(UNDER EDITING) Willow Mellark-Rising Ashes

Reaping

Willows pov

This is it.  The reaping.  Today we either get separated or go to fight for our lives together.

I'm really nervous.  I feel like I'm going to throw up.  I keep getting shivers down my shoulder blades every now and then as the minutes tick by.

My mom is crying and so is my dad, but they're trying to hide it.  I wouldn't blame them.  Today dad can lose his daughter and his wife, or just his wife, or even all three of us get picked.

As for my mom, well she will be going into the Hunger Games for the third time.  As she does my hair the way she did it in her first reaping, a french braid, I feel like I'm about to throw up and I run to the toilet.

I let the substance out of my body. Then brush my teeth again and go back to mom so she can finish my hair.

Dad is already dressed.  He wears a white dress shirt and jeans.  Mom is also ready she wears a purple shirt with black jeans.  I m wearing a purple dress that is up to my knees And flats.

Then the bell rings. "It's time to go." My dad said in a choked whisper  
"It's going to be okay, little duck." My mom said making me slightly smile.

When we reached the Square my mom explains what they are going to do to me and where to go." They are going to prick your finger and then you go with the rest of the fourteen-year-old girls, where you will quietly wait."

They had to go a separate way because Victors were going to stand on the stage. We say our goodbyes and then we go to where we have to go.

I go where the other fourteen years old girls are and wait as I was told to do. I look at my parents and Haymitch, he's like a grandfather to me, and we each give a little smile of sympathy.

Then a woman with purple hair and a purple dress that fades to white at the bottom comes up the stage. 

I recognized her from when I was little.  Her name is Effie Trinket.   She starts talking once she had reached the microphone. "Welcome, welcome to the 76th annual Hunger Games reaping." She tries to act cheerful but It's not working.

"And now a message from the Capitol." A video plays on the screen. The only words I hear are "War terrible war..." And then everything kind of faded out. I kept thinking about the Hunger Games and what my future may hold.

" It's an honor to be escorting District 12 again." She says. Again? What does she mean again–Oh wait, she used to be my parents' escort.

"Now for the female tributes." She says sadly looking at my mom.  She approaches the bowl and it takes about five minutes for her to pick a name.

Everyone was waiting. Silence filled the square.  It was so quiet you could hear a leaf fall to the ground, as we all stood on our toes awaiting the God-forsaken name.

She opens up the paper and reads the name. She looks shocked when looks at the small white slip and reads the name. Everyone is now anxious to hear the name.

She finally opens her mouth and out comes the name, "Willow Mellark". Everyone gasps and turns to me. My mom and dad in shock and about to cry and so am I.

I knew it!
This was fixed for me to go. As I walk to the stage I feel my legs tremble.
Stay strong Willow, for the cameras, I think in my head. I look around every eye was on me.  As I get close to the stage I look right ahead, not wanting to seem weak for the cameras and for my District, District 12. Coal mining. 

Then Effie goes to the bowl marked Female Victors.  With only one lonely paper in it.  She grabs the paper and reads the name "Katniss Mellark."

My mom walks and stands next to me.  She puts one hand on my shoulder.  I feel it shaking.  I know that she is terrified for me and for herself.

Then Effie walks over to the bowl marked: Male Tributes. She takes one piece of paper then she reads the name: "Tyler Dawson."

  I didn't recognize that name.  A boy looks around 15, comes up the stairs. He had dirty blonde hair and blue eyes.

  He was about 5'10 or so feet tall.  I'm 5'7 so he's only about three inches taller than me. He looks at me directly in the eyes and then quickly averts his gaze as he stands on the other side of Effie. 

Then Effie walks to the bowl marked: Male Victors and picks a paper as she walks back to the microphone,  I look at my dad who is looking at me. 

He looks really scared.  Effie reads the name on the paper " Peeta Mellark".  He slowly walks and stands next to Tyler.

" Our tributes for the 76th Annual  Hunger Games,  And may the odds be ever in your favor," Effie said sadly.

All three of us (me, mom, and dad) look at each other in shock.  The whole Mellark family was going into the games.  The only one left was Haymitch, meaning that he was going to be our mentor.

Tyler and I shook hands as we were told to and right before we left Effie turns to us and says, "May the odds be ever in your favor. "

This is it.   I'm going to die.