Trigger Warnings: Mention of suicide

District 11 Reapings

~When the road looks rough ahead
And you're miles and miles
From your nice warm bed
You just remember what your old pal said
Boy, you've got a friend in me~

Jasmine Blanchard (14), District 11

Jasmine had a restless sleep. It was a memory that she often wouldn't like to relieve even if that was the last day she saw her best friend: Reese. She twisted and twisted in her bed as the memory replayed on. It was the day she always dreaded, and there were days she still hoped that Reese would show up on the doorstep with a beaming smile and exclaimed that she was living here again.

Jasmine clung to the light-haired Reese as the white peacekeepers was still standing near the doorway, waiting for Reese to step toward them. Even though, Jasmine knew it was coming since her family wanted her back to District 10 ever since her grandmother had died, and Reese came to live with them under the already crowded household. It was still sad to see her best friend go back home to where she was born and where her parents resided at. Reese helped her so much especially with her number and the alphabet during preschool.

"Come on, Jasmine," mother commented, stepping forward to where she was standing previously. "You know you have to let Reese go back home.""B-But, she's my only friend and we've been together forever," Jasmine pouted, as she still held tightly on Reese's clothes. Reese and Jasmine have been childhood friends for about three years now ever since Jasmine befriended her during preschool."I know sweetheart, but maybe you'll see her soon," Mom reassured her, but Jasmine still didn't want let go. It got to the point where Mom gently pried her little fingers off of Reese's clothes, and watch as Reese's silhouette grew farther and farther away.

Jasmine felt the tears wanting to escape her eyes, but as soon as the silhouette that belonged to Reese disappeared along with the peacekeepers, she started to break down. She ran towards her room, nearly knocking down her youngest sibling, Marigold, in the process. It was really hard letting Reese go, even though Jasmine knew she had to go home, once Reese got approved that she would be able to go back home in District 10 to live with her parents who she never really had seen much, but it was still hard to deal with.

Though occasionally, Jasmine still received some letters from Reese of how she was still adjusting to her life back home in District 10, but those letters eventually stopped coming, and it was just another hole in her heart, just like Robin's death was. It seemed that Jasmine was destined to be alone as it felt like almost all her friends she made during her lifetime just left her. The only friend that still hadn't left her was Flor, a very social girl who wasn't shy of befriending anyone including her.

"Jas, time to for breakfast," Mom said, after she knocked on her door. Jasmine grimaced realizing what day it was, before she got out of bed, swinging her legs off the side of her bed. Jasmine let out a small yawn before she made her way to the door, where she knew that Mom was possibly waiting for her.

She opened the door, giving her Mom a hug along the way before she got downstairs and headed into the kitchen where her three other siblings and her dad sat, already eating some oatmeal. Jasmine took a seat right next to Iris who was busy chatting up some new gossip that she managed to find or possibly she made up; though Jasmine doubted Iris heard those rumors.

"I forgot to tell you… I got a 64% on my math test which is really good as seeing how a lot of people had failed it. According to the teacher, even though I had made a lot of silly mistakes, I'm one of the top five people who got the highest score…"interrupted Marigold, without even noticing that Iris was not done saying what she was saying.

Jasmine smiled softly as she heard what Marigold said. A 64% while it was a low D, it was still good though, not the best, but at least it was still better than what Jasmine got a 49%. The material was really hard for her, and she barely got onto the concept right before they had to take a test, but Jasmine knew if she did more practice problems that she would probably be able to improve that grade, and perhaps get at least a 60% maybe even better.

"I was in the middle of discussing something, Marigold," Iris snapped, clenching her fists tightly as she held the silver spoon in her hand."I'm surprised that you haven't caught on that you're really annoying and that no one would listen to what you have to say. No one wants you, you're more better off than dead."

There was a sudden hush around the table. Jasmine clenched her eyes shut, trying to keep her breathing even. This was just like Robin before he killed himself. People kept bullying him, while he did say it didn't bother him, but she knew that it wouldn't have been enough to keep him around. Jasmine should have done something more than just befriended him especially if he was always commenting about he would have been better off dead, or asking,'what do you think death is like?'.

Now, it felt like Iris was bullying others so that they could turn to suicide, instead of asking for help. Jasmine wished that Iris could realize how she was really mean to others and learns that her words could have a lasting consequence on others.

"Iris, enough," Dad interjected before anyone else can could say anything."Words do hurt others. You need to learn to be nicer to others."

"Yes, Dad," said Iris stiffly. She looked down and continued to eat her breakfast without saying another word.

