The Black Widow- A Hunger Games Fanfic

Reaping

In the poorer districts, the reaping was a day of fear. But I had never feared the glass bowl. For the better part of my life, I had been training for this moment when I would volunteer to go to the hunger games and bring glory to District one.
I was prepared. I was ready. It was time.

As I stood in my bedroom, I breathed out in anticipation of today. I had gotten a new dress specifically for this occasion- I needed to make a good first impression. My parents had said that if I won, the dress would pay for itself, and if I didn't... Well, no-one wanted to think about that.
The dress was probably one of the most beautiful I had ever owned: It was a low cut gold corset bodice plated to look like armor over a rose pink skirt, which exploded out in layers, which ended midway up my thigh. As I tied up my hair, bringing the pink lowlights over the gold curls in a half up half down style, I reached for my gold jewelry to complete the look. Finally, I finished my hairdo with a gold pin with inlaid crystals and moved onto my makeup. I dashed sparkling pink powder over my eyelids and dark mascara flecked with gold over my lashed; I powdered pink onto my cheeks and my favourite pink lipstick onto my lips.
And then I was ready.

The reaping was early, like it always was in one, since the reapings are placed strategically throughout the day so that those in the Capitol can watch all of them live. That didn't leave me much time for breakfast, but that was fine: I was far too nervous to eat anyway. Not that I would admit it to anyone.
"Morning," I said to my parents and brother as I breezed downstairs,
"Morning," White- my brother- replied cheerfully. My parents couldn't muster the same enthusiasm: they knew what was happening today unlike my six year old brother.
"Where's Burnie?" I asked, scanning the room for my twelve year old sister. Today was her first reaping, not that that was any cause for concern here, but I guess the feeling was going round. My mother gestured to the front door,
"She said she was going to meet up with some friends before the reaping,"
"Okay," I said, "Just make sure she's not late."
My mother didn't have time to reply before I strode out the door, slamming it with a bang.

I arrived at the academy ten minutes later, where the mentors for this year, Cashmere and Gloss were waiting. They had been teaching at the Academy like every District One victor since they won their games and they had asked Jupiter and I (the two chosen volunteers) to meet them there before the reaping for some last minute prep.
Jupiter arrived only a few minutes after me with his signature smirk lighting up his tanned face,
"Morning," he greeted the mentors confidently, they nodded in recognition before leading us inside.
When we were seated in one of the classrooms, they began their reaping day speech. It sounded rehearsed, like they said it every year.
"We cannot stress how important today is," Gloss began, "Today is going to be all about making a good first impression. So lets go over it: what are your angles?"
"Cocky and confident," Jupiter answered at once,
"Flirtatious and charismatic," I added afterwards. Gloss nodded, satisfied, and Cashmere asked,
"And when do you volunteer?"
"Straight after the name is called," Jupiter answered quickly. I couldn't get a word in edgeways like this, so I added,
"And if someone else volunteers, we have to fight them."
"Right," Cashmere agreed, "But they shouldn't- they know you two are the best and they wouldn't win that fight." I was very worried about someone else volunteering to be honest, I didn't want to give away all my fighting strategies before the games had even begun.

This Q and A went on for a while before our mentors were satisfied and finally, they led us to the reaping. As we walked to the town square, we got lots of encouragement from people passing by, although there were more than a few bitter looks from the people who had not been selected. We were the first into the reaping pens, taking our places in the very front rows closest to the stairs up to the stage. When all of the kids had filed in, the District One escort- Ava Achlys- strutted out onto the stage looking rather pleased with herself. She had a reason for that- she had just been promoted to a career district after her excellent handling of the victor from District 5 last year. She had bright banana yellow hair piled on top of her hair in a way that made me think it was probably fake and her dress looked a bit like a beehive with what I hoped were fake bees buzzing around it.

As soon as Ava had taken centre stage, a video began to play detailing how the hunger games had begun. As soon as it was finished, I, along with almost everyone else in the square, applauded wildly, cheering for the games that brought our district so much glory. Ava clapped too, hopping around in her massive high heels like a child on christmas- she probably wasn't used to such a positive reception.
"I just love that, don't you?" she asked and everyone cheered, "Now," she continued, "As always, ladies first."
Gracefully, Ava dipped her hand into the reaping bowl, caressing the paper slips before pulling one from the bowl. She peeled back the red tape that was holding it shut and read the name aloud.
"Fairy Tale." And I thought my name was bad. The girl walked quickly up to the stage so that we could get on to the volunteers. I liked her- she wasn't wasting anyones' time, not like some people who would walk slowly to savour their five minutes of fame. But, Ava didn't ask for volunteers and instead moved onto the boys bowl. I looked desperately to Cashmere and Gloss for advice but Cashmere was already up and whispering something in Ava's ear. Ava flushed bright red, clearly very embarrassed. She immediately went back to the microphone and asked for volunteers.
My hand shot up immediately and I yelled out that I volunteered. But so did the girl next to me. I knew her- she was always second best so would never get the chance to volunteer. She stepped forward at the same time as I did. I whirled to her, filling up with the rage that I had always tried to suppress for the sake of my flirtatious and charismatic persona. I let her see all of the lethality in my eyes as I pressed my thumbnail into her throat, drawing blood,
"No you fucking don't," I hissed. Her eyes widened in fear, not having seen this side of me before and she stepped back into line. She was going to regret that later. "That's what I thought," I said, putting on my best smile and wiping her blood from my fingernail onto her blouse before bouncing up to the stage to take Fairy's place. I couldn't help but notice that all the girls around me moved away as I walked.
"And what is your name?" Ava asked me, trying to sound enthusiastic despite her obvious embarrassment,
"Rose Gold," I told her, smiling warmly, which seemed to put her at ease because she seemed a lot more confident as she walked up to the boys bowl. She hadn't even read the name out before Jupiter had volunteered. No-one challenged him.

We shook hands and with that, the reaping was over and we were lead into the justice buildings to say goodbye to our families. Maybe for the last time. Burnie and White came in first. My parents weren't with them,
"I love you Rosie," Burnie told me, wrapping her arms around my waist, "Please don't go."
"I have to," I told her, hugging her back. Just knowing this could be the last time made me want to cry. How had I never thought about this before? Maybe I should've reconsidered my decision. If I died, that would affect all of them. This was a selfish decision. "I'll be back soon," I promised her. She met my eyes, her eyes full of tears,
"But what if you don't?"
"Where are you going?" White asked innocently,
"I'm just going away for a while," I told him, holding back tears, "But I'll be back. Now go find Mum and Dad so I can talk to Burnie for a minute." He nodded and left the room, waving to me as he went.
"Listen Burnie," I told her, holding her by the shoulders and lowering myself to her level, "You're not going to like the person I become in there. But just know, I am doing exactly what I have to to come home. Okay?" She nodded, breaking eye contact and turning towards the door,
"Goodbye Rose," she said, turning towards the door and using my full name for maybe the first time ever.
"Goodbye Burnt," I replied, using her full name as well. "Wait," I called, "Are Mum and Dad coming." She said nothing, didn't meet my eye. She just handed me a sealed letter with my name on it.