~ 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑦 𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝘿𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙡𝙮 ~

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟚

" 𝐸𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑡𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑒 "
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~||~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The gongs of the district bells awaken me.
I groggily look across the room to see the sun peaking through the horizon. No sounds of sails or anchors being pulled. No screams of many men hoisting heavy loads off the ships. That only means one thing.
Reaping day.

I head for the stairs as my eyes get blinded by the light from the window in the hallway. I stop just at the stairs and look over seeing my brothers room slightly cracked. I make my way there and slowly open it to find his room the way it always was when he was reaped. Except there was no more laughter. No more I love you's, no more happiness.

I quickly close the door as I felt my heart race, this isn't the time to break down Victoria. You have to be strong. Like he said.

When I enter the kitchen moments later both my parents stare at me. The day they both dreaded too. I stay glancing between them, "I'm not gonna be reaped. It's fine okay. Everything will be fine." I say in a slight cold tone that came across. I love them but all they do is worry year round. They never bother enjoy the moment. I haven't heard them smile or laugh since he died. They never bothered asking me my day, or how I felt. They became practically statues to me the past couple years. I've had to mature way faster than most other wise I probably would be dead myself.

My mother motioned me to follow her and I did, in their room we went. She pulled out a flowing blue dress that went past your knees. It had a V neck and long sleeves but it was very light weight which meant it would flow in the breeze. I knew it from anywhere, my mothers reaping dress. Grandpa would show me photos they'd take on reaping day. My mother was truly beautiful, but through the years of stress and especially the couple past years her under eyes have darkened and what used to be bright is so hollow and sad. It's like all that light drained out of her.
I miss my mother, the her before the games took a toll on us, she'd sing to me and my brother. She'd always make sure I ate and was healthy. She'd hug me all the time and smile when she saw me. I wish I could have her back, the woman I grew to love. She is my mother so I'll forever love her unconditionally just like my father. But sometimes I wish I could turn back the clock and just go to the good days.

~

I move my hand across the silky fabric that my mother laid out, my hair trickling from the water that was held in my hair from the shower. I stare down at it as I collect my thoughts. Putting it on I walk to the mirror and stare at the woman before me. I was only a kid still, thirteen, my name was only in the bowl twice. The odds are in my favor than right?

I put some light makeup on to make me look a bit older as my mother stays behind me silent as she braids my hair. Once she's finished I noticed she braided it back and tied it together as loose strands of my hair fall upon the front of my face.

"You look beautiful."

I heard my mother say as she looks at me from the mirror. It was true, my striking blue eyes against the dress and my silky blonde hair perfectly carved my facial features.

I turn around to face my mother and embrace her in a hug, it takes her a couple seconds but she eventually wraps her arms around me as well. The second that happens the bells of the district go off indicating that we have to head to the square.

I let go of her looking her in the same blue eyes, "I love you mom."

She softly smiles, just a little bit but it's more than I have seen in weeks, "I love you most."

~

Heading to the square Gage pulls me aside, his hair is gelled back but a couple strands hang off in the front of his face, he wore a simple white dress shirt that he unbuttoned from his chest and some slacks and dress shoes, he looked quite dashing.

We both embraced each other tightly and I look up at him, "I'll see you after"

"I'll see you then" I can see he tries to make out a smile but can't. As we're pulled away to our lines.

"Victoria Grace" the machine says aloud when impaling my finger with it. After I quickly fall in the line of thirteen year olds, a hush is followed between everyone as the a middle aged lady steps forward, she had bright green hair and her makeup was even green. Her dress was horrid, or well I guess that's the fashion in the capital. It caused my eyes to scream I thought to myself.

"Welcome, welcome, happy hunger games! But first the message from the capital!" She announces in an oddly annoying pitch.

The screens around go dark then snow pops up indicting war and how every year they reap to battle to the death. Only one comes out and is bathed with riches and a life of peace. My nose wrinkles at the word peace. There is no peace. Never will be.

"Panem today, Panem tomorrow, Panem forever." He says as I turn away from the screen I see Gage containing his laughter as he watched my reaction I glare at him and smile in his direction as I point to the screen at Snow and make a line motion across my neck. That caused him to laugh a bit more which made the others look at him odd and then it's my turn to giggle slightly. The boom of the microphone turns our attention back to the lady dressed in green.

"Now now, as always, ladies first!" She states as I roll my eyes at how happy she seems to be. The odds have to be in my favor my names only in there twice. I have a pretty good feeling I think as the name rings through the square,
"Victoria Grace"

The kids around me stare at me as they move aside. I blink trying to wake up, this has to be a dream. No possible way I was chosen, out of thousands my name only twice and those were my odds? I could feel myself boil with rage from the capital, but wait my parents. They can't lose me too.

As I start walking to the stage I could hear my mother scream and shout, "NOT MY BABY! NO! YOU CANT TAKE HER TOO!"

I swallow as I hear her screams I don't turn back, I have to keep a strong grip on myself, I can't show weakness, I'm in the games now, any sign of weakness I'm automatically a threat. As I climb up the steps the lady in green grabs my hand, "wow and we have a beautiful tribute to represent district four this year as well! How lovely! Congratulations."

'Congratulations' did she really just congratulate me on my chance of utter death. I could feel my disgust show on my face as I turn back to face the cameras, it's a show, have to play the game. I keep my head held high and my face stern and unemotional.

"Now for the boys"

I glance to Gage who looks at me like he's going to cry, he can't look at me like that. We promised each other.

I watch as she picks a piece of paper and calls the name out, "Gage Romanhoff"

A slight gasp escapes my lips but I quickly switch my emotions, I don't make eye contact til I need be as she makes us turn to each other and hand shake. I gently touch his hands. As he looks at me with such pain.
What are the odds.. the odds of us both being chosen.
The odds aren't in our favor.
They never will be.