Another Tribute

Laurel - Goodbye

** Read Authors Note (AN) at end**

I stare out the window of the Hall of Justice while I wait for my family to come say their goodbyes. I need to think of something to say, but I am still pondering the look the other tribute gave me. Soren Meadows, the boy with deep blue eyes and a mysterious smile. I can't focus on him right now. I am going into the Hunger Games, I need to focus on saying goodbye to everyone I love. I turn around and face the door. It is a mahogany door that is carved with a very ornate pattern. The rest of the room is covered in velvet. The curtain, chairs: everything is velvet.

The knob on the door starts to turn. It comes open with a shove and in comes Aspen. My mother and father trail after him holding hands. I run to them. We become entangled in a group hug that I never want to end. Suddenly Aspen pulls away.

"Laurel. You can win," my brother says in a very determined voice.

"Aspen, what are you talking about? I can't win!" I respond.

"Yes, you can! You know how to hold an ax and you know how to climb a tree! You are smart Laurel. You can outsmart them all!! You can, and will, win," he says in a rush.

"Sweetie, he's right" my mother adds.

"The careers are always a trillion times more skilled than anyone else! How am I supposed to beat someone who can snap my neck in a millisecond?" I retort.

"Laurel you can do this." My father encourages with a small smile.

"I will try. I can promise you that. I can't say I will win, but I will try." I say and hug them all. "I love you all so much." I add with another squeeze.

My family responds their 'I love you too's simultaneously. Then all of the sudden, a peacekeeper comes and says it is time for them to leave. They smile sadly and mumble things like 'see you soon' on their way out.

I will miss them. I hope I don't die too brutally, for my family's sake. I face the window again and try to memorize everything: the sound of the bell ringing when you walk into the bakery, the color of the flowers outside the butcher shop, and the smell of the forests in the distance.

I hear the squeak of the door and spin around to see Saffra and her younger sister, Irida, entering my room. I hurry over to say my goodbyes.

They both tell me I can win and all that jazz, but I know I can't. I nod and smile sadly to placate them. We hug.

"Tell everyone at school I will miss them, and tell them they are great friends." I inform Saffra.

She nods, "I will. Don't worry Laurel, you can win."

The same peacekeeper from before comes and collects them. I hug them once again and tell them to take care. They also say 'see you soon' and all those other lies.

I look out the window one more time and then walk to the door that leads to the train. I turn the knob and say goodbye to my district, my home.

I would just like to say thank you for reading! Also, comment anytime you see grammar errors or have anything you would like to suggest! I will update as I write, so the updates won't have a schedule! I also will come back after I finish the entire story to add more details and edit!

Have a sublime day!

Xoxo, Ashley