Thank you to S.H. Reke for Aaron and DefoNotAFangirl for Gloria! Without anything further, let's get into the first reaping.
Aaron Gold || 18 || District One Male
Today is the morning before the Reaping. It's been a tradition throughout the years for the Academy to invite all its students to breakfast on the dawn of this day. Assumingly, volunteers use this day to log in their last minutes of training before being shipped off to the arena. However, in reality, the tributes use this breakfast and free gym time to stand around and gossip. You might assume better from a group of Careers, people who are being trained in the art of killing, but you'd be wrong. They're just like any other kids their age. Many seem to prefer socializing over anything else.
I glance around the cafeteria from my seat near the wall and sigh. It may seem that I'm not much better than these kids as I am sitting around just like them. I may seem to be doing even less as I don't even have a friend to converse with. It doesn't matter, though, because there wouldn't be much to talk about even if I were to find someone. I already know everything I need to know about the people here.
I pick out a girl from the crowd and observe her speech patterns and body language. She has a fair amount of muscle packed on her biceps. Her posture is a little strange like there's a constant strain on her body. Even her voice sounds a little off, almost as if she is deep in thought. I notice all of these small details, as well as others, and proceed to connect the dots. Her name is Elise. Her preferred weapon is the spear which she has trained in since a young age. She has family issues at home, most likely stemming from her disappointing performances during training.
People like Elise specialize in spears, in weaponry. Me? I specialize in observation, in knowing what makes people tick.
I get up from my seat and head towards the door. There isn't a reason for me to be here anymore because I've already showed my face and ate. People near the exit speculate about who the volunteers this year will be. Will they expect me? Probably not, despite my stellar performances in class and in training. I'm not one of the big shots in the Academy since I'm not an attention hog like that one girl, Gloria Andrews. Who even dyes their hair a color like that? All it would do is make you stand out more. I shake my head and continue on my way. She's not even here today so hopefully she won't volunteer. I don't want to have to deal with somebody like her.
I decide that I should head home first before going to the Reaping. Though I definitely can't be late, I also need to be sure to look presentable. With the Capitol, first impressions are important and I don't want to mess it up by seeming dirty.
About fifteen minutes later, I'm in the living room of my house. My father sits on the sofa and stares at me disapprovingly. "Were you not supposed to be at the Reaping already?" he asks, and I sigh.
"Father, there's still an hour until the Reaping begins. What am I going to do if I get there so early?" I begin. "Also, I was thinking of changing. I feel dirty, and I want to make a good impression on the audience when I'm on the stage."
Father continues to stare at me in the same way he was earlier. "You're right. Go change," he tells me, and motions me to go upstairs. I gladly oblige, relieved to be out of his line of sight.
Caiden Gold, my father. He and I have never had a close relationship, but recently it seems like we're drifting further and further apart. We can't have a single conversation without him giving me that weird look of his. It really is a shame, I think, and open the door to my closet. It's time to pick something out.
After a few minutes I finish changing. I've chosen to wear a white dress shirt and straight, black pants. It doesn't look like I'm trying too hard, and it also looks a little classy. It looks better than the dirty clothing I was wearing earlier, at least, and that's what is important for now.
I head downstairs and out the front door. I'm surprised to see that my father isn't in the living room, but I don't bother looking for him. There's something more important for me to do right now.
I step around the house until I see a small stone surrounded by a pile of withered flowers. I reach into my pocket and take out a few white clovers, placing them atop the pre-existing pile. I sit on the grass and close my eyes. It's the last time I can speak to my mother before my departure, and I need to make it count.
My mother, Marilyn Gold, has always been supportive of me. She died a couple years ago because of the high levels of mercury in the district. She was the one who encouraged me to enroll in the Career Academy, and she's also supported me throughout the various hardships in my training. Even in her death I can hear her voice whispering me words of encouragement. I smile and stay at the grave for a few more minutes, telling her of what had happened these last couple days.
"Mother… Today is the Reaping. I intend to volunteer just as you've always told me to do. I've been training hard, and I know it'll all pay off," I open my eyes. "I'll give you a performance you can see from your grave. I'll show the world exactly what I'm made of, count on it."
I pick up the withered flowers from the ground and toss them into a nearby bush. "I have just one more promise to make, Mother," I start, already in the process of getting back up on my feet. "I'll make it back. For myself, but, mainly, for you."
With that I stand and head towards the Reaping. I turn around and take one last look at the grave. I'll be back, I promise to myself. I'll be back in just a few weeks.
Gloria Andrews || 18 || District One Female
I wake up in the morning and the sunlight that filters through the lavish curtains shines on my face. It's hard for me to open my eyes, but I do so anyway because I love to see my room. It's decorated with all the best furnishings that can be found in the District, and it's beautiful, just like me.
