"Welcome, District 11, to the 74th annual Hunger Games Reaping!" Venus Andante cries with a flourish. Venus is our perky Capitol escort, he has thick gold eyebrows and hair and he always wears tight, metallic clothing to match. He expects applause after every sentence. Venus babbles on for a couple more minutes, killing time, but i'm not focused at all. i nervously glance at Marty, who is roped off in the boys section further over. Marty stares back, smile weakly and waves. I feel slightly more comforted knowing he's there, God knows why. "Well, lets cut the chat, i tend to drone on sometimes, HAHA!" Venus laughs as if this is the funniest joke ever told, few people respond with a forced 'ha.' "Moving on, ladies." My stomach lurches, threatening to throw back my breakfast, and i feel nervous tears gather in my eyes. Venus marches over to the big class container holding the paper. He scans each slip, running his finger delicately over the sea of white, then shoots his hand down as far as he can reach and grabs one. It's so deadly silent that you can hear the slip of paper rustle as he opens it up. Venus coughs, anticipating the moment when he will announce the name.
"Rue!" "Are you okay Rue?" "Somebody lift her on stage." "Did you see that fall?" Somebody lpicks me up and drops me onto the stage, i don't see the person's face, but i recognise the calm voice. "It's gonna be okay, doll, you'll be fine." Reba Birch, an older girl who is always around to help and comfort me. I've always gone to Reba when i have a problem, but why is she comforting me now, how come i'm on stage during the Reaping. Unless, oh no, no, no, no, this can't be happening. I take a few deep breaths and pinch my arm, trying to wake myself up, but my flesh feels real as ever, i brush my hands across my dress, the silky feel of the material can't possibly be in my head. I feel blinded with fear and realize my worst nightmare has come true, i've been reaped as a tribute for the 74th annual Hunger Games
