The Hunger Games

Chapter Eleven

EDELMIRA'S POV
"What?" I say, swallowing my food and looking at Hayden. He gestures to the television. "They're giving out scores. They just finished with District 9." He says. I nod and set down my fork, turning my attention fully to the large screen. "Sorry I wasn't really paying attention. I totally spaced. Will you fill me in?" I question Hayden in a whisper. "Later." He whispers back. "Ok." An image of the boy tribute from District 10 appears, with his name, age and District below it. I flinch. He's only Twelve. How could his name have been drawn in he reaping? He had such a small chance! The information below changes into into a flashing number six. That's not bad at all for his age.
The girl tribute. She's fourteen and scores an eight. Moving on to the next District. Us. I can feel Hayden tensing beside me as it shows his picture, name, age and District. Eight. He pulls an eight. That's good. I look at him out of the corner of my eye. He looks satisfied. Me. I'm next. Will I get a low score because of my 'attack' on the game makers? My eyes are still glued to the screen. Ten. I got a ten. That's high. Higher then I expected. I let out a sigh of relief. The boy tribute from District 12 gets a nine, and the girl, I think her name is Rose, She scores an eleven. I pick my fork back up and continue to eat, but I tune everything out and think. Would a lower score have been an advantage? With a high score, people feel threatened and everyone with a lower score wants you dead. With a lower score, nobody really notices you. But with a high score, wouldn't you be able to fend off those who are trying to murder you? Well, at least I don't have the highest score. People will most likely try to kill that Rose girl before killing me.