Dad finds me sitting alone at the bottom of the stairs.
"Willow?", he ventures in and sits opposite me. I pull my legs into my chest, feeling defensive and ignore his words.
"Look ,I'm sorry for snapping at you Honey, I'm just worried about your mum, hasn't been feeling very well lately", he adds.
"Lately?", I snap. I can hear the contempt and hardness in my voice and instantly feel guilty.
"How about you go out and see some of your friends eh?", he suggests in a small voice. "It is the last day of the summer break after all".
"Okay", I agree. "I'm sorry".
His face breaks out in a smile, but I can see the tiredness in his eyes.
"Its okay Honey, now hurry up before the days over".
I bound up the stairs at full speed, taking them two at a time. I select the first items from my dresser and pull them on, leaving my pyjamas in a heap on the floor. My fingers work quickly through my waist-length brown curls pulling them into a tight braid that falls down my back. After pulling on my boots I stand up and survey my appearance in the full-length mirror. The blue button down shirt and long brown skirt hang limply on me, further enhancing my boyish figure. I sigh and collect my old, leather satchel from beneath my bed, there's no point wasting time on my disappointing appearance.
I make for the study on the ground floor to use the house phone. I tap in Anise's number and wait for her to pick up the phone.
"Hello?", Mrs Bittercress answers.
"Hello, its Willow, is Anise there please?", I inquire.
"Yes, hold on Willow, I'll just get her", she answers in a friendly voice.
I can hear Anise and her Mum squabbling in the background, they both love a good argument.
"Hey Willow!", she shouts down the phone causing me to hold the receiver away from my ear.
"I was wondering if you wanted to come out into the woods?", I already knew her answer.
"Yeah!", she exclaims. "Who else is coming?".
"Well we could ask Linden and Saffron?", I suggest.
"Yeah, I'll call them now", she offers. "We'll meet you in the clearing in ten minutes, bring some food!".
I replace the receiver, rolling my eyes at my best friend. I met Anise Bittercress at the age of five, in our first year at District 12's lower-school. I was instantly drawn into the bubble of drama and fun that surrounds her, soon becoming comfortable with her large, brazen family of eight. With her wide curves, glistening green eyes and masses of red curls, she commands attention wherever she goes. I get my fair share of attention from boys but Anise leaves behind a endless trail of broken hearts, who happen to be utterly devoted to her.
I pack a selection of goodies into a plastic container, including: fresh rolls, apple pies, cookies and cupcakes to take out with me. Dad wouldn't notice, he's usually distracted with caring for Mum or keeping the reins on the staff at the bakery our family owns. Finally I sling my jacket over my arm (the weathers a little unpredictable), and head out into the late August sun.
Our house is one of a small collection of three-storey homes built as part of the original District 12, prior to the tornado 30 years ago. Dad has an extremely detailed tale of how his family; my grandparents and two uncles were killed in the blazing storm that threatened to destroy the whole of Panem. He rebuilt the family's bakery, that now stands in the Main Square of the District along with; the Justice Building (residence of the Mayor), the clothing store, the butchers, the indoor market and a collection of other businesses.
