Song- Euphor by Novo Amor
Today was the day. The reaping for the 64th annual Hunger Games. My sister Annie is 12, and I'm 13. I was the head of the house, even if it was just the two of us. I braided Annie's hair into a French braid, then put it in a bun. Annie was wearing a blue denim dress that had small pockets and buttons down the front. I had my hair down with its natural waves and a white sundress that wrapped in the front.
Annie wore black boots with no heels, and I wore tan flats that I usually wore for beach walks. Annie was the only thing I had for a family now. Both of our parents drifted off to sea one day and never returned.
We were walking hand in hand when we saw the sign-in. I kissed her forehead. "Don't do anything stupid." I whispered. "I won't." She walked off ahead of me to sign in, and I walked to the older one.
"Next." One of the secretaries held out her gloved hand for me to put my finger in. I gave her it and winced at the slight pain. She placed my finger on the paper and checked my blood. "Go ahead." I nodded my head and walked forward when I felt a hand grasp mine.
I looked up to see Finnick, my best friend. He looked nervous. "You won't get picked. Don't worry, it's only our 2nd year."
"Yeah, I'm not worried about me." He looked at me with complete fear. "Please don't volunteer. If you die in the arena I wouldn't be able to forgive myself." I gave him a slight smile. "I wouldn't either."
He hugged me tightly before we both had to split to the female and male sides. I stood behind a few of my classmates as we watched the video from the Capitol. I looked over from our escort to Finnick, to find out he was already trying to meet my gaze.
"Happy Hunger Games," I mouthed to him with a slight laugh. "And may the odds be ever in your favor." He finished and laughed as well.
"Firstly, the ladies." Our escort announced. She walked over to the fishbowl of names and dropped her hand in. She dug threw the names to find the one that was calling her. I doubt any person would ever call to her, considering she was wearing an under-the-sea dress with platforms that were filled with live sea creatures. Her hair was up into a tight bun, dark blue that matched her eyeshadow and lipstick. Her liner winged out to her ears, and even her skin tone was a light blue shade.
Finally, she spotted it. She grabbed the paper and walked back to the microphone. She opened the paper and hesitated before saying with a great smile,
"Tess, Cresta!"
I felt myself nearly crying on the spot. But then I remembered the sponsors. I needed sponsors to win. I put on my best smile like I was proud to have this chance. I walked over to the podium and strutted next to the escort.
"How old are you darling?" she asked. I leaned towards the mic, "13." She looked impressed, then announced back to the crowd. "And now for the men."
I looked out to District 4, trying to find Annie and Finnick, my grin vanishing slowly. I found Annie near the back of the women's section. She was sobbing, hard, with a hand over her mouth. I looked at the men and saw Finnick, his mouth agape and a pair of tears running down his rosy cheeks.
I continued smiling even though I wanted so desperately to cry. I wanted to fall to my knees and hug Annie for the last time. I wanted Finnick to be there next to me, holding my hand as we both shed tears until we had a river. But I couldn't.
Our escort walked back to the mic with her second piece of paper and opened it."Our male tribute is,"
I had never experienced more confusion about my feelings in my life. I wanted it to be Finnick, but I also hoped to the lord it wouldn't be either.
"Dylan Jaymes!"
I saw Finnick look at me like he was trying to ask me something. Almost like he was asking what to do, but I couldn't answer. He looked older, 17 or 18. He walked up the stairs, also with a smirk on his face.
I looked back at Finnick, he almost seemed relieved. Relieved that this guy might be able to keep me alive. A slight chance I might live. Sure, I was good with throwing stars, knives, and maybe a sword, but besides that.
Dylan looked at me with a smile. Not a fake smile, a genuine one. I returned it as we shook hands. We then turned back to the crowd, holding hands. Dylan lifted his free arm, almost instructing me to do so also. I followed.
He gave our district a full smile as I gave one similar. The peacekeepers dragged us into the Justice Building, our escort almost in tears at Dylan's act.
We were split into two rooms. The room had light blue wallpaper with a line of fish hooks. There was a white couch, with a rug colored in gradients of blue. Bookshelves, dressers, vased white roses, it looked very plain. I sat on the white sofa, thinking of how I could win.
The door burst open to reveal Annie, looking terrified and her eyes and cheeks flushed red from crying.
"I'm so sorry Tessa, I'm so so sorry." She cried into my dress. "Try to win, okay? Try please try." She begged, there wasn't much she could say."Stay safe here in 4, Annie," I whispered in her ear. She giggled a bit. "I should be giving you that advice." I smiled in her sleeve. "Smile bright. Be your funny, positive self. Win, of course. Please win."
She was cut off by a Peacekeeper dragging her from the room. "Annie. Annie!" I yelled and tried to get back to her. "Tess. Tessie!" She pleaded for me, being forcefully pushed back, passed the doors. Tears now gushed down my cheeks and onto my dress. I sat back down on the sofa, crying my eyes out. I knew where this would lead. Maybe I could help Dylan win?
I felt two arms pull me up from the couch and into a hug. "I'm sorry, Tess. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Finnick. He seemed to be crying too, probably holding in his tears to seem strong for me."Annie give you any advice?" He sniffed. I couldn't reply, just nod my head a bit."Okay, remember," He pulled me out of the embrace and held my chin up with his fingers."make them like you. Become a Capital favorite, make it look like you're weak but not too weak. Don't show off your strength, and maybe you won't get killed first. Try to win okay. Remember me, remember Annie, remember District 4."
Finnick handed me something, a shark tooth necklace. His shark tooth necklace.
"Finnick I can't take this. It's yours." He nodded his head and smiled."Don't you remember? You found it for me, and gave it to me as a gift." I nodded, remembering now. I hugged him again, wanting the moment to last forever.
But he was dragged away too, not as aggressively as Annie was, but still he was gone.
~
Our escort was telling me about the train ride to the capital, and the 3 weeks before the games. Dylan wasn't present, he was probably in his room. Our mentor came out and introduced herself. Her name was Sapphire Ray, and she won her games by killing 2 tributes, sticking to herself and no other allies. She suggested that I do the same, but I wanted to team with Dylan, who still hadn't come out yet.
"Act like you're happy to be here. Act like this is an opportunity for you." Sapphire talked to me as we ate. We will be arriving tomorrow at noon. I had enough of her talking.
"I'm going to find Dylan." I wiped my mouth and stood up."Okay, sleep well." Our escort told me. I smiled at her before walking off to the back of the train. I knocked on Dylan's door."Dylan? Sapphire's giving some advice on surviving. Also dinner's ready."
I didn't hear a response, just a sniffle."Dylan?" I whispered."Can I come in?" I asked not thinking he would actually let me in. He opened the door to reveal his eyes bright crimson red, his hair scruffy, and tears still streaming down his cheeks."Yeah, come in." He stepped aside so I could enter. I stepped in slowly, and he closed the door.
"Sorry about--" I hugged him."No, it's okay, I cried too." He immediately hugged me back."No one came to see me after the reaping." I was shocked."I'm sorry Dyl." I muttered as he towered over me, somehow still managing to hug me."It's stupid but I felt hurt. An 18-year-old crying over something that happened over 4 years ago."
My dress was soaked now."It's not stupid." I whispered. We just stood like that for a while before Dylan calmed down."I'm sorry about...your dress." He scratched the back of his head."No, it's fine I hated this ol' thing." I laughed. He smiled and looked down."There's that smile."
edited 11/3/23
Word Count
{1608}