Colleen Reyna: POV
BRRRRIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNGGGGG GGGG! I scream as my dingy alarm clock arouses me from my slumber.
"Stupid, piece of junk," I mutter as I slam my hand down on the snooze button. Yawning, I feel the familiar butterflies in my stomach that can only mean one thing: today, is the reaping. I try to calm my myself, but end up hyperventilating. I must've been pretty loud, because the next thing that I know, Dusty is standing outside my door. Dusty is too young too understand what the reaping is, but he knows that today is a day of suffering. Today, families will be rejoicing, happy that their children have not been reaped. But, there will always be two houses. Two houses with their doors dead-bolted, their windows shut tight. Trying to figure out how to survive the tidal wave of pain that is sure to come their way over the next few weeks. I grab Dusty, and pull him into a tight embrace. I didn't want to let him go, but he insists. I smile at his innocence, and fell a wave of dread wash over me. I realize that I do not want to see Dusty get reaped. But we have no choice. None of us have a choice.
I dress into my reaping outfit, a simple white dress. I walk outside, and wait to see if Jesse will come by. I think he has a crush on me, but I'm to scared to ask him about it. Every time I come close, I just end up chickening out or changing the subject.
He doesn't come by, so I decide to head down to the reapings by myself. He is probably down there waiting for me. People from school start walking around me, and some stop to make small talk. But, I always end the conversation before it gets to long. That's just how I am. But, when I'm around my friends from school, I always feel like I know the right words to say, the right things to do.
Our District Attendant, Griffin Goldwater, stands tall and high in his high heel boots and pink wig. I can't help but smiling at his ridiculous sense of fashion. I tried to paint him once, just for a customer, but I could never get the curl of his wig right, or the way his high heels seem to sparkle in any available light.
As I am contemplating what color I would use for the hair, Goldwater reaches into the girl's reaping ball and yells out a name. For some reason, everyone seems to stare at me, and I start to feel self-conscious. Is my hair all messed up? Do I have a duck tail? Then I see Jessie's face. The way he seems to have lost all hope in the world. And I know what has happened. I scream and crumple to the ground, wishing that everybody would go away. All I wanted was Jesse. Give me Jesse I wanted to scream.
And then he was there. Holding me and comforting me. Telling me everything was going to be alright. He picks me up as if I was just a stuffed animal and he carries me towards the stage. Goldwater extends his hand, and I clasp it for support. I bring myself up and take a few breaths and try not to look at the gaping crowd.
Goldwater smiles and says "Well wasn't that just touching?" He reaches his hand into the reaping bowl, and pulls out a slip of paper.
"Mustang Tanner" he yells out. I close my eyes in exasperation. Why did it have to be him?
Mustang Tanner: POV
Another day of no sleep. But no biggy. I was working out, trying to make my already rock hard abs...even more rock-hard! But wasn't today important or something? Was it time to get another girlfriend? No. Time to go beat up Duke for what he said about me and Stacy? No. Oh god, now I remember. Today is the reaping. I look at the clock and read 7:30 AM. Just enough time to shower, eat breakfast, and make it to the reaping.
I quickly shower, change into my white shirt and black pant, and run downstairs to eat breakfast. Mom is yelling at Dad again. Looks like Dad was flirting with yet another woman.
"You have a family! And yet you go after women as if you don't have a loving, caring wife and a perfect son!" Dad sees me walking down the stairs and gives me a small smirk before he goes and apologizes to Mom.
"Honey, Honey. I have feelings for you and only you. All these other women, they mean nothing to me. Nothing! I care about you and only you." Dad looks over and winks at me. As usual, he's got Mom in the palm of his hand.
"Well you two that was a great, great performance. But, we gotta go. Reaping starts in five min." I say. Mom and Dad share a loving smile, and then we head off towards the reaping stage. We get there just in time, and I give several beautiful women my most heart-wrenching smile, causing most of them to blush profusely. Sometimes, I can't get over how sexy I am. I look around and catch the eye of my "best friend" Duke. He quickly turns away, knowing I probably heard about what he says. But I can beat him up later. Griffin Goldwater our District Attendant walks up onto the stage and reaches his hand into the girl's reaping ball.