"So, Diascia how's the arrangements coming along?" Mom asked softly. Jasmine hadn't really noticed that she even sat down, much less about her presence in the room. Then again, Mom was always quiet, and she makes her presence known when she wants too.

"Good. We're trying to get the living accommodations set up and such, but hopefully in about a week or two, I could finally move out and you don't have to deal with me any longer. Speaking of which, I do need help with my stuff and maybe these four could help me unpack over at my apartment; we could spend some quality time together before I move out. Hopefully, it will make this household a little less crowded than it already is," Diascia explained. "That is if they don't mind helping me out."

"Huh? What did you say?"asked Peony a little loudly. Jasmine could tell that she was doing something else, since she wasn't reading the lips while Diascia preferred to read the lips of the speaker as Jasmine was told constantly that was the easiest way to tell what the speaker was trying to say to her.

"She said that we could come out and help her out before the reaping," Iris responded sounding like she was a little annoyed by telling Peony of what Diascia said. Though it really wasn't like Iris had to respond, as there were other people who could have answered Peony's question, instead of Iris.

Soon, everyone had finished eating, and Jasmine helped out her mom cleans the table and the dishes in the process. Once they were done, Jasmine threw on a quick outfit and met her sisters down stairs where she was met by the sound of chattering about some story that Marigold had found out or that it truly happened to her.

"You ready to go?" Diascia asked. Everyone murmured a yes. They headed out of the house and towards Diascia's apartment.

It was a short walk to Diascia's apartment so luckily it really wasn't too long. Jasmine saw her girlfriend humming as she started to unpack some dishes in the bare, white kitchen. Her girlfriend quickly noticed them entering, and she grinned before she said.

"I'm so glad you're here along with your little sisters. For a moment I thought I was going to be the only one unpacking."

"Got here as quick as I could… Iris, why don't you put those boxes right next to the bathroom," Diascia responded before she walked over to her girlfriend and pecked her on the forehead. Jasmine looked at the very few photographs that were on the wall.

"So how are you doing?" Diascia asked, placing her hand on Jasmine's shoulder.

"Alright…"

"Listen, I know that I'm practically never home, but you're help here anytime you want once we get things settled," Diascia said.

"I'd like that."

~Waking up to headlines
Filled with devastation again
My heart is broken
But I keep going~

Demetrius Deck (17), District 11

Demetrius looked at his family. Luciana was too busy bullying her poor husband, and he was probably lucky that he suffered from short-term memory loss. He knew this was what continuously happens. It really wasn't like he was going to but into their argument, he personally didn't really give a crap anymore. Luciana was the controlling one in this relationship who managed to rope in his father and just break him. A shell of him remains.

Demetrius could remember the time where his father loved him a lot. He would always help him learn the family business and help out around the farm. Demetrius would really love to have that again, with his mother helping him indoors. Over the time, his parents stopped helping him, and he grew the sole supporter of his family. There were days where Demetrius felt like he was a mistake, that he shouldn't have ever been born. That was his life know; very meaningless, and nothing interesting.

He sighed to himself and looked out at the window. He wanted to be someone else, maybe one of those poor, starving people that he always saw walking by, but he could tell by the way they walked, the gaunt-like look in their faces, Demetrius should be lucky that he was from a wealthy family who owned a farm. He saw a bird flying through the blue sky, and he smiled. Birds always calmed him, there was something about them that made him feel like everything was going to be alright. He wanted to be free just like them, but all he was was a caged animal, feeling broken every day as he trudged on his life, one day at a time. Demetrius knew he had to survive this endless torment, maybe his life would be better than this.

"I'm going for a walk," he said to no one in particular. His parents didn't even say anything, nor did he really expect them too. He was a liability and he knew it. A mistake. Simply someone worthless to them.

He walked out of the door and walked in a random direction, hopefully to calm himself. He wished he had been born in another district, or if he had enough money to buy himself a passport and a reason to move to another district. He knew that really wasn't an option. His mother would notice if a large sum of money suddenly went missing, and he would probably be on the other end of her fists. It wasn't like no one really was going to do anything about him, all they saw was a pretty woman that had no need for makeup and a large sum of money-enough for anyone to turn a blind eye.

Unless he managed to get another job on the side and save enough money that way? Demetrius knew there was a little chance for that plan to succeed, his mother would sniff out any money he had and would steal it. Demetrius knew he couldn't give up hope, but hope was simply just a word for the naive people. Maybe life does it better? Maybe he could get himself a better life, probably go to a university and get a degree to be a veterinarian.

