TW: Rape mentioned in Taj's POV

Jason Lager, 18: District 4 Male

Thrift shop, pimp strut walkin'

Little bit of humble, little bit of cautious

Somewhere between like Rocky and Cosby

Sweater game, nope, nope, y'all can't copy, yup

I didn't think that I would be so eager to get out of this room, but the nerves from the Reaping still haven't worn off. I'm sitting here on this velvet sofa, bouncing my leg up and down in anticipation. It's still not enough to calm my nerves as I fiddle with the chain on my neck to give my hands something to do. I'm still so antsy that when the door finally opens, I shoot up from my seat expecting the peacekeepers to grab me and walk me to the train. However, I totally forgot that I hadn't had any visitors yet. So instead of peacekeepers, I'm greeted by my mother's bright smile. I've never seen her look so happy. Dad, Cassidy, and Miranda enter soon after her.

"I'm so proud of you, Jason," Mom says, hugging me tightly.

"Thanks, Mom," I reply, hugging her back.

"I'm proud of you too, little bro," Miranda says.

"I wouldn't have been able to do it without your help," I say.

"I guess I'm happy for you," Cassidy says. "You finally did something of significance in your life."

"You can never avoid giving a backhanded compliment, can you?" I ask. Cassidy doesn't answer. She just rolls her eyes.

There's an awkward silence that fills the room as we all look to Dad, waiting for his input. He just stands there, staring back at us. I know he knows that we're waiting for him to speak, but he's taking his sweet time. I was hoping that Dad's indifference would take a back seat, but I was obviously mistaken.

Dad steps forward, closing the distance between the two of us. Dad's a pretty intimidating guy, so I'm expecting the worst. Time seems to move in slow motion as he gets closer. He stops about two feet in front of me. He reaches out and pulls me into a hug, holding me tight and patting my back.

"I'm proud of you too, son," Dad says. "Make me even more proud by coming back home."

There are three loud knocks on the door, signaling that my family's time is up. I'm frozen in place as Mom, Dad, and my sisters file out of the room. I've never been caught so off guard in my life. I sit back down, trying to process what Dad just said. He said he was proud of me. He's actually proud of me. Before I even have time to unpack what just happened any further, the door bursts open and Antoine and Marlow come barreling in, practically toppling over each other. Amelia follows close behind.

"Dude, you fucking did it!" Marlow yells.

"Sure did, man," I reply, trying and failing to match his energy. Despite my own excitement, my nerves keep me down.

"You better kick some ass," Antoine says. "Because I know I would if I were the volunteer."

"Don't expect any less," I say.

"Too bad. My expectations are already pretty low," Amelia pipes in.

"Oh, come on, you don't have faith in me?" I ask her in a sarcastic tone.

"I do, but you still have a track record of being a disappointment," she quips back.

"Touché," I say. She's not wrong. All the times I've flaked on her prove her point, but it wasn't my fault. She was the one who wanted to meet alone all those times. I couldn't bring myself to do that out of fear of accidentally letting her know about my true feelings for her. That would be way too embarrassing.

"So, how was the fam?" Marlow asks.

"It went surprisingly well," I say. "Dad actually hugged me and said he was proud of me."

Another tense silence fills the room as Marlow, Antoine, and Amelia all look at me in shock. They know my dad pretty well too, so they're equally as surprised as I was.

"Your dad, Nathan Lager, the man known for never showing any type of emotion, hugged you?" Marlow asked.

"And said he was proud of you," Antoine added.

"I'm just as taken aback as you guys are," I say.

Three more knocks on the door signal that my friends' time is up. Antoine and Marlow give me pats on the back before leaving the room. Amelia lingers behind a little longer.

"Amelia, you have to leave or- "

She cuts me off by planting a kiss on my lips. My eyes bugged in shock and my heart flutters. I tense up at first, but return the kiss just before she pulls away.

"I've been wanting to do that for a while," Amelia says.

"Me too," I say, voice croaking.

"I love that smile, Jason," she says. "Don't lose it while you're gone."

Amelia walks out of the room, leaving me to process what just happened. My dad is actually proud of me and Amelia has the same feelings for me that I have for her. What a day.

