I don't know what to think. I can't just pretend I don't have my name in the reaping around 15 times this year. I have no chance to win these games and my family needs me and I need them. How am I suppose to tell my sister everything will be ok when they are not. I hear footsteps and a voice in the distance. I recognize that voice too.
"Hello... whoever is hear, is everything okay?" a girl shouts as she approaches the tree I am situated at.
"Everything is good, I was just taking a quick stroll before supper. What brings you hear?" I try to say confidently pretending I was not crying 2 minutes ago.
"Don't act like I didn't hear you crying before, you look familiar... is your name Kobe? I think your Sally's brother," she asked.
"Ahh, you're Whitney. You were at my house a few months ago for a group project with my sister... why are you here?" I ask.
Whitney is from the more fortunate part of District 10. The families in her neighborhood usually do not have to take our tesserae and have their names in the reaping as little as possible. Traditionally tributes from District 10 are from the poorer part of the district as our names are in the reaping much more than the richer parts.
"I am here the same reason you are. Tomorrow is reaping day and I am scared. My name is in their once, how about you?" she asked.
"I have it around 15 times, I took out tesserae for my family since I was 12. I am terrified about being chosen tomorrow. I know I can't win and my family needs me. I can't imagine them without me after we lost our father a few years ago. I appreciate our quick talk, but I really need to head home. My mom is probably wondering where I am but it was great running into you. Let's pretend you never saw me shedding some tears, deal?" I plead.
"You got a deal, Kobe. Your sister, Sally, really looks up to you. I'll keep you in my prayers and hope to see you soon. Get home safe!" She says as we hug before I start to head home.
"Same to you, thank you Whitney. I hope to see you soon," I say as I begin to walk back home and try to freshen up on the way back. It's a bit hard since it's dark and cold now, but I need to mask my emotions for tomorrow for the sake of my family. They cannot see me terrified like this, especially Sally.
I walk inside and see my family sitting at the table and I see a plate full of meat loaf, mash potatoes, and green beans waiting to be eaten by me. I see Sally seems to have got her mind off the reaping tomorrow and I might as well too. I am stronger than I think... everyone else sees it besides me.
The conversation at dinner is barely about the reaping tomorrow but rather about my day at work and plans for the rest of the week. I really love my family and I don't want to lose them. Tomorrow will just be a normal day featuring a reaping. In less than 48 hours, I will be back at the farm working with the cows and I can't believe I am saying this, I am looking forward to work.
I don't know if I mentioned, the meat loaf is delicious. Great job Mom!