I try to get out of bed but some cramps in my side almost cripple me. "Shit", I mutter to myself. It's never a good way to start a day when I can't even sleep properly the previous night.
The bright light outside tells me something else that I've forgotten. "Ah! Yes… there was a breakfast today at the Academy," I rest my head on the pillow again. "Oh well. Already too late."
I hear a voice yelling at me from downstairs which I recognize as my mom's. "Gloria Andrews! Come down here immediately!" I should probably listen to her but I'd rather stay in bed right now. Later will do — I'm still too exhausted to wake up properly.
Speaking of my mom, her name is Astra Andrews. She's the mayor of District One and is very wealthy. She ignores me often, and only talks to me if there's something she wants me to do. Her expectations for me are immensely high, but I need to fulfill them or else she ignores me. I absolutely despise being left alone. She knows this, and that's probably why she does it, just to get into my skin.
I grudgingly leave my fluffy blankets and get up. Though I may want to stay in bed longer, I know that that's not the best choice for me right now. I don't need my mom to yell at me an hour before the Reaping. I walk down the stairs and see both my mom and my dad sitting at the dining room table. My dad gives me a concerned look, and I grin.
My dad's name is Ether Andrews. I like him a little more than my mom because he pays more attention to me. That's really not saying much though. He holds the same expectations for me as my mom does so often he ignores me as well. I hate both of my parents for this. I wish they wouldn't neglect me.
"Snap out of it!" my mom yells. "Are you even listening?"
"Of course! Why wouldn't I?" I answer with a sweet smile.
"Liar. I know you're not."
That comment of hers scares me. I definitely don't want to disappoint her. "Sorry! I didn't mean to be deceitful," I apologize. My mom glares at me and, though I should probably be scared, I love it. Even if it's negative, the more attention the better!
My dad clears his throat. "Gloria, go upstairs and change okay?"
I giggle and flip my hair. "Okay, okay! I'll go do that then!" With that said, I head up immediately into my bedroom.
The room has a large mirror that sits atop the clothing drawer. I look at my reflection and smile brightly at what I see. My long, pink hair and small, red tattoo under my eye give me the appearance that can set me apart from everyone else. Everybody always stares at me because of it, and it's amazing! When my mom let me get these body modifications, I was so excited. I knew it was expensive, but she did it for me anyway. That's probably the best thing she's ever done for my benefit.
Yes, you could easily say I'm spoiled. I am the child of the mayor of the richest District in Panem. Why wouldn't I be spoiled? However, the gifts I get are only materialistic. They may give me pretty furniture and I may have had a fancy makeover, but that doesn't mean my parents love me. If I don't fulfill my end of the bargain, I'm as good as useless to them. It's for this reason that I needed to become a Career and train. Neither of my parents could become a volunteer for the Games, and so they push all those dreams they once had on me. If I don't volunteer they'll disown me. If I don't become Victor, I'll be a simple disappointment. There's only one thing I can do for them to notice me.
They may not listen now. I might just be a simple nuisance. However, if I enter the Games and win, won't I finally have my glory? Won't my parents finally notice me?
Just the thought makes me smile as I skip back downstairs to greet them. They give me a cold stare, but it doesn't worsen my mood.
The air outside refreshes my emotions even more. In less than an hour, everybody will watch me! They will plaster my face on television screens and on posters in the Capitol, and I can't wait another second. Even if they don't like me, I know they'll notice my presence. I know I can do it because that's what I do the best. I naturally stand out in pretty much every environment.
I'm almost nearing the town square now. I hear voices around me whispering as I walk by.
"Is it that one spoiled brat? The mayor's daughter?" somebody snickers.
"I hear she will be the female volunteer. I doubt a girl like her will last a single day." another mutters.
"Are you crazy? Have you ever seen her train? She's amazing!" a third person exclaims. I grin and walk up to the group of people, moving my hips as I do.
"My name is Gloria Andrews, and I intend to volunteer today. Don't worry!" I stand tall and raise my voice. "I'll last more than a day, just for you, little boy, and I will outlast everybody in that foreseen arena. Just wait."
Aaron Gold || 18 || District One Male
Our escort this year is a short woman who is green from head to toe. Her dress is nearly non-existent, and it seems repulsive. Most escorts look like utter crap, but this one is particularly disgusting. I look away, not wanting to see her anymore.
The woman is repeating the same speech she says every year. It's boring, but I keep my ears open. I need to be aware for the time when she calls the female tribute.
The escort, whose name I now know is Leema, struts over to the girl's bowl. I switch my attention to the girl's section of the crowd to see firsthand who the volunteer will be.