Azo Cashmere, 16: District 8 Female

But I'm here right now, right now

Just sitting in a cloud, oh wow

I'm here right now, right now with you

Oh wow, oh wow

My senses are heightened as I sit in this over decorated room. I run my hands on the velvety couch, noting how my fingers make lines in the fabric. Looking out of the window, I see the peacekeepers breaking down the stage in the Square. The last few citizens are clearing the area, leaving the Square nearly empty. It's odd being on the inside of the Justice building, surrounded by red and gold decorations while the rest of District 8 is a bunch of bland brick buildings and concrete pavement. The sound of the door creaking open turns my attention to the front of the room. Dad, Daisy, and Ellie walk in. Dad rushes up to me and practically tackles me, hugging me so hard it almost hurts. I don't protest because I would do the same thing if my child was reaped.

"Dad, don't kill her before she gets to the Capitol," Ellie says, giggling at her poorly timed joke. Daisy elbows Ellie's side.

"What?" Ellie asks, obviously not understanding the gravity of the situation.

"Now's not the time to joke around," Daisy says. Ellie hangs her head in shame.

"Promise me you'll come back," Dad says with tears in his eyes. "You can't leave us."

"I'll try, Dad," I say. That's all I can tell him. I can't promise anyone anything right now. I don't know what I'll face in the arena.

"Just know that I love you," he says. "I'll always love you."

"I love you too," I whisper, barely audible.

Daisy and Ellie run up to me and hug me tight. It's weird having both of my sisters hug me because they never hug anyone else but each other.

"Please come back, Azo," Daisy says.

"Yeah, we can't hold down the shop by ourselves," Ellie adds.

"You two better help Dad with whatever he needs while I'm gone," I tell them. They look at each other, as if they're having some sort of nonverbal conversation. They look back at me.

"We will," they say in unison.

"Thanks, girls," Dad says, still choked up. It pains me to see Dad in this state. This is the man who raised me and my sisters by himself, who was always strong for us, but now he looks broken, as if a piece of his soul was ripped out.

I hug Dad again and he willingly returns it. Ellie and Daisy join in. The four of us stay like this until a peacekeeper pounds on the door. Startling us as we break out of our embrace.

"Times up," the peacekeeper barks.

"So I guess this is goodbye?" I ask solemnly.

"Not before I give you this," Dad says, pulling a small folded sheet of paper out of his pocket. I unfold it, revealing a drawing of a blue dress, the first one I designed on my own. I still remember the day I finished it. Dad was so proud of me.

"Thank you," I say, voice trembling.

"No, thank you," Dad responds before kissing me on the forehead and leaving the room with Daisy and Ellie following close behind him.

I sit back down on the couch, staring at the drawing. The dress on the paper is similar to the one I'm wearing now, but it's floor-length and there are rhinestones along the collar. I turn the paper over, remembering that I had practiced my signature several times on the back. There it was, my name in twelve-year-old handwriting in black ink. I count seven signatures. I remember liking the fifth one the best. It's the same one that I put on every one of my original designs today. I feel the warm tears threatening to spill, so I fold the paper back up and set it aside so I don't damage my design. I bury my head in my hands and cry silently to myself. I told Dad that I would try my best, but I can't even look a stranger in the eye. The Capitol probably already hates me for freezing up before I walked on stage. I blew my first impression. There's no way I'll make it back home alive.

The sound of the door opening again interrupts my thoughts. Only this time it's not another visitor. It's two peacekeepers ready to escort me to the train station.

"Ms. Cashmere, it's time to head down to the station," the peacekeeper on the left says. I stand up, not forgetting to grab my paper, and slowly walk to the peacekeepers. They each place one hand on my back and guide me out of the room. When the door slams shut, I freeze again just like I did when I was picked. However, the peacekeepers force me to keep my feet moving towards the train station, where I will be shipped off to the Capitol to be exploited before being dumped into the arena to die.

Avena Mayes, 17: District 9 Female

Water pourin' down from the ceilin'

I knew this would happen, still hard to believe it

Maybe I'm dramatic, I don't wanna seem it

I don't wanna panic

The tears spilled as soon as I was left alone in this room. I did a great job during the Reaping. I didn't look weak, but now it's time to let it all out before the cameras are on me again. The Capitol can't see this side of me.

The door opens slowly, just enough for Ginger to poke her head in. When she sees me, she opens the door all the way and runs into my arms. She's followed by Mom, Dad, and my brothers Granger, Barric, and Demetri.

"Please don't leave, Avena," Ginger says. "I don't want you to go."

"I don't want to go either," I say. "But I have to."

"Please come back," Giver says.

"I'll be back before you know it," I lie. Well, halfway lie. I'll be back, but it'll be in a wooden box.

