Chapter 12
686 Words
Aspen Matthews POV
"Come on, Elle!" I shouted. My gorgeous and awesome best friend picked up her pace a little. Someday we'll be together. She says she's "not ready", and I can wait. Someday she'll see, just like I see her smooth olive skin and her unforgettable brown eyes. We were headed for the Reaping center. It's not a barrel of laughs, but at least there are other kids there.
I ended up standing between two other boys I didn't know. That meant they were two friends waiting to be made. The one to my right looked like he was about to cry.
"Psst," I whispered as the speech droned on. "Wanna hear a joke about an egg?"
"What?" he whispered back. He looked like I'd grown another head.
"Nah, it's rotten," I finished. He burst into giggles and clapped his hand to his mouth. A few of the boys around me shook with suppressed laughter.
I smiled. No need for everyone to be so gloomy.
I shifted impatiently as Demi Bottle reached into the ladies' bowl.
"Valerie Fallow!" she announced.
Aw, not Valerie, I thought. She was already ready to listen to the latest gossip I found at school. She laughed at my jokes, too. She was a nice girl.
"And now for the gentlemen!" Demi said.
Finally. Just get it done so we can go home, I thought.
"Aspen Matthews!"
I froze for an instant.
Play it cool, I thought. You're just going on stage to tell a few jokes, that's all.
I stood next to Valerie and fidgeted while Demi announced us. She took forever, and I ended up knocking into the girls' Reaping bowl. It fell over and shattered. Glass flew everywhere.
"Thank you, ladies and germs!" I said, and I bowed. The crowd failed to muffle its laughter. I found Elle in the crowd and winked at her.
Hey, if you're gonna go out, go out with a bang.
Valerie Fallow POV
I drummed my fingers on my arm as the speech finished. It was half to hide my nervousness and half to mask my annoyance. I should have been out exploring the woods or finishing my drawing. I shouldn't be here cooped up waiting to see if I die.
I stood in line behind Kat O'Hara. She was such a perfect little princess. Funny how I heard she only passed the last exam since her father ran a still and Mr. Neeson liked a little moonshine.
Demi Bottle took the stage. Word is she got the job on a casting couch. I could see how a girl like her would go far in life.
"Ladies first!" she said perkily. She reached into the bowl.
"Valerie Fallow!"
My breathing quickened and my heart leapt. District 12 didn't have a single Victor. People were saying we were just bred inferior.
I tried not to cry as I stood in front of everyone. Demi continued without pause.
"Aspen Matthews!" she called.
Oh, thank goodness. Come here, Aspen. Now I won't be alone, I thought as Aspen joined me. Me and Aspen went way back. He provided tons of juicy gossip and all I had to do was listen and ask a few polite questions. I was good at listening, and he was good at talking.
Aspen wouldn't quit moving as Demi tried to announce us. I shot him a glare, but he just kept fidgeting. Then he slammed right into the Reaping bowl. It shattered with a terrific noise and I threw up my hands to ward off the glass.
"Thank you, ladies and germs!" Aspen crowed shamelessly. He bowed and soaked up the applause. What a ham.
I surveyed the chaos and looked back at the crowd.
We are going to be the talk of the school.
Here we are, folks, the last Reaping! Can't say I'll miss them. They're exhausting. I'll try to keep the POVs equal from here on out. The train chapters will just be little vignettes of the tributes meeting their mentors and escorts. I ain't got time to have another 12 chapters before the training even starts.
- Writer
