A/N

I AM SO SORRY FOR MY LATENESS.

Seriously. But, the thing is I have a somewhat valid reason. I just started up an intensive summer course. Basically, we're shoving a semester's worth of work into just 4 weeks. So, yeah. Homework is very terrible. XD I am also a figure skater, so that also tends to take up a lot of my time. The course ends on June 27, so you can expect faster updates after that.

But don't worry, if ever it takes me this long to write another chapter, at least you know the reason now. And if you ever wanna know how far along I am in a chapter, don't be shy to PM me!

So, here is the District 1 reaping! Hope you all like it, and for those two who's tributes are seen here, (or anyone really) let me know if I've done anything wrong (review or PM are both okay with me! Whatever you prefer.)

Also, please read the authors note at the end, because I will be explaining some things. But before then, enjoy the reapings!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games.

Clos Gold POV

Heavy breathing. Sore muscles. The sound of metal clashing on metal. Everything I've ever known. The same thing morning after morning, day after day, week after week, year after year. All of it will come to an end today. Because, in just one hour, is the Reaping.

The Hunger Games is what I was made for. The reason I was born. My entire life revolves around it. I've been training for it since I was just eight years old. My own parents often tell me that the only reason they had me was to produce another victor, another piece to the family legacy.

And I'm okay with that. That's what its all about, isn't it? Bringing pride to my district, and to my family. I ponder all of this as I slash my sword into another training dummy. I don't even know why I came to the training center this morning. I know I'm ready. I was always the best trainer in my age group, and every challenge became too easy for me years ago. But my father woke me up at the crack of dawn as he always does. There is no such thing as "too much training" for my dad, Gold Gold. Yes, you read that right. Gold Gold. My grandfather was a strange man.

All of the dummies have been effectively destroyed – as usual. I take a quick glance around the training room, only to see that all the other stations are either extremely occupied or have been completely destroyed by various weapons. Of course everyone would try to get some last minute training done on the morning of the reaping, especially the oldest ones. Who knows how many of us plan to volunteer this year…but, in the end, it will be me. It was always me. I will be the fastest one to volunteer, and I will win. It's obvious. I must bring pride to the distict. Continue the family legacy. There is no other option.

Well, I guess I can go home now. I need to get some last minute quality time with Platinum, my girlfriend. We have been dating for almost two years now, and she is honestly the best thing that has ever happened to me. She is one of the few people in this district who is actually worth something to me, and is actually worth being with me.

After quickly patting my sweaty face dry with a towel, I gather my things and start for home, which is only about a five minute walk away from the training centre. I wave to a group of boys my age on the way out. They better not be thinking of volunteering. They're gonna have a very rude awakening, I think to myself, it's my year. My honour. I must bring pride to my district, and to my family.

As I walk to my house, I begin to daydream about the games. Who will the other tributes be? What will they be like? Surely, none of them will be as talented or amazing as me. Not even the other Careers. I will be the leader of that alliance for sure.

I am pulled out of a particularly enjoyable daydream of me slashing some twelve-year-old kid with my sword by the sight of my house coming into view, and mentally prepare myself for the inevitable questions that will be tossed my way upon entering it. "How was training, Clos?" my mother would ask. These are the only words she ever says to me. Then my father will surely make some negative remark, as usual. I sigh and push the door open, mentally bracing myself. I am immediately greeted by my mother, with her long blond hair and striking blue eyes. A lot of people think I look like her, but I tend to disagree.

"Hello Clos. How did your training go?"

Typical.

"It went fine, mom, just as it always does." I reply, somewhat sarcastic.

My father then steps in, as usual.

"Didn't stay there all too long, did you? You realize today is reaping day, right? How could you go into the games with only barely an hour of training? All those years, down the drain…"

I head up the stairs, tuning him out. I wonder if he knows that my training skills are better than his ever were. I watched his Hunger Games once. He literally almost got beat by the female from District 11. Not very flattering, if you ask me.

But I'll show him. I'll show them all. I will win those games and they'll regret ever having doubted me.

I quickly undress and step into the shower, turning the water up to the hottest temperature it can reach. I close my eyes as the warmth floods over me, washing away all my father's negative comments along with the dirt.