"Avena, promise us you'll try your best," Dad says, hugging me tight.

"I'll try," I say. Although I'll probably be dead before I get a chance to try. One of those trained tributes will probably have me gutted as soon as I step off my pedestal.

As soon as Dad lets me go, Mom steps up to me. She holds my face in her hands and kisses my forehead.

"I love you, sweetheart," she says.

"I love you too," I reply.

"You need to be strong for us," Granger says. "Don't give them a reason to kill you."

"I'll try not to," I say.

"Time's up!" a peacekeeper barks. I get a final round of hugs before everyone leaves the room. The peacekeeper slams the door shut, leaving me alone again. I sit in solitude for a few more minutes before the door opens again. Teff walks in, looking guilty. I run up to her and hug her tight.

"I should've volunteered," Teff says, voice wavering. "I'm so sorry for being so selfish."

"No. You've got it all wrong," I reply. "You did the right thing. I told you not to."

"But you might die," Teff says. "What would I do without you?"

"Better me than you," I say. "You know how I was before we met. If you died, I would go back to the old Avena and it would be ten times worse."

"But- "

"Listen, Teff. You were the best thing to ever happen to me. Without you, I wouldn't have grown into the person I am today. You brought that out of me. I don't know what you saw in me, but you took a chance on me. That alone was enough of a favor to last a lifetime. You owe me nothing, Teff. Nothing at all."

Teff pauses for a second, eyes pooling with tears. I hug her again, letting her tears fall on my shoulder. It feels so odd being the shoulder to cry on, especially after Teff has been that for me for the past several years. She is my rock. Always standing up for me when I couldn't. Always being strong for me. Now I have to be strong for her.

"I never thought of it like that," Teff finally croaks out.

"I always did," I say.

I release Teff from my embrace, and we just sit in a comfortable silence for a few moments, enjoying each other's company. The silence is broken when Teff perks up and starts searching for something in her pockets. She finally pulls out something shiny, but I only catch it reflecting off of the sunlight pouring in through the window before she closes her fist.

"I wanted you to have this," Teff says, dropping the item in my hand. I open my fist to reveal a silver ring.

"Woah," I say. "Where'd you get this."

"Some street vendor was selling them," Teff explains. "I wanted to give it to you after we left the Reaping together, but I guess I have to give it to you now."

"How much did it cost you?" I ask. It's a simple silver band, but anything remotely extravagant would cost anyone in 9 a month's salary or more.

"It doesn't matter," Teff says. "You wouldn't keep it if I told you."

The door opens again, and the same peacekeeper pokes his head in.

"Alright, time's up," he says.

Teff hugs me one more time before walking to the door. Just before she leaves the room, she pauses and turns back to me.

"Win for me, Avena."

Callum Selkirk, 18: District 12 Male

Thinkin' in a bad way, losin' your grip

Screamin' at my face, baby, don't trip

Someone took a big L, don't know how that felt

Lookin' at you sideways, party on tilt

My mind was blank when I was up on stage, but now the thoughts are racing in my head. I have so many questions. How is Ashton gonna hold up? Will Scoria ever learn her lesson? How will Anthrie put up with them? Who's going to look after the three of them when Mom's working?

The door swings open and Ashton rushes in, throwing himself onto me. He clings to me, crying softly into my chest. It breaks my heart to see him like this. My sweet, energetic little brother is struggling to keep it together. I want to cry too, but I force myself not to for the sake of Scoria and Anthrie, who walk in accompanied by my best friend Fallon.

"I don't want you to leave me," he says, words muffled.

"Everything will be okay, buddy," I say. "Let me talk to your sisters for a sec."

Ashton reluctantly pulls away, freeing me to approach Scoria and Anthrie. I hug each of them, the look directly at Anthrie.

"I'm going to need you to look after Ashton," I say. "You can't be locked up in your room all day anymore. You need to make sure he's okay."

"Okay," she says, nodding her head. I turn my attention to Scoria.

"And you," I start. "No more sneaking out."

"No promises," Scoria says.

"I'm serious," I say. "It's bad enough that you do it already, but it'll be worse when I'm gone."

"Fine," she says, sighing heavily.

Finally, I turn to Fallon. I didn't get to see him this morning because I had to track down Scoria. Fallon's only a couple years older than me, but he looks like he could be much older. He's built strong and he's much more mature than most people his age. He was the one who showed me the ropes when I started working in the mines. We've been best friends ever since.

