Our Life After

The Hunger Games

*Lizzie's POV*

I am now in third grade, 8 years old.  Christian is 2, and Now that he can talk, not very well, but he can talk, he just talks all the time!  Seriously!  It's like he never takes a breath.

One day, Mommy and Daddy were taking me to school, about halfway into my third grade year.

I stood around and talked to Catherine for a little bit, who is still my best friend in the whole world.  Then the bell rang and we walked together to class.

We sat down in our regular seats next to each other, and looked at the board.  Our teacher Mrs. McKinley had written up there in perfect handwriting, The Hunger Games.

I had no idea what this meant.  So we sat until Mrs. McKinley quieted the class.

“Good Morning, class!  I hope you are all excited because today we are learning about something new!"

All of us in our chair just looked at each other before she continued.

“Today we are going to talk about The Hunger Games.  I'm sure probably none of you know what I'm talking about, except maybe you, Lizzie."

And with that, the whole class turned and looked at me with wide eyes.

“Wait," I said, “I have no idea what this is.  Why should I know anything?"

“Well I just thought because of your parents.... you know..."

“My parents what?"

“Never mind.  Let's get on with the lesson.  Close to fifteen years ago, there were these annual Games where each District........"

But I wasn't paying attention.  I was just thinking What is this about, and why should Mommy and Daddy have anything to do with this strange game?  I basically day dreamed until it was lunchtime.

I stood with Catherine in the lunch line, and she brought up the lecture from class.

“So what about our lesson today?  Pretty creepy, huh?"

“Oh, uh yeah.  Creepy." I said keeping focused on scooping peas onto my lunch tray.

She must've sensed I was lying because she decided to question me.

“Totally.  The thing with the Velociraptors?  Crazy, right?"

“Yeah." I say, picking up an apple and a turkey sandwich.

“And the huge explosions.  It was totally whacko back then."

“Seriously."  I say trying to sound as if I knew what she was talking about.

“You weren't paying attention.  There were no explosions and no Velociraptors.  What's you thinking about?"

“Oh, nothing.  I am just really tired.  I was just sort of out of it during class.  I'll probably take a nap when I get home or something."

“Okay." she said, but I could tell she didn't believe me.  I just had to get home and ask Mommy and Daddy about these so called Games.  I wanted to know more, and I only wished I had paid attention.

The rest of the day went by very slowly.  It felt as if I wasn't ever going to go home.  But finally, at 3:30, the bell rang to go home sounded.

I grabbed my bag, said a good-bye to Catherine, and ran to find my parents.

When I found them, I ran and gave them a big hug, before saying, “I have to ask you a question."

“Anything sweetie," Daddy answers.

“No, we have to wait until we get home because I don't want anyone to know I wasn't paying attention in class."

Mommy and Daddy have a good laugh over that one, but I think when I ask them the question at home, they won't laugh.

I need to know what they did to contribute to these Games or whatever.

We finally get home, and I sit with them at the kitchen table drinking apple juice. 

So I assume you need help with your homework? Since you weren't paying attention today?" Mommy says with a wink.

“Um, not exactly."

“What is it dear", she says as Daddy sits next to her, handing her a cup of coffee.

“Um, well.... What we're The Hunger Games?  And why are you important to them?"

Their faces go blank.