the amount of people gathering was somewhat overwhelming. this was mika's second reaping now, his chances of getting in were only up by one. it'd only turned thirteen like... fifteen-ish days ago. if only his birthday was later. mika fumbled with shirt. it was a red plaid flannel, his father's one. being his father's it was naturally large on bug, especially with how short he already was. though, mika didn't own any nicer clothes, so this would do. nobody in district eleven really did, though that didn't matter. usually they'd get filthy out in the paddocks and orchards anyways. shoulders brushed past mika, shoving him about. anxious whispers echoed through the crowd as the escort padded up onto stage. they tapped upon the mic, making sure it worked before beginning their speech. mika exhaled slowly, tightly clutching the hems of his flannel. it was silly to be this nervous, there was less than a one percent chance that it'd get reaped. bug was /only/ thrirteen, usually it was the older kids who got reaped. a deathly silence would occur. eyes burned into the back of it's head and hands shoved him forwards. "...mika? mika petrowski." the escort would repeat. mika stiffened, his eyes broadening as a wave of emotions crashed over him. the crowd parted to let it through as mika gently pushed through ocean of people towards the stage. bug made his way up the steps, standing behind the escort to stare out over the giant crowd of people. he bit down on his lip, trying to prevent the oncoming tears brewing within his ocean hued gaze. salty droplets streamed down his cheeks, leaving snail tracks as they went. this could not be happening. this was /not/ happening! but it was. it was so very real. bug couldn't get out of this.
