Taffeta Carmen (District Eight Female, age 14)

But I'm only human

And I bleed when I fall down

I'm only human

And I crash and I break down

"Taffeta, I need some help with the dishes. Come on, we can't be late for the Reapings, and the mayor's not letting us go until we're done."

I sigh. "Fine, Kale, here I come." Putting my pencil down, I stand from my squatting position against the wall.

"Start with this," my twin brother says as he hands me a dishrag and plate. "Soap's over here."

As I rub the food off the china plate that is certainly worth more than my best dress, shoes and bracelet put together, I ponder on what today means. It's Reaping day. That means I should, in theory, get the day off from my job as a maid for the mayor of Eight. It also means that two children will be basically chosen to die. We in Eight only have a few Victors, two out of forty-six years of Games. We almost never win.

Woof Casino was lucky. Adeline Lienen was lucky. And I hope that if I am Reaped, I will be lucky. However, I highly doubt it, seeing as I'm literally the least muscled girl at school, as well as one of the slowest. And don't even get me started on my age. So, I'll just have to settle for not being Reaped.

"Taffeta, you listening?"
"Hm?"

Kale gives me an exasperated look. "Mayor said go home. Told me there's no use keeping us around much longer, seeing as if we don't make the Reapings on time, he gets punished."

"Oh, okay," I reply. Placing the (very clean) plate on the counter and wringing out the washcloth, I wave to the other girls in the room. "May the odds be ever in your favor," I say as Kale and I make our way out.

Kale and I are silent as we walk home. You know that really old saying, 'home is where the heart is'? Yeah, that's not exactly true for Kale and I. 'Home is where the parents aren't' is more like it. Mom and Dad are almost never home. They aren't drunkards, no, nor are they just neglecting. They are extremely busy, though, and since they both work full-time in the factory, I never see them.

My parents believe in survival of the fittest. Both of them growing up on the streets, they became allies of sorts, and helped each other survive. At the time they were nineteen, they finally saved enough to go buy a small apartment in the center of Eight. A year later, Kale and I were born. Since my family is so poor, Mom and Dad have to be really resourceful. Like, really resourceful. I even remember this one time that Mom cut up my doll to help patch my old winter coat. I cried for days.

We make our way inside, and wordlessly we walk to our respective rooms. After taking off my work clothes, I slip a gray cotton, knee-length dress over my head and stuff my feet into my too-small brown leather boots.

"Taffeta, come here. I need to talk." Kale's voice rings through the house. I stand up after putting my hair in a low pony, then walk to Kale's room.

"What's up?"
"I just wanted to tell you I love you. You know that I do, right? Cause if you don't, I'll have to knock some sense into that head of yours."

I smile. "You know if I had any good sense of humor, I'd be cracking some stupid joke back at you. Of course I know you love me! I love you too, Kale. Don't think for a minute I don't. Now, let's go. I don't want to be late!"

Sonny Smaragdine (District 8 Male, age 14)

I see the children in the rain like the parade before the pain.

I see the love; I see the hate; I see this world that we can make!

I see the life, I see the sky. Give it all to see you fly...

Yes, we wave this flag of hatred, but you're the ones who made it!

"Angela, could you pass me the zinnia seeds?" I ask, aiming the question at the cute girl in my class. She nods, wipes the sweat from her brow and hands me a packet of seeds marked with a pink flower logo. I thank her and kneel down once more, digging my trowel into the cool earth. As the hole deepens, I drop a few zinnia seeds in it.

"You know, Sonny, I have always wanted you to join the gardening club. You're lots of fun, and I enjoy being around you," Angela says, breaking the silence.

Oh my gosh, does Angela like me?

"Thanks, Angela. You know, gardening's a whole lot more fun than I thought it was going to be. I'm glad I joined too. Flowers are so pretty, too. I really like those tulips and the poppies. Especially the red ones, you know?"
Angela looks at me sideways. "Did you know those red poppies are really symbolistic? They basically symbolize death, especially in war. I think they're quite fitting around this time of year, with the Hunger Games and all." She sighs. "I just hope I don't get chosen, and I hope you don't either. I kinda like you, Sonny."

