customers. But there are a lot of unfamiliar faces as well. At the boys' side, my eyes lock with the familiar dark green eyes of Blaze. He smiles at me and I smile back.
"Welcome, welcome." My attention is pulled to the stage as the voice of Brynn Ecclestar echoes over the square. I cringe at the sight of her. Her hair, eyebrows and eyelashes are dyed white, which looks really strange with her tanned skin and purple lipstick. It looks even stranger with the tight red dress that she's wearing.
"It's that special day of the year again." Brynn announces. "Today, we shall select one brave young man and woman to participate in the 57th annual Hunger Games. But before we start, I want you all to see this special film, brought to you by the Capitol."
Brynn walks to the side of the stage as the screen behind her lights up, and it shows the familiar footage that we get to see each year. The footage of the Dark Days and the civil war that followed, that is all familiar to me now. I want to roll my eyes, but then I think better of it. Fortunately, the film is only a few minutes long. When it ends, Brynn walks towards the microphone again.
"Now,v wasn't that inspiring?" Brynn asks the crowd. Several cheers sound from the audience.
"So now the time has come to select our tributes for this year's Hunger Games. As usual, ladies first."
Brynn walks up to the bowl on the right side of the stage. The bowl is so full that the papers almost fall out. Brynn digs her hand into the bowl, which sends several of the papers fluttering towards the floor. She comes up with one paper in her hand, then walks towards the microphone. She unfolds the paper and reads out the name on it.
"Amelia Harrington."
Almost immediately, Amelia turns around and her eyes find me. There's a silent plead in her eyes, but I decide to ignore it for now. She sighs, then walks up the stage and takes her place next to Brynn, who smiles at her.
"And now it's the men's turn." Brynn walks up to the other bowl, which is placed on the left side of the stage. The bowl is just as full as the other one, and again a few of the papers fall out as she digs her hand into it. With one paper in her hand, she walks back to the microphone.
"Zircon Lovett."
The name rings a bell and surprises me at the same time. The Lovett family is known all throughout the Capitol, District 1 and District 2 for their perfumes. They have released four different fragrances in this year alone. I remember the commercials on the television for their newest fragrance: "Passion" by Lovett. But what I never knew is that Mrs. And Ms. Lovett had a son.
A tall boy with broad shoulders walks up to the stage. His hair is copper-colored, which matches the many freckles on his face and arms. His bright green eyes stand out compared to his slightly tanned skin. He smiles and waves at the crowd as he walks up the stage. He's already showing off and trying to win over the audience.
After Brynn welcomes Zircon to the stage, she turns to Amelia. "So, Amelia was your name, right?"
Amelia nods in response.
"Do you want to participate in the Hunger Games?"
This question would never be asked to a tribute from any of the other districts, except for District 2. The Games are so popular here that the majority of the teenagers jumps up at the chance to participate in the Games. Amelia doesn't. She shakes her head and the female side of the crowd cheers. This means there's another chance for them to be reaped. Then Brynn turns to Zircon.
"Zircon, do you want to participate in the Hunger Games."
"Yes." Zircon answer sounds determined.
"So there will only be a female volunteer this year." Brynn says. I see a few disappointed faces in the boys' section. Now the so-called Second Round of Reaping will start for the girls. It's a phenomenon that's known only in District 1 and 2 for as far as I know. I've gotten the impression that they aren't so enthusiastic about the Games in the other districts, which is a pity. The Games are a beautiful and honorful event that brings the people of Panem together. I've always wondered why not everyone sees it that way.
"All the volunteers please line up in front of the sign in counter." Brynn instructs us, and we do as she says. I sneak through the crowd, making my way to the counter quickly. I have to get in line, but I don't want to have to wait too long. I don't want to miss out on this.
"Next."
I step forward. The lady behind the counter eyes me curiously, and then her face turns cold again.
"Name?"
"Satin Charbrooke."
The lady scans the list for my name. When she finds it, she writes my name on a paper slip and puts in the glass bowl that's on the counter.
"Okay. Next."
I walk back to my place in the section of the seventeen year olds. A few times, I look over my shoulder to see how far they are with signing in. Every now and then, I glance at the giant clock that hangs on the stone wall of the City Hall. All together it takes fifteen minutes before all the volunteers are signed in. The glass bowl that stood on the sign in counter is now placed on the stage.