Maura Elaine James POV

I am awakened by the sound of a baby's cries. I sigh, burying my face deeper into my pillow. Normally, I don't mind taking care of little Rose in the slightest, although it is harder to be cheerful on just barely 3 hours of sleep. I couldn't help it. I was nervous. Today is Reaping day. I don't even know what that IS, but my family sounded unhappy whenever they spoke of it.

I moved to this strange country called Panem just two years ago. I wanted to spend the summer with my aunt and uncle, as well as my foster cousin, Amelie Beaumont, whom I had never met. I had learned a lot about this country's history, and it seemed like a promising, prosperous place. I wasn't necessarily disappointed upon arrival, although it wasn't really what I was expecting. The first time I saw Amelie, she called me a foreigner.

Oh, how I hate that word. I think it's so degrading and mean. The word had me seeing red, and before I could even process what I was doing my fist was swinging towards her face and I nearly sent her sprawling to the ground. I immediately regretted it, but she ran home before I could even utter an apology. I apologized to her later that day in her room.

She never called me a foreigner again.

Although, while I was apologizing, I noticed she had a baby in her arms. Rose. She was trying (and miserably failing) to put the baby to sleep. And so I did what I do best. I sang.

I made up the words completely on the spot, singing about the moon and the stars and little Rose. When the baby was finally asleep, Amelie looked at me with an admiring gaze, and that's when I apologized to her.

Eventually, summer came to an end. However, I found myself desperately wanting to stay. I had gotten close to Ami. She made me feel so special. The way I felt around her was different from the way I had felt around anyone before. And so, I stayed. It took some convincing, but I stayed.

Ami and I got closer and closer, until eventually our friendship turned into something more. I could tell my aunt and uncle were uncomfortable with it but I couldn't find it in me to care. Neither could Ami. We ignored the hate and the rumors and lived happily together.

And we still do. Crying babies and all.

Rose's cries finally stop, and I assume that Ami has gotten up to feed her, which leaves me feeling sort of guilty. I head down the stairs in my pajamas, finding Ami in the kitchen attempting to fill a baby bottle with milk while holding Rose under one arm at the same time.

"I'll take that!" I exclaim, snatching the bottle and milk carton out of Ami's hands and filling the rest of it for her.

"Good morning to you, too." She says with a grin, tossing her strawberry blond hair out of her face.

I grin back at her and kiss her lightly on the cheek, right on her freckles. Her freckles have always been one of my favorite things about her, physically.

"Ma-ruh!" Rose cries out with delight, mispronouncing my name the same way she always does.

"Good morning, baby!" I reply, my face breaking into a smile. I kiss her the same way I kissed Ami on the cheek, and she lets out a happy squeal.

"So, Reaping day is today, huh?" Ami says, her face suddenly growing more serious, green eyes piercing.

"I still don't know what that means." I reply, heading over to the fridge to put the milk away. "You guys have been talking about it for a week now. Care to explain fully?"

Ami remains silent for so long that I almost think she won't answer me. I close the fridge door, and lean against it, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Ami…" I warn.

She shifts nervously. "Well, you remember when I told you about the Hunger Games, right?"

"Oh, that terrible thing, of course I remember."

"Well, today is the day they pick who goes in."

We stare at each other for a long time, Rose looking curiously back and forth between us.

"It's okay." I finally say, "Neither one of us will get picked. Besides, it's the last time both of us are even eligible, right? We're eighteen! Plus, you said it yourself that people in your district actually train for this. We won't be picked."

I realize I sound a bit desperate, but it's the only way I can convince myself. I change the subject immediately.

"So, where are Uncle Brian and Aunt Kaitlyn?" I ask.

"Oh, they're out running errands. They left a note on the table. They should be back soon." She replies.

I nod my head and head over to the living room, where Rose's stash of toys and dolls are kept.

"So, who's down for a game of hospital with the stuffed animals as our patients?"

