Then There Were Five

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Niall

I woke up to the sound of  my mother crying.  I looked over at the clock. It read four AM.  Groaning loudly, I rolled back over and closed my eyes tight.  She did this every year. At four AM on the day of the drawing, she'd get up and mourn over the loss of my brother, Gregory.  He died in the games a few years ago, and she still hasn't accepted it.  My father left us because of her hysteria.  It may have been a little cruel on his part, but she really needed to move on.  The rest of us have.

I couldn't take it anymore. I got up, got dressed, and went down to the kitchen.  Mum sat at the table sobbing her eyes out. I ignored her cries and started to pour out some cereal. I swear, if it hadn't been her weekend to have me over, I wouldn't be there.  I'd be at my father's house, who could handle this a lot better than anyone else.  I had to resist the urge to pull her in my arms, shoosh her, and tell her that everything would be okay.  But I'd be lying if I did that.  Its not going to be okay. I'd be giving her what she wanted: sympathy.  And that's something I couldn't give her.

"Niall," she choked out. "If it wasn't the law, you'd never leave this house."

"But it is," I said coldly. I hated acting like this toward her, but I couldn't give in.  I had to mentally prepare myself for the possibility of being drawn.  Granted, there will be a girl as well, but still.  Not the ideal situation to pick up a girl. I mean, its not like I would anyway.  Who would want someone like me, any overeating Irish boy?

I glanced up at the clock.  Six AM?  How can someone cry for two hours? Or, better question, how could I sit and listen to her cry for two hours?  You'd think it'd get annoying after a while.  I decided it was time to go get ready for the drawing, which started at eight.

I hopped into the shower, letting the warm water flow over me.  Days like today were so stressful.  All it took was one thing to go wrong, and the rest of the day would be just shit.  Absolute, total shit. I wouldn't let this pressure get to me, though. I never get picked.  Never in my life.  I guess I just have that kid of luck.

Boy was I completely wrong.

Liam

My alarm went off.  I rolled over and punched the snooze button, but soon got out of bed.  Today was the day of the drawing.  The sooner I got up, the sooner this would be over.  Hopefully I'll be able to go another year untouched by the world we live in. District 4 was probably the safest place in all of Cowell, but still.  Its a bit strange that we have to have this drawing every year and bunch of people just die.  You know, they could just do away with spoon, and I'd be completely fine with that.  But does anyone listen to me, Liam Payne?  Nope, not one bit.

I showered and went down for breakfast.  Mum was slaving over the stove, meticulously flipping pancakes.  Gosh, my mum was amazing.  Even if today was the last day she would see me, she always gave me the best.  As I sat down at the table, she sat a plate of pancakes infront of me. I laughed.  They were shaped like mickey mouse.  I reached across the table to get the orange juice. I heard the all-too-familiar stomps of my sisters coming down the stairs. I sort of ignored them, because I needed to concentrate on eating.  If I made it out of this, I'd make it up to them later...

Harry

"AARRRRGGGHHH!" I shouted as my alarm clock went off.  I punched the snooze button and rolled back over.  I hated this day.  The stupid drawing.  It started at eight, and it was seven.  I know I need to get up and at least look presentable, but did I ever mention how much I hated this day?  I rolled out of bed and showered quickly.  I could already hear my mother going on about how I needed to get up and that we would be late and all this other crap I didn't really care about.

Eventually I was dressed and fed and ready to go. Mum, Gemma, and I went down to the square and waited around.  It was pretty empty, but could you honestly blame people for being late?  People died in these games.  No sooner had i thought this, a gorgeous girl about my age went to stand in her place.  I took this opportunity for one last flirt and went over to her...

Zayn

I woke up to the sound of singing.  My eyes shot open to my mother standing over me singing a Arabic blessing song.  I smiled.  My mother had such a beautiful voice.  She always cared so much.  I don't know what she would do if I got drawn for these games. 

Ugh, the games.  Why did they always have to ruin something so perfect?  I sat up and hugged my mother.  She was honestly the best person in my life right now.  I saw Doniya at the door.

"Morning, love," I said to her.

"Morning, Zayn," she said.  She walked away quickly.  I just laughed and went to shower.  It was about four in the morning, which left me with the perfect amount of time to get my hair looking perfect.

I went down to the dining room and found a l avish breakfast set out. My mother was just....wow.  She's the best.

"So, Zayn, I'm sure you're aware of what today is.." my dad said sitting down.

I hung my head.  Why was I always being reminded? I hated days like this.  It was a day where everything was up to the luck of the draw.  Maybe I could get out of it again.  I always do...

Louis

I woke up to light shining in my face. Oh the joys of waking up late. I glanced over at the clock. 8:15! Oh crap I was late! So late!  I didn't even bother showering.  I ran water over my face and put on clothes as fast as I could. I ran down to the kitchen and grabbed an apple before dashing out the door.

I ran down the busy street, where everyone was going in the same direction. Off to the square where the drawing was to take place.  I honestly wasn;t worried, because I never got drawn.  The odds weren't against me. Not in the least bit.

I spotted Lotty and Mum and quickly ran over to them.

"Well, look who finally decided to show up?" Lotty said sarcastically.

"Well thank you, missy, for waking me up!" I returned with the same attitude.

"Lotty, Louis, settle down," mum said.

"Yes. Mum," we both said as we hung our heads.  This was going to be a long day...