District 1 Reaping:
Platinum Calix, 16:
I feel the sweat dripping off my forehead. I push my blond hair out of my eyes and grab a knife. I pull my arm back and let go. I feel the smooth knife leave my hand and watch as it goes strait into the dummy's heart. "Another bullseye!" I exclaim. "Nice one!" Ruby screams back from across the room. Ruby has been my best friend since I was about 11. We both agreed that I would go into the games first and have her go the year after so I could mentor her the year after. "Still have a year to go!" Ruby shouts back. "Well I was actually thinking that I would volunteer this year!" I say while walking over to her. "But most volunteers are 17 and 18 years old." she responds. "Yea but I figured I have the skills to do it might as well go now." I answer. "Thats not a good idea you will get yourself killed!" Ruby shouts at me. "So your saying you have no confidence in me!" I shout back. "Its not that I have no confidence in you its just…. your not old enough to volunteer. Plus isn't Marble going to volunteer?" "I don't care if he is going to volunteer I am. And when I come back with that crown on my head you will see." I state and leave the training center leaving Ruby behind. "She will see. Just you wait Ruby."
I get my reaping clothes on and walk downstairs where I am greeted by my parents. They also don't think I should volunteer so I just ignore their comments and leave as quickly as possible. Once I get to the town square I get to the 16 year old section and watch as our Escort, Clio comes out of the justice building. I don't pay attention until I hear the words "As usual, ladies first." Then I start paying attention. Some girls name is called and I just tune out all the girls saying "I volunteer!" Until one makes her way up to the stage. Saphire Clos is her name. I can tell she is a 15 year old which is even younger to be going into the games. But it doesn't matter she will be an ally but eventually I will have to kill her so I try and focus on the boy's reaping bowl. Some boys name was called I don't even know who because all I hear is "I volunteer". But I manage to push my way to the stage and get on and Clio asks my name. "Platinum Calix" I say. "Wonderful! Now shake hands you two!" Clio exclaims. We shake hands and are escorted into the justice building where we will say goodbye.
The entire time my parents keep telling me it was a bad choice so I just tune them out. Then Ruby comes in… "What did you do!" Ruby screams at me. "I volunteered." I state. "Ugh why didn't you listen to me! Marble is screaming his head off because this was his last year to get in the games! You parents are so upset and I am too!" Ruby yells. "This is my life! I get to make the choices I want! If you have a problem with them then too bad because I can control my own life!" I yell back. "Just please…Don't die… I care about you…" Ruby says sadly. "I will win. Trust me." I respond. "Okay" she says as she leaves the room. I am left alone… maybe this was a bad idea after
Saphire Clos, 15:
Today is reaping day. The biggest day of the year. Today we see the tributes for this years games. I'm going to be in this years games. I will volunteer and no one will stop me. I trained for this. I will win.
When I get downstairs I see that breakfast is already set up and my parents are gone… again. They always do this but on reaping day? I didn't think anyone worked today. But I might as well get ready I slept in late so I guess no extra training today. I find my clothes all laid out on the table in the living room. Wow they left these out too. But I really wish they would be there… Oh well they will have to be there for my victory tour though.
Once I get to the town square I am lined up with other 15 year olds and wait for the video they show every year to be over. After a few minutes it finally ended and now our escort Clio picks a name from the bowl and no one heard it because of all the shouts of "I volunteer". I slip through the crowd and get to the stage. Clio asks my name so I respond "Saphire Clos" and she goes to pick a boy. I mostly just smile at the crowd and cameras to hopefully gain sponsors. I eventually see the boy tribute Platinum Calix. We shake hands and go to the justice building. My parents however do not show up. They never show up for anything. They have important jobs in District 1 so they can miss important events like this and they did not show up to say goodbye to me. No one came to say goodbye to me…