I see the tears welling up in Fallon's eyes. He's trying to fight them back, but when I hug him, they start spilling. I don't think I've ever seen Fallon cry before. I pull away from him so I can look him in the eye.

"Fallon, I need you to take care of my folks when I'm gone," I say. "They need you now more than ever."

"Callum, why are you talking like you're already dead?" Fallon asks. The expression he has on his face is killing me. He looks so heartbroken.

"Listen, there are twenty-three other kids who want to live as much as I do. Chances are I'm not going to make it back alive. I'm not giving up, but it's best if I prepare you guys for when I'm gone."

All of this is true. I'll do just about anything to stay alive, but I have to be realistic. I can't leave everyone with false hopes. I have to be realistic, and as much as I hate to admit it, I could very well be dead within the next few weeks. Before I go, I need to know that Fallon will take of my family.

"I think I understand," Fallon says. "I'll be there for your family."

"Thank you," I say. "I knew I could count on you."

I hug Fallon again. This time I'm the one to shed tears. I bury my face into Fallon's shoulder so no one else sees me cry. I have to be strong for my siblings, especially Ashton. When I finally have myself back under control, I pull back from Fallon. As I do, I feel him slip something in my pocket. I pull the object out, and it's a silver key attached to a black string.

"What's this?" I ask.

"A key to my new house," Fallon answers. "When you get back, I'll be moved in with Adrienne and I wanted you to have the third key."

"Thanks," is all I can muster. Fallon really trusts me so much to give me a key to his house?

"Don't mention it," he says.

Four loud knocks on the door signal that it's time for my visitors to leave. As they leave, I notice Fallon's arm is draped around Ashton's shoulder, just like I would do.

I think they'll be okay without me.

Annese Dior, 18: District 1 Female

I wish today it would rain all day

Maybe that'll kinda make the pain go away

Tryna forgive you for abandonin' me

Prayin' but I think I'm still an angel away

Damn, I haven't felt this good in years. I just volunteered for the Games and I looked great doing it. My hair was up, my posture was great, and I walked with purpose. It's also great that standing next to Cyrus made me look so much better. That's what happens when you stand next to someone who looks like such a nerd, you automatically look twenty times better.

Hopefully, the other Careers aren't as weird as Cyrus. I can't wait to meet them to figure out how they'll help me win. I hope there will be at least one that will do some killing for me because I wouldn't want to get too much blood on me. Maybe I can get Cyrus to do it.

I'm pulled out of my plotting when the door swings open and Calix rushes in. She jumps into my arms and hugs me. Mom follows in, looking proud.

"You did it Annese!" she says. She's beaming. I've never seen her look so happy.

"Of course I did," I say confidently.

"I'm so happy for you, honey," Mom says. I set Calix down and practically clobber Mom with a hug of my own.

"Thanks, Mom," I say. "I'll make you proud. You can count on it."

"I don't expect anything less," Mom replies. I love that she has just as much confidence in me as I do myself. If she didn't, I would probably disown her.

"So when will you be coming back?" Calix asks.

"Hopefully it'll only be about two weeks," I tell her. Calix doesn't like waiting, and neither do I. I guess she takes after me.

"Annese, I want you to have this," Mom says, pulling out a silver necklace with a diamond charm on it.

"Wow," I say. "It's beautiful."

"That's why I got it for you," Mom says, handing me the necklace. I put it on, noticing how it matches my dress. It's perfect.

"Well I love it, Mom," I say, clutching the charm on my chest.

"Don't lose it," Mom says.

"I won't," I say. "I promise."

"Time's up!" a peacekeeper on the other side of the door. I give Mom and Calix a final hug before they leave the room.

I look at the diamond charm that rests on my chest, noting how it reflects the light coming in from the window, dispersing it in multiple directions.

The peacekeepers open the door again, but this time, there are no visitors.

"It's time to go to the train station," one of them says. I hop up from the plush couch and speed walk out of the room.

It's time to shine, Annese.

Taj Pavonis: 17, District 6 Male

I love everything

Fire spreading around my room

My world's so bright

It's hard to breathe but that's alright

Hush

I think my plan worked. I didn't shed too many tears, but I looked weak enough to make my opponents underestimate me. Even North, who was standing right next to me, couldn't see through my façade. When I come for their necks, they won't even know what hit them. It'll be a great show for the Capitol as well, since that's what they're always looking for.