She does!

I ponder this statement, ignoring Angela's confession to liking me for the moment. She thinks the poppies are fitting for this time of year, because of the Games.

Oh my gosh, today's Reaping day. Today, I could be chosen to die. Angela could be chosen to die. And today's Eden's first Reaping, too. Eden could be chosen to die.

I break the silence yet again. "Angela, what are your thoughts on the Games?"

She shrugs. "I don't really give them much thought, honestly. As long as I don't get chosen and neither does my brother Suede, I don't care that much." A pause. "I guess I look out for you, too."

"I hate the Games. Soooo much. They're absolutely cruel, ridiculous and sick. Why does the Capitol want to punish us for our ancestors' poor choices? It's been nearly fifty years- haven't they gotten over it yet?"

Angela looks around nervously. "Sonny, don't say that! You never know who's watching. Shhhh!"

I lower my head. "Sorry. Anyway, I think I should probably go. You know, don't want to be late, right?"

She nods, standing up and wiping her grubby hands on her rough pants. "I'd shake your hand, but my hands are ridiculously dirty. How about a hug instead?"

"Sure."

I wrap my arms around Angela, and she around me. We stay in the embrace for a couple seconds, then she pulls away.

I take a deep breath and place my hands on her shoulders. "After the Reapings, would you like to go out for ice cream?" I ask, squinting.

Angela takes in a sharp breath. "Of course!"

"Okay. I'll see you then, okay?"

"Sure, sounds good." she says.

I start to walk away, and behind me she calls out. "My favorite kind is chocolate!"

"Good to know!" I toss a glance over my shoulder and wink. "May the odds be ever in your favor!"

I'm going on a date! I am ridiculously giddy as I walk- more like skip- home. As I enter, Mom greets me.

"Hey, Sonny. Ready to go?"

"If this is what I'm wearing, then yes." I reply, glancing at my grubby gardening clothes. Surely I have something else to wear.

She laughs. "Right! Sorry, Sonny. Go change."

I do so, into a red hoodie and clean jeans. That's all I have, sadly. Hopefully it's enough. It should be.

After all, I won't be chosen, so what's the point of dressing up?

Julius Hatronna, District Eight Escort

"Welcome one, welcome all to the Reaping for the forty-seventh annual Hunger Games!" I shout into the microphone.

Mild applause as the younger kids cover their ears. How rude. I just hope I don't choose one of them- I don't think I could stand being stuck with a blubbering twelve-year-old child for three weeks. I'd much rather the tributes be older and stronger. And more polite, of course.

"Let's shake things up a bit, and Reap from the boys first today."

The boys tense, some grabbing each other's' hands. I'm not sure why- competing in the Games is an honor!

The first slip I touch is the one I choose. The audience holds their breath as I read the name on the card.

"Sonny Smaragdine! Come on up!"

I only have to wait for a few seconds before a small boy who wears a red hoodie and a pair of jeans stomps out of the fourteen-year-old section. He steps onto the stage and I offer the mike to him.

"Would you like to say anything?"

"Yeah, actually. Here we go. Frick you, and frick the Capitol, and frick President Snow, and frick the Games! You are all sick and twisted! We need justice! Voices from the people! Give me liberty or give me death!"

At this, the nearest Peacekeeper pulls out a stun gun and aims it at the boy, who, when fired at, falls and cracks his head on the glass bowl set up to hold the girls' slips. He crumples to the ground, unconscious.

I stare at him. "Well. Let us now choose a female tribute. Poor Sonny will be fine, don't worry. He has learned his lesson, surely."

I dip my hand into the bowl and pull out a slip. "Taffeta Carmen, would you make your way up here, please?"