"The female…"
"I volunteer!" shouts a voice from the crowd. I groan when I see the person who has stepped forward. Gloria Andrews. The annoying attention seeker with the dumb hair and even dumber personality. I narrow my eyes and observe her movement as she walks up to the stage. It's obvious that she's trying to show off her body as much as possible. I guess some people could see her as attractive, but I definitely can't see her that way. She looks like an idiot.
She gets on stage and waves at the crowd. A few people wave back, but it evidently isn't as many as she hoped. She pouts and grabs for the microphone before Leema can even hand it to her. "My name is Gloria Andrews, and I'm your Victor from District One!"
So, on top of her obvious frivolousness she's also arrogant? Whatever. I'll have more time to observe her later when we're alone in the train.
Leema walks up to the male bowl and fishes for a name. "And the male tribute is…"
"I volunteer, as well," I interject, stepping out of the crowd. I feel everybody's eyes on me, and there isn't as much applause as there was for Gloria. That was an obvious fact from the start, though, since I'm not as well known as she is. That's because I don't show off as much as she does and also because my personality isn't as noticeable as hers.
I make my way to the stage and stand alongside Gloria. She gives me a wink and tries to touch my shoulder. I shrink away from her touch, disgusted. She frowns and, disappointed, looks away.
"And your name is?" Leema asks.
"Aaron Gold. I will come back to this district as Victor." The crowd applauds and I give them a grin. I don't want to seem arrogant, but I need to show confidence to rival Gloria's or else the Capitol will leave me on the back-burner.
"Okay! Aaron and Gloria, our pair from District One, please shake hands!"
We do so, but Gloria gives me a menacing look the whole time. I ignore it, and she backs away from the handshake almost immediately.
Barely a minute has passed since I volunteered but I already have a bad relationship with my district partner. It will be a fun next few days.
Gloria Andrews || 18 || District One Female
I sit in the goodbye room, frustrated. That stupid kid… Who does he think he is, treating me as I if I don't matter? Anyway, there's no reason he should have volunteered. He's nowhere near our strongest Career — all he does is stare at people all the time. I wish that my partner could have been someone more useful.
His lack of skill isn't the main reason I wish he hadn't volunteered, though. It's the way he behaves for goodness' sake! I can sometimes feel his gaze watching me during training, but when I try to confront him he looks away as if I'm insignificant. Not only did he ignore me during training, but he also dares to do the same in the Reaping! How can anybody be so cold when I, Gloria Andrews, touch them? I doubt that he's mentally okay, and if he is, then he must be a good actor, putting on that kind of farce.
I bury my face into my hands. That situation was so humiliating! The Capitolites will think I'm an idiot now. I'll definitely have to make up for it. That's an idea I'll save for another time, though. For now, I have to wait for my parents to come visit me. Just as I expected, they're late. Do they care so little about me they wouldn't even say goodbye?
Just as I almost lose all hope, my dad walks into the cold, enclosed room. He seems visibly upset, but I don't question him about what's wrong. "Where's mom?" I ask him. He glares at me, furious eyes nearly piercing through my soul.
"We argued. Just like always," he spits. How typical. My parents are always fighting, but I didn't expect them to do so on Reaping day. I guess they can't make a single exception to their rule.
"Just like always," I sigh, hiding my true emotions behind a large, fake smile.
"Yeah. Anyway, Gloria," he begins. "I wanted to wish you good luck. I know it's not enough for your mom, but I'm proud that you volunteered. I know you can pull it off."
I gasp, causing my dad to shake his head. A compliment from either of my parents is a rare occasion, so his words are a huge surprise. "Thank you so much! I don't know what I'd do without you!" I cry in a childish voice. My dad grimaces and starts to leave.
"I'll see you in a couple weeks, okay?"
"Yes! Sounds like a plan!"
He exits, and my mom immediately enters. She slams the door shut behind her and forces her way towards me.
"Look. I know that you volunteered and that you expect something from me. However, my expectations for you still stand," she backs away. "Remember that if you don't win, you're just going to be a disappointment. Nothing more."
She exits the room, slamming the door behind her. I can't help but grin. Though she had seemed stern at that moment, it was still attention. As long as people pay attention to me, I don't care how I'm perceived. I giggle in my seat until the Peacekeepers take me away. Come on, capital! I'm coming for you now!
Alright, one reaping done! It's only been one introductory chapter and I'm already excited to write them in later chapters... Thanks for the tributes!
I'm also surprised that I've had tributes come in this quickly, haha. I was expecting a lot less after only having one chapter. I'm glad you guys support this :) There are still 13 spots left for anybody interested. Information is in my profile.
Anyway... Which tribute do you like better? Do you have any predictions about them? Anything that I can improve? I don't mind constructive criticism as long as it's not outright rude. It would be cool to see what you guys think!
I'll have the next chapter out in the next week. Thanks for reading!