District Four Reapings

Brooke Evans, Female from Four

District 4, Reaping Day

"Excuse me," Brooke said, "But I'm volunteering today and would like to get a last minute training session in." Brooke was at the front door of the training center in District 4, and there was a group of friends in her way.

One of the faces turned around and Brooke realized who they were, only three of THE BEST people in the center.

First was Althea Hawk, the woman who placed 5th in this year's tournament.

Second was Orion Douglass, the man who placed 1st.

The third was Jayson White, the 4th place winner, who Brooke knew had a crush on her.

Jayson turned red when she walked by, and Brooke noticed the other two stifling laughter.

Brooke made her way to the practice mats, where her best friend, Cove, was waiting for her.

"Hey Brooke," he said, long black hair waving in the wind, "Quick spar?"

Brooke obliged and got on the mat with a wooden dagger, while Cove used a wooden sword.

She dodged a few strikes and parried a few more, when she noticed a weak point. She waited until Cove went in for another strike, and attacked. She hit the point dead on.

"Dammit," Cove said, "I thought for sure I had that one."

"There's a reason you got third, Cove. And it wasn't because I held back."

In the tournament Cove and Brooke battled it out, with Brooke coming out on top. Brooke was beaten by Orion quickly though, earning her the number two spot.

"Well, Cove. It was nice, but I got me some games to win."

"You know Brooke, the games are evil. Your brother realized it, and I did too."

Brooke had heard this a thousand times.

"Well 'Golden Boy', I didn't ask for permission. I'm volunteering today whether I like it or not, and when I win, you can be like my brother, and marry a victor."

Cove laughed, not taking Brooke seriously, which made her mad. She stormed out of the training center heading home.

When she made it to her big house, she quickly ran up the stairs, not wanting to deal with her family's unsupportiveness. She quickly changed into a clean pair of training clothes, because her others were dirty and she didn't like dresses, and tried to slip out of the house.

Brooke had almost made it to the front door, when her father caught her.

"Honey, I know you're volunteering, and you know how I feel about that decision, but I want you to know that, no matter what, I love you." He said to her

Brooke was caught off guard by that sentiment, but quickly put her emotionless face back on, "I know, father."

"Good, now go win those games. Because more money is the only thing we desperately need."

Brooke laughed at her father's joke, and left her house. She was almost to the stage center, when Jayson White motioned for her to come talk. It was only him, though.

"Brooke, I know you're volunteering today, so I figured I'd let this one out. Here goes," he took a deep breath, "I love you."

Brooke had to hold in laughter, "Jeez Jayson, I'm sorry but, the feeling isn't mutual. There's someone else," she said, politely turning him down.

She saw tears in Jayson's eyes, "Can I at least get a kiss, before you go and volunteer." He asked.

Brooke thought for a second, and realized that this might be the only time this boy could kiss his crush. The only reply she gave were two arms around his neck, and the best damn French kiss a girl could give. She left him standing there in awe and got in line.

Phil Collins made his way onstage and gave the usual speech for the games. The tape the capitol always sends started playing when Brooke decided to think.

She thought about Jayson, the boy who crushed.

About Orion, the man who would volunteer today.

About Althea, who's Orion's girlfriend, and in some dramatic way will probably walk out with an engagement ring.

She thought about her father, the man whose personality is identical to Brooke's.

About her brother, Kai, one of the most outgoing men in the district.

About her mother, who is just like Kai.

But the person she thought about most, was Cove. The boy with dreamy eyes and curly hair. The boy she hated when she first met. The boy who she would want to start a family with. That's when the thought hit her.

I'm not gonna volunteer

Some other girl could go and take her place. She could stay and live with Cove. She could see her parents tomorrow. She wouldn't have to kill other kids. She wouldn't have to worry about Orion.

The kids around her started nudging her, and she asked them why.

"You've been reaped," Althea told her.

Brooke was shocked, but she only let it show for a second. No one would volunteer for her because she was the highest placing girl in the tournament, and therefore earned the right as tribute.

She made her way up the stage as Phil called the men's name.

"Jayson White!"

Brooke wondered for a second, thinking about how the games would be with Jayson instead of Orion.

She didn't get too far though, because Orion yelled those fateful words.

"I volunteer!"

Phil made her shake hands with him and he led them to the goodbye rooms. "15 minutes," she was told.

Her family was led first, with Kai and her mother talking nonstop, overwhelming Brooke. Her father just nodded in her direction, spoke a few words in his wife's ear, and left.

"Okay honey, good luck," her mother said, following her father.

"It's alright Brooke, you're going to do just fine. Now I'm going to go as well, to give Cove enough time with you." Kai said as he left.

After that Cove came, extremely upset.

Brooke let out a soft chuckle, "You're cute when you're sad," she said.

Cove let out a sigh, "So are you."

