Camilla Hendricks (District Five Female, age 14)

I ponder of something terrifying

'Cause this time there's no sound to hide behind

I find over the course of our human existence

One thing consists of consistence

And it's that we're all battling fear

"Camilla, get over here!" Antonette's voice calls, through the din of the lunchroom. She waves her arm back and forth through the air.

I smile and carry my loaded lunch tray to where Antonette sits. "Hey, Anteater," I tease.

Antonette whacks me, making me almost drop my food. "Dang it, Camilla. Don't call me Anteater! I've told you that!"

I giggle. "Right." Setting the tray on the table, I sit down next to my friend. Antonette's a sweet girl, but she's got a hard shell that I had to crack to become her friend. Thankfully, I did, because with my luck and bad social skills, I'd be friendless without Antonette.

I used to have a really good friend. Actually, she was my twin sister. Nicoline Hendricks, the best friend I'll ever have, I used to tease her. She and I were practically joined at the hip. Nicoline was lazy and uncaring, but she was always really kind towards me and her other friends. We were best friends until fourth grade, when we were ten.

At that point, being the lazy kid she was, Nicoline dropped out of school. I stayed in, because I dreamed- and still dream- of becoming a rich scientist. My parents, though they'd been happy together before, started arguing over Nicoline. I remember those fights so well. Mom would hit Dad, he'd hit her back, verbal abuse was used, and it was all over Nicoline. Mom and Dad eventually realized the best course of action was to be divorced. That's what they did.

Dad took Nicoline and all the money, Mom kept me and the house. Dad and my twin sister moved far away, clear to the other side of District Five. I haven't seen Dad since, but on occasion, I catch a glimpse of Nicoline. Her dirty blonde hair and blue-green eyes, her practical clothing, her tanned face. I miss it all.

"Camilla! Earth to Camilla!" Antonette snaps me out of my thoughts.

"Huh?"

"I was saying, maybe we should go back to class. The bell's gonna ring in a few seconds, anyway, so why wait?"

"Yeah. Sure," I say. We stand up, my tray barely touched while Antonette's is basically licked clean.

"You gonna eat that cookie?" Antonette asks, pointing at a chocolate cookie on top of my half-eaten turkey sandwich. She could eat it, or I could, or I could throw it away. I think I'll let her have it.

"Go ahead," I say, waving my hand dismissively. She beams, picking the cookie up and sticking it in her mouth.

A loud crackle alerts all of us students in the hallway that the principal's about to speak. We all stop moving almost as one, studying the speaker and waiting for the words.

"Go home. The Reapings start soon."

We all cheer at the "go home", then sigh at the "the Reapings start soon". Antonette turns on her heel, grabbing my hand and marching out of the building.

"Walk me home?" she asks.

I consider this. What if I'm late getting home? Then, I'd end up late for the Reapings too! But what if Antonette's mom gave me a cookie? She is known to do that.

"I can't. We only have a half hour till the Reapings start. You should go home."

Disappointed, Antonette nods. "Fine. I'll see you at the Reapings!"

I smile. "Bye, Anteater!"

She rolls her eyes playfully and walks away. I walk in the opposite direction, towards my home. The District has basically come to a standstill- no one's at the schools, the power plants are shut down, and I'm the only one on the small side street. We're all waiting.

Waiting to watch two of our children die.

Solario Thunders (District Five Male, age 12)

Gonna fly now

Flying high now

Gonna fly, fly, fly

"Are you sure we should be doing this?" Madison, my best friend, asks nervously. "It's Reaping Day, Solario. I don't want to get in trouble."

"Aw, Mads, you're absolutely no fun! Look. It's just a prank. Mom will love it!" I insist, twirling the air horn in my hand.

"Well, if you're sure…" she mumbles.

I giggle. "Positive. Let's go. Got the tape?"

Madison nods. "Check!"

"All right!" I exclaim.

Sneaking up to Mom's room only takes about five minutes, less than usual because Diana's still asleep. Madison and I woke up extra early today to prank Mom. In fact, it's so early that it's still dark out and I had to bring a flashlight to pick Madison up from her house.

Pushing a finger to my lips and beginning to tiptoe, I carefully open Mom's door. It creaks a bit as it opens, and I stop, but Mom and Dad are still fast asleep. Madison hands me the duct tape we'd torn off from the roll, and I measure for exactly where the air horn should go. I place the air horn on the wall, sticking out so that when Mom opens the door, she presses the button and blasts it off!

Taping the horn to the wall is by far the hardest part of this whole endeavor. As soon as it's firmly attached, I grab Madison's hand and lead her out of the room, closing the door behind us.

We go downstairs and begin to laugh. Madison starts off giggling, and it spreads from there. We're doubled over laughing, anticipating what happens next, when a huge blast of noise explodes from the hall- BLAAAAAARP!

Of course, this only makes us laugh harder. Mom's shocked voice calls down the hall. "SOLARIO!"

I motion for Madison to go home, I certainly don't want her to get in trouble with Mom. She dashes out of the room with only a glance over her shoulder, to which I give a small wave.

I walk up the stairs. "Yes, Mother?" I say, putting on my puppy-dog face. This is standard-issue. Mom discovers the prank and calls me, I deny it, then she pulls me into a bear hug and begins to tickle me. I've actually begun to lose the feeling I get when she tickles me.

"Solario, did you do that?"

I shake my head, still wearing my puppy face. Mom looks at me suspiciously, then pulls me into the standard hug and starts the tickles. "Oh, dear. What will I ever do with you, Solario?"

