There is no such thing as a Happy Ending

Before the beginning of the End

I awoke to the smell of bread and eggs. I slowly opened my eyes to reveal I was still on the floor. I got up and laid my blanket back on my bed as I got dressed. I put on a white blouse with some black pants. I tied my hair back as always with the same pin. I even got to comb and wash myself today. This was the day Clove had to impress the sponsors. We are allowed to sit in the stands. I put both daggers in my hidden coat pockets as I head to the kitchen. My mom had eggs and toast out with some milk. I sat down taking in the scrumptious smell. I plopped some eggs on my toast and practically ate it in less than a minute. My parents started to discuss what they were going to do when Clove gets a sponsor and all that stuff while my mind was thinking about how Clove and Cato were going to kill the others. I was mildly excited to see their outfits but to be completely honest, their outfits aren't exactly my style. "Willow, when we get their you shall be given new clothes, that represent you as a person" my mother says.

I nod my head not looking forward to wearing dresses, especially capitol ones. Their sense of fashion didn't sit right with me. What I was looking forward to was seeing Clove, I think I am allowed to say hi and everything. As soon as we finish breakfast the same car that had been here the previous day pulled up next to our house. This was my very first time in a car. The seats were made of soft red velvet and had silky white pillows in the corners. It felt more comfy than anything I had ever dreamed of. The car moved so fast, faster than the train. I looked out the window and watched the scenery fly by. I watched as my school and Isla's house wash by. We soon made it to the capitol. I pressed my face onto the cold glass in amazement as a big beautiful city came into view. Wow, I thought to myself as glistening buildings of glass shined in the sunlight. No Willow, these people took your sister. "Quite spectacular isn't it?" my mother says. 

"Not really" I say as I try to hold back my amazement. I sit back down on the soft seats as we arrive. We are greeted by thousands of people cheering as each family got out of their car. I kept my head down as we walked down to the building that was going to hold the opening ceremony. I was separated with my family and escorted to a room. I was told to put on the outfit hanging up in the room. I shut the door and turned around to see a short black sleeveless corset dress with puff at the bottom. It had a small peacock feather design on the top flowing down to the bottom. There was a small emerald gem to the right side of the dress, at the starting point of the feather design. Underneath it lay silver flats. So much for something that represents myself, I think. When I finish putting everything on, I stuff my daggers into my corset, yes I have pockets in there. I then walk out to a woman standing with a hairbrush and ties.. "Let me do your hair dear" she says.

She takes my clip out and places it on the table. She brushes through my a little longer than shoulder length brown hair. She then pulls it all up into a ponytail leaving a few loose strands of my hair out. She then takes my clip and places it on top of my hair tie. She hands me two gold bracelets to put on each wrist. They fit perfectly. "There" she says as she turns me to the mirror. 

I look like a completely different person. "Ms.Kentwell this way" a man guides me. 

I reluctantly walk through a long hallway in the back. Was this were we are going? I see older kids come into view. I only see a few kids who look to be about my age. This must be where the tributes are held. I see a girl with beautiful dark brown skin. She waves at me. I wave back. She looks so young, so innocent to be reaped. I leave the man for a second as I walk over to the girl and stick my hand out. "I'm Willow" I say.

She slowly reaches for my hand and shakes it. "I'm Rue, I assume you have a relative here or you wouldn't be allowed to come back here" Rue says.

That makes me think, Cato has family and I am sure everyone here does so why was I allowed to be back here? "Yeah...Clove" I say nudging my head at her back.