"Lay... LAYLA!" I whipped my head around to see my coworker with an irritated look on her face. She motioned with her hand to the line that filled the small cafe. "There's no time for daydreaming! Customers are waiting." She smiled at a man and handed him his change, "Have a nice day!" She turned back to me, "Come on! Get to work!"
Jessica had good intentions, I'm sure, but she needed to lighten up. I finished tying my green apron around my waist and pulled my long, black hair into a bun, getting ready for the long shift ahead.
Life hadn't been easy recently, the economy was starting to decrease rapidly in our district. My parents had told me stories about how when they were my age, there were no Districts, instead, there were different countries. After World War III, most countries were wiped off the map. My parents were lucky to be living on the only country that made it through the war. It was called America. They decided to completely reformat the land and break it into 13 districts. The rich, famous, and powerful made up the Capitol and all the districts surrounded it. Citizens of the districts struggled to get by, while the Capitol was essentially 'Easy Street.'
My iPhone 7 buzzed in my pocket as I handed the awaiting costumer his change. I quickly checked the caller ID, Unknown Number, before answering the call.
"Hello?" I said, placing my phone between my shoulder and ear as I wiped my hands on my apron.
"Hi. Is this Layla Martin?" a polite voice responded.
"Yeah, um, this is she. Can I help you?" I questioned, taking my phone in my hand again.
"Yes, actually. We need you to attend a meeting that we are holding tonight. I'm sorry it's such short not-"
I cut her off, "Who exactly is we?"
"Um, some esteemed members of the Capitol." she paused only for a moment, "including the President himself."
This had to be a scam, why would the President want to meet with me?
"And who are you?" I interrogated, cautiously.
"I'm just a receptionist, dear. But if you're worried that this isn't legitiment, feel free to take a parent with you. A car will be at your house at 8:00 sharp. Please be ready." Her voice was kind, as if mechanic.
"I'll be ready," I replied hesitantly. This had red flags all over it, but she said I could bring a parent. If worse comes to worse, I just won't show up.
"And dear?"
"Yeah?"
"Dress nice."
The line went dead, and I faced an angry Jessica. Her green eyes were sending death glares into my brown ones. I just smiled cheekily and turned to another costumer. "What can I get you?"
"Just a tall Vanilla Frappuccino."
"That'll be $3.25." He handed me his money and walked over to wait for his drink. Just a couple more hours, Lay. A couple more hours, I told myself.
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"Mom! Dad! I'm home." I called, throwing the keys to my Honda on the kitchen table.
"How was school?" My mom strolled in, placed a kiss on my cheek, and put on her best fake smile.
"Fine." I answered dryly.
"And work?" She eyed me expectantly.
"Fine."
She walked over and started cleaning a random table that I'm sure she had already cleaned multiple times that day. She lost her job a couple of weeks ago, and has been cleaning around the house nonstop, ever since.
"I need you to come with me to a meeting tonight. It's at 8." I glanced over at her. Her face immidiately lit up, but she then checked the time and a frown took over her joy.
"It's 7. How am I supposed to get ready in an hour?" I knew she wanted to go, it would be her first time out of the house in days. She just didn't want to seem to ecstatic so I didn't take back my offer.
"I'm sure you'll find a way." I responded as I walked into my room to get ready.
Dress nice. Dress nice. I examined each article of clothing in my wardrobe before deciding on the perfect gown. It was strapless and dropped all the way to the floor. The satin material was soft as I slipped it over my head. I admired the way it flowed and folded over my slight curves. I then found my lone pair of heels that I wore for my school's homecoming just weeks ago.
I applied some light foundation, mascara, and eyeliner. I wanted to look nice... it was such a rare oppurtunity.
I walked into the kitchen, checking the time on my cell phone: 7:55.
"Mom! Are you almost rea-" I started to call but then I saw her emerging from the hallway. She was glowing.
"Wow. You look beautiful." I told her with a genuine smile. She then returned the smile and told me that I looked stunning. At 8:00 we made our way to the awaiting car in the driveway. The car was a sleek, black Lexus, my mom and I exchanged awestruck glances before sliding in the backseat.
"Where is this meeting, anyway?" My mother asked after about 15 minutes of driving. The driver responded before I could even open my mouth.
"The Capitol."
Author's Note:
So this is my first story on Wattpad. Basically the story is about an experimental run of the Hunger Games. It takes place in the near future, after WWIII, and a year prior to the First Annual Hunger Games. Obviously, since it is 75 years before the actual books take place, things are very different. I wanted to make sure readers knew that it takes place close to our time now. All the characters are different since, again, it takes place a lot before the actual books. I'm planning on introducing the games in the next chapter, this one is mostly introductory. Please leave your feedback, I'd love to know what you think, and what I should change! xx