Clos Gold POV

I shake my wet hair dry and lift my gaze up to the mirror. Come to think of it, maybe I do kind of resemble my mother. Same eyes, same hair color. I grab the nearest comb and neatly fix my hair, giving it the "flippy" quality that Platinum loves so much. When I am convinced that my hair is satisfying enough, I head over to my room and open my dresser to reveal what is mostly training outfits, but a few fancier types of clothing as well, including all my previous reaping outfits since I was twelve years old. I flip through the clothes for several minutes, sizing up the different shirts and pants, and finally settle on a black t-shirt and a pair of dark-washed pants. No need to get fancy this year. They'll make me ten times fancier at the Capitol. I only notice the holes in my jeans after I've already put them on. Oh, well.

After pulling on my old tennis shoes I head downstairs, already dreading the thought of having to see my parents. My father walks over, combing his blond hair as he walks. I resist the urge to snort. Of course, he has to look good for when he's presented as a previous District 1 victor. My mother won't be presenting this year, as there's too many victors. They pick at random every year. He look me up and down, brown eyes lingering on the holes in my jeans slightly longer than everywhere else and frowns.

"Jesus, Clos, it's your last reaping. Can't you try to be a little more presentable? This morning, I get the feeling you don't even wanna be in these games at all. You don't care about the family legacy at all, do you…"

And there he goes again. Gosh, does he ever shut up? Probably not. My mother than walks into the room.

"What's all the arguing about?" she asks, directing the question only at my father.

"Look at those jeans! Does he look like a victor to you?"

"Clos, you really should put on something else…"

Of course.

"Can we just go, already? We're gonna be late." I say, pushing past them towards the front door.

I hear my father sigh, followed by a faint "Where did we go wrong?" I ignore it. I'll show him.

Maura Elaine James POV

After a fun game with Rose and Ami, we decide it's time to get ready for the reaping. I still don't fully understand all of this, but I'm feeling good about it. At least I know for sure we won't get picked.

I open up my closet, staring at all the clothes both from Panem and my home country. What to wear? I pull out a lavender, ankle length gypsy skirt that I brought from home and a plain white blouse from Panem. This should look nice enough. Ami did say people usually try to look presentable for these reapings. I top off the outfit with my black ankle length boots and walk over to the mirror to braid my jet-black hair into its usual waterfall style. I smile at myself in the mirror, pleased with my appearance, and make my way downstairs to greet my aunt and uncle whom I've just heard walking through the door.

"Hey, Maura! All ready for the reapings, eh?" my aunt greets me with a smile.

"You look lovely," my uncle chimes in.

"Thanks." I reply with a sheepish grin. "And, yup, all ready to go!"

Ami comes down the stairs with a little wave to her foster parents, Rose under one arm. She is wearing a blouse similar to mine with dressy black pants. She looks adorable. Rose is wearing a cute little pink dress.

"We all ready to go?" Ami asks.

We all nod and head out the door together. I feel Ami slip her hand into mine, and immediately feel better than before.

We reach the square in about ten minutes. It seems so strange to see almost the entire district all in one place. It makes you realize just how big our population actually is. That's when I notice the small booths positioned several feet in front of us, where teenagers are consistently stopping for several seconds before continuing. I wonder what that is.

Ami and I both hug Aunt Kaityln and Uncle Brian, who offer us words of encouragement and promises to celebrate later. We leave Rose with them and make our way towards the strange booths. When I feel we are close enough, I grab Ami's arm to stop her from continuing.

"Ami, what is that? Do we need to give them our names?" I ask.

Ami smiles. "In a sense. It's nothing you need to worry about."

I take her word for it and we continue towards the booths, keeping our hands intertwined and ignoring the stares.

Eventually, we have to separate temporarily. I make my way over to the booth nearest to me only to see the most weird-looking person I have ever come across in my life. She has purple hair curled to perfection and bright pink eyelashes which are unnaturally long. Her nails are also really long and painted a sparkly gold color, while her face is caked with what looks like some sort of white powder.

She looks irritated with the fact that I obviously don't know what to do.

"Your arm, please." She snaps.

I hesitantly hold out my arm to her, wondering what she will do with it. Before I can even imagine anything, she pulls something sharp out of her pocket and pricks my finger with it, making me hiss with pain and surprise.

"You may go. Happy Hunger Games!" she says in a sickly sweet voice.

I glare at her, but before I can say or do anything Ami is pulling me away, having anticipated my reaction.

