The 71st Hunger Games - A Love Story COMPLETED

Chapter 2

[edited]

Mom, for the first time, didn't shake me to get up. She knew that I was scared to death about reaping day. 

She was, too. I heard her tossing and turning throughout the night, sometimes screaming Ava's name. Right now, she was cooking what little food we had over our little fireplace.

I finally got up to eat. I grabbed half of the food and put on a dress by mom's wanting. I put on Ava's headband. In honor of her. 

I put on my coat and head out to the town square to be put with the other 17 year old's to be risking our lives. 

The square began to fill with more and more people. I squeezed me hands, turning them white with the pressure. I tried to calm my breathing and focus on a spot. 

"Hi Aven."

I jumped at least a foot in the air, I was so stressed.

"Oh, Hi Riley."

She was my classmate. At school, everyone was friendly with me, but no one was really friends. Ava was my friend. We all stood, blankly, until Effie Trinket, the woman from the Capitol came on stage. She was covered in bright green stuff, it wasn't appealing, but better than some other things she had worn to the Reaping's.

"Hello and welcome to the Reaping's!"

She told the same story of how we killed District 13 and the same stuff. 

"May the odds be ever in your favor! Lady's first!" Mmhmm. 

She dug around. My name was in there 37 times. We had needed the grain on so many times. This was the last year I could get it. After that, I don't know. Maybe I could work in the mines.

She got the paper and read it out loud.

"Aven River! Oh, I remember your sister!".

No, no, no this was a nightmare! Wake up! I pinched myself and I knew I was awake. I was pushed to the front of the crowd, but I fell over.

I got up and stood, trembling. I learned from Ava not to be scared. If I was, laughing stock and weakness.

"And for the boys!" Haymitch came drunk on the stage, same as every year. This distracted the cameras from me for a quick second. 

I stood up straight, wiped the tears and stared at Haymitch. 

Don't look for Mom. Mom would make me scared and stressed out of my mind.

"Well, Raven Kindred!"

A strong boy, a merchants kid came up. He looked defiant and strong. He came beside me and we were brought to the Town Hall, to a room. Mom came in. She was already fading. She kissed my head and gave me a ring. 

"To remember us, you're strong. You can make it. I'll see you after the Games." She had so much faith in me. I needed some of that. I held onto her, and took the ring, putting it on my bare 4th finger. I would get married to someone next year. But now, I'll be in my grave, or on the field of the Games.

She was brought out after the time. She was being over optimistic. I was the District 12 girl. I would never make it through. Not one had ever made it, except Haymitch, and look where he is.

I was taken to the train with Raven, being crowded by reporters and camera crews. We boarded and took a seat. It was the first train I had ever been on. It started to move and I nearly fell over. Effie hugged me and led me to a bedroom, the size of our entire house. I got into a soft dress and ate like I never had before. But, politely, of course, I'm not rude.

Raven and Effie were polite, but kinda sad. We knew we would never make it through. Haymitch was chugging a bottle of some expensive wine

"So, what are your skills?" Effie smiled at both of us.

"I'm good with axes. My dad is a welder." That's why he was strong.

"I'm good at ... camouflage and running." I was desperately searching my mind for something that could be useful and make me not look as bad as I did.

"Good, Aven, you'd be better defensive or hiding and Raven, offensive." Haymitch drunkenly smiled at us.

"Pardon?"

"Effie, defense is like protecting and offence is like attacking."

"Thank you, Aven."

We sat in silence.

We were all going to die.

Yay