The Reapings Of District One

'To wear your heart on your sleeve isn't a very good plan; you should wear it inside, where it functions best' – Margaret Thatcher

Pearl – Mentor District One

It is with great pride I look about this academy. My baby. I remember last year chatting to my friend Bullet about the academy in District 2. Bullet had started it in a warehouse on the outskirts of the district. It had been a shabby training centre, but it had worked for him. The following year District 2 had their second victor, an 18 year old volunteer called Caleb. The mayor had been astonished to see how easy it was to fight back. He pumped a lot of money into the academy that year. Unfortunately for him a lad from five had the determination of kings and destroyed the arena that year. He took out his biggest threats first, District 2. Nobody expected it. The following year two fought back and had a third male victor. Kyle Joseph. They had learned that strength was important, but a good victor needs to be smart too. That's where I came in. The next year I entered those games and outwitted every last one of them. I was brilliant. When I mentored the following year I was stuck with the two most pathetic tributes. Neither had a chance. I was fuming. A young fisher girl from four won. Mags.

Then last year. Last year Bullet, Mags and I encouraged our tributes to team up. It had been a disaster. My female tribute was silly and weak. She was decapitated in the bloodbath at the Cornucopia. The four girl was killed there too. Then my boy went rogue, killed off the tributes from two and split with four. He ended up losing his life in the final three. It took a long while for Bullet to trust I hadn't been involved. When he eventually spoke to me we agreed to improve my tributes by building an academy in my district. The mayor loved the idea and plowed a ton of cash into the venture. Families paid everything they could to have their children attend. So this year District 1 is sending the best of the best into the Hunger Games.

I stand watching Emerald and Shine sparring. They both have fire within them. Emmie is 17, which is younger than I had wanted, but she is far more skilled than our other girls. Shine is a machine. He's 18 and an amazing fighter, particularly skilled with the sword. I'm a lucky mentor. Bullet won't know what hit him!

Emerald Banks – District One

I do wish Pearl would stop staring at us. We're ready, there's no doubt. I'm avoiding the swings Shine is throwing at me and sending jabs back. He's pissed me off this morning again, talking about the baby. Recently Shine and I had an unwanted pregnancy. I chose to terminate it. Shine's father took me to a physician in the Capitol. I had just started my training and a baby would have ruined everything. Shine was distraught and takes it out on me both in and out of training. He thinks I should have kept the baby.

When Shine told me he was also volunteering this year I was incredibly upset. Why this year? He knew it was important to me. Now we'll never be able to marry and start a family when we're ready. I often suspect he was hoping to force me to drop out, but I'm far too stubborn for that. Plus I'd hate to let Pearl down. I'm the product of her hard work in this academy. My parents paid a fortune to let me train here and Pearl certainly delivered.

'Okay, time kids' Pearl shouts. I grab a towel and wipe down my brow. Shine steps over and shakes my hand. I offer a half-smile to him before stepping out of the sparring ring and heading to the ladies changing rooms.

I step into the shower and can't help but notice how many bruises I have over my body. Some are from training of course. Most are a product of Shine's temper. Shine and I have been together for four years now. My parents pushed me into it. Shine's family have a lot of connections in the Capitol and my family were keen to benefit from them. I obliged being the loyal daughter I am. Plus I thought Shine was hot. At first he treated me like a princess, buying me gifts, taking me to the local cafe for food, inviting me to visit the Capitol with him and his dad. Sadly this only lasted five or six months. Then the temper started to show. As first it was just shouting, threats. Then the odd slap followed by a barrage of gifts and apologies. Eventually it turned into full blown punches, followed by blame and days of silence. The Hunger Games felt like an escape at first, but now I think I love him regardless. And I'm petrified of killing him.

Shine Mackinaw – District One

Bitch I think to myself. Emerald can be so ungrateful sometimes. I clearly went soft on her, yet she couldn't even be bothered to thank me. Well woop de doo Emerald, I will kick your ass in the arena baby.

I head off to shower and change. I plan on being District 1's first male tribute. I'll be a damn hero, more famous than that Evan bitch, richer than Bullet and far more intelligent than Pearl. I'm better than Emerald. I'm smarter. Emerald hasn't bothered studying plant life, hunting, survivalism like I have. I know that a well rounded tribute is a winning tribute. Emerald thinks being able to plow a knife in my chest if she wants makes her superwoman.

