District 1 Reaping

Shimmer Starlight POV

"Hi Shimmer Starlight here! No, this is my natural hair colour! Of course I do my own stunts! Why, thank you Mr Miles, your very handsome yourself" I say into my hairbrush, practising for my interview.

I've been researching since I found out the games were back on. Raymond Miles, who has his own show, The Raymond Show (how original, right?), is going to interview the tributes a couple of days after they're reaped. I've also decided I'm not bothering volunteering. I know I'm gonna get picked and I know I'm gonna win. I'm certainly not bringing shame to my district like some of the other District 1 girls. This one ridiculous girl named Glimmer fell in love with this District 2 guy (unless she was playing him, which even in my books is pretty clever) and then fell asleep on the job. But, it gets worse. She didn't win obviously but she didn't even die fighting, she got stung by some wasps then just died. She didn't even run, she just screamed. I won't make that kind of mistake. I put the finishing touches on my mascara and brush my hair until it has waves the sea would be jealous of. As I walk into the kitchen, my brother, Crimson stares at me in awe. Then he steps closer and bows to me-

"Why Miss Shimmer, you look beautiful" he says, before bursting out laughing.

I go to storm away but he pulls me back and to my shock, hugs me. My brother isn't an emotionless ogre or anything, but he's not exactly the clingy type. After a couple of seconds, he lets me go.

"Seriously Shim, I hope you get what you want today. Good luck kiddo" he smiles ruffling my hair.

I'm actually quite touched by this gesture but I give him an angry push.

"Do you know how long it took to get my hair like this? Besides I'm not a kid, I'm 18" I say, trying to sound fierce.

"You're still a kid Shim" he says sadly.

He stares at me for a few seconds and I wonder if I'm supposed to say something or hug him back or just leave altogether. Luckily my father walks in and breaks the silence.

"Morning, you two" he says looking directly at Crimson.

Honestly, it's my day, can't he stop idolising he actually give a shit about me today? Suddenly he registers me properly.

"Shimmer, what are you wearing?" he asks.

"Actually Shim, what are you wearing?" Crimson asks, as if he's just noticed.

I mean, my mint green dress is pretty damn fabulous. I made it a few days ago. I've always had a knack for that sort of thing; well that and getting what I want. I wanted to make sure it was done quickly so I could get my beauty sleep last night. The problem is, I was in such a rush there are a couple of loose stitches here and there.

"I made it myself. I have to make an impression of I'm gonna be a District 1 tribute" I explain casually.

"A what?" asks my father.

"A tribute, daddy. You know, for the Hunger Games?"

"You mean your volunteering?" asks my brother in a terrified voice.

"No, but I know I'm going to get picked. It's my destiny" I say, slightly annoyed.

Why can't they just be happy for me?

"It's your destiny to die? It's your destiny to kill 23 people?" Crimson yells almost spitting at me.

Then I realise my father is cut out of this conversation, it's just Crimson and me.

"Chill out. I won't be killing them all" I laugh, trying to turn it into a joke.

"You're sick! I thought you were terrified about today"

Terrified? Me? Does he know me at all?

"Whatever, your just jealous Crimson. You always have been" I snarl.

Before Crimson can live up to his name and explode into red hot anger, we hear knock at the door. I turn my back on them.

"Don't bother coming to the reaping. I'll see you when I've won".

Topaz Martin POV

"You ready Topaz?"

"Ready dad"

"Good man! Now give me twenty!"

I happily do twenty push ups easily. These games are gonna be a piece of cake. I can't wait to be a victor.

"Permission to go get breakfast?" I joke to my dad.

"Permission granted"

I run down the stairs where my mom has just finished dishing up some fresh pancakes.

"Here you go sweetie! I got an extra one here, in celebration of the big day" my mom grins.

Me and my parents get on really well- always have. My dad's been training me all my life and now I get to put it into practise. Who wants to join the stupid army anyway? I get on with my mom better though, she's always sweet to me and my sister but I'm her favourite. I scoff down the pancake in excitement and then my father comes and sits by me.

"Listen son, I know you might not get picked today but you remember what to shout if you don't" he asks, uncertainly.

"I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE" I yell.

My mom and my sister laugh but my father smiles in pride.

"That's right son. Now remember in the arena, you're a Martin man, and Martin men don't lose" he says firmly.

"Ok dad. I'll make you all proud" I reply.

And I will. I don't mind killing people. I've been trained all my life not to have mercy. I won't kill animals but people? Easy.

