Reapings

Chapter 1 - District 1 Reapings

Mace POV

"Come on boys, we've got to go don't want Mace to be late for his reaping, do we?" Father shouted out to us in the back garden where we getting some final hand-to-hand combat training in.

Today was the day I was going to volunteer.

Today was the day I was going to bring my family honour.

My dear sister volunteered last year, she unfortunately died in the final 2 from a petty mistake I would of EASILY avoided, getting distracted by a little cut made her competitor a district 9 boy easily stab her in the heart immediately killing her.

I quickly rush inside to go prepare for the reapings, I had to look fresh as I would be broadcasted to my future allies from the career pack. I quickly brush my brown hair into a respective looking manner, put on a nice suit father got for me when he was out yesterday for business. As I look into the mirror, father must of gotten this made especially for me as the colours make my eyes pop and I look very handsome. I then head back downstairs to get a bite to eat and say farewell to my family as the next time I'll be seeing them is in the final goodbye room. Well, the final goodbye for 23 other tributes that is. As I'll be returning.

I rush out the door make my way to a pre-determined spot my girlfriend Diamond and I always meet up at. I give her a quick peck on the cheek as we start walking towards the reapings. Diamond has never officially trained to enter, her father would never let her as he was the mayor of District One and didn't want his honour being ruined by his daughter possibly dying in the games. We quickly check in and I stand on the edge of the 18 year old section so I'm prepared to dash in to volunteer.

The mayor stands up and gives his speech I've heard too many times to care and quickly zone out, till I see our escort stand up. "Are we all ready to see who our wonderful tributes for this years amazing Hunger Games will be?" She asks in a high pitched voice that actually hurts my head. She steps over to the male bowl and pulls out a name no one will ever hear. I quickly shout out "I volunteer as tribute!" before anyone has a chance to take my spotlight.

I then lightly jog my way up to the stage, just incase anyone decided to pull a fast one. Once I get there I grab the microphone and say "It's a wonderful opportunity to be able to represent this amazing district in the Hunger Games, I'll be sure to bring home honour and a victor! Second is the first loser!" I finish with our family motto after our sister coming second. The escort then moves to the females bowl and I zone out not caring really who it is.

Brandi's POV

I see Mace managed to volunteer and make it to the stage in one piece and I'm very happy for him, now I have to manage to do the same. I hear him finish his speech with that silly motto they came up with and the escort congratulate him, I then see her move to the females bowl. I spare a quick glance around and my heart skips a beat, Mandi, my arch rival from the academy I see is preparing to run for the spot as well. Let's see how well she can pit against me, the pre-determined district 1 female tribute, I've been getting special training for running and quick hand-to-hand combat to disable someone for a brief time to grab a weapon or in this case run ahead.

I just catch the escort saying "Jordana" a 13 year old girl with huge promise I've seen who's just started training. Unfortunately Mandi got the headstart from me being distracted by the name call out, luckily for me I'm excellent in throwing knives, or in this case heels, I quickly slip my heels off and expertly knock the back of her knees out and make her crash to the ground and I quickly step over her and sprint to the stage.

"Well hello dear, that was quite an excellent shot you did to that girl" I hear the escort chirp next to me, "and what's your name?" I then take the microphone off her and speak out to the crowd "My name is Brandi Stevens, expect to hear that name at the end of the games announced as victor, I'm sure as hell gonna be there to the end!" I finish to amazing applause, I just lap in. I think that was quite satisfactory as a first impression to everyone!

The escort claps quite as loud as everyone else, after the clapping has ended she asks us to shake hands. And me and Mace quickly shake hands and he gives me a reassuring smile and we head into the justice building, the part I've been dreading most about volunteering. The final goodbyes, where I have to stay farewell to my family for possibly a month! I'm sure my brother will just constantly be bombarding me with tips, he's the only one we didn't tell incase he freaked out.