Lilac Suede, 15

(submitted by curiousclove)

Deep breath in, deep breath out. I repeat to myself as my speed increases. My ponytail swings back and forth with each step. I'm running so fast I almost feel like I'm flying. Almost.

I slow my pace slightly as I make the return. The reapings today have me on edge, more so than previous years. I can hardly fathom worrying about your own life in the arena, but having to worry about your family's life as well is too much for me to handle. I try not to think about it, but it nags at the back of my head. What if? What if this is the year?

I stop at my house and take a few deep breaths in. I see a group of familiar faces walk on up. I smile and wave to my friends.

"Hey ladies! How are we doing today?" I ask.

"Not as good as you, man I wish I lived here." Sky says, motioning to my house. My face turns red. When your family owns one of the biggest factories in the District, you have a lot of money, and when you have a lot of money, people like to remind you, and I hate when people bring it up. I want people to like me for me, not my finances.

"You know you're more than welcomed to stay with me whenever, any of you." I say. The three girls nod.

"We'll let you get ready, we just wanted to stop by and wish you luck." Jasmine hugs me and I hug back. I wave goodbye to my friends and head inside to shower. As I get to the top of the second floor, my brother steps out of his bedroom. His brown hair is gelled back and he has a lovely dress shirt on with black dress pants.

"Sash, you look so handsome." I kiss him on the forehead. He smiles at me.

"Thank you!" His cute voice replies before skipping down the stairs. Today is just another day for him, his last year ineligible. He has no worries.

I enter my room and shut the door. Books cover my desk, ranging from short stories to old medical books. I've always found anatomy to be fascinating. Maybe one day they'll let me study medicine at the Capitol. Well, a girl can dream.

I take a quick shower and dry off before finding a good outfit for tonight. I remember the green top I have, only worn for special occasions. They told me it was made in District One.

I slip on black leggings that compliment the top and put my hair back in the same ponytail as I wore whilst running.

I slip on my shoes and make my way downstairs and out the door. I see my friends in line by checking and join them.

"There she is, we thought you wouldn't make it on time." Jasmine jokes with me.

"Please, I wouldn't miss this for anything." We all chuckle, it helps calm the nerves.

We crack a few more jokes as the line shortens and before we know it we are at the front. We sign in, flinch when our blood is drawn, and huddle together in the crowd. We fill the time with casual conversation until the ceremony starts. The echoing voice of the mayor fills the district followed by our tribute's escort, Missie. She's a nice woman, with dark blue hair. They say she's down to earth and nicer than most escorts. One good trait of Eight, we have nice escorts.

"Thank you all for joining us here today for our annual reaping. Let's waste no more time, and see who our female tribute will be."

She takes a slip and I can feel my heart racing in my chest.

"Lilac Suede, please come to the stage." I can feel the heat spread on my body. My friends gasp around me. The tears fight to come out, but I don't let them. I keep my head held high and walk onto that stage.

Missie congratulates me and asks for volunteers. When no one steps up, she reads the boys name.

"Treuse Custer!" That name, it seems so familiar. When I see him in the crowd, I recognize him immediately. He works for our factory, I think, he has bad asthma.

Thinking about my district partner helps me contain the tears. Treuse doesn't seem to have a problem containing tears either, he just seems confused. We shake hands and are taken away.

My family is the first to visit, my mother has tears in her eyes. I hug her tight and try to tell her it'll be okay. But of course, she's not worried about herself, she's worried about me and Sash. We all know if I die, we all die.

My dad wishes me luck and tells me I have a chance. I'm extremely fast and intelligent, which can win the Games over brute strength. He also reminds me about the sponsors and against his will, tells me I need to attract them. I nod, understanding.

Poor Sash, he doesn't truly understand what is happening. He has no idea his life is on the line. I can't bring myself to explain it, so I just hug him while he cries.

They take my family away from me and into the same hellhole I'm headed.

Treuse Custer, 15

(submitted by curiousclove)

I feel a pain in my hand that jolts me awake. I see the indent of a footprint in it, the owner of that foot walking fast in another direction. Another day, another person stepping on me.

My back is in utter pain as I sit up from the concrete. I feel the growling in my stomach almost immediately. The cough that comes next reminds me of how thirsty I am. Today is not my day.

I stand slowly and let the blood flow through my body again. I shake out my legs and once my body feels better, I grab my bag and I walk.

I really have no where to go so I end up just wandering to work. The factory is closed for the day, but I may be able to find yesterdays food.

I am about to try the front door when I hear fast footsteps. I hide behind the factory, hoping the maker of the steps don't see me. I take a glance and see the familiar brown ponytail of Lilac. She must have just gotten back from a run, I think to myself. She leaves my sight before I can form anymore thoughts.

I go back to the door and try opening it. It's locked. I'm about to give up before I remember the back door. I climb over the fence and turn the knob successfully. The stifling air makes it hard to breathe. I cannot control the coughs that come out and for a second, I am worried I am having another attack. I press just above my armpit to open my airway and the coughing ceases. I take a deep breath and consider my search for edible food.

I find the break room relatively quickly. On a normal day, this room is filled to the brim with workers. But today, the air is still and loud with silence.

I see a plate of sandwiches that were served yesterday. I scoff two of them down. They're a little hard to swallow, but beggars can't be choosers.

Once my stomach is content, I go into the wash room and wash some of the dirt off of my skin. I hope I don't smell as bad as I look.

After a weak wash, I take my backpack off my back and change into the nicest clothes I own. My grey long sleeved shirt and black pants are clothes normal people would wear on laundry day, but not me. For me, this is my best outfit.

After I change I take one last look in the mirror. I look homeless, that is hard to hide. I'm skin and bones. This is no life for a teenager.

I slowly make my way to the square, storing my backpack at the factory for safekeeping. I stop dead in my tracks when I see her. Her beauty takes me off guard. If she weren't with her friends, maybe I'd go talk to her. I laugh at the idea. I'd never work up the courage to talk to her.

I'm one of the last to sign in, struggling to get to my section in the crowd. I hope no one is as disgusted with me as I am.

The yearly ritual plays by, seemingly more drawn out than the previous years.

Our escort mounts the stage and thanks us for attending. I hear someone near me scoff, as if to say like it was a choice.

She draws a name from the bowl and announces our female tribute is, "Lilac Suede!" My heart drops for her. I watch her get onto that stage, no tears on her face. That poor girl.

I'm so taken aback by Lilac's name being called I nearly miss the boy's name, which happens to be Treuse Custer. Treuse Custer!

Mixed emotions makes my head dizzy. I somehow exit the crowd and walk to the stage. A feeling takes over my body…not fear nor anger….not even sadness. Confusion with….is it relief? Life is awful in Eight, and I have no family in danger. Is this the universe giving me a chance to talk to her?

We shake hands, her warm hand makes my heart spin.

This may not be so bad after all.

I'm ready for these reapings to be over, I have a lot of fun things planned for the Games!

Let me know what you think of these two!