He'd always loved animals. They always calmed him, and he found them interesting. Demetrius hoped that he could own a pet, maybe it would help him give an anchor to this lost feeling he had. Maybe he could start over from scratch and be who he really wanted to be? The only problem with that, Demetrius didn't know what he would do.

"HI! How are you doing?" some girl asked who looked perhaps an eight-year old. Her sickly complexion made him feel nothing. She had a frayed dark sweatshirt and faded pants that looked to be a few sizes to big for the girl. She had round, blue eyes that looked up to him curiosity. What shocked him was that she didn't really had any hair growing from her scalp. He knew he should feel sorry for her, perhaps even sympathy, but he didn't even know what those emotions were anymore. He hadn't felt them in so long, that he forgot what happiness or sadness even felt like. "I'm Rosalina, but everyone calls me Lina. Rose makes me sound like a flower which I'm deathly allergic too."

"Alright. I'm Demetrius," He said without any emotion in his tone.

"Pleased to meet you, Demet'ius," the child said with happiness lacing her voice. "Do you want to play with me?"

Demetrius had to think about that question for a few. On the plus side, it would give him something to do, and he didn't really have to go home, but on the downside, he wasn't a huge fan of people. He didn't know if they were trustworthy, and if they were, he knew they would probably stab in the back later. But this was a child, who had too much to do.

"I guess. What do you want to play?" He asked.

"Hopscotch!"

He sighed, but he followed the little girl anyway to where she already set up the boxes. She went first, and he went afterwards, already beating her quickly. He was always the competitive one, and he always tried to make a competition out of everything. It gave him some enjoyment to the hollowness feeling he had.

After a while, the girl quickly grew exhausted, and Demetrius didn't feel like he was out of breath. He was only getting started!

"Thanks for playing with me, mis'er! My mama said I only had twenty-four hours before I go away. I hope I'm going somewhere nice where there's other kids. I asked mama if she was going to go with me and she only cried. I wanted to play one last game of hopscotch before I go to wherever I'm going!" the girl said, before she ran out, probably headed towards where she lived. Demetrius only nodded, and he knew what she meant. It seemed that the girl was going to die soon, probably by whatever disease she had. He didn't feel sad by that news, since it was the nature of life. You're born, and then you die.

"You an eligible kid?" someone asked, when he finally turned around and saw a peacekeeper standing right in front of him. He really hoped that he didn't do anything wrong, but he knew it was the best to remain quiet, especially dealing with these harsh peacekeepers. They wouldn't really show any mercy towards people.

He nodded. Seventeen, a soon to be an eighteen years old kid, give or take a few months. He looked at his outfit briefly. He was still in his father old's suit and hadn't really bothered changing after the 'family' picture they had to take earlier, so they looked like a normal family.

"You better head down to the Justice building. The reapin' is about to start, kid." And with that, the peacekeeper left and Demetrius made his way to the Justice Building. The Reaping always started on ten, because of how far they were, and he left his house around a quarter past nine. Just one more year of dealing with this, and maybe he could find something new to do with his life.

~It's a state of bliss; you think you're dreaming
It's the happiness inside that you're feeling
It's so beautiful, it makes you wanna cry~

Kally Marbel-District 11 Escort

Kally smiled fondly as she looked out the window of the Justice building. She was always so fond of District 11 for no apparent reason. She liked seeing the fields full of crops, and the dark faces of most of the district looking at her during the reaping. There was something about it that she usually didn't mind looking. Though sometimes, she wished she could go out there without all the peacekeepers and have fun along with the other kids who looked malnourished, and not well cared for.

Kally hated when children looked to be starving, and it made her heart ache as she watched the TV, seeing the reaped tributes that she picked, die by another tribute. It really wasn't fair, but she was probably lucky that she didn't have to live in fear like that. Those children needed someone to look out for them, and have some fun in their life before they were forced to grow up.

Kally still hadn't loss her childlike innocence for which she was quite grateful that she never did. No one really needed to lose it, life was too short, so she might as well live in the moment before her bones start to misbehave and she's forced to settle down. After all, no one really knew how long they were going to be alive, and she knew from experience. There were times that Kally missed her grandparents who practically raised her after her parents decided to abandoned their infant and run off. Kally was probably really spoiled, and always through a bratty attitude whenever she didn't get her way. It really wasn't until her grandmother, someone she was always so fond of, died of a stroke and she was gone before Kally really had a chance to say goodbye properly.

