AN: Hi everyone, so this is the first chapter of the actual story. The way we'll be doing POV's is one person from every district each chapter. It won't necessarily be boy, girl, boy, girl etc. but we'll try to keep them equal. Hope you enjoy!

Emaline Flows, D1

I carefully wrapped the tape around the base of the air horn, sticking it to the wall. I wiggled it a little, making sure it stayed in place, and then stood back. This would sure wake up my sisters... Smiling, I sat down at the table and spread butter on my toast. I left the other five pieces on the platter for the rest of my family.

"Delia! Daisy! I made you breakfast," I shouted at them. Delia stumbled out of her room still half-asleep, like she was every morning. She slowly came through the doorway, her hair in a huge rat's nest.

" Thanks, Ema- eep!" she shrieked as the door handle hit the air horn, making a loud honk. Delia jumped and put her hands over her mouth. I laughed, ignoring her glare.

"Really Emaline? An air horn? Where in the world- oh, stop smiling! It's not funny, you nearly gave me a heart attack!" I could tell Delia was trying to stay mad at me, but she was smiling.

"Shh, Daisy's about to come," I shushed her. Delia sat down and tried to act natural while eating her toast.

"Good morning, Daisy! How did you sleep?" my sister said in an overly cheerful voice.

"Why are you so- ah!" Daisy yelled in surprise when the air horn went off. Me and Delia exploded in laughter. "What the hell...Emaline! Is this really the day for a prank?"

"Well sorry. Just trying to lighten the mood," I said. I really thought people were too serious during the Reapings, and a few harmless pranks might do them some good. "I'd better take that off before mom and dad wake up. They'd be so mad at me." I got up and peeled the horn off the wall. It was true, my parents never really understood why I liked to prank people. Oh well, that's their problem.

Later, at noon, I walked down the paved streets to meet up with Victoria. She said she has 'something special' for me. I saw her at the corner of her street, in a dark purple dress and black flats.

"Hey," I greeted her. "What's my surprise?"

She rolled her eyes. "Here. It's a bracelet I found in the jewelry shop. I thought it would look good on you." Victoria held out a band of weaved leather strips, with golden charms spaced along the bracelet. I tied it on my wrist and admired it. It did look good against my light skin. "It can be your token."

I wasn't planning on volunteering for a few years, but my friend always liked to be prepared. "Thanks," I hugged her. "C'mon, let's go."

We got to the square early, as usual. I remained emotionless when the Peacekeeper put the needle into my skin, even though it hurt quite a lot. It was part of my training to not show any weakness. Victoria and I walked over to the 15 year old girls section, and watched it slowly fill up with people. I saw my sisters go to their spots, 13 and 14, chattering with their friends. The square quickly filled up with people, with fancy clothes and nervous looks. Finally Lilika Somi, our district escort stood at the podium. She gave her speech about the Hunger Games, the mayor gave his speech about his, and we watched the video of the rebellion and President Coin starting the Hunger Games. I was getting antsy, I wanted to see who the tribute was.

Lilika smiled widely and strode over to the girl's bowl. "The District 1 female tribute for the 125th annual Hunger Games is..." she dipped her manicured fingers deep into the bowl of slips, and brought out a small white paper. "...Emaline Flows!"

My eyes momentarily widened, but I got hold of myself remained emotionless. I walked to the stage, my dress swishing at my heels. Someone should have volunteered by now...I was getting closer to the stage...people were just watching me, staring at me with wide eyes...why the hell is no one volunteering? It's a career district, for god's sake! Then I realized, the Quell. No one in their right mind would volunteer for this one, with all the extra people to fight at the end. At least I'm prepared. I reached Lilika and gave a confident smile to all of Panem.

Leonato Tanner, D2

I ran my fingers through my hair, right in front of a group of teenage girls, and smiled flirtatiously at them. They dissolved in giggles and looked up at me dreamily. I strutted along the road to the reaping with Chase next to me, using his own tricks to get our dressed up peers. We got to the district square, and a group of my training buddies looked at me. I had loudly announced I was volunteering the day before in training, so they all knew to back off.

I stood impatiently through the speech, the video, the other speech, and finally the girl's reaping. Her name sort of stuck with me-Starlite- and she looked somewhat confident up on that stage. It was a shame she was going to die, she looked pretty. But then I glanced at Talia, and every thought of the girl disappeared. The escort had barely read the male name when I yelled out.

"I volunteer!" I shouted, and marched up to the steps.