"Colleen Reyna." the name rings across the clearing. I turn my head in the general direction of Colleen, and I manage to catch a glimpse of her before she collapses to the ground. Hmph. What a wimp. I can't believe she doesn't enjoy all the attention she is getting. I see that kid Jessie walk up and hug her and pick her up. As much as I hate the kid, I gotta admit:he's got game. Goldwater helps her up the stage and says sarcastically
"Well wasn't that just touching?" He reaches his hand into the boy's ball, pulls out a slip of paper, and yells "Mustang Tanner." I gasp, and almost fall before I realize I'm in the limelight. I stand strong and give my most winning smile. I walk confidently towards the stage, blowing kisses here and there to the sexy girls of District 10. I look at my mom and dad and mouth I'll make it. Don't worry. I love you. I walk up to the stage and smile at Colleen. Unfortunately, she seems to be the only girl capable of resisting my charm.
Griffin takes our hands and joins them together. "The People of District 10. I give you your tributes." Nobody cheers. Nobody does anything. My mother is crying and my father is barely holding himself together, for my mother's sake. Colleen's family is huddled in a circle, sobs shaking their shoulders. We are carried away by Peacekeepers, and I flash my adoring fans a reassuring smile before we are herded into the dark cold chambers of the Justice Building.
Colleen Reyna: POV
Mustang Tanner. Why did it have to be Mustang Tanner? He was such a pervert, always thinking he was seductive and charming. Goldwater put our hands together and announced to my embarrassment
"The People of District 10. I give you your tributes." No one cheers. No one makes a move. I'm thankful and at the same time ashamed. It looks like my district really couldn't care less about us. We are herded into the Justice Building, and unfortunately, i'm left alone with Mustang. He is handsome, and he has nice abs. But he is just a seductive piece of crap. He is about as deep as a puddle.
I try to look away and keep to myself, but to my chagrin, he comes over and sits uncomfortably close to me.
"Get away Tanner" I mutter.
"Why Reyna? You don't find me, attractive?" he says in that annoying seductive purr of his. Thankfully, Goldwater comes into the room and tells us that we have to go to our different rooms.
"Sorry, I had to break up your love fest" smiles Goldwater. I don't know what he's talking about until I realize Mustang's hand is an inch away from mine. I get up and walk towards my room. I'm fuming with anger. I mean, what does he think I am? His play toy?I manage to calm down enough when my family walks in, though. I put my arms around them and we just stay like that for a while. Then Mom can't take it anymore.
"I-I love you Colleen!" is all she manages to say before she breaks into sobs. Emilia gives me a look that tells me she is distraught over my fate, but must go tend to my mother. I nod back saying it is okay.
The normally outgoing Dusty is quiet now, as if he senses the unfairness of the entire situation. I look at Austin and give him a look that says Come here.
"Dusty why don't you go and play outside with your friends?" suggests Austin.
Dusty gives him a sullen look and replies with a monotone "Ok."
"Austin" I say. "You can't let Dusty know..please he can't know!" My voice cracks, but I cannot stop the emotion from overwhelming me.
"It's okay Colleen" he reassures me. "I'll protect him, no matter what! What you should be worrying about is your survival."
The Peacekeepers appear, as if they have appeared out of the shadows. They walk up and grab Austin. He fights but his only answer is the hard butt of the Peacekeepers gun. I scream at them to stop, and they finally relent.
Between his broken nose, he manages to get out "I'll be waiting for you...my victor." The Peacekeepers kick him outside, and then come back for me. They each take an arm and load me into the train.
Mustang Tanner: POV
Colleen Reyna. Otherwise known as "Lena." I've never really noticed her, but if I can somehow charm her, and extra ally willing to give her life for me would be a definite plus. She tells me to get away, but I know better than to give up.
"What Reyna? You don't find me, attractive?" She snorts, but just as I am about to go for her hand, Goldwater has to show up.
"Sorry to break up your love fest" he laughs sarcastically. She sees my hand almost touching her hand, and she walks away, obviously oozing anger.
I walk towards my room, and slowly open the door. It is furnished with soft velvet, and the bed is nice and soft. Mom and Dad walk in, and they just go and hug me. Mom starts to break down and Dad sends her out of the room.
"Look, Mustang" he says. "You need to be able to use your charms, and seductive power to your advantage. You must find allies willing to give their lives for you."
"Of course dad" I answer. "I will survive. For District 10."
"Duke wants to come in. Should I let him in?" asks Dad.
"Sure" I answer.
Duke comes in and sits on the bed.
"Sorry for making fun of you." says Duke. "Come back ok?"
"Of course" I reply. "Thank you Duke."
He nods and walks out. Two Peacekeepers come in right after him and escort me to the train. To my last stop in District 10. To my last stop at home.