"Gosh, Maur, you need to be on your best behavior with these people! They're from the Capitol!"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Let's just get this over with, I wanna celebrate later."

Ami giggles adorably and pulls me on, leading me to a roped section marked with a big 18. I assume this is their way of dividing us by age. For some reason, this makes me angry. However, I don't have time to acknowledge it, because another freak-show is about to get on stage.

Clos Gold POV

After an extremely awkward walk with my parents, and the usual signing in routine, I am finally where I have been dreaming of being for ten years now. The 18-year-old section of the reaping. I make sure to stand closer to the front, putting myself at an advantage when the time for volunteering comes.

I resist the urge to laugh at loud when I notice the freaky lesbian couple walking towards our section. The blond one is laughing about something the chubby, olive-toned one said. Not only are they two girls going out, but one of them is a foreigner. I truly feel sorry for them. They end up standing right next to me, the tanned one on the side closer to me. I inch away uncomfortably. Foreigner.

Our escort begins making her way up the stage, but I look away, instead choosing to scan the 17-year-old section for Platinum. I find her almost instantly, and she gives me an encouraging smile and blows me a kiss. Oh, how I love her. I wish I'd had more time to go and see her this morning. I spot both her parents standing off to the side with the other peacekeepers, and my father on the stage with the old victors. I don't bother looking for my mother.

My thoughts are interrupted with the sound of the microphone being tapped, surely the escort's attempt at getting our attention.

"Welcome, everyone! Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!"

Ugh.

"Today, we're gonna reap the ladies first as always!"

Get on with it already.

The escort tries (and fails) to make the whole scene dramatic by swirling her fingers mysteriously over the reaping ball, fooling us into thinking she would finally grab a slip at least 4 times. I resist the urge to walk up there and ring her neck.

Finally, she pulls out a slip from somewhere deep inside the ball and walks back over to her microphone, high heeled shoes clicking loudly against the wooden stage. She unfolds it neatly on her little mic stand and shouts the name out loud and clear.

"Maura Elaine James!"

Where have I heard that before?

Maura Elaine James POV

The first thing I feel is complete and utter shock. How could I have been picked? There were at least a thousand other names in there! And I only had one, on top of that. Ami explained to me recently that certain people agreed to put their names in extra times in exchange for food and other goodies. We never needed to do that, though. I guess it didn't make a difference in the end, did it? I have just been picked for the Games, and everyone is staring at me expectantly.

But, wait! What about the volunteers Ami told me about? Why isn't anyone stepping up to take my place? That's when I hear the whispers, each and every one of them containing that dreaded word.

Foreigner.

Of course. Why would anyone volunteer for me, the foreigner with a girlfriend from the district who can technically be considered my step-sister? Of course no one would.

This doesn't just make me angry. It makes me absolutely furious. I don't even know what these Games ARE, and I'm stuck participating in it just because I'm not from around here.

And then I look over at Ami and that's when my heart truly breaks.

She's looking at me with her eyes filled with tears. Her eyes bore into mine, desperation and fear written all over her face.

As much as I wish I could just take her hand and run away with her, I know that this isn't possible. So, I give her hand one final squeeze and make my way over to the stage with my head held high. I will not show weakness. I cannot afford it. I tune out all of the whispers from the older kids and the sad, pity-filled stares from the younger kids and focus my gaze solely on the wooden stage in front of me and the freaky Capitol woman standing in the middle of it.

After what feels like hours, I'm finally on the stage looking out into the crowd. I can see Ami, trying so hard to hold it together and it takes every bit of strength and concentration in me to not burst into tears right there on the stage. I look around for my aunt and uncle and Rose, but I can't find them. I'm jolted out of my thoughts by the annoyingly high-pitched voice of the Capitol escort.

"Splendid! Just splendid! No volunteers? A nice change! And now, without further ado, it is time to select our male tribute!"

She goes through the whole process with the reaping ball and swirly hands again, but I find myself unable to concentrate. All I can think about is Ami and the terrible, heartbroken look on her face. And that's when I make the most important decision of my life.

I will come home to Ami. And I won't let anything or anyone get in my way.