Shimmer Starlight POV

"Good luck out there guys. I wish I had your chance" smiles my friend Cherry.

She's 19 so she's too old to be in the games now. She moves out of the way and stands with the parents. I see my other friends Sapphire and Dove leaving a space for me in the line but I need to say goodbye to Sparks first. Sparks is my boyfriend- we've been dating for about 2 years now. We met in training and he helped me with my bow and arrow skills but I didn't need any help with knife throwing. Please! Sparks squeezes my hands tight and then suddenly kisses me passionately. I'm caught off guard but naturally I don't resist and if you saw Sparks you'd know why. After we've kissed, he gazes at me and then suddenly gives me a hopeful look.

"Are you wearing-?" he begins to ask.

I jangle the bracelet he gave me and he laughs. Before he can say anymore, I go to join Sapphire and Dove. But Sparks calls me and I turn around.

"Shimmer!" he yells but I'm too far away to hear the rest so I just look to the stage.

I wonder who the escort will be- our escorts take us to and from the Hunger Games events; you know training, interviews, that sort of thing. I'm really excited to see who ours will be. To my joy, a grinning blonde woman who doesn't look much older than me takes the stage. She doesn't look that smart but she is wearing a tasteful light blue sundress which means she clearly has good taste so hopefully she'll have some excellent interview tips. Not that I'll need them with all of my practise, but I don't want the District 1 boy letting us down. This all seems to be going perfectly. The only thing that could go wrong is if Sparks is picked. And I don't wanna do the stupid "star crossed lovers" thing. So District 12! But that probably won't happen. The blonde woman walks up the microwave.

"Welcome to the 76th Annual Hunger Games! My name is Elina Blossom and I will be the District 1 escort for the foreseeable future and may I just say what an honour it is to be the escort for such a lovely, classy district. May the Odds be Ever in your Favour! So, ladies first" she grins.

Elina Blossom speaks kind of like a chipmunk. She kind of has teeth like one too. She struts over to the bowl containing the girls' names as if she's been practising her walk for weeks (we have more in common than I thought we would). She picks the first piece of paper she touches and pulls it out. I can't see the name from here. Is that an "S"? Is it me? Elina walks up to the podium and unfolds the paper. Come on it's got to be-

"Shimmer Starlight" Elina says cheerfully.

It's all I can do not to scream "YES!" at the top of my voice. I put on my best smile and do my pre-practised walk up to the stage, feeling like I'm shimmering all over for the whole of my district to see.

"Congratulations honey. And now for the boys" Elina giggles girlishly.

I don't really pay attention as she does her own practised walk to the bowl containing the boys' names. That is, until I actually hear the name.

"Sparks Gold"

Topaz Martin POV

I tap my foot impatiently, waiting for them to finish the girls reaping. To be honest, I'm not excited escort wise if this is it. This blonde airhead. Saying that, the red head for this District doesn't look too clever either. Oh wait there going to announce it…

"Sparks Gold"

I'm quite near the front so I can see the look of panic that appears in the District 1 girls face. Sparks Gold walks out of the 18 year old males' line, towards the stage. He doesn't look too happy. He looks at the girl but she seems as helpless as him. Well, it's time

"I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!" I yell and suddenly the boy gives me a grateful look.

The District 1 girl just looks relieved. I run up to the stage, waving to the crowd excitedly once I'm up there and I get a good look at the girl. She's wearing some mint green home-made looking dress with some heels. But then a notice the muscles on her arms. I'm gonna have to watch out for her.

Shimmer Starlight POV

Oh my god. For a minute, I'd have to fight Sparks. I could probably fight anyone, even Crimson, without feeling too guilty but not him. Not Sparks. As the boy who volunteered gets onto the stage bounces up there like some kind of excited puppy, I see him properly for the first time. He's quite small; no older than 12 or 13. He doesn't look like he's too strong or fast or even smart. But I won't let him deceive me. I'm the deceiver not the person who gets deceived. It might be difficult to kill him though; he's so small, I'll leave it to someone else. Once again Elina takes the stage and stand up to the podium.

"A volunteer? Is that allowed?" she asks nervously.

Silly Elina, of course it's allowed. But then I realise why this boy volunteering is bad thing. He's done me a favour. Now I have to give something in return. I owe him.

Hope you enjoyed that first reaping. I don't know if the others will be as long, we'll see how I go. I'll write District 2's next. May the Odds be Ever in Your Favour