Reaping Day, District 2

Cloelia Willows (18)

Cloelia stared down at her opponent. Cloelia was slim and toned. Her dark blonde hair done up in a bun. She gripped her wooden sword and waited for her opponent's next move. The young female opponent charged at Cloelia. With ease, Cloelia knocked the feet out from under her opponent and positioned her wooden sword right at the neck of her opponent.

"Excellent! Very good." Cloelia's instructor praised. "You will make our district proud Cloelia."

Cloelia bowed to her instructor, she definitely enjoyed the praise. She then reached down and pulled her opponent back up to her feet. "That hurt Isobel?" Cloelia asked.

"A little." Isobel admitted as she caressed her bruised bottom.

"Good." Cloelia said with smile. "It's supposed to."

A young man began to clap as he approached. "Cloelia, you really are lucky to have such a good friend like Isobel who lets you beat her up all the time." The young man received a friendly punch in the arm from Isobel.

"So what's the news Alex?" Cloelia asked.

"It seems Lucius Slate is planning to volunteer for the boys." Alex informed her.

Cloelia was not surprised. It was pretty obvious this was going to be Lucius' year. Still, they never got along. He was an arrogant alpha male, which would make it quite frustrating having to work with him in the career alliance. Cloelia always liked being in control and being the center of attention. On the bright side she wouldn't feel bad at all killing that dick.

Cassius Slate (17)

Cassius charged at his opponent. He was tall, lightly tan, and well built with muscle. He had short dark brown hair with a slight fringe. He tackled his opponent to the dirty ground. They were in a crammed alleyway. He sucker punched his opponent right in the face. His opponent tossed him off. "Come on Roland that all you got?" Cassius teased.

Roland wiped the blood from his chin. "I'm just getting started." The two young men continued their scuffle until Cassius was able to pin Roland onto the ground.

"I knew I'd find you two brutes here." Lewis spoke as he perched himself on the side wall of the alleyway.

Cassius let go of Roland. Both teens were covered in dust, sweat, and blood. They stood up and faced Lewis. "What is it you rat?" Roland asked.

Lewis gave off a slight smirk on the side of his mouth. "Oh nothing. I just came to see how Cassius was dealing with the news his brother was going to volunteer today. And it looks like he's taking it exactly as I'd expect him to. With a fight."

"He's not going to volunteer." Cassius spoke directly.

"Uh, no. I'm pretty certain he's going to volun-," Lewis began to correct him before he figured it out. "Oh."

Roland turned to Cassius. "You're really going to volunteer from under him?"

"I'm not going to stand idly by as he takes all the glory. I won't allow it." Cassius said with determination. His brother was only a year older and had been primed to compete since they were kids. This meant Cassius was stuck completely in his brother's shadow. His parents paid little attention to him. His brother got all the attention, all the care. Cassius despised it, he despised his brother. But he felt okay now, because he was finally going to show everyone who was the superior brother.

The Reapings

Cloelia entered into the town square. She checked in and walked over to the eighteen year old females section. She paid little attention to those around her. All she could do was stare at the stage. Her foot tapped obsessively on the ground as she waited for it to begin.

The District 2 escort, Gertrude Trevars finally approached the microphone. "Good evening everyone and Happy Hunger Games. Before I begin, there is someone I'd like to introduce for all of you. The winner of last year's Hunger Games, from your District, Griggs Watson!"

A young man walked to the center of the stage. The crowd erupted into cheers. They began to chant Griggs' name. Cloelia just stood there and did nothing. She closed her eyes. That needed to be her. There was nothing she wanted more than to hear her name be chanted, welcomed home as a hero. She needed it with every fibre of her being.

"Alright, it is time to begin!" Gertrude spoke. "We will start with the girls!"

"I volunteer as tribute!" Cloelia called out. She walked forward, she looked calm and composed for the camera. Inside she struggled hard not to smile. This was what she desired, to have all eyes on her. She walked up the stairs to the stage and went right up to the microphone. "My name is Cloelia Willows, I will be the face of these games, so take a good look."

Gertrude clapped her hands for Cloelia before she walked back over to the microphone. "And now for the boys."

"I volunteer as tribute!" Someone screamed out. It caught Cloelia off guard, she nearly lost her calm composure. Whoever it was, it wasn't Lucius. She observed the crowd and saw a boy quickly leave the seventeen year olds section and went right for the stage. It took a second for her to recognize him. Lucius' brother. She didn't even know his name.

Cassius marched right up to the microphone. "My name is Cassius Slate. I am your tribute and I will win. And that victory will be mine alone!"

With that Cassius turned and walked over to where Cloelia stood. Cloelia could not help but grin. She wasn't expecting this, but it definitely played in her favor. "Well, Lucius' little brother. Let's see what you're made of." She whispered to him.

Goodbyes

The door opened. Lucius went through the security. Once he was free from it he immediately charged at Cassius. Lucius tackled him to the ground. The two wrestled for a few seconds before the peacekeepers stepped in and pulled Lucius off of Cassius. "You fucking bastard! This was my year!" Lucius yelled out in anger as he was held back by the peacekeepers.

"The last eighteen years have been your fucking year! Getting all the attention, getting all the praise!" Cassius yelled back. "No more! Glory will be mine! I'm done being in your shadow. When I win no one will even remember your name. Your times over brother, just accept it."

Lucius tried to break free from the peacekeepers but they were able to restrain him. "You're still that pathetic selfish little boy you've always been." Lucius spoke with venom. He spat right on Cassius' face.

Cassius wiped away the spit from his face. "Get him out of here. I never want to see your ugly face again. Goodbye brother."

Author's Notes

I hope you enjoyed this short reaping. Most of them will follow this sort of format, a quick introduction and then straight into the reapings. Even with such short chapters I do try to create as much of a detailed introduction to each character as I can. This one did also have the brief goodbyes scene, but I'll only be including them when there is a situation like this one that allows for an important character moment. There are still plenty of spots open so I need more tributes. A thank you for everyone who has already submitted one. Please feel free to review or PM your thoughts on the story and tributes so far, I love to engage with my readers and hear what you think about the story. Thank you for reading.