Sitting in the Lap of Luxury

Kierran Tallyn POV (D1M)

Today is the day, I tell myself.

Today is the day I volunteer for the Hunger Games. It's my last year eligible. I need to make my family and district proud.

I take a longsword from the rack, and walk over to the dummies in the center of the room. I lift the sword and swing it forward, swiftly decapitating the dummy in front of me.

I look at my father for approval. He is a former victor, and has been training me my whole life to participate in the Games. He taught me everything I know.

"That was a sloppy kill. Do it over again," he told me. I suppressed a scowl. Showing emotion is showing weakness. Instead, I kept my face blank and unreadable – a trick I've mastered over the years.

As I slice another dummy, my thoughts drift to Abigale, my older sister. I remember the day she was reaped. I was only twelve, and she was only fourteen. No one volunteered for her.

She didn't have a chance. Father never bothered training her, and she had always assumed someone would volunteer for her if she were reaped.

I felt my anger intensify as I thrust my sword into another dummy.

I remember when we said our good-byes. She seemed so determined to win.

"I'll come back. I promise. I'll win, and I'll make our District proud," she told me.

Father told her to work with the Careers, but it didn't matter considering she died in the Bloodbath.

I severed the arm of a dummy, thinking to myself, I won't end up like Abigale. I'll come home as a victor, not a dead tribute in a coffin. I've been training for this my whole life. The odds are definitely in my favor.

"Kierran, stop," my father's voice boomed, interrupting my thoughts. I look at the cut up and broken dummies around me.

"I think that's enough for today. Let's go, we don't want to be late for the reapings," he said. I nodded, and returned the sword back to its rightful place on the rack against the wall.

As we walked out of the training center, my father placed a hand on my shoulder, and gave me a smile.

"Abigale would be proud of what you're about to do," he told me.

I wanted to tell him that it doesn't matter, because she's dead. Instead, I nod in agreement.

Lynette Flynn POV (D1F)

I look in the mirror, admiring my brand new shimmering green dress. It has a sweetheart neckline, and a ruched bodice that fans out into a poofy skirt. I decide this is the dress I'll wear to the reapings.

Ah, the reapings. I wonder which idiots will decide to volunteer this year. I don't understand why someone would actually want to participate in such a barbaric event. But whatever, if you want to die along with 23 other people, be my guest.

Sometimes, I get worried that I'll be reaped, but then I remember that Daddy paid someone to volunteer for me if that ever happens. I guess it's just one of the many benefits of being the daughter of the wealthiest people in District 1.

I get everything I want, the moment I want it. A lot of girls at school hate me because I've stolen their guys. But hey, it's not my fault if I'm more beautiful than them, or if boys crave me more than they do their own girlfriends.

I've never had to work for anything; Daddy always paid someone to do it for me. I know I'm spoiled, but it's not like I care. If you have a problem with me, than get over it.

"Lynette, hurry up honey, we don't want to be late for the reapings!" my mom yelled.

I sighed. "Yeah mom, I'm coming, just let me fix my hair," I replied. I pulled my hair back, and twisted it into a bun. I let a few strands of my white-blonde curls frame my face, and then I leave the room.

As I leave the house with my parents, Daddy begins to say something, but I don't really pay attention. Instead I think about this dress one of the girls at school wore yesterday. It didn't look good on her, but I know I could totally pull it off.

As I think up ways to convince Daddy to buy me it, we reach the town square.

"So don't worry about it, ok Lynette? It's your last year eligible for the reapings, and the odds are still in your favor," Daddy says.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, ok." I didn't even hear what it said, but it probably wasn't even that important. I wave good-bye to him and Mom as they walk over to the adult sections.

After my finger is pricked and I'm signed in, I walk to the female 18 year old section. I see some girls from my class, giggling and fawning over their dresses. I scoff. My dress is much prettier than anything they can afford.

"Um, hi, you're Lynette, right?"

I look up. Standing in front of me is a short girl, with long brown hair and blue eyes. I recognize her from school. Her name is...Diamond, or Emerald or something.

"Um, I'm Ruby. I heard about what happened to Yolanda," she said. I stare blankly at her.

"Uh, what are you talking about?" I ask.

"Yolanda? The girl your father pays to volunteer for you?" Ruby explained.

I stare blankly at her.

"Oh, so I guess you don't know. Well, long story short, Yolanda's parents aren't letting her volunteer for you anymore. But it's your last year, so I guess you have nothing to worry about," she said.

My mind went blank.

Kierran Tallyn POV (D1M)

I barely made it in time for the reapings. I only just made it into the 18-year-old section before our escort walked onto the stage.

I guess our escort isn't as bad as some of the others. Her name is Kimi Landon, and she's very exotic looking, with her sleek black hair pulled into a bun and wide brown eyes. Her outfit is very tropical looking. It's a grass skirt and a top made of carved coconuts. It still seems rather strange to me.

After the mayor made his speech and they played the video about the Dark Days, Kimi walked over to one of the bowls.

"Ladies first," she said softly. Her small hand darted into the bowl, swiftly grabbing on of the top-most slips.

She slowly unfolded the slip, and I wondered who was going to volunteer this year.

"Lynette Flynn."

The whole crowd was silent. Everyone knew about Lynette Flynn. Her family is among the wealthiest in District 1, and she's always had whatever she wanted. I know a lot of people don't like her, and neither do I. She's spoiled and feisty, and has been pampered her whole life. She's probably never trained a day in her life.

The crowd moves and makes a path for Lynette to walk through. I can see her white-blonde hair and bright green dress from here. It seems like she's about to cry, but then she sticks her nose up and keeps walking.

Once she makes it to the stage, Kimi claps a bit.

"Lynette Flynn, everyone," she says softly. Then she reaches into the second bowl.

She unfolds the slip, but before she can even read the slip I shout out, "I volunteer!"

I can see the look of disappoint on the other guys, but I ignore them and make my way to the stage.

"What's your name honey?" Kimi asks me.

"My name is Kierran Tallyn, and I will be this year's victor."

I look at Lynette, and she's scowling at me. I don't show any reaction. She's no threat to me. She'll be dead in a few days, and I'll be coming home a victor.

I look up to the sky. I wonder if Abigale is looking down at me. I wonder if she's proud, or disappointed of what I've done.

A/N: I'm sorry if the chapter is crappy and the characters seem OOC. I'm new at this, so if you see any problems please tell me. I'd also like some constructive criticism. Also, I still need 5 more male tributes! I have the forms on my profile, so if you want to sign up for it please PM me.