Often, Kally missed those days where she would run around in her grandparents penthouse wearing a little pink dress and bows in her riverbank brown hair, as she plays horsey with her grandparents. Her life was surrounded by them, and she even took up playing the saxophone by the memory of her grandma after she died. Gone were those days where Kally didn't really have much a responsibility besides always be courteous around others even when they were really rude to her. Kally hated the adult responsibilities that she had, and she would rather do anything, but be an adult.

"Hi! How are you doing?" Kally asked a peacekeeper. She was perhaps expecting an answer since the peacekeepers back home were often really nice, and wasn't afraid of talking to others when they ask for help. Though there really wasn't too much of peacekeepers in the Capitol, probably next to the important buildings.

The peacekeeper ignored her which Kally felt saddened about. She really wasn't too big of a fan when people ignored her since it usually made her feel like she was doing something wrong. What was she doing wrong? Was she to outgoing or friendly? Did the peacekeeper didn't understand English? Though the last part was absurd, everyone had to know English even if it wasn't their first language. She knew some people that spoke different languages and talked about their home country which made Kally interested to know what their culture was like. The Japanese culture was the most fascinating to her especially after Asuga, her neighbor, always shared her culture with her. It was too bad that Panem closed down its borders or she would have liked to travel. Based off of what Asuga said, Asia and Europe were thriving after she left, but that was two decades ago. There were probably other countries, but Asuga didn't know and besides those were continents. Maybe there were other countries that were thriving after that war. She certainly hoped so.

"Are you going to respond?" Kally asked, blinking away rapidly to stop the memories and the friendship she had with Asuga. She had to stay focus especially today. Today wasn't a good day to wander off, and be like a child. Kally had a role to play unfortunately, or Zanya would never let her live for acting "childish."

"Ma'am, we don't respond to when people talk to us. We have orders to obey and we have to keep the civilians peaceful and work. Chatting with an escort is not on the agenda especially when that said person is trying to stall," the peacekeeper snapped, his tone cold. Kally blinked before she nodded.

"Of course, sorry to be wasting your time, sir," said Kally neutrally. Always remain courteous, Kalina she heard her grandmother say. Even when they don't deserve it. Kally breathed and stepped away from the peacekeeper, content about checking how presentable she looked. Dark auburn hair was pinned up in a half dutch braid. Her cherry red dress that Zanya helped picked out made her look confident in her body. Kally wasn't the whole lot of accepting her body look, mostly because she hated her hourglass figure, tall legs and being flat chested. She wanted to have a different body shape, but she really wouldn't pay a shiny penny to have it done.

Kally looked at the time and saw that it was almost time to get on stage. She smiled, her crowned front teeth (that she no longer mind) showing. For once in her life, Kally felt afraid of messing up. Hell, she might look beautiful now, but there were tons of things that she could do wrong.

"Come on Kally," she whispered to yourself. "You aren't going to do anything wrong. You have done this a million of times, but you never acted fearful. You don't care about your reputation, you're just a child at heart. Act like it." she gave herself a little pep talk before she opened the black, heavy doors and met the world with a smiling face. "Hi everyone! My name is Kally Marble and I'll be your escort for this year's Hunger Games!" She looked at the stoic crowd before she moved on to the actual reaping.

The video soon blared on and she took a deep breath as she payed attention to it, even though she seen it every year. Kally paid no mind to it and almost dreaded the moment that was going to happen. She hoped that this year's pair was going to be better than last year and the year before that. Kally could remember their faces. She had reaped a fourteen year old who seemed to pure for their world. That girl-Sunny Tanner, was the most purest teenager who acted very modest. She was way too innocent before the third day of the Hunger Games where her enemy impaled her in the worst possible way and ate her which Kally felt sickened afterwards. That was cannibalism and was just disgusting. The boy, however, Damien Vasquez, was perhaps a narcissist. He was only eighteen years old and only cared about how he looked. He was way too arrogant for her and didn't want help. He quickly died in the bloodbath so at least it wasn't that bloody unlike the girl.

"Now for our tributes for this year's Hunger Games! We'll start with the male first to change things up a bit… The male tribute is… Demetrius Deck!"

A tall guy perhaps around 6 feet or so made Kally feel tiny with her 5'0. He had chocolate like skin (which made Kally yearn for chocolate) with hazel eyes and a crooked nose. He wore a green and black suit which was really fancy, but at least he had style.

"How old are you?" Kally asked once Demetrius got up the stairs and across the stage.

"Seventeen," He answered.

"Our female tribute is...:" She pulled out a white slip from the female bowl and unfolded it. "Jasmine Blanchard!"