Clos Gold POV

Soon. Just a couple more seconds now, and the moment I have been waiting for my entire life will have finally arrived. I brace myself, keeping my mind on nothing but what I'm about to do, although my mind slips briefly onto the events that took place just about a minute ago.

I can't believe the foreigner was reaped! I mean, what are the odds, right? I'm glad no one bothered to volunteer for her. She was worthless anyway, and while I'm being honest, her and her girlfriend just made everyone around them uncomfortable wherever they went. Good riddance.

Alright, focus now. She has a slip in her hand (finally). She walks back over to her microphone and starts to unfold it while I prepare myself internally for what is to come next.

"Crade Raven!"

I watch as a small boy from the thirteen-year-old section makes his way to the stage, not appearing worried in the slightest with the knowledge that someone is sure to volunteer for him.

Well, here goes nothing.

"I volunteer!" I cry out, my voice drowning out the chorus of at least a dozen other boys my age.

I race over to the stage, the grin on my face growing wider and wider with every inch that disappears between me and it.

Suddenly, a tall red-haired boy cuts me off, speeding towards the stage with a ravenous look on his face. Hell, no.

This is my year. My family legacy.

I pick up my pace, getting closer and closer to the red-haired boy who had passed me. Just one more inch…

Before I even register what I'm about to do, I reach over with my hand and skillfully shove him forcefully, sending him painfully to the ground. That'll show him.

I waste no more time and hop onto the stage, grinning maliciously at the crowd below, particularly the boys who'd tried to outrun me. How they even DREAMED they could beat me, I'll never know. I'm Clos

Gold, for Christ's sake!

I search the crowd for Platinum and find her grinning at me in the happiest way. You did it, baby. I can practically hear her say it.

I look over at my father, and he simply nods approvingly. Good job, son. Maybe I've finally given him a reason to be proud of me.

Not likely.

"Ladies and gentlemen of District 1, I give you Clos Gold and Maura Elaine James! How about a round of applause for our potential victors, shall we?"

Victor. Potential victor. Not victors. There's no way that foreigner is coming home. It was always supposed to be me.

Let the games begin.

Maura Elaine James POV

The minutes that come after the male reaping are a blur. I remember hearing the escort call the name of that smug blond boy who was standing next to me and Ami, and shaking his hand, but that's about it. I am escorted to a tiny room in the so-called Justice Building to wait. Wait for what, I have no idea. But that's what they told me to do. Wait.

So, wait I do.

After just several seconds, the door bursts open, revealing my aunt and uncle with Rose and a tear-soaked Ami. My uncle's face is clear of emotion, while my aunt has a haunted look on her face and her eyes are shiner than usual. Rose, of course, is happy to see me – completely oblivious to the terrible incident that just took place.

The room is silent. Finally, I am the one who fills the silence.

"So…what now?"

"Listen, I know this is scary. I know you don't fully understand what you've gotten into, but just remember not to trust anyone. Form an alliance but keep you guard up at all times. These Games are no joke." My uncle says firmly.

"Of course." I don't know what else to say.

Suddenly, both my aunt and uncle have wrapped their arms around me. I hug them back, holding back the fury that has taken over me and the tears burning behind my closed eyelids. They finally let go at the sound of Rose's little baby voice.

"Mar-uh!"

Just the same as always, that same blissful tone heard only by children her age. I scoop her into my lap and press her close to me.

"I need to go away for a while. But I promise I'll be back as soon as I can. And then we can play with your dollies and teddy bears again just like we used to. Ami will take care of you." I know she barely understands any of this, but I feel the need to say it anyway. I can't just leave her like that.

I look over at Ami, who has completely averted her gaze from me. Something about the carpet has suddenly caught her eye, I suppose. My aunt and uncle seem to sense the tension.

"I guess we'll leave you too alone now. Good luck Maura, I'll be calling your mother to-" She chokes up, and finally leaves the room without finishing her sentence. My uncle follows her out, Rose under one arm.

That leaves me and Ami. The silence is long and awkward, but eventually Ami breaks it.

"I should have volunteered."

I just stare.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"I understand the games. I've been watching them every year for eighteen years! I would be much more prepared for this than you."

