Birdie Manes' POV
Today is the Reaping day for the 115th Hunger Games and here in District 2 everyone's excited.
I watch kids of all ages wander the streets with looks of great anticipation on their faces and I also see grieving parents who have lost their children in previous years (there are not many of them). The park area across from the justice building offers a great view of all the different types of people District 2 has to offer and at the moment I am perched on the branch of the giant willow tree in the centre.
I love to profile, I guess you could call it a hobby of mine.
I'm watching a lady in her mid-thirties feed small birds on one of the bench's across from the willow tree when I feel something hit my back.
"Ezra you dick." I say smiling as I jump out of the tree. I turn to face him and he grins at me.
"C'mon Birdie. Don't be mean" he gives me his lopsided grin that starts the butterflies in my stomach. I smile back at him more and he pulls me into a hug. "Those dimples are killing me." he whispers into my ear. I giggle and push him away. I steal a glance at him. His brunette hair is getting long and covers the top half of his forehead. Bluey-grey eyes that look like marble stare back at me and his toned body is a nice caramel colour. He would have a girlfriend already if he wasn't such an arsehole. But if I'm honest I'm glad he's the way he is, arsehole and all.
When I look back at his eyes they are staring at me intently and I know something's wrong.
"Ez? What's wrong?" I reach out and rest my hand on his shoulder.
"I have a bad feeling. You know… about today." The look in his eyes tells me he's not lying and is really scared. I pull him back into a tight hug my head resting on his chest.
"Hey, none of that. This year's our last year. And neither of us takes tesserae. We'll be fine. As long as you're not thinking about volunteering?" he looks down at me with a look that makes me regret saying the last bit. He looks like he's about to yell but he doesn't.
"Yeah… you're right. It's probably nothing." He tries to smile but it's tight and has no emotion in it.
I grab his hand and grin at him. "Come on then. We can't be late for the Reaping."
Lauis Smothers' POV
Like usual I wake up late. Today I wake up to my little sister Ana jumping on the end of my bed, giggling.
"Hey Ans. Stop that would ya?" I sit up and pull her into a tight hug. She's 13 but she is still the height she was at 8.
"Today is the day! You're actually gonna volunteer? I hope you don't chicken out."
I roll my eyes at her. Last year my sister's name was drawn from the Reaping bowl and last year she returned the victor. When Ana returned home my family then had three victor's, now it's my turn.
"Of course I'm gonna volunteer dork. Can't believe you would even doubt me." I fake being hurt and she starts giggling all over again.
After she calms down I tell her to scram while I get dressed. I pick out a plain white muscle shirt, khaki shorts and yellow sandals. I stand in the mirror for a few seconds and then realise something is missing. I grab the green bandana off of my bedside table/cabinet and tie it tightly around my wrist. I fix my hair so that it looks messy but not too messy and then head downstairs to the kitchen.
My whole family is sitting around the table eating when I walk in.
"Lauis, good to see you're finally up." My father, Nortark, says from the head of the table.
"Nortark, be nice. It's his special day." My mother, Carrie, sighs from the seat next to him.
"It's ok mum. He's right. I slept in." I grab an apple then head towards the back door. "I'm meeting Kamera at hers before the Reaping starts so I'd better go."
The sun beats down on the back of my neck as I leave the Victor's Village. Heading down all the back roads towards the outskirts of District 2 I see our old house. Compared to the Village it's tiny and I have hardly any memories of living there.
Right across the road from my old house is Kamera's. She's sitting on her porch when I walk up.
"Lau!" she says happily.
"Kammie!" I reply and we both just stand there looking at each other. Her long black hair is pulled back tightly into a ponytail and she is wearing a simple red singlet with a matching skirt.
"Can you believe todays the day?" I say to her. She looks up at me and smiles.
"I know. I can't believe you got chosen to volunteer. You must be so excited."
I smile and nod. "Of course I am. I'm gonna be the fourth Victor in my family."
She laughs. "Well come on then Victor. Or else we're gonna be late." She says as she grabs my hand and starts walking towards the Justice Building.
Birdie Manes' POV
As I take my place in the 18 year old female's section I start to look around. All around me are girls buzzing with excitement about this year's Reaping. The girl next to me has dark blonde hair and the greenest eyes I have ever seen. She looks extremely nervous but excited at the same time. She catches me looking at her and turns away.
"Good morning District 2 and welcome to the 115th Hunger Games!" Our Districts escort, Maureen Jinston squeals into the microphone. Maureen has been our districts escort since I can remember and every year he's had the exact same pale skin and long red hair. Her eyes this year however have changed. They are now a bright green instead of last year's pale blue.
"As per usual, Ladies first." She says as she reaches into the glass bowl to her left. She pulls out a slip of paper and reads it slowly.
"Emery Manes!"
As soon as I hear my name I plaster a smile on my face and head quickly up to the stage. I take my place to the left of Maureen and directly in front of the girls Reaping bowl.
Lauis Smothers' POV
As the girl stands onstage I finally get a glimpse of her face. She's the girl that watches everyone and hangs out with that jerk Ezra. I thought her name was Birdie?
"And the male tribute for District 2 is…. Ezra Mills!"
I laugh at myself quickly then run forward.
"I volunteer!" I yell at the top of my voice.
Peacekeepers clear a path to the stage for me as I walk up.
"Welcome boy. And what is your name?" Maureen smiles stiffly at me.
I look out over the age groups and lock eyes with Kamera.
"Lauis Smothers." I say proudly.
"Well there you go everyone! The tributes for District 2. Emery and Lauis! Now come on you two. Shake hands."
We do as she say and I lock eyes with Birde/Emery and feel a little bit sad, because in order for me to win she has to die.
A/N
Hi Everyone!
Majestic Unicornzilla I hope you like what I did with Birdie :) and the same with Lauis. Once again I hope I did them justice. Please continue submitting tributes, escorts, mentors and stylists there are still lost of spots to fill :)
Thanks
BadJokesAreTheBest