The girl walked out of the fourteen-year-old section which felt like deja vu. Luckily, Jasmine didn't look anything like Sunny since she was an Asian girl. Jasmine had a medium dark complexion with her thick, dark brown hair fell to her shoulders. She was a few more inches taller than her, so she still didn't feel like an ant.

"Our tributes, Jasmine Blanchard and Demetrius Deck!" Kally announced, smiling still. It was going to be an interesting year.

~It's hard to sleep at night
Knowing what's outside
Feeling hopeless
I need focus~

Demetrius Deck (17), District 11

Demetrius felt really disappointed, not that he really didn't want to escape the district, but not really in this way. He didn't really want to go to the Hunger Games. He'd seen what they would do. He wasn't ready to die yet. He wanted to live a little longer.

He knew that no one would see him off which was just fine by him. His parents, they always thought he was a liability and he shouldn't have been born. There were times that he believed them especially when he was growing up, but those words. He no longer was affected by them. They were simply words, and he stopped caring about what others thought of him. After all what was the point in caring, when no one really cared enough for him?

All he had to do was wait for his partner to get done saying her goodbyes.

~Some other folks might be
A little bit smarter than I am
Bigger and stronger too
Maybe
But none of them will ever love you
The way I do~

Jasmine Blanchard (14), District 11

Jasmine didn't really have to wait very long before her family shown up. Her dad clutched her mom tightly as she stared at Jasmine in disbelief which Jasmine totally got. She was surprised that she got reaped and not some other kid. Jasmine was being sentence to death, maybe it was because she didn't try to help Robin before he committed suicide. It was just one sick joke.

Mom quickly went to embrace Jasmine which she accepted the comfort. She was going to miss her family a lot while she was gone.

"I'm going to miss you," she whispered. Tears started to form in Jasmine's eyes as she heard her mom say that. "I love you. I only wished that I could have protected you from this."

"I love you too, mom," Jasmine said, a lump in her throat forming. Mom moved out of the way as Marigold and Iris stepped forward.

"Here," Marigold said, handing Jasmine a yellow hair ribbon that had previously been in her hair during the reaping. "Since you don't have a token, my yellow hair ribbon will be yours." Jasmine smiled softly as she hugged her youngest sister with all her strength for a few seconds before planting a kiss on Marigold's dark hair.

Jasmine moved on to Iris who was wiping away some tears. They may not have had the closest relationship, but they still loved each. They hugged each other without saying a word to each other.

Peony came to hug her tightly. "I'm going to miss you," said Peony a little loudly.

"So will I," Jasmine said loudly enough that Peony will be able to hear her."Love you."

Dad was the only left in the group. He came over and held her shoulders. She knew he was going to give her some advice as that was what he usually did when he held their shoulders. His lips parted and said, "Don't bother going to the cornucopia. Find some good allies and run away from the cornucopia. Practice your survival needs. Those are more important than learning weapons. We need you to come back alive."

"I will… I love you."

The peacekeepers came and opened the door, and the door shut behind them, leaving Jasmine alone, trying to stop herself from crying. She clutched the yellow hair ribbon as she awaited her next few visitors.

The door opened again and walked in Diascia with her girlfriend and Flor in tow.

"I really can't believe it," Diascia said as she sobbed when she hugged Jasmine tightly that she thought her ribs would break."We were just talking about you coming over to the apartment whenever you want, but now… that might not come true. Please don't die."

Jasmine patted her back as Diascia continued to cry on her shoulder. Her girlfriend had to unpeel Diascia away from Jasmine that way Flor could get her turn.

"Never thought this would happen… Seems that only yesterday I had to cheer you up and make you function after Robin's unfortunate death. But naturally , you probably got this in the bag. Don't you dare die on me." And with that they left, leaving Jasmine alone.

Sorry this took so long. When I posted that author's note, I was in a bad place where it was really hard in doing anything without the constant nagging of rejection. I was literally turning to suicide as an option, but something got me stabled and I'm here now. I was keeping my blog alive, but I really couldn't force myself doing anything. My life really turned when I heard that my grandpa who I really am close with, got diagnosed with stage 4 throat cancer so I stopped living for a while. Managed to get my shit together by the end of October. Recently, my grandpa has now gotten surgery and he's in the hospital recovering, and he's going to survive for another 5 years, but my cousin's husband is in the hospital now with an illness, so we're still holding our breath hoping to find out more about his illness.

While I still have depression, I feel a lot more alive than what I did before besides that I'm unable to feel much at all which is normal unfortunately. Like I said I apologize that this took so long. Hopefully I could get some new chapters out soon. Let me know what you think of these characters down in the comments!