I have a track record of putting on a good show. Well, not myself. It's my actions that make the headlines. Everyone has seen the front pages of the newspapers when I burned down Dad's old employers' headquarters. It was the longest story in the paper for three months straight. There was a huge investigation where they were trying to find the perpetrator. Little did they know that it was me the whole time. I covered my tracks very well that time. I left zero evidence. Any time they thought they had a lead, it turned out to be a dead end. Yeah, I kept up with the investigation to make sure they weren't making any progress. When my parents asked why I was so fascinated by the investigation, I told them that I had gotten into some true crime documentaries that aired on the television at Dad's barber shop. They must've thought I was going through some sort of phase.

However, the first time I burned a building down almost went horribly wrong. I remember it like it was yesterday. My older sister Zahida came home early from a sleepover, locked herself in her bedroom, and cried herself to sleep. It was so out of character for her that I knew something terrible happened. I asked her what happened, but she wouldn't reveal anything. I couldn't just stop there. Zahida's my sister, I had to know what happened to her. After weeks of prying, she finally let it slip that she was raped by one of her friends at the sleepover. All I saw was red after she told me. For some odd reason, the only thing that came to mind was revenge, and the only way to do that was to burn the bastard's house down. I grabbed some matches and some alcohol from the barbershop and headed down to the house that night.

When I got there, I poured the alcohol on the front porch, struck the match, and threw it on the puddle of alcohol. The fire ignited immediately, engulfing the porch in flames. The fire quickly spread to the open window to the left of the door and crept into Zahida's attacker's house. Seeing the house suddenly go up in flames was amazing. In fact, it was so amazing that I stayed around and admired my handiwork for a little too long. I saw the window above the front door slide open and I bolted, praying that whoever opened that window didn't see my face. The guy and his family all survived, but their house was burnt beyond repair. After almost getting caught, vowed to myself that I would never be so careless ever again.

My little trip down memory lane is interrupted by the sudden opening of the door to the room in which I'm being held in. Dad stumbles in, looking absolutely devastated. He's followed by Mom, Seth, and Zahida. When Dad's eyes lock onto me, he rushes up to me and pulls me into the biggest bear hug I've ever been in. I've never seen Dad move so fast before, and now he's holding onto me like I'm his last bit of sanity left. At this moment, I just might be.

"This can't be goodbye," he says, sniffling.

"I hope it's not," I answer, remembering my master plan.

"I love you, Taj," Dad says.

"I love you too," I say.

"Please come back to us," Mom says.

"I'll be back," I respond. "I don't know if I'll be living, but I'll be back."

"Now's not the time to think like that," Zahida says. "We need you to think positive."

"I'm trying," I say. "But it's so hard when there's twenty-three people who want me dead."

"Well the three of us want you alive, little bro," Seth says. I can't help but chuckle a little bit at that last part.

"Little bro? I'm only thirty minutes younger than you," I say, lightening the mood a little. Not too much though, I still remember my plan.

"Whatever, dude," Seth replies. "Just don't give up."

"Okay, man" I reply. I don't confirm that I won't give up. I can't let them know about my plans. They might spill the tea, and who knows who else might find out?

"Taj, take this with you," Dad says, holding out our barber shop's business card. "It's to remember who you're fighting for."

I already know who I'm fighting for because they're standing right in front of me. I still take the card just so I can give Dad something to be happy about. I want my plan to work, but Dad isn't the most stable man in Panem. Him leaving with dry eyes won't ruin anything.

"Thanks," I say.

"Maybe you could give it to someone in the Capitol," Zahida says. "Some of them could use a haircut."

All of us laugh at that one. Somehow Zahida knows exactly what to say to brighten up a room, even during times like this.

A loud bang on the door signifies that it's time for my family to leave. They all leave after giving me a final round of hugs and kisses. Just before the door shuts, Seth pauses in the threshold.

"I was being serious earlier," he says. "Don't you dare give up, no matter what happens."

Having said that, Seth leaves, closing the door behind him. I'm left all alone once again. Now is the time to finalize my plan, and it doesn't involve me giving up.

Hey y'all, I'm finally back with another chapter. Sorry for the wait, but here are the goodbyes. Here we have Jason, Azo, Avena, Callum, Annese, and Taj.

Questions:

Who had the saddest goodbye?

Who had the most surprising goodbye?

The next chapter I have planned is the first train ride chapter! I am beyond excited for it! We'll finally get to see some real tribute interaction. The featured POVs for that one will be up on my profile, so check it out for a little sneak peek.

Until next time,

Ty