Chapter Two
I let out a small scream/ gasp and fall into Zack's embrace. I sob into his shoulder at the news. He says something under his breath that sounds like, "Buck." I continue to listen to the newscast and turn my heads torward the T.V, still in his arms.
" Each of the 5 states will send 2 boys and 2 girls, between the age of 12 and 16, four tributes for each state. Each state will meet up at their state capitol on June 19, 2013." Four days away. "Everyone must come or you will be forced or punished. We are sorry but this is what must be done. Have a nice day," And he is gone again.
"HAVE A NICE DAY!?!? How could he say that? Four people from 5 of the states are about to be sent into an arena to be slaughtered? Ugh!" I yell at the screen, the floodgates open and my eyes sting with tears. Zack pulls me closer and I cry into his chest, thinking about this.
Isn't it ironic? I was dreaming about this for 3 weeks and it happened. They are really doing it. I get a quick image of me or zack, being stabbed to death by some other person bigger than us, crushing us while we die. I let out another sob.
"It's okay. Shh...." He says, stroking my hair.
"No," I lift up sniffling, "No it's not okay. What if we get picked? Or one of us gets picked and one of us doesn't? Zack, your my best friend, I couldn't loose you or even tolerate living without you." I lock my eyes with his and some more tears fall onto my cheeks, falling over my cheekbones into my lap. "I just.... I don't want to die." I fall back into his arms and squeezes me tighter.
My phone rings.
I answer it sniffling and wiping off tears, "Hello?" I say, shedding some more tears.
"Jenna? Jesus Christ, are you all right? I heard about the games on the television." She says sounding worried.
"Yeah.....yeah. I-I'm fine." Woops, lied right there. Couldn't help it, moving on. " It's...I..I'm gonna rest for a while. My head is throbbing with this stuff, I will see you when you get home, okay?" I say to her.
"Okay," She confirms. " See you then,"
" Bye," I hang up.
"Do you want me to stay? While you sleep? Keep an eye on things..." Zack says, comforting me with his words.
"Yeah, you can just , lye down on the other recliner, there." I point.
"Okay," He replies. "Do you need anything?" Sounding as nervous as me.
"No, I'm fine..." I yawn and pull the blanket up over my body, sleep tugging at my eyes and mind but the questions buzzing around in my mind say otherwise.
Zack says something but I don't hear him. All I hear is buzz, buzz, buzz. Finally I get some sleep to beat the questions.
Day of the reaping
It has been four days. I have gotten no sleep at all these past days. I am in the shower washing the sleep out of my eyes, trying to make it look like I have been sleeping for three days straight. I clean my hair with some "special" conditioner from one of those infomercials. I guess, if we are going into an arena to be slaughtered, and if I get picked, I would like to look nice. As Marge once said in the book.
I shave my legs and wash the soap off of my body. I get out and dry off and look into the mirror. I realize how skinny I am and how deflated but stomache is. Do I have an eating disorder? Hmm..... I will have to start eating more and put on some weight. I dry off and brush out the tangles in my hair. I brush my teeth and floss like my dentist says to. I go and find some nice black sweat pants and a pretty shirt to wear. I don't like dresses or skirts or high heels. None of that please. I will put on make up and do my hair but thats pretty much it. I put on some sandles and dry my hair then curl it with the curling iron. I put on a headband with a bow. I put on some mascera and lip gloss. Don't want to spoil this beauty, am I right?
