Before The Games - Hunger Games Fan Fiction

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Hey guys!

This is my second Wattpad story.

Please be kind with your comments

~ Nina xo

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"Stop it!" I say through clenched teeth as my little sister pulls my lace undone. I bend down to tie it again sighing. "Sowwy Woo" Lily lisps pouting her bottom lip cutely. "Ugh, I can't stay mad at you Lil" I say scooping her up. Rosamund and Jonathan come running over, full of jealousy that Lily's getting all the attention. They scrabble at me as if they can't get close enough. "Hey! Stop it! I can't hold you all at once!" I say. "Rue!" Mother calls from the kitchen. "Yes mother?" I reply, stumbling towards the kitchen with Rosamund and Jonathan clinging onto each leg. Lily bashes them on the head with each step I take. As soon as my mother sees my siblings on the floor she says "Jonathan! Rosamund! Get off the floor the instant! You don't want to get your outfits mucky or your father will give you a good smacking" Rosamund and Jonathan jump up off the floor and brush themselves down. I put Lily on the ground and she toddles off to play with Mushy, the rag doll I made her for her birthday. "Rue, darling, come and help me make dinner." My mother says. "Ok mother" I reply. After a while my other younger siblings, Willow and Kaelum, bust through the door, completely out of breath. "I won!" Shouts Willow" No! I did!" Shouts Kaelum. "Children! Be quiet!" "But mother she-" Kaelum complains "No buts! Go and get changed and wash up before dinner" Mother interrupts. Willow and Kaelum slump out of the room, mumbling under their breaths. "Rue, go and wash up, dear" mother says to me. "Yes mother" I reply.

We are all sitting at the table, me, mother, father, Lily, Rosamund, Jonathan, Kaelum and Willow. Tonight we're having bread and vegetable stew. It's so hot and steamy... Bliss. Father is very strict about manners and if we mess around we get a smack. "So, the 74th Hunger Games is coming up Rue." I gulped. This was the exact topic I didn't want to talk about. "Yeah..." "We're going to have to get you kitted out with some fancy gear" he says, aiming this at mother. "Ahh, yes, I've been thinking about a nice blue silk dress with cotton padding around the skirt." Wrong move mother. Father stands up, full of rage. "ARE YOU MAD WOMAN? DO YOU THINK IM MADE OF MONEY?" Mother looks so small and scared. "No, I... I..." "I WORK DAY AND NIGHT TO PROVIDE FOOD AND SHELTER FOR THIS FAMILY AND THIS IS THE THANKS I GET? WELL STUFF YOU LOT!" He grabs his jacket and stomps out, slamming the door behind him. Mothers eyes fill with tears and she runs out of the kitchen and into her and fathers room. I sigh, knowing I will have to look after my siblings until it's all blown over. I look over at them. Poor souls. Lily's face is stained with tears, Jonathan and Kaelum are trying not to cry and Rosamund and Willow are clinging to each other. I plaster a fake smile on my face and stand up. "Come on you lot, let's get you ready for bed" "I'm not tired!" Jonathan and Kaelum state loudly. "I'm scared" whispers Rosamund "It's ok baby" I say, stroking her cheek. Lily climbs on my back and I hold out my hands for my sisters. I beckon my brothers to follow and they do even though they don't want to. I send them to get into their pj's and brush their teeth. I help Lily as she's only three. Then they all get into bed and I kiss them all goodnight, even though the boys protest that they are too old for kisses. I know they like them really. I turn off the light and just as I'm about to walk out Lily whispers "Woo?" "Yeah?" I whisper back "Is father coming back?" She lisps "Of course" I lie but she was already asleep.

~ The Next Day ~

"Rue! Rue! Ruuueeee!!" Lily screams, jumping on me. "What?" I say, adjusting to the light. "Mother says you need to get up. Your to meet Father at da harvest fields" I yawn and stretch. Mother and father must have regained love overnight. Phew! Sometimes it can last for days. I get up and walk through to the kitchen. Mother has her back turned to the door. "Mother?" I whisper, so as not to give her a fright. She turns round and I see that her eye is purple and swollen badly. "Father." I say bitterly. "Don't start." Mother says "I've had enough from the others, I had to make up a story about banging into the door." I sigh. "What's for breakfast?" I say, changing the subject. Mother looks relieved. "Fresh eggs" she answers, "Sounds good" I say, licking my lips. "Mother!!" Squeals Willow from the front room. "Go see to them, will you?" Mother pleads. I get up and walk through only to see Rosamund and Willow fighting over Polly, the doll I made for Willow for her birthday. "She's mine!" Willow screeches "You need to share!" Yells Rosamund. "STOP IT!" I shout. They stop and look up at me. "Give it to me" I say, holding my hand out. Rosamund snatches it from Willows hands and puts it in mine. I nod. "Now, Rosamund go and get your doll" I say. "Her name is Jesy!" Rosamund says, getting up and skipping towards our room. She comes back clutching Jesy and I give Polly back to Willow and they play happily. I walk back into the kitchen to see mother has placed a cup of goats milk and a plate of eggs. I eat them hungrily and gulp down the milk, knowing I will need a lot to energy for the day ahead. I wipe my mouth and wash my cup and plate. I go into my room and pick out a comfy outfit. I pin back my baby hairs and put on my boots. "Bye!" I shout. "Bye Rue!" Mother calls "Bye Bye Ruey!" My sisters say at the same time, then laugh and continue playing. I close the door and start walking. It's a 15 minute walk to the harvest fields and it's a lovely sunny day. I smile at the sky and enjoy it before I sweat and burn in the sun when harvesting...