The hunger Games: Reborn

Tomorrow was the day we all dreaded. The Reaping for the seventy sixth Hunger games.
I admit I was scared as hell.
Each house was required to nominate one person between 12 and 18 years old to possibly be the next tribute and in my house that qualifies my brother and me. He's thirteen years old and I'm sixteen. Naturally I forbade him to enter his name.
"You just want the glory," spat Gus, my brother, as I walked inside the house. I had gotten home from working in the coal mine.
"Yes, I all I want. Glory. That's why I entered , not because I don't want to watch my little brother on T.V fighting for his life," I snarled, I was too tired to put up with him. I took my boots off at the door and sighed, coal dust had turned my white socks black and stained the tips of my fingers, which annoyed me greatly.
"Well it won't be any easier for me," Gus said.
"But, I'm older-"
"Age doesn't matter!" he interrupted.
"Like I was saying, I'm older. I'm supposed to die first," I said and sat down at the kitchen table. We glared at one another from across the room.
Truthfully, we argued about why I nominated myself because we were scared. There was no way a descendant of the Mockingjay couldn't be chosen to play in the Hunger Games.
My frown softened and I opened my arms. He walked over and knelt beside me, allowing me to hold him.
"Aouli, I'm scared for tomorrow," he whispered.
"Me too," I admitted, "but, there is Nothing wrong with being scared,"
"Except in the games, right?"
"Hopefully, we never find out," I told him, " go shower. I'll have momma iron your best clothes,"
"Alright," he said as he got up. Before he left the room he turned and looked at me, "I love you,"
"I love you too," I told him.
I went into mom's room and found her already ironing Gus' clothes. She had overheard our conversation.
She sniffled and her eyes were red from crying.
"He's just worried for you," she said.
"The odds are in my favor, momma," I said to her, though we both knew that I was wrong, "I only put my name in once, Annie and some other girls put their name in five times each,"
"Then I hope it's them for being so stupid to do that,," was all she said.
"Mother," I said.
"What? I'd rather lose a neighbor then my own child," she said coldly.
"Well you needn't worry, like I said-"
"Do you know who is running the Hunger Games?" she growled.
"The Empire but-"
"Do you know who convinced the Empire to do it though?" she pressed.
"Probably Gristle," I said.
"Exactly and we know he's all for the old Capitol," she said.
"But, the Empire wouldn't allow him to-"
"Yet, they require all households nominate one of their children to possibly be the next Tribute," she scowled and set aside the clothes, "their after descendants of the Mockingjay and will do anything to get them,"
"Momma, stop!" I said. She was confirming my worst fears and I didn't want to hear it.
"I'm sorry, I'm just..."
"Scared," I finished for her. I understood what she meant.
"I'm going to go to sleep," she said.
"Alright," I said, "I'm going to go visit Clint,"
"Don't be long," momma said.
"I won't," I promised as I turned her light off and pulled my boots back on.
Outside, the temperature was cold, but didn't bother me.
I have spent too many mornings outside in the cold with thin clothing on.

I passed by the Blacksmith's place and his son, Faust, was outside. He glared at me and I shook my head ans walked away.
Faust has always been a nuisance to me since we were young. You would never guess our mother's were best friends if you just looked at me and Faust. I don't know what made us start disliking each other, but it wasn't always like this. We used to actually be friends, scratch that, we used to be best friends. It was Faust, the mayor's son Austin, and I. We seemed inseparable, until we turned twelve years old.
Faust had to start helping his dad out in the forge and became an apprentice, meaning less time to play. Faust was angry that Austin and I had so much fun with out him. He was angry and felt like he was being left out.
One day I brought Austin some little cakes I had helped my dad make, but Austin smashed them with his feet, I wanted to cry, but instead got into an argument with him and I said something I've regretted ever since. I told him he was just jealous and that it was actually better without him and I wished we had never wasted our time being his friend. It wasn't true but I was angry and I wanted to hurt his feelings because he had hurt mine.

I reached the Mayor's house and knocked, Clint opened the door and smiled his dazzling smile as he stepped out, closing the door behind him.
"What's up?" he asked as he zipped his coat up.
"Nothing... I just saw Faust," I told him as we sat on the step.
"You have to let it go," he said, he knew how sensitive I was about the Faust situation.
"I can't. Every time we see one another he glares at me. Every time we speak, we argue," I said and then I sighed, "I miss him," I looked at Clint. He had blond curly hair, blue eyes, pretty pink lips, long beautiful eyelashes, and a wonderful personality. Yes, I admit, I like Clint a lot more then I should, but usually I try to ignore that feeling for the safety of our friendship.
He pulled me into a hug and we sat there like that for a while before we released one another.
"I'm scared for tomorrow," I said.
"Aren't we all?" he said.
"Yeah," I said. After that we sat there talking about everything but the Reaping.
It was getting darker and I decided it was time to go.
"Good luck," I told him.
"Good luck to you too," Clint replied as I got up. As I went down he road, I turned around and saw Clint wave before going inside.
As I passed the Blacksmith's forge I saw Faust inside, concentrating on whatever he was forging.
I looked away and sprinted off to my house. I got inside and took my boots off, I stripped to my under clothes and threw on a nightgown before I threw a pillow on the ground in front of the fire and fell asleep.

