Hi guys! I know it has been a long time since I have last updated, but now I am on Christmas break so I should be able to update more often. A big thank you to Gomex for writing Clarkson's POV for this chapter!

Clarkson Starlight, 16, District 1 Male

Reaping Day...The biggest day of the year in my District. I never really cared about it if I'm being honest, I've been too busy taking care of my own family. Ever since my Mother and Father died, its just been me and my sister, Clara, she means the most to me out of anyone in the world. She comes before my training, my school, my friends, my trainers, and myself. I rub my eyes as I get out of my bed, taking a glance at my night stand and picking my glasses up. As I put them on I hear Clara yell for me.

"CLARKSON! CAN YOU COME HELP ME!" She yelled.

I sighed, I was tired most of the day. I haven't had a full 8 hours of sleep in so long, the last time I probably had that long of sleep was when I was 15, so about a year. As I walked downstairs I noticed that Clara needed me to tie her bow in her hair. Luckily I know a thing with makeup, and hair. Don't call me girly or think that weird, it's just having to take care of a younger sister and her friends with makeup has made me learn more about that kind of stuff. I admit I do pretty well with eyeshadow, and blush.

"Sure sis, after that I'll make some smiley chocolate pancakes, your favorite!" I smiled at her, I'm gonna try to make her happy and take her mind off the was her first year since she just turned 12 last month. I have been worried about this reaping for a while now, and I now think this is a good time to volunteer. I can't see my sister go through poverty anymore, we are the poor people in District 1 and her being bullied makes me wanna cry and I can't take it anymore.

She squealed in excitement, and hugged me. I hugged her back as I finished tying her bow. Moving to the kitchen I pull out the pancake batter and start to add the ingredients to the bowl. Besides training and taking care of my sister, I've been working 3 jobs daily to earn money to help my sister. I barely even make enough to get essential items for me and Clara. Which makes it impossible to buy something for myself, but I don't really care if I buy something to make myself happy helping my sister and seeing her happy reactions make me happy enough.

As I finished making the pancakes I looked out my window, seeing peacekeepers marching door to door, escorting the citizens of district 1 to the Hall of Justice, where the reaping always takes place. I set the pancakes onto the table and call for Clara. As we started to eat my pancakes I looked up at Clara, trying my best not to burst out and cry.

"You know Clara, I love you and always will no matter what happens at the reaping today." I smile at her, I really do care about her, but this isn't the time to tell her about me volunteering.

"Yeah Clark, I know. I will always love you too." She smiles at me.

I nod as we finished our pancakes, just in time as the peacekeepers knocked on our door.

"COMING!" I yelled. As I opened the door seeing the and Clara always hated them, they were too rough with people and cold-blooded. Thought if I said that I would get Clara and myself killed. I smiled at them and yelled for Clara to come here. She came quickly as I held her hand stepping out the door, following the peacekeepers.

I looked around seeing kids from my class give me horrible faces at us. They thought of us as pigs who don't deserve to be in a career district. I honestly don't care what they thought of me and Clara. I looked down at Clara and says quietly/

"Ignore them, they are just jealous that you have such a good family." I smiled at her, she nodded back at me. As we arrived at the Hall of Justice, she looked up at me, noticing the finger pricking. Clara has a fear of needles, so she started to panic.

"Hey Hey Hey, It's not gonna hurt. You'll just feel a slight pinch, but I'll hold your hand." I say calmly, trying to calm her down. She nodded at me and eventually calmed down. We got in line as we started to get in front we hear the eerie voice from the finger pricker lady.

"NEXT!"

I bring Clara forward, still holding her hand. I looked down at her,

"Give her your hand sis, don't worry you'll be fine." I smiled, as she held out her hand as the needle went into her hand, she flinched a bit but was fine,

"See? Was that Hard?" I chuckled at her, she smiled back at me. As I point to where she needs to go.

"NEXT!" The lady says again.

I held out my hand as she pricked it. I then turned and walked towards where I was supposed to stand. Once the finger pricking ended, the district 1 escort walked out. She was always so fashionably late, and always wore so much makeup.

"Welcome Welcome! To District 1's Reaping of the 131st Annual Hunger Games!" She began to play the annual video, which was nothing but nonsense and bullcrap. I ignored it as it played.

War, terrible war. Widows, orphans, a motherless child. This was the uprising that rocked our land. Thirteen districts rebelled against the country that fed them, loved them, protected them. Brother turned on brother until nothing remained. And then came the peace, hard fought, sorely won. A people rose up from the ashes and a new era was born. But freedom has a cost. When the traitors were defeated, we swore as a nation we would never know this treason again. And so it was decreed that, each year, the various districts of Panem would offer up, in tribute, one young man and woman to fight to the death in a pageant of honor, courage and sacrifice. The lone victor, bathed in riches, would serve as a reminder of our generosity and our forgiveness. This is how we remember our past. This is how we safeguard our future.

Once It ended the reaping began. It was time to announce the male tribute. The escort licked her lips and pulled out a name.

"Peter Jamesona!" She cheered.

I looked at my sister, and backed up to the escort as I screamed out.

"I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!" I nearly was about to cry as I looked to see Clara's reaction.

"NO! CLARK! PLEASE NO" She cried, but it was too late.

Crying a bit, I walked up to the stage as the escort cheered.

"A volunteer! Tell us your name dear!"

"Clarkson Starlight." I say quickly, wiping my tears away, as all the emotions went through my head.

Taffeta Marquise, 18, District 1 Female

"Next!" I scoff to myself as I give my hand to the peacekeeper who is in charge of checking us all in. To me, only peasants need their fingers pricked. We of high class should only need to announce our arrival.

Then I am shoved along with many others I am friends with at the academy and school. They also need to work on their grouping and traffic methods for the reaping. I personally think that they should have rows of chairs to group us by instead of a roped in section for all of the different age groups.

Next, we are forced to watch a film that some of us have even grown to hate. Even in a Career district, we absolutely hate the lies and idiotic things the younger kids actually believe.

At last, when the stupid film is over it is time to earn my time in the spotlight. Although, years ago they changed the rules so that the boys were now chosen first. What happened to ladies first?

The escort gleefully skipped over to the boy's bowl and drew out a name.

"Peter Jamesona!" She shrieked.

The square was deadly quiet until a boy's deep voice filled it. Strangely his voice sounded cracky and like he was about to burst into tears.

I volunteer as tribute!" He called.

He slowly trudged up to the stage, and when he got next to the escort he appeared to be slouching. That says a lot, I think. He doesn't contain the excitement that the usual Career tribute has when they volunteer. He will be a weak spot in the alliance for sure.

Finally, the escort walks quickly over to the girl's bowl.

"Ruby Skywood!" She calls gleefully.

I slowly step out of our section and loudly call out. "I volunteer as tribute!"

Our escort beckons me onto the stage and asks, "What is your name dear?"

I smirk as I reply, "My name is Taffeta Marquise and I am going to win the Hunger Games this year."

Then, we are instructed to shake hands. I extend my arm slowly and grasp the male tribute's hand. It feels rough, but not calloused. This will surely be an interesting matchup.

Thank you guys for reading, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Once again a big thanks to Gomex for writing Clarkson's POV and for collaborating with me on this SYOT. Please submit a tribute, it really is needed and is very appreciated. Also, don't forget to review! I really enjoy seeing your inputs on my writing. It helps me become a greater writer.