Juliette POV
Today is going to be the day that changes everything.
It's the Reaping Day and someone will find out if they're going to die, more or less. Countless citizens and families of District 10 are slowly making their way into the town square. Children are being processed at the check in tables, signing-in for the tribute draw and being ushered to their appropriate groups. The prick of blood the attendants take always hurts at first, but I'm strong enough to not complain about my finger. I've done this process for a couple of years and it's the same. One boy and one girl from my district are called out to compete in the arena. Sometimes they come back, like our District Mentor Fauna, or they come back in a little wooden box to be buried by their family. More than not, we see the box. Last year, both of our tributes died at the bloodbath by the hands of the Careers. I didn't personally know them before they went in the arena; the bloodbath wasn't a pretty sight.
I make my way to the group and the other 17 year old girls are quiet this year. Besides the 18 year olds behind us, the parents of District 10 expect one of us to volunteer for the Games to spare the little kids from competing. Being that it's the Quarter Quell, the tributes need to volunteer for the reaping. We all have skills that could help us, mine would be archery. My grandfather is a former archer and regularly used to capture animals for the Capitol. While my parents were away tending to the farms and raising the cattle, he would teach me a thing or two on how to use a bow. I never told anyone how good I could be, some things should be kept a secret until I need to use it.
The doors open to the main stage. The cameras are fixed as our district's political figures walk out and sit at the empty seats near the podium. A very young woman in a sparkling white dress and headband takes her position at the microphone. Charisma Yrio is our new Capitol Escort, she used to be the District 10 stylist for the female tribute until our last escort retired from his position. Her claim to fame was designing Fauna's outfit for the interview portion. I've seen pictures – she looked gorgeous!
"Hello District 10, what a great pleasure it is to finally come to your district for the next Hunger Games," said Charisma, practically cheering to the crowd. "The Quarter Quell is a time for each potential tribute to change their strategy and adapt to the new rules of the arena. The most important change this year is that each glorious child had the privilege to volunteer to compete. Any one of these volunteers behind me will be a great tribute for District 10."
As she said this, Fauna carried two bowls on stage that contained the names of the children she would be drawing from. She's handed a slip of paper from one of the jars and moves to the microphone. "Thank you, Fauna. It's time to reveal the name of our first tribute. Our female tribute for the 225th Hunger Games is... Juliette Spencer."
Oh, I forgot to mention, I volunteered to compete in the Hunger Games.
Payton POV
I'm surprised that Julie decided to volunteer. She doesn't seem like the type who would openly choose to fight someone to the death, let alone compete in the arena. Juliette and I don't get along much. Ever since her aunt married my father, we never see eye-to-eye on a couple of things. In fact, our biggest difference is that I find her to be an overtly delicate daddy's girl and she thinks I'm just an egotistical farmer's boy. We don't hate each other; we just get irritated all the time.
She walks onto the stage and Charisma introduces her to the television cameras. No doubt the sponsors will be interested in my step-cousin – she has a look that screams "in need of some help." Hopefully I'll receive some parachutes when I'm called into the arena. I decided to volunteer a week ago when I heard of the new stipulation rule. Not many of the male District 10 tributes wanted to volunteer; the guys told me it would be a death sentence. If I were to win, my family would get the fame and fortune needed to never work again. Besides, it would prove to the world that I could provide a future and opportunities for my family... compared to someone like Julie, for instance.
Charisma is in high spirits while Fauna is sizing up her new recruit. I remember watching the year that Fauna won the Hunger Games. She made a good alliance with a couple of the weaker tributes and when they're group was left at the end, she turned on them in an instant. One thing I already learned from her: never trust anyone, even the nicest person who might be your friend. She moves Juliette to the side as our Capitol Escort pulls another name from the bowl. The next name is going to be a boy. If I'm called and chosen to compete, I'm not going to give up my spot. I told my family, including Juliette, that I was going to volunteer for this year. It's not my fault that she choose to compete against me when she knows I'll be threat in the arena.
I feel sudden tap on my shoulder from the boy next to me. Suddenly I realized that my mind has gone elsewhere and that our Capitol Escort has read the name of our male tribute – it's me. The boys have already moved away from me and the Peacekeepers have arrived to lead me to the stage. I can see my parents on the sidelines, they're quite upset about my decision but I know that my father understands. Charisma helps me on stage and leads me to the microphone, "Finally, he's paid attention and has joined us in this celebration. Everyone give a round of applause for our male tribute, Payton Huxley!"
The crowd gives a timid sign of applause. They know that Juliette is family and that we will be competing against each other. Chances are neither of us will return to District 10, luck may have it that one of us will win this year. Juliette can only look over at me with a sad expression on her face. I can tell from her eyes that she knows I'll be her greatest ally in the Games, or her worst enemy. Only one person can win the Hunger Games so I might bury the hatchet with my cousin for the time being. It's a game after all... I need some early alliances and what's better than family?