"Ummm, tickle me, obviously," I say in between giggles.

Mom sets me down, and gives me a stern look. "How in the world did you make that noise?"

"Look behind your door," I reply, still giggling.

Mom steps into her room, looking behind her door, and noticing the air horn duct taped to the wall. "Oh, my!" she gasps. "Solario! You really outdid yourself! Where in the world did you even get that horn?"

"A true magician never reveals his secrets," I say proudly.

"That's right, Solario, but you're not a magician," she points out.

She's got me there. "I got it from the store! I've been saving up my allowance for weeks," I explain.

Mom shakes her head in disbelief. "Go get ready for the Reaping, dear. It's in fifteen minutes."

I nod, and Mom ruffles my hair. I walk down the hall, towards my room, and go inside. I smile in the mirror, and a small blonde boy smiles back.

I won't be Reaped.

And yet, I still have a very bad feeling about today.

Hilaria Idina, District Five Escort

Today is my first day as an Escort, and to tell you the truth, I'm nervous.

I know it'll be fun, meeting the Tributes beforehand, and especially spending days with them. I love kids, and it made me really sad when Doctor Ambus told me I'd never have any of my own. This or teaching is the next best thing.

The clock chimes, and I rise from my seat, note cards in hand. I wipe my sweaty palms on my long, peacock-colored dress. Walking to the microphone, I take a good look at the citizens of Five. They, as a whole, are quite skinny, and many are blonde or black-haired, though the occasional redhead shines through the crowd.

"Welcome! I'm Hilaria, and I'll be your Escort this year. Let's draw a girl first." I dip my hand into the bowl, pull out a slip, then read out the name written on it. "Camilla Hendricks!"

A tall girl with dirty blonde hair and blue-green eyes walks out of the fourteens. She looks very calm at first, then I take a closer look and see that her blue school uniform is shaking, as is she. She mounts the steps, carefully.

"Welcome! All right, now for the boys."

I plunge my hand into the other bowl, and grab the first slip I see. "Solario Thunders!"

A boy in the twelves bursts into tears. Oh my gosh, two little kids! Peacekeepers begin to march to the boy and grab him by the wrists, then drag him to the stage. He simply faints.

"Get a chair!" I whisper urgently to the mayor, who stands and brings his chair to the boy, who is placed in the chair by the Peacekeepers. Camilla looks horrified by this whole spectacle.

"District Five, your Tributes! Camilla Hendricks and Solario Thunders!"

Camilla Hendricks (District Five Female, age 14)

I ponder of something terrifying

'Cause this time there's no sound to hide behind

I find over the course of our human existence

One thing consists of consistence

And it's that we're all battling fear

That poor boy. I can't believe he fainted. I really hope he's okay.

I'm thinking about my District partner, when the door opens and Antonette bursts in. "Camilla!" she cries. "Oh my gosh, I should have volunteered!"

"No, you shouldn't. I'm glad you didn't," I insist, fighting the tears. We hug. "Look at me." I say. "I'm coming back. You don't have to worry."

"Camilla, I'll miss you while you're gone. But I trust you, and I believe you'll come back."

"I love you, Anteater." Antonette doesn't even hit me, like I thought she would. Instead, she hugs me.

The Peacekeeper storms into the room, pulling Antonette off me. I fall to the floor and weep, staying there until the door opens again. Mom walks in.

"Hey, darling."

I scowl. "Mom, why did you and Dad have to divorce? I haven't seen Nicolette in years and it's your fault." As soon as the words are out, I regret them.

She looks very startled. I point at the door. "Go. I don't want to see you. You took my sister away from me. GO!"

Mom looks at me, her eyes begging me to take it back. I lay my head on my arms, crying. The door slams.

What have I done?

Solario Thunders (District Five Male, age 12)

Gonna fly now

Flying high now

Gonna fly, fly, fly

I wake up to see my mother's concerned, tear-stained face peering into my eyes.

"Oh, Solario!" she crows, pulling me into a hug. I accept the hug, and when she sets me down, I look at her and smile. I don't want her last memory of me to be tear-filled and sad.

"Well, I suppose this is goodbye. Diana, you take care of Mom and Dad, okay? Mom, give Madison my prank set and Radar my clothes. Dad, I need you to stay strong." I look at each person in turn, smiling my last.

Mom looks horrified. "Don't tell me you've given up already?!"

"Mom, there's not a chance for me in the Arena. Have you seen those Careers? I've accepted my death. I just need you all to do the same."

Diana's in tears, as is Dad, and Mom looks close to it.

"Time!" calls the Peacekeeper. Pulling my family away, he slams the door.

I place my head in my hands, staying in said position until Madison and Radar walk into the room. Radar, the best friend of my ten-year-old sister Diana, trails Madison as she rushes in. "Look, we've got a single minute. Solario, I need you to promise me you'll try to win."

"I'll try," I sigh. "I'm not gonna make it, but I'll try."

We all hug, and they pull away when the Peacekeeper opens the door. I wave.

"I'll miss you!"

Songs: Car Radio: Twenty One Pilots; Gonna Fly Now: Bill Conti

Hey hey hey! I'm really glad to get this chapter out, even though it's short (sorry!) cause it means there's only 7 more Reapings! Woo!

So. Ignore the really bad timing errors in this- yes, I do realize Solario's POV takes place like 5 hours before Camilla's. Oh well.

Anyway! Questions!

Who do you like better, Camilla or Solario?

Thoughts on Camilla?

Thoughts on Solario?

Predictions?

Have a great day!