The escort smiled and held the microphone to my mouth. "And what is your name?" she asked.

"Leonato Tanner," I announced proudly.

"Well, it looks like we have our male tribute!" she said, and the crowd applauded. I tried to catch Talia's eye, and when I finally did, she rolled her eyes. She may not think anything about my now, but when I win, she'll be all over me.

Cladwell Hitchens, D3

"Only two more years, then it's done," my sister reassured me. I smiled wearily over my bowl of cold grain. I knew the odds of me getting picked were miniscule, especially compared to the families that worked in the factories, but I still always felt queasy before the reapings. I didn't want to ever kill anyone again, accidentally or on purpose.

"Hurry up and get dressed, I thought you wanted to meet your friends before it starts." I nodded at my sister and went to my room. A button-down blue shirt and clean jeans hung in my closet for me to wear. Not much different from my work outfit, but oh well.

"Hey, Cladwell! How's it going?" my friend Steffan greeted me. I shrugged and kept my eyes toward the ground. "Aw, you don't have to be so mopey. What did the teachers say, the chances were a few hundred thousand to one? That's not even counting the tesserae."

"Yeah but...still. I don't like the idea of anyone going in there."

"Well, you can't change it. What are you gonna do, start another rebellion?" Steffan snorted, and even I smiled a little. We had been told the other rebellion was such a failure, there was really no use in even trying.

A while later, Steffan, Buck, Quincy and I were talking quietly in a small group. The whole square had already been filled up. I looked over at my family off to the side. My sister didn't have to be in the reapings any more, lucky her. I turned back to the stage. Everyone was quiet, and I realized the girl tribute had already been called. Her blue eyes darted throughout the crowd, trying to get a glimpse of everyone she knew before they took her off. It must be so terrible, knowing you're going to die, but you still have to try to survive because everyone is rooting for you-

"Cladwell," Buck whispered.

"What?" I whispered back, annoyed. It was rude to interrupt the reapings.

"You- you just got-"

"Cladwell Hitchens?" the escort said. "Where is Cladwell Hitchens?"

I stood there, dazed. How could I get reaped? The chances were way too small, she had to have said someone else...and yet everyone was staring at me, with sorry looks on their

faces. I looked at my family, and this time I walked up to the stage with slow, steady steps.

Savannah Jessica Pond, D4

The peacekeepers walked me into the Justin Building room, with a squishy daybed and long lengths of ocean-blue silk hanging from the walls. I collapsed onto the daybed, my head in my hands. I can't believe I had just volunteered. My long brunette hair fell in front of my face, and I brushed it out of the way. It seemed like the room had suddenly grown cold, and I wrapped my denim jacket around my arms.

The door opened. I looked up to see who my first visitor was, then my face hardened. My mother. The only reason I had volunteered, under her threat.

"I hope you're happy, mother," I said. She stared at me, then slowly nodded. "I'm going to die in there, you know it. "

"Nonsense. You've been in training since you were five, they're no match. We'll be living in the Victor's Village in a few weeks," a glazed look spread over my mothers eyes. "Everything I've ever wanted, with all that money I could do anything..."

I stood up and looked at her. "You make me sick," I said. I strode toward her. "Get out of here." I reached up my hands to shove her through the doors. "Get out! I never want to see you again!" She sneered and backed away toward the doors. "Get out!" I screamed, and shoved her as hard as I could towards the door. The peacekeepers came in and escorted my mother out, and shoved me back on the daybed. I glared at their backs as they walked back out.

I fingered the edge of my long white tank top, trying not to burst out in tears before the next visitor came. The doors opened again, and this time it was my sister who came through. She sat down next to me on the daybed, and we just sat there in silence for a few minutes. Finally, I took the long, black beaded necklaces from my neck and handed them to her.

"Here, I don't need these anymore. They won't do me any good in the arena." She nodded and took the beautiful string of stones. "Jamie, don't let mother-"

"I know, I know. I'm eighteen now remember? I can live in my own house when the reaping party is over. And you can live in your own once you win," she smiled.

"Mother said she would live with me in the victor's house. She said if she had to, she would force her way in."

"Not if we can help it," Jamie said. The peacekeepers opened the doors, and my older sister gave me one last hug. "You'll do good in there, trust me," she whispered.

Almost as soon as she left, my friends came in the room. Dana and Jason. We've been friends since we were eight, and I could trust them with anything.

"Hey Savannah," Jason said. I smiled. Everything that's happening right now, and he greets me with 'hey'.

"Hey," I said back.

