When I look up from the small television in my so-called living room, I see my little brother, Corbyn, staring at me from the doorframe separating the bedroom and the living area.
He was in his washed-down white oversized shirt, and some brown pants with a small stain of tea we had the previous night. While I was in my dark purple nightgown.
I was watching highlights from last years hunger games, which I'm still in shock over. They were televised on one of the few channels we had.
"Good morning Gwenny!" My 12 year old brother said walking towards the old fashioned couch I was sitting on. Sitting down, he propped his legs up in a criss-cross form.
"Good morning Corbs" I said back, standing up from my spot in the couch, walking towards our fairly stable kitchen. Opening up the cupboard, causing it to creak a bit, I grabbed a teabag.
Remembering that my brother was probably watching me, I turned around "You want some tea and a biscuit?" I asked Corbyn, sending me a nod, I grabbed a second tea bag and made my way over to the wooden bin full of pots and pans, reaching for a kettle, I took a grip of it and slowly pulled it out of the cluster of about 5 metal items. Pulling the kettle out caused a screeching sound.
"Am I the only one who's scared for the hunger games?!" My brother said from across the room, his voice shaking. Sighing, I new I had to face the fact that my name could possibly be pulled out of that large container of thousands of names.
"To be honest with you, your not the only one scared. I've been placing my name in their for 5 years, and I'm blessed my name hasn't been pulled, but even just going to the reaping every year gives me chills. But I highly doubt that your name would be pulled out of that bin, your names only in their once." I said, hoping it would make him feel a little bit better about going to the reaping, but I feel like I've just made things worse.
"I hope your right" Corbyn said, sighing. I can't blame him, it's his first of many possible chances of his name being pulled out of the large glass container, I was stressed about it too at his age.
I turned back around and continued making my tea, hoping I could get the thought of tonight out of my head.
***
I walked into the bedroom, seeing a long, flowing dress sprawled across me and my moms double bed. It was orange, with very thin lace. It had four tiny buttons going down the dress, stoping midway.
I smiled at the thought of my father laying this out for me, he's always been their for me and my brother ever since my mom got kidnapped 3 years ago. I could only imagine how hard it was on my father, trying to tell his 14 year old daughter and 9 year old son that their mother had just been taken away by some complete stranger. I remember him telling me the story like it was yesterday.
My father said one thing that day that he promised, and has done a great job in keeping, "Even though your mother might not be here right now, doesn't me we can't be a family, I will care for both of you just as much as I cared for you before, if not, better, I will try my hardest to be a great father to you angels, and a great example to you both, I love you both to death."
My father has been the greatest role model to me, he taught me to hunt, and how to do the basic things an adult needs to know to survive, especially in district 12. Before my mom left, she taught me how to sew. I trade some of my meats from hunting for loads of fabric, which allows me to make clothing.
I also have a job down at the bakery that I work at 2 times a week, but don't get paid very much, but it's just enough for me and the 2 most important men in my life. I never really had a love story with anyone since I was 13, when my best guy friend jonah, got pulled out for the hunger games, and unfortunately he got killed and didn't make it back. I cried for weeks after the tragedy that cause my best friend, who was also my crush, to die. He promised me that if he made it back, he would be with me, but sadly, he didn't.
I wiped the few tears I had on my cheeks, and continued on with getting ready, I striped off my clothing, and gently placed the dress onto my not-so-skinny body.
I then looked at myself in the mirror, and saw my mother. Not physically, but in me. I get told a lot that I look like a younger version of my mother, at 17.
I brushed my hair and made sure I could put my fingers through it. I then placed my hair up into a bun, with 2 hairs in the front, also my baby hairs that are staring to grow. "Gwen, you look beautiful" I heard from the entrance to the shared room. I looked up and saw my dad standing their, with Corbyn, who was all dressed up in his nice formal outfit that I've never made before.
"Thank you father" I said back in response. I turn over to my brother "and look at you all dress up nice and fancy, as if we were going to have dinner with the capital" I said to Corbyn, who's smile instantly turned into a frown. Mentioning the capital before the reaping probably isn't the greatest idea.
"Hey, hey, it's okay, you'll be fine, I know you must be scared but it'll all be alright" I said, placing my hand on his shoulder, and gently brushed my thumb against it. He gave me a nod, they collided his body into mine for a hug. I rapped my arms around him too, hoping this would all be better eventually.
• • •
To be continued...