No movement. Nothing for a good thirty seconds, at which point Peacekeepers begin to comb through the girls. A ring forms around an average-sized girl with brown hair and blue eyes, dressed in a gray dress. She's hyperventilating and crying, and has to be dragged to the stage by Peacekeepers.

"Normally, you two would shake hands, but that's a bit difficult, considering Sonny's state. Anyway, District Eight, your tributes! Taffeta Carmen and Sonny Smaragdine!"

Taffeta Carmen (District Eight Female, age 14)

But I'm only human

And I bleed when I fall down

I'm only human

And I crash and I break down

I'm still not calmed down as my first visitors make their way into the goodbyes room.

"Taffeta!"

It's Lacey and Paisley, my two best friends. How they got here before Kale, I will never figure out.

I raise my tear-stained face to look at them. "Hey, guys. I'm going to die, right?"

Paisley shakes her head violently back and forth. "No no no, Taffeta, you won't, You can't. We need you. You gotta promise me you won't lose, okay?"

"I'll try, but I don't think I'll win."

Lacey purses her lips together. "You can't think negative! Taffeta, you really need to be more positive."

The Peacekeeper walks in without warning and pulls my friends away. "Time's up, girls!"

"NO! Paisley, Lacey! I'll win for you!" I shout as they are dragged out of the room.

My next visitors are Kale and my parents.

"Oh my goodness, Taffeta, oh my gosh. You can't go. I was thinking about volunteering for the guy, and I really should have." Kale whispers in my ear as we hug.

I pull away. "No! I'm glad you didn't, Kale. You know Mom and Dad would rather lose one of their kids than both."

"Don't tell me you're already planning to die?!" Mom breaks in. "Honey, you're strong! You're fit! You will totally be able to win."

Dad nods. "Yes, dear. We've taught you well, and you need to win."

"Time!" The same Peacekeeper from before pokes his head in.

My family and I hug one last time, then they parade slowly out of the door.

"I love you!" I cry.

Sonny Smaragdine (District 8 Male, age 14)

I see the children in the rain like the parade before the pain.

I see the love; I see the hate; I see this world that we can make!

I see the life, I see the sky. Give it all to see you fly...

Yes, we wave this flag of hatred, but you're the ones who made it!

I wake up with a pounding headache.

Where am I? This is definitely not my room. It's too nice for that.

I clear my throat, shutting my eyes to keep out the bright light. "Hello?"

"Hey, Sonny." A miserable voice pierces the silence, one I've never heard. "I'm Taffeta, your District partner. Glad you're up."

"My District partner?"

"Yeah. We were Reaped. You cursed out the Escort, a Peacekeeper tasered you and you hit your head. Ring any bells?" The sarcasm in her voice is obvious.

"Where's my mom? Why didn't I get to see her?"

"You were knocked out through the entire goodbye hour."

Oh my gosh. I'm a tribute in the Games, and I will never see my family again.

Songs: Human: Christina Perri, Young: Hollywood Undead

Well, well, well! Done with District Eight! I hope you guys enjoyed Taffeta and Sonny as much as I liked writing them! Poor Sonny, not getting to see his family… :(

On a completely unrelated note, I listen to Pandora when I write, right? And halfway through Sonny's first POV, Taffeta's theme song started playing. It was pretty great. I was like, "hey, I know this song!"

Sorry that Reapings are so dang repetitive. Trust me, I hate them too…

Shoutout time! You guys should all check out The United Districts of Panem's story called The Chosen Age. It's an AU of the 75th games, and the guy's a really great author. He's written a SYOT on a previous account called Wolves, Avalanches and Trees, but he deleted it :( I have great hopes for him!

Also, I wanted to thank you guys for 104 reviews! Shoutout to dreams and desperation for getting #100! PARTY!

Questions!

Who do you like better, Taffeta or Sonny? Why?

Thoughts on Taffeta?

Thoughts on Sonny?
Predictions?

Have a great day!