The next morning I woke up and found mom readying the bath for me. I got up and undressed and slipped into the warm water.
Mom had put some kind of sweet smelling oil in it, like she always does for me.
She lathered my hair as I washed my body and then washed off. When I got out, I put on my black skirt and a plain white shirt.
Mom braided my hair over one shoulder just as someone knocked on the door.
"Come in," called mom. I looked at her, confused. Who could that be?
then in walked Faust. His face was neutral and he looked... nice.
His black hair was out of his face, revealing the scar on the side of his face; His lips were plump and plum colored, his skin was olive tan and his hands were scarred from being burned and cut; he was tall and muscular.
"I worked on it all night," he said to my mom and tried to hand her the cloth in his hand.
"Well, it's not for me. We both know who it's really for," mom said as she handed me some gladiator shoes. Since when is mom fashionable?
I put the shoes on and looked up to see Faust uncovering the cloth, in it was a beautiful choker necklace with a familiar pendant on it. The Mockingjay.
"Your mom gave me your great grandma's pin and asked me to incorporate it into something else for you so I made this," he said in a voice that was barely louder then a mumble; he struggled with his words, and it was a little awkward.
"I would've had Cole do it, but he's not so great with making jewelry like Faust here, and besides Cole has quite a big mouth, can't keep secrets," laughed momma. I rolled my eyes. She winked at me before walking out of the room to "check on Gus." really, she was going to eavesdrop.
"Um, thanks," I said and took it from him. I fumbled to put it on so Faust took it and fastened the necklace around my neck.
"There,' he said.
"Thanks," I said. We looked at each other before looking away.
"Well... I better get back home... walk with my family over to town square," he said and I followed him outside.
"Hey Faust," he turned around, "good luck today," he nodded and continued on his way.
The door opened behind me and mom and Gus stepped out.
"Ready?" she asked. I nodded my head. We made our way to town square and we went our separate ways. I stood with the rest of the girls and saw Clint standing next to Faust and a smaller boy who looked familiar but I couldn't identify because he was facing away. Clint looked worried but forced a smile. I nodded at him.
Just then the Reaping began. I barely listened as the Empire woman rattled on and on about the history of the Hunger Games and then she began drawing names.
"Ladies first!" she piped and smiled. She dug her hand into the glass bowl and reached around before pulling out a slip of paper. I couldn't help thinking about how many of those kids who entered their names didn't do it for the glory, but for the tesserae and I felt sorry for them. I mean, my family barely made it by, but I always had help. I worked in the mines, mom washed clothes, Gus helped in Uncle's bakery, and if we were still short, I hunted.
Hunting wasn't illegal, but there were still strict rules about it and many people didn't bother even going outside the fence.
Hunting has been taught to every one in my family ever since great grandma Katniss. She made it a point to be assured her family can provide for themselves.
Then the Empire Woman read the slip.
"Aouli Mellark," she said with a smile. Every one made room for me as I walked up to the stage. I looked over at the boys and saw Clint consoling the little boy next to him. Who was the boy? Next to Clint was Faust who stared blankly at me. I nodded at him before turning to look at mom and Gus as I stepped on the stage. Mom was in tears, being consoled by Sandy, Faust's mom. I looked quizically at Sandy, wondering where Gus was. Sandy looked over to the boys and it clicked.
Clint was consoling Gus.
"Will any take her place?" the woman asked. No one did. Nobody wanted to be in my shoes right now.
"No? Okay, here we go, get ready boys!"
As the Empire woman reached in the bowl with the boy's names, I had a gut wrenching fear of her drawing...
"Gus Mellark!" she said then looked at me to the little boy who was walking to the stage. "Oh, seems we have a little sibling rivalry!"
I was panicking, "why?" I asked Gus.
"We needed it," he muttered.
"Volunteers?" asked the woman. I looked to Clint. What should I do? I looked at momma, she was sobbing and for a while that was all you heard before:
"I volunteer!" said a boy's voice. Clint? No.
"Alright, and what is your name?"
"Faust Saulding," he said, his voice was confident but his eyes were saddened, and scared.
"Well, how about a round of applause for District twelve's Tributes!" said the woman but she was the only one clapping. "Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!" she says and then it's over. The Reaping is over.