~~~~Many Months later~~~
The day of the reapig was finally here. Was I scared? Not a bit. There were tons of names that were eligable to be picked. Right? Right.... Tobias and I have been living with Cato and Clove for a while, and developed a completely new way of living.
I hummed to myself as I dressed into a simple yet pretty grey dress, and pulled my hair up into a bun, bangs hanging down. I looked myself over in the mirror, and my mind drifts back to the days of abnigation. "Tris? Princess, you almost ready?" I heard Tobias's calm voice carry from down the hall. "Yeah-.." I called back to him, slipping into a pair of flats, and exiting the room only to see Tobias looking sharp as he stood in the hallway, all dressed up.
"You look gorgeous." He complimented me, walking over and placing a gentle hand on my waist, kissing my forehead. "Thank you." I told him, feeling the heat rising to my cheeks. "You look very handsome yourself." Four chuckled, and led me downstairs, walking into the livingroom where both Cato and Clove were staring at the television, mouths open in shock.
"What is it?" Tobias asked, eyebrows furrowing. It took a momet for Cato to look up at us. "This uh-..this year will be abit different, guys." He informed us, and we both raised our eyebrows. Cato ran a hand through his hair. "The capitol was the one to send the muttations to the 'Faction's'. Theyve also sent them to Middle earth, Half Blood Camp, Hogwarts, Narnia, and so many other lands." Half these lands i'd never even heard of till now.
"They sent them to drive people into Panem, the only safe place out there, and build the empire." Clove explained. "And due to the amount of new citizens-...they changed this years rules." She looked to Cato, unable to deliver the news. "Only new citizens will be reaped, this year." He said.
I felt Tobias freeze beside me and I help my breath. This meant worse odds, for the both of us. "Tris-.." I heard him utter out, and I turned to him. "Four. We'll be fine. I swear. They're not going to pick you, dont worry. There are so many other names, alright? You're fine..." I told him, and he just had this-...blank look on his face.
Clove sighed and looked at her watch. "We have to go. Come on, guys." She stood, and Cato did as well. I had to tug Tobias out the door, but he didn't say a word the whole way. I clung tighter to him as we reached the town square where many people who had been worrying all year were now celebrating, as they were not new citizens and had no chance of being reaped. Not this year at least.
"It'll be fine." Tobias was now the one comforting me. "I'll see you after the reaping. You'll be fine. I love you." He murmered and kissed me gently before we departed to different lines to get our fingers pricked.
I flinched as the bead of blood appeared on my finger. "next." The woman said and I made my way to where the girls of my age group were standing.
Within a few minutes, a crazy looking woman with blue tinted skin came to the microphone, tapping it with her silk gloves. She cleared her throat, fixing her royal blue hair that was pinned up high. I scanned the crowd for Tobias and locked eyes with him once I had found him. 'You'll be fine. I Promise' he mouthed to me, and I zoned out the rest of the crazy womans speech.
She began clicking her way over to the large glass bowl, and reached her hand inside. "Ladies first." She smiled brightlyy, and reached into the bowl, pulling out a single slip of paper.
I could hear my heart beating through my chest, and I stood frozen in place as she read the name.
"Tris Prior."
She read and looked up expectantly.
I couldn't breathe, and every part of my body was shaking as I made my way up to the podium, staring down at the crowd, looking at Tobias, tears in my eyes. But I knew I had to stay strong. For him. He looked speechless, his face pale, and his mouth hanging open.
"And for the boys-..."
The woman drew a name, and cleared her throat. "Neville Longbottom." She called out into the crowd, and a stocky boy started to make his way through the crowd, when a desprate voice rang out through the crowd.
"I VOLUNTEER!"
And before I knew it, Tobias was climbing the stairs to the podium.