"You're gonna win this thing, believe me." Dana said. "If there's anyone who can do it, it's you. You're hardcore, girl." I laughed.

"Yeah, whatever. I'm mostly worried about the last part...how am I gonna fight all those people?"

"Simple. Don't kill anyone." Jason said. We all laughed. That wasn't possible if I wanted sponsors. "But seriously, don't worry about it. All they'll have is a few days of training, and you have, what, eleven years?"

I shrugged. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

"Of course we're right. Oh and I forgot to tell you, when you win, I am so moving in with you." Dana said. I rolled my eyes. She was always complaining about her house. "Really, my house is the size of a big outhouse. "

"Fine, you can. But I-" the peacekeepers opened the doors again, and I had to say goodbye to my friends. I first went to Dana, and we hugged. "See you in a few months," I said. She smiled and walked out the door. Then I wrapped my arms around Jason's neck, and he murmured in my ear.

"You can do this, Savannah. I know you can." I smiled.

"Bye," I said softly.

"Bye."

Shadow Daniels, D5

Xander was waiting for me on my front porch, with a small white box. "You look nice," he said. I kissed his cheek.

"What's this?" I asked, indicating the box. He opened it and revealed a beautiful silver necklace. I gasped. "Oh my god...thank you!" He smiled his perfect smile and latched the necklace around my neck. It looked just right against my pale skin. He put his arm around my shoulders and we started walking toward the town square. The wind blew my long black hair all over the place, and I used a bobby pin to hold up my bangs to keep it out of my face.

"Hey Marisa!" Xander yelled. Our friend crossed the road toward us.

"Man, it's windy. Why today of all days?" she complained. "Where'd you get that necklace?"

"Xander," I responded, and smiled at him. He pulled me closer and kissed my forehead.

"Lovebirds," Melissa muttered, but I knew she was happy that me and Xander were finally together after years of childhood crushing.

At the logging table, where they prick your finger to keep track of the population, the Peacekeepers were chatting about something or other. I tapped my fingers loudly on the table, trying to get their attention, when finally I snapped.

"Would you hurry the hell up already?" I yelled at them. They looked at me, stunned, along with almost everyone else in line. I slammed my hand on the table. "If you're going to take this long, we might as well not even go!"

"Shadow. Calm down," Xander said soothingly from behind me. I threw my forearm next to the book, and the peacekeepers quickly took a drop of my blood. I glared at them as I walked away.

"Hey Shadow, see you after the reaping," Xander said.

"Yep." I pecked him on the cheek.

Melissa and I stood in the fifteen year old girl section, while Xander was at the sixteen year old boys. I tried not to yell at any more peacekeepers, but I will admit it was pretty hard. A few minutes later, the escort reached gently into the glass bowl and plucked a paper off the top.

"Shadow Daniels!"

I looked at Melissa, and her face mirrored my expression. It was me. I had been reaped. I glanced at Xander, and saw that his eyes were welling up with tears. This could be the last time I will ever see my own boyfriend.

Rain Namulka, D6

"Hi Sabrina! I brought Sapphire with me," I said to my friend. Sabrina smiled and greeted Sapphire. She was like Sabrina's own little sister, since we had known each other for eight years.

"Hi Sabrina," Sapphire said. I could tell she was worried about the reaping, even though it was only her second. "I'm gonna go talk with Kelsy," my little sister said. "See you after the reaping." I hugged her.

Me and Sabrina got in line to get into the square. "You worried about Sapphire?" she asked me.

"Naw. She's only got two slips in there."

My best friend shrugged. "You never know. Remember that little twelve year old from last year?" I shivered. A twelve year old girl had gone into the arena last year, and had barely made it twenty minutes.

"That won't happen. Someone else will get picked."

Me and Sabrina stood in the seventeen year olds section, making small talk with our classmates. A small gust of wind blew a strand of my hair in my face, and I shivered. The whole crowd grew silent as the mayor walked on stage. He gave his speech, and then we watched the annual video about the rise of Panem and the rebellion. I was sometimes actually interested in the video, trying to look for gaps in the story or anything like that.

As Millia, the escort, unfolded a small paper, I looked at Sapphire. She was still trying to keep calm. I tuned back into the escort just as she said the female name: Sapphire Namulka.

As soon as the first word escaped Millia's lips, I yelled.

"I volunteer!"

AN: Hi everybody. If you think I got something wrong with your character, or anything at all, review or PM. Yes, I know this is only the first six districts, but the others will be up as soon as they can.

~GuitarArt