I hate her. I hate that I love her. Most of all I hate that she thinks she aborted my baby. What Emerald doesn't know is that my baby is in an artificial womb in the Capitol. My Dad knows a great doctor up there who owed him a favour. Dad's a spy, but everybody just thinks he's a top jewels dealer, Emerald included. That's all she's going to know. Bitch.

When I dress I decide to head off to the square ready for the reaping. It's way too early, but I don't care. This year the district have been informed that Emerald and myself are volunteering. No-one else is permitted to volunteer and any rogue volunteering will be disregarded. District 1 want the best of the best entering the games this year. They have that in myself. I intend to win these games and I have a plan to do so.

Emerald Banks – District One

I know Shine will have headed over to the square early. I can read him like a book. I pop home to see my family for the last time before reaping. I'm blessed with a large family, however big family equals big amount of pressure to be somebody. They all love Evan Lawrence and think I should be the next Evan. I don't want to be the next Evan, I want to be the first Emerald. I guess sometimes people don't think the way I do.

'How was training sweetheart?' Mom asks the second I step through the kitchen door. She's baking something and the kids are running around her feet like little crazy monkeys.

'Fine' I reply quietly. I refuse to tell her the truth about Shine. She'd only try and excuse him. The last thing I want to hear right now is excuses for Shine's appaling temper.

I kiss the kids and nod to Dad, who is reading the District One newspaper 'The One'. It's mainly full of tripe about Capitol development, however today I see Pearl is front page news, talking about how the Academy will change the face of the Hunger Games. I hope she's right. For my sake! I pop upstairs to change into my reaping outfit, a simple blue lace dress. Shine has been told to wear a matching suit, but I'm fairly sure he'll be an asshole and wear his jeans and hoody. Pearl will be pissed, but she'll forgive him. She thinks the boy is an angel and can do no wrong.

Once I'm ready I head downstairs to say farewell to the family. I open the door and..

'SURPRISE!'

Congratulations banners adorn the kitchen which is full of my friends and family smiling. Being the first District 1 female Academy graduate is a huge deal and they are all incredibly proud of me.

'We just wanted to wish you the very best in the Games' Dad says giving me a big bear hug. For the first time in ages I feel close to him. It's nice.

We all sit for half an hour chatting about the Games, Shine, what my costume might be in the Chariot rides. I'm getting more and more excited by the second. Yet for a moment that sudden cold feeling of fear strikes me. It's kill or be killed in that arena. Survival of the fittest. Do I really have what it takes?

Eventually it's time to head off. I kiss my family and friends as I go off to be signed in. I try and find Shine, but he's lost in the crowds. I see Pearl stood on the stage with Juicy V'Lait our escort. Juicy is wearing lime green wedge shoes this year with an all black dress, make-up and wig ensemble. It actually looks pretty hot. She's one of the better put together escorts. Some of them are awful and gaudy looking.

Shine Mackinaw – District One

The mayor walks onto the stage, in his usual regal attire. He's a trumped up old git in my opinion, always covered in gold and jewels like he's some old King or something. He introduces Juicy who steps up excitedly.

'Ladies and gentlemen, Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favour. I'd like to take this moment to congratulate District 1 for embracing the games and opening a Bullet Daniels Training Academy. This would not have happened without your wonderful victor and mentor – Pearl!' and with that Pearl steps onto the stage to a round of applause. Pearl is the pride of District 1. A victor, a business woman and a mentor, she's everything our district stands for – success. Juicy steps forward again and shows the Treaty of Treason film.

'Given that we have two pre selected volunteers from your academy, I shall hand over to Pearl to announce District 1's first male and female Academy trained tributes.' This is it. Our big moment.

'Thank you Juicy.' Pearl steps forward. 'I'd like to start by introducing our female tribute. The top kniveswoman in the academy, with the looks to match – Emerald Banks'

Applause as Emerald steps onto the stage, her vibrant red hair blowing in the breeze. She's hot, I'll give her that.

'And our male tribute, a master swordsman, strong, skillful and well versed in survivalism, I give you Shine Mackinaw' That's my cue. I step up onto the stage waving at my audience. Pearl is throwing me pissed off looks, namely due to my lack of blue suit. I give Pearl a kiss on the cheek and shake Emerald's hand. Em smiles at me warmly and I forget about all the tension between us for a moment. This is it. This is the year District 1 own the Hunger Games.

A/N – Another note to remind you I still have slots left. Including my uber-important careers! PM me the form in my profile please!