Annie's Story

Chapter seventeen

Slowly I get myself into the stunning white dress my mom picked for me. I have to admit it, this is the most gorgeous dress I've ever seen. My hair is wavy and hangs loose. I take a deep breath and stare out of the window. Such a sunny day. Bright light almost blinds my eyes. It's a really hot day in our District four. My dress floats around my body perfectly. I look like an angel so pretty. 'Volunteer...' I whisper while I play with my hair. Today it's Reaping day again. Since I'm eighteen now, my mother wants me to volunteer. But I don't want to, I know I will lose the Games. I will die. With slow steps I leave my bedroom, unfortunately seeing my mother in the living room. 'Annie, you look lovely today.' She says with a smile on her face. I'm not buying that smile anymore. Not after what she did to me. It's true, I haven't seen Finnick since that day at the lake. Even one thought about Finnick breaks my heart. After that day my mother didn't let me leave the house, only for Reapings. The last few years, I've actually been waiting for Reapingday, just to see Finnick and breath in some fresh air. Being locked up in your house isn't great you know. Ignoring my mom, I sit down on the couch. 'How is my tribute doing today?' Tribute? Did she just call me tribute?! I keep on ignoring her, pretending that I don't hear her cruel words. 'Annie, are you ready to volunteer?' I'm not going to mom. I'm not going to volunteer. I don't dare to say it to her. I don't know what she'll do to me if I say that. 'Hmhm.' Is all I mutter. My mother stands up and blocks my view into the dark nothing. 'You are going to volunteer, right Cresta?' She says with that same threatening tone as always. I turn my head away. She comes closer and grabs my face between her hands. It hurts but I try not to move. She forces me to look at her. 'Cresta?' She asks one more time. 'I'll volunteer.' I say with no doubt in my voice.

I appear at the Reaping and get my finger pricked. I don't even feel it anymore. I'm just happy I'm outside after a year again. For these few seconds I'm going to enjoy my life, it will be a hell after this Reaping. Volunteer? Me? No. I won't, but my mother will kill me. And this time for real. I take my place between the eighteen year old girls. I stare in front of me, trying to look strong. The District four escort enters the stage and waves happily. 'Welcome, welcome! This is the Reaping for the 70th annual Hunger Games!' She takes a little pause to smile at everyone. 'First, here is our special film!' She says happily. There is the film we saw a hundred times again. I don't even watch anymore. After the film is finished, she continues talking. 'Alright! Let's get this party started!' She says laughing a bit. 'Our female tribute is...' She puts her hand in the bowl. I don't care, I'm not going to volunteer anyways. 'Oohh! I love the name! It's totally splendid!' She says with a giggle. 'Annie Cresta!' She shouts joyful. Now is the time, I need to volun- Wait what?! That's my name! No, no this can't be true... Are you kidding me?! My mouth opens widely and I slowly move my feet forwards. This is NOT going the way I planned. I walk onto the stage. 'Annie Cresta ladies and gentlemen!' She shouts. I look forward, trying not cry. Then she puts her hand in the bowl again. 'And our male tribute... Felix Anderson! Congratulations!' Slowly I stare at the giant male tribute of eighteen years old who enters the stage. This can not be really happening...