The 68th Annual Hunger Games

Chapter 3-Reaping day

"Wake up" said a deep tone, i opened my eyes and saw Gant. Good. I thought it was my father.

I groaned but managed to lift myself off my bed. I smelled the mouthwatering aroma of spiced meats of all sorts. Today was reaping day, many people would celebrate tonight with our meat. Everyone would be happy, except for 2 families.

"You get to make your special meat today."

Gant said. I liked making it so that was the only thing from keeping me from going back to bed. Gant and I prepared and spiced meats all morning, when Felix woke up, he prepared the counters and manned the counter. Smiling as usual. I was on my 20th "Jax Supreme" When i felt a light tap on my sholder. I jumped, my hand knocked over some of my special spice, luckily this time i decided to put it in a plastic container. It all was saved, I looked at who tapped my shoulder. It was Felix.

"Sorry."

he said, as i was bending down to collect my spice.

"No problem" I said, wiping off sweat with my sleeve. "No harm done."

"Okay good, there is someone here to see you."

I got confused for a bit, who could it be? I barely knew anyone. I shrugged, and wrapped up my almost-done "Jax Supreme", just in case this took a while. I liked how people liked the freshness of what i made.  

I walked past Felix and went to the counter. It was one of next door neighbors. She was the oldest, just 18 i think, she had Jet black hair but bright blue eyes.  Her name was Brenna Coltereist.

"Hi Brenna." I said cautisouly "What can i do for you?"

"Hi Jax, would you mind going on a walk with me? I need to ask you something."

I was taken aback, i looked back at Felix who was taking a lunch break and was eating a peanut-butter sand which. 

"Sure" i said. I took off my apron, and swapped it with a coat. Brenna leading the way, i walked behind her until we were far from our shop. She stopped then burst out in tears. Once again i was taken aback.

"What's wrong?" I said

After rubbing her eyes once or twice, she looked right at me and said,

"I need you help."

"ok? Um What with?"

She looked at me for a while then said,

"I know i am going to be a tribute this year."

"You can't know those types of things" i said.

"Jax. My name is in there 59 times.

"District 7 has alot of people in it though."

She wiped another tear from her eye, then said

"Do you know how old the second oldest is in my family?"

"14?" 

"Yes" She said sadly "I'm not strong and i have virtually no talents. I'll die in the Hunger Games, Audrey, the 14 year old, can care for my family but" She looked at me. " She'll need help."

"Of course" i said, realizing what she was asking.

She smiled as another tear rolled down her cheek.

We started walking back, and i started thinking about what i just promised. I had just sworn to make sure her family safe, but what did that mean? Feeding them? Dad would never allow it. I could possibly secretly give meat to them. I'm not quite sure how else i could help. But i would try.

I walked  In my shop and was immediatly confronted by my dad. 

"Jax, where were you? Its reaping day! This is one of our biggest sales day, of the whole year!"

"I.....I was just taking a breather" i said, not sure i wanted to tell him about my promise.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" He said glaring at me. "Gant is back there working all day, he had to pull your weight again! You need to start shaping up kid!"

"If i am such a kid then why do you expect so much of me?!?" i asked 

"Just go get ready for the reaping!" He said. 

I rushed past him and slammed the door. I put on nice pants and a nice shirt and tie. I tried to breathe but at this point i was just fuming. I jumped out my window and went to the woods. I started pacing around my favorite part of the woods.

"Whats wrong?"

I jumped and turned around, it was Erela. She was gorgeous. In a lavender, sleevless dress, and her hair was twirled and at had a tiny flower in it that matched her dress. I was in awe of her dress for a couple seconds before replying.

"Just...had a fight with my dad."

"Again?"  Erela said.

I laughed, " Is it that bad?"

She laughed too.

"So, why are you here?" i asked, secretly changing the subject.

"I just, i don't really know. Stressed i guess. About the reaping."

"Me too." i said, especially now because of my new promise. "I would hate being in the Hunger Games"

She looked at me and slowly said "i'm not worried about being in the Hunger Games. I'm worried about you being in the games."

Everything is silent, i was not looking at her, but i could feel her eyes on me. 

"Its just that," She went on, although now looking away  "If you wen't in the hunger games, i would miss you so much, i don't know what i would do." She turned her head, eyes, as if staring into my soul. "Nobody, gets me like you do."

I stared back at her, i felt the same way, she understood me way more than anyone else. 

"Your a great friend, and i just wanted you to know that." She said, and then she stepped forward and hugged me. I hugged her back, it eventually ended, and we walked back. We both wanted to stay in the woods, however the reaping would start soon. We both were not exactly in the mood to be executed.

Since we were still dressed nicely we just walked to the reaping. Usually before it actually begins, people place bets and chat with others. Usually not the parents and kids though. They usually either pace around, or nervously make themselves busy with something else. All of the sudden a shadow crossed Erela's face. I turned around and saw Gant. He was dressed in one of my fathers dress shirts and pants. He nodded his head to Erela, in reply Erela smiled weakly. Everyone was nervous, especially Gant, this was his last year. His name was in there several times. I was nervous for him. Felix was with dad, and dad was probably just wanting to get back home. All too soon we were lining up. Gant was actually in the front row. I was somewhere in the middle. Erela and I lept stealing nervous glances, as Methilda Washtong talked about the Hunger Games in her fake capitol accent. I felt as if i was being watched, i looked over at Erela, she was looking down at her hands, not at me. I looked past her and i saw a pair of bright blue eyes staring at me. It was Brenna.She quickly looked away.

"Ladies First!" said Methilda.

She was someone who loved to "spice things up" and make them dramatic, that must be why she make her self  as pale as a ghost, and her hair as green as the leaves in our forest. She put her hand in the tribute basket, grabbed one. Dropped it on purpose, then grabbed another. She cleared her throat.

"Brenna Coltereist"

I looked at Brenna. Her expression had not changed. She just nodded to herself. And walked up. I realized what would now happen. I would now help her feed her family. Methilda cleared her throat again. I had not even realized her pick a name. She waited dramatically. Then said,

"Jax Blain."