Other Fan Fiction / Fables/Fairytales Fan Fiction / Realism Fan Fiction ❯ The Melodies of War ❯ Chapter 1:A Birthday to Remember ( Chapter 1 )

"Emerald Arora!" The women on stage announced in a tone of surprise. Me?! How can I have been called?! My name was in the bowl only once every year! I never signed up for tessera so how can I have been picked?! The odds are surely not in my favor today! Besides, I'm only 13! I look around me, seeing everyone's eyes on me. I look up at my father, and he just shakes his head in disbelief. I take a huge deep breath in and walk towards the stage. I start to think back to just a few months ago, when I’d just turned 13.  

I was just sitting in my room, looking at myself in the mirror in my room. I was gently combing my blonde, slightly curled hair with my fingers. I stared at myself, my bright blue eyes stared back at me. I was wearing a white and light pink dress with white heels. It fell to my knees. It had a few jewels on it. Around the collar, on the chest. The jewels on my chest made a heart. I smiled, then my ears twitched. I looked up at the doorway through the mirror and saw my father’s reflection in the mirror. He was tall, slightly chubby, and had brown hair and green eyes. White hairs were already starting to appear. He was wearing a simple blue suit and tie. Like always, I thought. I got up and turned to him with a smile. “Morning father.” I spoke. He smiled back in return and walked up to me. He placed a hand on my head and ruffled my hair. Well, there goes all my hard work, I thought. Down the drain. “Are you ready for your birthday party?” He questioned. My ears lifted at the words ‘birthday party’ and my tail began to wag uncontrollably. “Birthday party?” I questioned. He took my hand and led me outside to our front yard. There were many people there. People I knew, people my dad knew. There was a large table filled with my favorite foods, cakes and desserts. In the middle of the table was a three-layered cake. White frosting, pink pipped swirls, rainbow sprinkles. My eyes widened and I shook my head. My tail wagged faster than it did. I looked around a bit more and found a pile of wrapped boxes in beautiful wrapping paper. Then there was the piñata! Hanging from a tree! It was in the shape of a squirrel. It was huge and colorful. I turned to my father, tears threatening to spill. But they weren’t sad tears, they were happy tears. I ran up to my father, jumped on him, and gave him the tightest and most loving hug I could. He nearly fell over, but kept his balance, keeping me in his arms. After that, the party began. First the piñata! Then the games! Pin the wings on the Mockingjay! Then singing happy birthday. Everyone was off key. Not how I would’ve sung it, but it’s the thought that counts, right? Lastly, the present opening. In one present, I got a bone! Oh, it was delicious!  

I snap back to reality once I’m on stage. I look at the crowd and start to visibly shake. My ears flatten on my head, and my tail tucks between my legs. “Now for the male tribute.” Says the woman. She reaches into the bowl and pulls out a slip of paper and reads ‘Kai Smith’. Then a boy with red hair, blue eyes and a muscular figure walks on stage. I stare at him. His face is serious and cold. I look away quickly, but he holds out his hand. I look back and look at his outstretched hand. I then look up at him. His face softened slightly, and he had a welcoming grin on his face. I hesitated before taking his hand and shaking it. Then we’re rushed to the Justice Building. I’m in a plane white room with a velvet couch and a bed. Why do they think we’re staying in these rooms, I thought. Then my father comes into the room. He sucked in air then released it. “Sweetheart...I’m sorry you’re so unfortunate to have been chosen.” He begins. I held up my hand to gesture to him to stop. “It’s not your fault, pa. This system is just messed up. No one can escape. Not even being the mayor’s daughter is enough.” I say. He just stares at me before tears stream down his cheeks and he pulls me into a tight hug. I smile, patting his back reassuringly. After a few moments, he wipes his tears and pulls away. “You’re growing up so fast. Learning how to put your thoughts into words. I guess that’s why you like singing.” He chokes out. I chuckle before a Peacekeeper barge in and informs us that our time is up. My father sighs and kisses my cheek before leaving. After that, some family, friends, family friends come to visit me. And all leave after 1 to 5 minutes. I walk towards the bed and take a seat, hugging my knees. I’m afraid I’ll end up like my mother...