[90th] The Reaping - District 2
Feb 9, 2022 18:12:14 GMT -5
Post by gamemaker sloane ♕ kaяi ♕ on Feb 9, 2022 18:12:14 GMT -5
Always close.
But somehow just always falling short.
The story of her life. Never first, always second, and always by a fraction of a point. It grew infuriating. Day after day, succeeding, but somehow failing at the same time. Winning a fight in the training center, but then losing instantly in her next. She didn’t match up to anyone in her family. She wasn’t nearly as good as them, at anything really, but she held her head high.
Even though she was slowly unraveling at the seams on the inside.
Her parents were clueless when it came to her. Well mannered, always put together. It was the least she could do for being inadequate in everything else. Her skills in the training center may be subpar, but her appearance never lacked. The face of the family in some ways, the next matriarch perhaps.
But that was if she could somehow manage to survive the next two years.
Bellisario’s don’t have the best track record when it comes to survival.
Lottie always thought it would be her to win. She always wanted it to be her. The one to bring glory to the family. That was until she watched Love die. Years of training, and just days to be slaughtered. After that she only had one dream.
To live.
After his death the training became more intense and the pressure only heightened. No matter how hard she worked the pressure continued to grow, and even the strongest of diamonds all have their breaking point. She secretly prayed and hoped that her name wouldn’t be called, that they would find somebody to take her place, but she stayed silent.
Because prayers like that got you killed in this family.
It was the night before the reaping, and Lottie had the comfort of knowing that whoever was reaped in District Two wouldn’t dare replace themselves with someone, it would bring shame to their family name. She knew she would make it through another year, just one more to go.
One more and she was free.
One night, she had forgotten her favorite lipstick in the locker room. It was practically empty in the training center, but she knew if she left it there it would be gone by morning. She quickly made her way through the rows of lockers, Mother would kill her if she was late for dinner, but she was stopped dead in her tracks.
The reflection of the mirror showed a girl she knew all too well, with a blood red vile pressed against her lips. It couldn’t be, could it? Not Nephrite. But before she had the chance to confirm anything, the girl paused, and Charlotte left without a second thought. She couldn’t have seen her, right? No, she must have left before the girl had a chance.
But that night, she finally prayed for something else.
The breath that she had been holding all morning came out in one big gust as the Escort announced a name that wasn’t her. She was finally able to breathe again. It seemed to come easier than normal after the Reaping. It took a minute before she realized the crowd had parted and by the time she had turned around a girl was at her side.
The same girl from last night.
The same girl who’s name was just called.
Charlotte had just mouthed the word no when Nephrite looked her dead in the eyes and called out for the whole District to hear.
”Charlotte Bellisario.”
And she had no choice but to be ushered by the Peacekeepers up to the stage. The breath that had reentered her body was knocked out of her again. Her breathing came in small silent gasps as she looked out at the crowd, expression stone cold putting up her facade. Just like she’s done her entire life.
So close to escaping.
But once again, just falling short.