Midnight ✔️ ||Peeta Mallark x OC|| ( A Hunger Games Short story)

Are you?

My little Brother likes the mornings. He often wakes up with the sun and watches the birds chirp from the window. He does this every morning except for on the reaping.

He doesn't know what a reaping is. I think he just feels that something is different.

This morning, I walk into the house to find him sitting on the floor by the tub.

"Theo you have to have a bath" I say as he protests without words.

I sigh as I crouch besides him and lift up his chin. The thin tears are falling from his eyes as he sits with his arms crossed.

"Hush little baby don't say a word" I sing

He reaches up and wipes his eyes.

"Sisters gonna buy you a mockingbird"

I take the opportunity to pick him up as I place him in the bath, discarding his clothes.

"And if that Mockingbird don't sing"

I softly pour some water over his head, making sure to avoid his eyes.

"Sisters gonna get you a nice new swing"

I tickle his stomach as he squirms.

I laugh as I continue cleaning him off.

Sometimes I wish I could hear his little laugh. And I'd give anything to hear him say my name.

After a while I pick him up in his towel and place him back on the dry floor.

I make quick work of changing him into his nice clothes for reaping day and I take him downstairs, setting him on a chair to give him his breakfast of some oats.

I grab myself a snack as I stand, watching him eat.

Theo is 5 years old, but he has a disability. My family don't have enough money to afford a doctor, but it's quite clear that he has a form of mental delay.

All I know is that he's not excepted in the town, we get strange looks when we are out and he thrown fits, but to me he's perfect.

He finishes his breakfast, letting me know by smacking his spoon down in the bowl.

I quickly wash the dishes and then he sits and plays with some wooden toys I got for him from the village.

I walk up the ladder to the top of the house and I see her sleeping.

"Mum" I say

She doesn't stir so I shake her awake

"Mum the reaping is today" I say as she turns over and nods to tell me she heard me.

"How many times is your name in this year?" She asks

"37 times" I say

She sighs and gets up and walks to our janky wardrobe

"Is your brother awake?" She asks

"Yes, he's been bathed and he's eaten" I say as she walks past me

"Good girl" she says as she pats my head and goes to get changed.

I go back down the stairs and I see my Dad sitting across from Theo.

Quickly I take him in my arms and stand away from him.

"Finally home?" I ask

"Don't give me that, I was working late at the mill" he tells me

"Sure, and does the mill kiss all their workers goodbye?" I ask, knowing I'm at risk of starting him off "it got some of its lipstick on your shirt"