Theta Azer. D1. 17
I awoke with a start. My roommate was shaking me. God I hate her. She asks all of us to call her Suz. She says it's because it makes her sound tough but I know it's because she's embarrassed by her real name, Suzanne. I know she's hoping to be selected as victor but I was determined to not let that happen. There is no way that pathetic excuse of a career would win the Games. No, that honor would be all mine.
"I'm up," I shout.
"Good. Your outfit for the reaping is laid out over there'" She informed me, a note of bitterness in her voice. But, despite all else, she was right. On a chair parallel to my bed was a white dress.
"Thanks," I replied, not even looking at her. In fact, as I said that, I instead imagined how many areas on her body I could hit with an arrow before she bled to death. The official count was fourteen.
"Hurry up and get dressed," our Headmistress commanded us. "This institution has provided District 1 with victors for over sixty years and our reputation will not be tainted by some lowlifes like yourselves," She bellowed at us. Of course she wasn't always that brutal. The career training academy I live and train at requires that all staff members are complete asses to us. It's in the hope to toughen us up, make us more resilient and stuff like that.
"You ready to go yet," Suz asked. I walked out of the room without even addressing her. I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction.
After a ten minute car ride from the Academy to the square, I approached the check in area. Having done this five times already, I knew just what line to get into and what hand to give to the Capitol worker. Once my finger was pricked I allowed myself to be herded to the correct spot for girls my age. It wasn't long until our escort Regina appeared on stage.
"Welcome District one to the reaping of the seventy third Annual Hunger Games," She exclaimed to us "Today I will be selecting one brave young man and lady for the honor of representing District One in this year's Games. But first, why are we here? We are here because once upon a time thirteen districts revolted against the Capitol that loved and fed them. The Hunger Games is a pageant of honor that was the result of this uprising," Regina rambled on for a bit about how lucky tributes were to be selected. Blah blah blah. Eventually she got to the exciting part, the part where the female tribute would be chosen. "And this year's District one tribute is… Theta Azer," She exclaimed with such joy. And joyous she should be! District one just received the best tribute it could have. I made my way toward the stage, throwing Suz a gloating look as I walked past. After a moment she announced my District Partner. Wade Kezrod. Once he arrived on stage we shook hands. Judging by the look in his eyes I could tell he was as happy about our partnership as I am. This was going to be a Game to remember.
Wade Kezrod. D1. 16
So here it was, the day of the Reaping, the day that every district would sacrifice one male and female tribute to fight to the death. It was the day I'd earn my honor. All my life, I was compared to my brother Shox. He won the 70th Hunger Games and I'd never heard the end of it since. Well no more, today was the day I will volunteer for tribute. I'm a career, and I can ask the reaping to be rigged so that I'm selected. One of the many perks of being a career.
"Wade hurry up, it's time to go," my father called to me.
"On my way," I responded. I look down at my selection of clothing. If I was going on National television I had to make sure I'm presentable. I had pair of black dress pants and two buttons down shirts, one of them blue, one red. Well the blue one would look better on me. It would complement my blonde hair and blue eyes. But the red shirt made me look stronger and more confident, So naturally I went with the red one. It was a good fit considering it accentuated my muscles. Yes, Today was a day to remember.
After about a twenty minute walk I finally arrive at the District square. The crowds were just starting to take shape. I got in line to check in, one quick finger prick and I'm registered. I get in the 16 section to watch who would end up my District partner. But of course, how could I forget our escort. Regina, a short, plump woman took the stage. She rambled on about how generous the Capitol is and what an honor it is to be selected as a tribute. Then, finally, she went and drew my partner's name. Theta Azer. This is PERFECT. Theta, like me, is a career. I'd seen her with a bow, she was deadly. After Regina was done shaking Theta's hand, she moved to the bowl with the male's names, and drew a slip of paper.
"Wade Kezrod," She announced to the crowd. "Where are you Wade?"
This was my moment. I took a deep breath, puffed out my chest, and with a confident strut, made a beeline for the stage. Once, I arrived on stage, I was instructed to shake Theta's hand. Afterwards, Regina wished us both a happy Hunger Games. Oh yes, It's a great Games indeed.