Starve On Pixels

Chapter 2: I Volunteer

Natalie's POV

My internal alarm clock woke me up at 5:00am. I looked up to see my usually bedridden mother, bustling around my room, tossing clothing haphazardly near my bed.

"Mom-" I was socked in the face with a sock.

"Oh, Sweetie!" she looked as if she hadn't noticed me in my OWN room!

"Why are you tossing clothes around?" I asked.

Her face cleared, "It's Reaping day!"

I jumped out of bed. YES! I couldn't wait! Today I would finally get out of this rotten district. I caught the pair of yoga pants with the holes on the knees, and a t-shirt that I'd stolen from a laundry line that was far too big.

I pounced on Cam to wake him up, "GET UP! IT'S REAPING DAY!"

"It's sleeping day? What's your problem, woman?" he replied groggily.

"You." I smirked triumphantly.

I snatched extra goodies and treats for breakfast. Nobody noticed in the Reaping Day preparations. A reasonably dressed (for District 12) girl clutched a small square of chocolate in front of me. She had an extravagant black hat with- knife hilts?- stuck in it, and a dress that looked itchy and uncomfortable. I reached for a chocolate, only to have my hand swatted away.

"What are you doing?" she asked, she didn't seem alarmed at all.

"I was... just going to adjust your hat for you!" I lied.

"I know you were trying to steal." She offered me the chocolate, "Here, take it. Just swear that when I dominate the world you'll bow obediently."

I doubted this girl would dominate the world anytime soon, so I agreed, "Sure, whatever, thanks!"

"Do you have any toxic gas?" she questioned with an evil glint in her eyes.

"Not that I know of..." I was beginning to think she belonged in an asylum.

I backed away until I lost the crazy girl in the crowd.

Cam gobbled up the pastries before I could even take a bite, and we walked to the Reaping stage. A lady with miles of hair atop her head teetered on precariously high heels with an old microphone in her manicured hands.

"This year, President Celestia Snow is doing an all girls Hunger Games!" nobody cheered for the fancy haired lady.

I was contemplating throwing a stone at her fancy hair to see if it would get stuck, as she rambled about how the Games were a tradition, etc. Blah, blah, blah.

I tuned out until she shouted: "The first tribute is-" the lady was interrupted.

"I volunteer!" I shouted.

The crowd was silent. Nobody had volunteered since Katniss Everdeen. After a pause, she coughed and formally announced me.

"All right then, the first tribute is Natalie Tsang!" Nobody applauded. "The second tribute is... Helen Notblobhahaha!" the crazy girl from earlier stepped onto the stage.

I realized that she was the mayor's daughter. Mayor Notblobhahaha didn't seem that devastated to see her go... But Cam didn't seem about to cry for me, so I can't really judge their family.

Sunny's POV

We had front row seats to the Reaping because my spoiled sister couldn't be bothered to stand. Heaven forbid she gets her dress dirty. I zoned out as the lady rambled about Hunger Games traditions.

"I volunteer," I said in a monotone.

Emily X also volunteered- what a total copycat!

Sarah helped me pack, which just meant that she criticized every piece of clothing I packed whilst my parents thanked her.

"Honestly, that crop top is sooo last season," she whined.

"You're last season," I muttered under my breath.

I was actually looking forward to going to the Hunger Games. If only so that I could get away from my sister.