Ekta Ram // [10th Retro, D10F, Fin]

[d10f ekta ram // [earthling]]

EKTA RAM

district ten female
eighteen
well intentioned
chronic foot-in-mouth
fc: simone ashley,
shared with permission

[d10f ekta ram // [earthling]]

Right up until the moment Ekta Ram's name was read for the 10th Hunger Games nothing too terribly exciting had happened to her in the preceding eighteen years. She was born almost exactly five years after her sister, Hiya, who had already declared herself the queen of their parents' hearts. Of course, it wasn't long before Ekta's long eyelashes and shy smile convinced Hiya to love and dote on Ekta. Despite the chaos of those early years, Ekta never went hungry and almost always slept in someone's arms.

After the war her parents put their advanced degrees to use at the local chemical plant even while it was being refurbished. She remembers long days playing in the weedy yard and darting between her parents' legs as they studied beakers and vials. Around when she started middle school her mother was promoted to management; her father quickly followed. In the years since they've remodeled their kitchen and upgraded their furniture.

When she started high school Hiya followed her parents footsteps. At first she worked in the factory itself but now she's been accepted to a dual chemistry degree and internship program. Ekta was so so proud of her and couldn't imagine any other job for herself.

Without Hiya at home, Ekta blossomed. She found a core group of friends who didn't mind so much when she put her foot in her mouth. Just before wrapping up her Junior Year she started dating a boy from her English class. Things have gotten quite serious and they'd already planned their homecoming outfits when the reaping occurred.

The shock that went through Ekta in that moment electrified her spine. She walked stiffly, her arms straight at her sides. She could not account for the seconds that passed, nor the sunshine highlighting her hair. In fact, hours later, she could barely remember the moment at all. Except that it must have happened, given her present circumstances.

The shock settled to numbness like nothing she's ever experienced in her suburban, easy life. Heretofore Ekta has found ease everywhere she goes: at home, at school, with friends, and finally with her boyfriend. What comes next will be difficult indeed and challenge her in new ways...

[10th retro gm | paxton hayes]