Justin Reeves POV

The back of my eyelids filled with an orange glare, informing me that the sun had risen. I opened them, and saw my father opening the curtains of my bedroom, a slight twinge of worry across his face.

"Wake up, Justin, it's reaping day."

I didn't respond, just quietly flopped out of bed and began to get ready for the day. I am very fortunate I live in District 1, I thought as I examined what clothes I would wear to the reaping ceremonies. I'm a strong boy, for 16 years old. Even if by
some twist of fate I do get selected for the games, I think I would fare pretty well. My family weren't as crazy about the games as most people in District 1. There were always so many volunteers, I would never do that. But, we weren't really opposed
to the games, either. It was just something the Capital had always did, and always will do. No sense in questioning it.

As I poured myself a small serving of beans into a bowl, my mother entered the room and gave me a large hug. I couldn't ask for better parents. They were always there for me, and didn't force me to go into the tribute training facilities to prepare for
the games.

"I think I'm gonna volunteer this year, mom." I said,trying to keep a serious face as best I could.

"Not funny, Justin. You know I couldn't bare losing you."

"Alright Ma," I said while slowly chewing the beans in my mouth. "What time do we have to leave for the reapings."

"We only have about fifteen minutes, I'd expect you to be ready by now!" She said, now frantically running to grab my shoes and socks. I finished my beans, and scurried across the house getting ready.

It was finally time to leave, we headed to the middle of the town square of District 1. It was where the reapings were every year. I looked up at the guard tower perched about the stage where the tributes to be presented. There weren't usually any peacekeepers
with snipers posted on the tower, frankly because almost everyone loved the Capitol in District 1. Ever since President Ackley took over, he had been giving us and District 2 much more food and supplies than the other districts.

"Alright son, go get in line with the other sixteens. I'll see you after the ceremonies." His dad said, trying to act nonchalant.

"We love you, Jeremy." His mom added. As soon as I got in line with a few of my friends, the head stylist came onto the stage. She was followed by one of the victors from District 1, Axel Ruschmeyer. Axel had killed seven people the year he had won the
games, it set a record. I remembered those games, they were very fresh in my head, he used just a pale brown brick to beat the last one's skull in. He admired Axel, he wasn't a volunteer, and he still dominated the competition.

Aria Hilton POV

I lay awake on my bed, no covers pulled over my face. I couldn't sleep at all last night, due to the reapings being the day after. Which is today. I ran my hand through dirty blonde hair which was now parted on the wrong side. Everybody told me I was
a pretty girl, I have deep blue eyes and a good body. Boys were attracted to me, I had to keep my guard up at all times. I never knew who to trust, there's so many bad people in District 1 that it's hard to pick the good people out. I decided to just
get out of bed and go downstairs. The attempt to get some sleep was futile, but as long as I'm not the one picked today, I'm not going to complain. As I crept into the kitchen I saw my mother sitting there.

"You're up early, Ariana." She said quietly. She was the only person who called me by my full name, Ariana. My friends just call me Aria.

"Couldn't sleep." I told her truthfully.

"Yeah me neither. Ever since Jason was picked, this day is just—". My mother tried to finish her sentence but couldn't. Jason was my brother. He was chosen in the 43rd Hunger Games. He jumped off the pedestal early, and died instantaneously. He didn't
really have a shot at winning anyways, he was only twelve. That's one of the reasons I hate the Capital. They took my twin brother away from me.

"Morning Aria, morning honey." My father greeted my mother and I while jolting into the room.

"I told Zeek I'd meet him by the tower and we would walk in together."

"Well then, you better get going, we don't want you to be late for that, now would we." My mother said with a grin on her face. The same grin she had every time I hung out with a boy. I felt my cheeks starting to burn. Zeek was really my boyfriend, he
was just someone that I knew I could trust. He was friends with my brother before the Capital took him. He has been there for me ever since.

I headed out and got on my bike, and rode over towards the Town Square. As I approached closer I saw Zeek standing there waiting for me.

"Hey there, Princess". He exclaimed. He always called me Princess because he said he thought I looked like that of all of the princesses in fairytales. "Happy Reaping Day!" He joked. More than a twinge of sarcasm in his voice.

"Shut up, Zeke". I tried to sound playful.

"After this I'll meet you at the mill and we can go steal some of Mr. Bergmann's bread, sound good?" On any other day a laugh would have arose from my throat. As kids, we used to sneak over to the bread shop and steal a few loaves every week. Some of
the best memories I have are with Zeek. I agreed to the meeting and we heading into the rows of people, awaiting the calling of the two unlucky children.

Justin Reeves POV

"Welcome, welcome, to the start of the biggest event of the year." The woman stylist called out. I didn't like her too much,it's as if she enjoyed being there a little too much. "Now, for the boy that will be represent District 1".

She reached into the bowl and pulled out a small piece of paper. Her Rees darted around the open space once more before returning to the paper.

"Justin Reeves."

Son of a bitch, of course it's me. I have the worst luck of all time. I couldn't feel anything. All I could think of was putting one foot after the other as I stepped out of the row I was standing. I kept my head down, trying not to draw any more attention
to myself, but to no avail, as the whole crowd was already staring at me. Right when I was going to head up the aisle towards the stage, suddenly I was grabbed from the back. A medium sized man now held a revolver up to my temple, with him arm around
my throat.

"I'll kill you without hesitation if you move one muscle." He whispered to me. I nodded in agreement, showing him I understood and would follow the terms.

"I'll kill your precious tribute if you don't give me some more food. I'm starving on the side of the streets while you pricks are living the good life." The man said, tightening his grip on me. I don't know why came over me, but I knew what I had to
do. I swung my right leg forward to get momentum and swung it into his shin. Then I swing my head back and hit him square on the chin, in shock he let go of me and I punched him in the face multiple times, and took the gun from the ground next to
him. The peacekeepers then came over to me.

"Are you alright?" One asked me.

"District One is in good hands this games." Said another. I didn't quite think of that, but now that I did, that probably made me look pretty appealing to the sponsors. I could only hope that as many of them as possible were watching it. I took a minute
to gather myself, then walked up to the stage. Now that it was over, panic was finally setting in. I am going in the Hunger Games. This will probably be the last time I will ever see my family.

Aria Hilton POV

I couldn't believe what had just transpired with the male tribute. I recognize him, I remember him vaguely but couldn't remember where from. Everyone was a little more on edge after that whole fiasco, and all I could hope was that I wasn't chosen. Although
I was strong, and smart, and good looking, I didn't want to risk dying in the games. I have too much going for me.

The stylist, clearly she too was thrown-aback on the prior events that had occurred, stepped up to the podium once more.

"Well, I guess we should've gone ladies first. Oh well, ladies it's now your turn."

She picked up the piece of parchment and grasped it firmly in her hand. She unfolded it and began to speak the name.

"Ariana Hilton."

I feel as if I didn't hear her right, this is impossible. No way two people from the same family could both be reaped. My vision became a bit blurry, confusion overwhelming my brain. I saw Zeek running over to me, he gave me a hug and the peacekeepers
had to rip him off of me just so I could get up to the stage. I couldn't even think right now, my mind was still in denial. As I made my way up the steps to the stage, I saw the boy who was reaped reach for my hand. I let him take it, soon we were
hand in hand, both shaking of nervousness.

"There you have it. Our District One Tributes!" The stylist called out, her voice seemed to ring in the air for hours.