The Sixty-Fifth Hunger Games

Hazel

I sigh as I pick up my materials for the day. There's a wealthy Capitol citizen who wants me to make some earrings for the reaping gala tonight.

I don't know how I feel about the reaping. Before I was sent to the Capitol I was trained in District 1 to fight in the Games.

Being a servant here doesn't excuse me from getting reaped, I'm originally from the Districts after all. Nevertheless, I'm grateful that I wouldn't need to sign up for tesserae.

I look around my small apartment, it's more or less the same as my home in 1 was but smaller. I rummage around in one of my cabinets in the kitchen for a short breakfast. I wish I was back in 1, with my best friend Sammy and my mother. I find a can of lamb stew, my favorite, the one with the plums.

I quickly pry open the lid and find a spoon, shoveling the stew into my mouth. I spy the clock. 11:30. Good. Most people wake up at noon in the Capitol so I should have enough time to make the earrings, get them delivered and hop back over to District 1 for the reaping. I know it's strange but I love it when the reaping comes around. It's the only time I'm allowed to go home. I finish up the can and dropped it in the trash. Then I sit down at my work table and start the process of making the earrings.

She wants to have a 6 in one ear and a 5 in the other. To symbolize the 65th Hunger Games. I can only hope she puts them in correctly and didn't make them the 56th Hunger Games. I carefully bend the metal around the ruby numbers and shape it into perfection. Apparently I have skill, that's why they sent me to the Capitol. To be beckoned and called everywhere and anywhere someone needed a new piece of jewelry instantly.

Few ever see me, I usually just drop the package in front of their houses and leave.

After I finish, I put it in a small ornate box and step out of the house. Luckily, the client's house is near and I don't have to walk far.

After I drop it off I rush back home and get ready. I put on my best dress which is a dark plum velvet and put my signature braid into better shape. I stare at myself in the mirror. Most call me pretty but to me I just look like, well, me. I shake my head, no time for philosophical thoughts. I rush out again and dart amongst people, all murmuring about the Games.

I look at my watch. 3:15! I'm going to be late. I had been hoping for a chance to meet with Sammy and Mom but I won't be able to now.

The earrings must have taken more of my time than I realized. I get to the train platform that I leave on every year. And same as always, a man comes over to make sure I'm not hiding any weapons.

He scowls at me, "You're late." I scowl right back at him and hop into the train car. He mumbles something that sounds like a curse followed by a threat and goes around the front to the driver's seat. We quickly shoot forward and were speeding off. I lean my head against the back of the seat and stare out the window. The landscape blurs in front of me and suddenly we're in darkness.

I jump a bit at the unexpected change but know it's just because we're going through the wall that separates the Capitol from the Districts.

Sooner than I expected we arrive in 1. The man from before shoves open my door and orders me out. I obediently do so, but when his back is turned I stick my tongue out at him.

I look at my watch again, 3:55. Just in time. I hurry to the platform and duck under the rope that has a line of other 13 year olds like me. I get in line and see Sammy 4 people in front of me. I try to signal him, but he's playing with his hands like he does when he's nervous.

A woman who has hair a shocking violet and decorated with butterflies is standing on the stage in front of me. Since we're the first District, we have to watch all of the reapings, so my presence wasn't missed.

They're showing the District 4 reaping and a boy with sea green eyes and raven black hair catches my eye. He seems shocked and startled when his name is called but he quickly pushes it under. I see him walk up to the stage and stand next to a girl with red hair and blue eyes who doesn't look like she'd be much of a threat.

The screen quickly moves on to District 3 where a woman with mint green hair by the name of Cordelia Trinket is pulling a name out of the ball. She calls out something but I can't hear her over the static that suddenly comes on. I do see a girl with blonde hair and grey eyes climb onto the stage. I suddenly hope that if my name does get called, I don't have to go against her. I look around again not really interested in seeing who gets called. I spot my mom in the crowd looking tired and bleary eyed. I don't think she even knows what's going on.

Suddenly, the woman on the stage clears her throat and gives a small cough. Startled I look up and see that the reapings from the other Districts are done and it's our turn. She speaks in a floaty high pitched voice. "I am Merle Flemming. Let us begin! Ladies first!" She puts her talon like fingers into the giant ball full of names and rummages around to give some suspense.

She stops and pulls out a name. Holding it in both hands she smiles wide, "And the lucky lucky girl is...Hazel Levesque!!" I stare in open mouthed shock as a hundred heads turn to me. 

First chapter! Sorry for any grammar mistakes, but that's not my fault since this was written by @marsh_meowllow . 

-Toodles!