Lily Juniper Abernathy: The daughter of an alcoholic victor (book 1)

Reaped

I sat in the armchair, waiting. They said that they were going to do a reaping as part of the re-enactment. I declined the application meaning if I got reaped it would be painfully real. A knock on my door. At first I ignored it. In a way my mom had tried to volunteer me to be a tribute. I hadn't forgiven her just yet. The knock banged louder this time.

"Hey Lil, you gonna make me stand here all day or what?!"

Finnick: I jumped up and scrambled to the door.

"Happy birthday for yesterday!" He sang laughing at my scowl

"Yeah, whatever- you being reaped today?"

"That I am," He grinned and teased "If you get reaped I'll just give you some warning: You're going down Abernathy?"

I sighed heavily "Tell me something I don't know?"

"Where's your dad?"

I shrugged "Dunno?"

"Isn't he meant to be mentoring you if you get picked?"

"He must've left- I told him he didn't have to mentor anybody if he doesn't want to and he should leave until this is over so, Katniss or Peeta will probably do it." I glanced down at my legs "Although, if they get me, they haven't got much to work with- who's mentoring you?"

"My mom- or, she's meant to be but I told her I'll be okay."

I nodded "Good."

"Come on, we'll be late and your mom might kill you before I have the chance."

I rolled my eyes "Alright, I'm coming."

We reached the square- it was packed with a selection of people from each district separated by cones.

"See ya soon." He chuckled

The crowd parted like the red sea as I went into 12's area. They were nudging each other and whispering. I went and stood with Rosie, Katniss and Peeta: at least they weren't avoiding me.

"You alright?" Peeta mumbled

I nodded "I'd be better if I knew where my dad had got to."

"He'll be somewhere...probably drinkingt." Katniss muttered, taking hold of Rosie's hand

I nodded "Pretty much."

I took a second to glance at Rosie's face "What's up?" I said gently

"My mommy and daddy didn't agree to send me into the arena thing so they are going to reap people instead...my name is still in that bowl though."

"Oh." - Rosie was only six. Because this was a re-enactment the age limit of 11-18 obviously didn't apply. So, it could be anybody. My mom took the stage. She met my gaze and I glared at her hard. She frowned and approached the bowl.

"Gender doesn't apply," She mumbled- so that meant, I was assuming, that it could easily be two boys or two girls instead of the traditional 1 boy, 1 girl. How many rules were they going to change?

She went through each district, reaping Finnick in the process and what seemed like every other relation to past victors or tributes, and got to 12

She pulled out the first slip of paper and frowned "Rosie Prim Mellark."

To my surprise, Rosie grabbed hold of my leg "Volunteer and come with me." She pleaded

I nodded "Okay."

"Thanks Lily." Katniss murmured

"I'll look after her." I agreed

She pulled out the second paper.

She looked at me, her eyes with the look only a mother could give, and I just knew who it was "Lily-Jay Juniper Abernathy..."