Chapter I

The dreading day came, Reaping day 

Ara stood in front of the mirror in her pale yellow dress that reached just above her knees together with a pair of black flats. Her shoulder length dark brown hair was down as her fringe was behind her ears. Her dark brown eyes were.. empty

This year is her 3rd year since she was 14. Even though her exterior didn't show but she was afraid. She is 150CM tall, slightly taller than the kids her age but she was still small. If she was to enter the game.. She couldn't imagine it

Her two older brothers has passed their age and they do not have to worry about themselves anymore. Ara stared at the mirror as she heard her mother's voice from the window together with her neighbour's.

"You are lucky that your sons have out reached the limit. But your daughter.." 

"I'm afraid Dahlia. What if she gets pick? She's my only daughter.. I just can't" 

"Have some faith Mia. Jean and Aron didn't get pick. The odds of Ara getting pick is less"

"I know.. But is it wrong for me to worry?"

"No it's not. You should go in.. She needs you more than anything right now"

"I will.. I see you later"

Ara heard her mother walked away as her footsteps getting lighter and she could hear the front door open. Ara walked out of her room to greet her mother. "Ara.. You look.. lovely.." her mother smiled "Can you do my hair?" Ara held a hairband

"O-of course" her mother motioned her to come to the couch. They sat down and Ara's mother began braiding her hair "Don't be afraid" her mother said "I'm not" Ara said "You don't have to lie" her mother spoke "I'm not" Ara looked down

Her mother tied the knot as she made Ara faced her "You're lying" Ara looked up at her "What made you say so mom?" her mother pulled her into an embrace "Because I'm your mother that's why" her mother buried her face into Ara's shoulder

"Mom.. Don't cry" Ara rubbed her mother's back "I'm not crying" her mother replied with a sob "You can't lie to me. I'm your daughter" Ara's answer made her mother laughed "Using my line I see" She pulled away and cupped Ara's cheeks "You are stronger than you seem dear.." her mother kissed Ara's forehead before hugging her again

"so strong..." her mother sobbed "Mom.. We are going to be late" Ara swallowed her tears "Yes.. yes.." Ara's mother got up followed by Ara herself "Where's your brothers?" she asked "They are already at the square" Ara answered "I see..." her mtoehr caressed her face "I love you Ara remember that" Ara nodded "I will.. I love you too mom" Ara smiled

"Well then, shall we" Ara's mother fixed their clothes "We shall" Ara nodded as the two of them walked out of the door, to the square full of fear

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Ara stood still in the group full of children around her age waiting for the Lady from the capitol to come on stage. As if on cue, a lady in green walked up on stage. Her hair was tied up into a bun with a pink bow as her green peacock printed long sleeve and a flowy thick feathery skirt that reached between her thighs together with a pair of dark blackish green platform stood on stage.

"Hello there children and family" she smiled "Happy hunger games! And may the odds be ever in your favor" she motioned her hands towards the crowd "To begin, we will start with a video as always" she chuckled as she motioned towards a screen. The video started playing about war and games and Ara felt the weight on her shoulder getting heavier

"Lovely don't you think?" the lady smiled as the video ended "Now! To begin! we will selected two tributes, a male and a female to represent District 5! So~ Shall we began with the ladies?" the woman smiled as she walked towards the jar full of names. She swirl her hands and picked a name from the middle before walking back to the microphone

At that moment, Ara felt a heavy weight in her chest *Its impossible right? But nothing is impossible..* she looks down and she closed her eyes *Please.. Let this bad feeling be untrue!* She clenched her fist  

"The female tribute from district 5 is.. Ara Alabastor" the woman smiled and Ara felt her world crashed down in front of her "Ara Alabastor. Please come up on stage please" the woman smiled. Ara felt tons for weight as she dragged her legs towards the stage. She stood beside the woman and as she looked up, she saw her mother crying in her father's arm as her brothers comfort each other while staring at her. Ara looked down as she held back her tears, her body was numb. 

"Now! For the man" the lady walked towards the male jar and picked a name "For the district 5 male tribute.. Gray Haleevans" she smiled "Please step on stage" she said. A tall boy who is about the age of 16, 17 stepped up wearing a button up white shirt with black pants. His light brown hair was brushed aside as his green eyes was blank. 

He stood beside the lady as he glanced at Ara. The both of them looked at each other for a second until the lady spoke "These are the two tributes from district 5" the woman clapped her hands "Happy hunger games everybody! And may the odds be ever in your favor" she smiled before turning around. 

Ara and the boy named Gray looked at one another once more before following the woman in silence