Hyacinth Moraain (14) D9F

"Well I was Mom's favorite!"

"No, everybody knew that she loved me the most because I was the prettiest!"

I sighed. My sisters were fighting, like they always did. At times like this I just wanted to duck away and hide in my room. I didn't like all the yelling and loud noise, and it made my ears ring. I would rather eat a rat than sit in a room with two arguing sisters, and I suddenly realized that I didn't have to sit with them.

Getting up and leaving, I made my way to our dumpster. Our family owned a spice shop, so we had enough money that our dumpster had some food in it. One of the District kids had realized it, and she kept stealing food from it. I didn't mind, since she and I talked sometimes. She was calm and quiet, probably mostly because if she yelled at me I could take her food. I tried to let her know that I wasn't going to hurt her, but I didn't think she really believed me.

I lurked by the dumpster for a long time, just waiting for Marley to show up. On some days she wouldn't come, for no apparent reason. I hoped she would come soon, since my sisters were still screaming at each other and the Reapings were about to begin. Finally, she showed up, cautiously peeking around the corner of our shop.

"Hi, Marley," I whispered, hoping not to spook her. I made my way around the dumpster, also slowly. Marley was flighty, and I didn't want her to think I was going to hurt her.

Marley didn't seem very spooked today, so I was happy. "Hi, Hyacinth. Do you mind if I take some food?"

I shrugged. "Go right ahead. My sisters are being weird and dieting, so we're throwing away more than usual."

She lit up and ran to the dumpster, opening it up and tearing through the bags. I happened to know where most of the food would go, so I directed her to a bag which had a couple of donuts in them. I had bought the donuts, hoping they would make a nice treat, but my sisters took one look and them and chucked them in the trash. "Can I talk with you for a while? My sisters are fighting again."

She nodded, her mouth full of donut. "Are you worried for the Reapings today?" She nodded again. "So am I. I know we're not likely to get Reaped, being young and all, but it's still scary." She nodded again. I picked up one of the less trashy donuts and started eating it. Just eating with a friend was much more calming than being inside right now.

Suddenly, the bells started ringing, causing both of us to jump. Marley shoved the rest of her second donut into her mouth and ran off, while I just threw mine back in the trash and walked inside. "It's time for the Reapings, sisters!"

They finally stopped screaming and turned to me. They exchanged glances and nodded. "All right, Hyacinth, let's get you dressed up," Cardamon said, pulling me over to our bed. I sat down while they chose my outfit. I could do it myself these days, but they liked to, so I let them.

Cecily stood over my pile of clothes while Cardamon kneeled beside it. They looked through my small selection and chose a pale purple dress and lavender shoes. I knew that I would be adding my own touch later, since I always wore a flower in my hair when I was going to a Reaping, but I let them have their fun thinking they had chosen my entire outfit.

I got up and ran to the Reaping, not wanting to be late. I was about to have one of the best three days of my life, or be shoved towards my worst ones. I noticed Marley in her section and I waved. She was a bit younger than me, so we were seperate, but at least I had someone to smile with until my world crumbled.

Andres Patino (15) D9M

I slowly made my way to the fields, hoping to be able to have some fun along the way. I had gotten up early, as always, and so had my friends, as always, so we could take a while getting there. I turned to Andrew with my giveaway smile. "Hey Andrew?"

He looked at me suspiciously. "What?"

"What did the grape say when it was crushed?"

He sighed. "I don't know, what?"

"Nothing, it just let out a little whine!" Andrew did not seem impressed, but everybody else seemed to like my pun. Alice laughed a little, and quiet Johnathan smiled. "Why can't you stay in the fields very long?"

Alice rushed to ask, "I don't know, why?"

"Because the grain will think you're a stalker," I whispered for effect. Even Andrew laughed that time, and he had a higher level of intellect than I did.

I smiled as I reached the fields, ready for another long day of work. Today would be a shorter day than normal, with the Reaping, but I would still work my hardest. I wanted to make a lot of money for my family, and I really didn't want the Peacekeepers to yell at me. They had a lot in the past, and apparently it had "helped me mature." Honestly, I did seem more mature, but I was still pretty childish when I found it possible.

I started picking the grain, still laughing to myself at my "stalker" pun. That was a good one. I would have to remember it to tell other people. I tensed up slightly as a Peacekeeper walked by, speeding up my picking speed. Peacekeepers were harsh when they chose to be, and I didn't want to anger anyone.

The Peacekeeper stayed just long enough to see mee drop a bundle of grain. I hurriedly rushed to pick it up, brushing it off and putting it on the pile. I returned to picking anxiously, waiting for what he would say. To my relief, he just walked by, leaving me to myself.

The day was sweltering, but I didn't mind. With any luck, that would just make the flowers bloom more brightly. My arms were getting sore, but that just meant I had been working hard and could make a good pay. The day was almost done, and then I could go home and calm down after the Reaping.

At the Goodbyes...

I hugged my mother tightly, not wanting to ever have to let go. My stepfather had come too, and I looked him in the eye. "Dad, you need to get a job. I know it will be hard, but you have to try. Mom can't work and I'll be gone, so you have to. You got that?"

My dad didn't say anything for a while, just looking sad. Finally, he said, "I'll try." I took it, since it was the best I could get. I turned to each of my siblings.

"Gabriella, Savannah, Amy, Morgan, Marcus, you have to help out too, ok?" I said, trying not to seem worried. My heart was pounding, but I didn't want my little brother and sisters to see. "You can't work in the fields, since you're too young, but you can help out the richer kids and you can do small things for the Peacekeepers. You've gotta do your best, ok?"

Morgan burst into tears and hugged me. "Goodbye, Andres!" Soon all of the kids were crying, even Marcus, and I was pulled into a tight hug. I hugged them back, not knowing what to say.

"I'll try to come back. I love you all." And with that, the Peacekeeper rushed them away, and I was alone.

Sorry for the choppy day to goodbye thing, but the owner asked for a goodbye and Reaping scenes are long and boring, so I just hopped over.

Andres is short and has dark, tanned skin and black hair. He is scrawny.

Hyacinth is Asian and has dark hair in a spiky bob. She has bright grey eyes.