"No, Ami. Never say that! Do you understand? I would never allow you to be in that kind of danger. You need to be strong for Aunt Kaitlyn and Uncle Brian and Rose. Please, whatever you see on that damned TV screen, don't EVER lose faith. Do you hear me?"

I don't realize how much my voice has risen until that very last question. Ami finally looks up at me, her eyes glistening.

"Maur-" she chokes.

And then, before I can even say anything, she's practically on top of me with her arms around me with her face buried in my blouse and soaking me with her tears.

"Ami. Ami, it's okay. I WILL come back to you guys. Alright. I'm not going anywhere."

She lifts her head and looks into my eyes, her face half-crumpled in pain. I feel my own eyes tearing up, and struggle to force the emotion back in.

"Promise me." she says, her broken voice barely above a whisper.

I almost don't notice the heart-shaped pendant she slips into my hand. I know she wants me to keep it, and so I will. I stare into her eyes for a moment before nodding my head, allowing a single tear to fall down my face.

"I swear, Ami."

Clos Gold POV

I sit in the tribute room, admiring the luxury surrounding me. It's not much, but that only makes me more excited for what is to come in the Capitol. I can't believe I'm actually here. This room has been one part of my many Hunger Games-related fantasies ever since I learned what the Games even were. And now, it's finally all coming true.

My first visitors are my parents. Oh, god.

"Congratulations, Clos. You're finally fulfilling your life's true purpose." My father says smugly.

God, I hate him.

"I figured I'd give you a token of good luck, so…here." He says, placing a small leather bracelet in my hand.

"What's this?" I ask, my curiosity getting the best of me.

"It was my token during my games. Your mother didn't have a token in hers, so I thought I'd give you mine. Good luck, and all that."

Wow. Maybe he does sort of care. Actually, no. All he cares about is the family legacy.

Just like I should.

"Thanks, Dad." I force myself to say, "Don't worry about the legacy, I'll do the Golds justice."

He grunts unintelligibly in response. My mother stares at me coldly.

"Put you training to good use, Clos."

"I will." I'm too drained to argue, or say anything else.

I just want to leave this room and get on my way to the Capitol, where I truly belong.

My parents leave the room without any sort of good-bye. I know their way of thinking by now. They're so confident in me winning that they don't feel the need to. And on the near-impossible chance that I don't, well, I wasn't worth a good-bye anyways. Oh,well. Doesn't matter, cause It's obvious I'll come home.

My next visitor is Platinum.

She waltzes into the room with all her grace and beauty, her auburn hair pulled out of its pony tail and falling to her mid-back, teal eyes just glowing with happiness. The only person who has ever had enough sense to appreciate me.

"I am so happy for you, Clos! I knew you could do it! Now you can finally live your dream"

She beams at me, and I can't help but smile back. I love her so much.

"I'll be back soon, baby, don't you worry." I say, wrapping my arms around her.

She leans into my embrace and kisses me.

"Why would I be worried? Of course you'll come back. You'll be the best one in there. You're absolutely amazing and there's no way you won't win. I'll just miss you so much…"

I lift her chin up so her eyes meet mine.

"I'll be back before you know it."

"Please hurry," she says with a cute little grin.

"Of course"

And then we kiss passionately until a peacekeeper – thankfully not one of Platinum's parents – comes in to tear us apart.

It's time to do what I was born to do, and win the Hunger Games.

A/N God, I am so nervous to hear what you guys have to say! Anyways, I just want to clear up some things. You guys will have a lot of say as to what goes on in the story. I will take all review requests (or PM whatever) into consideration. There is no sponsor system, and as long as you don't ask me to kill another tribute (apart from your own of course) I will see what I can do. BUT. If you absolutely want to see something happen with someone else's character, I will just ask the person who submitted the character if its okay and were GOOD to go J

So, um, yeah. I think that's pretty much it. Oh, wait;

Note: I am not in any way homophobic. I was just trying to portray Clos' cocky and superior nature when he mocks Ami and Maura. Also, I'm sorry if the good-byes were too sappy; it's a problem of mine haha.

Reviews are love! Please let me know what you guys thought, it motivates and helps me a lot!

Hopefully I'll have the D2 reapings up fairly soon.