Brynn looks at the bowl, which is almost full.
"So many volunteers!" She says, "Let's pick one, shall we?"
After several cheers, the crowd turns silent. We are all tensed, waiting for Brynn to read out a name. At least eighty percent of the people around me are hoping for their name to be called, including me this year. I hold my breath as Brynn takes a paper slip from the bowl, walks up to the microphone and unfolds it. Brynn exhales audibly before she reads out the name.
"Satin Charbrooke."
For a second I look around, waiting for someone in the crowd to move. Then I realized that it was my name she called. My name! I can barely contain the smile on my face as I make my way through the crowd and walk towards the stage. Brynn gives me a hand to help me climb the stairs. I stand next to her, scanning the crowd from up here.
"So here they are, the tributes from District 1: Zircon Lovett and Satin Charbrooke." The crowd cheers and Brynn takes a step back so Zircon and I can shake hands. Zircon grabs my hand tightly and shakes it. He doesn't speak, but he eyes me mockingly. I grab his hand more firmly and shake it. Do not overlook me, Zircon. I hope he gets the message. I let go of Zircon's hand and wave at the crowd. Most of them are still cheering, but some of them are silently glaring at us. I decide to ignore it.
"Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor." Brynn says.
A peacekeeper walks up to me and Zircon and leads us to the City Hall, behind the stage. Zircon and I are brought to two different rooms, where we're told to wait for our family or friends. Those who want are able to visit the tributes before they travel to the Capitol. I don't have to wait long for the first guest to arrive: It's Amelia.
"You have three minutes." The peacekeeper says.
As soon as Amelia's walked through the door she gives me a long, tight hug.
"Thank you for going in my place." Amelia says eventually. Then she lets me go.
"I didn't volunteer because you were picked," I tell her, "But I guess you're welcome?" I shrug.
"So, aren't you nervous?"
"Not yet." I grin at her. "But my guess is that that will change after I've seen my competition."
"Well, I just hope to see you soon." Amelia says as the peacekeeper opens the door. "Good luck, Satin!" She adds quickly. Then she leaves the room.
The next people to visit me are my parents and Salem. My mother immediately hugs me and keeps saying how happy she is for me. I want to take off the necklace and give it back to her, but she stops me.
"No no, you should take it with you into the arena as your token."
I nod and put the necklace back on.
"So finally one of our children is chosen," My father speaks. When he finishes he looks at Salem, then he looks back at me. "Congratulations Satin, I hope you're going to make us proud."
"I will." I tell him. Then I turn to Salem. He is the only one who hasn't said anything so far. His eyes meet mine and at first we do nothing. Then he smiles and gives me a short hug.
"Good luck, little sis." He whispers in my ear. Behind him, the door opens. The same peacekeeper tells us our time is up.
"Thank you." I say, as the three of them are led outside by the peacekeeper.
After they leave I am alone in the room for several minutes. I'm guessing that there are no more visitors for me now, which disappoints me a little. I look around the room. There's only one window here. I walk up to it and wipe away the dust. Through the glass I can see a grass field behind the City Hall that I never knew existed. The place looks like there hasn't been anyone in ages: the grass is tall and is overgrown with different kinds of plants. It fascinates me: how wonderful would it be to know about a place where nobody goes…
The sound of the door opening interrupts me. I turn around to see someone walk into the room. It's Blaze. When he sees me, a smile appears on his face immediately. I smile back at him.
"Hey" I say.
"Hey" He replies.
We stand there for a few seconds, just looking at each other. Then Blaze speaks up.
"Okay, I don't want to waste our time now."
I nod, waiting for him to continue.
He laughs. "I don't even have that much to say actually. I just wanted to see you before you left."
"Well, I'm glad you're here." I tell him.
"Good luck in the Games. I hope you'll make it out alive." There's a slight frown on his face, then it disappears. "I'm being silly. You've trained so hard for this; I have no other option than to believe in you." He takes a step closer and caresses my cheek with the tips of his fingers. "You got this, Satin. Just don't let yourself be overshadowed by the other tributes. You are a princess, but in a good way. I just wanted-"
He stops in the middle of his sentence as the peacekeeper loudly opens the door.
"Time's up."
"I just wanted you to know. Good luck, Satin!" Blaze says before the peacekeeper shuts the door behind them and I'm alone in the room again.