Brooke's stomach let loose some butterflies, "Well, if it makes you feel any better, I wasn't going to volunteer."

Cove looked like he was going to cry. He came in and hugged Brooke.

"Uh-uh," she said, "This may be my last chance to do this."

She swooped into Cove's bulky arms and kissed the absolute shit out of him.

Cove was startled for a second, then the peacekeeper came. He handed her a bracelet with seashells and left.

Orion Douglass, Male from Four

Orion ran through the arena as fast as he could, not stopping to look anywhere, he knew his time was up. He thought of Althea, and why he didn't move a bit faster with her. He wondered why Jaxon had to get married by a jerk like Vera. He was gonna wonder a bit more, but a knife went through his chest. He turned to see who backstabbed him, and saw his father, Jaxon. Orion screamed.

"Orion! Shut the hell up boy, or I'll do it!"

Orion awoke in his bed in District 4 sweaty. He looked around, thankful it was only a bad dream. He checked the time, 9:43. He had about an hour to train before he had to go to the reapings.

"Boy! You better answer me you brat! When I speak you answer!"

Orion groaned. One of the only good things about volunteering for the games today was he got to get away from his abusive stepmother, and his lazy sister.

"Yes Vera, I'm sorry."

"You should be, you lazy ass. Now get to the training center! I can't wait to see you volunteer later."

Orion struggled to keep his anger in, but he didn't let it show. He made his way to the training center in District 4, where he met Jayson, his best friend, and Althea, his girlfriend as of a year ago.

"'Sup O! Ready for a spar before reapings?" Jayson said to him, shaggy blonde hair waving in the wind.

"You really want to get beat before the reapings? You are desperate," Orion replied back.

Jayson turned red while Althea held in a laugh. A cough from behind them made Orion turn around, and he saw Brooke Evans, Jayson's crush, causing Jayson to turn another shade of red.

"Excuse me, but I need to get in here. I'm volunteering today and would like to get a last-minute training session in." She said walking by the group of friends.

When she left, Althea gave Jayson a hug. Orion wondered why, then he realized that Jayson would have to root for either his friend, or the girl he loved.

Orion looked at his friend and said, "I won't hold it against you, and I'll make sure it's one of us that gets home."

Jayson just nodded and walked away.

"Give him his space," Althea told him, "It's hard enough with me having to worry about you in the games. If I have to worry about him outside of them I might have to go full on Mother Mode."

Orion gave a half laugh at his girlfriend's attempt to lighten the mood. He checked his watch, 10:03. There was still a half hour to go before the reapings.

He started walking towards the training center when Althea grabbed his arm.

"You're not going to wear that to the reapings, are you?" She said pointing to his clothes. He was wearing training shorts and a blue training shirt.

He just shrugged his shoulders and kept walking.

Althea coughed, "Oh no mister, you're going to wear something nice on your big day," as she walked off, beckoning for Orion to follow

Orion groaned, but complied, knowing he didn't have a choice. Althea's father was a Field Supervisor in the Evans' fishing company, the biggest one in the district, so they had a lot of money.

Althea led Orion through her big house and into one of the rooms. She opened a closet and pulled out a button down light blue shirt and dark blue jeans. She handed them to Orion and tried to turn around, but Orion pulled his shirt off before she could.

Orion smirked at the sight of his girlfriend staring at his sculpted chest and put the blue shirt on, making Althea mad, but she didn't say anything, trying to act like nothing happened. Althea turned around before Orion put on the jeans and they left Althea's house.

They were walking down the street when they noticed Jayson talking to Brooke. Jayson caught their eyes and gave them a look that said 'go away please'. They regretfully obliged, and made their way to the Reaping.

"You know Orion, you don't have to do this." Althea said to him while they walked.

"Yes Althea, I do. Jaxson will kick me out if I don't go and 'avenge my mother'. Sometimes I hate her for volunteering, and sometimes I hate her for leaving me,"

Orion's mother gave birth to him when she was 14, and volunteered for the games soon after. She wasn't ready though, and was killed in the bloodbath. Jaxon enrolled Orion in the Academy immediately once she died. Orion met Jayson his third year, and Althea the year after. The three were inseparable and got in a bunch of trouble.

They reached the town center, and Orion got in line with the rest of the 17 year old boys, while Althea got in the one of 17 year old girls. Orion saw Jayson go in the one with the 16 year old boys, and Brooke made her way to the 17 year old girls.

Phil Collins, the district escort, made his way to the stage.

"Hello district 4! As always, I'm Phil Collins, and before we get started, a video from the capital," he said and hit play.

"88 years ago, on this day, the districts were beat by the Capital. In return, the Capital made each district participate in the Hunger Games. Each district has to send in-" '-One boy and one girl' Orion finished in his head.

The video ended and Phil began the moment everyone was waiting for. The bowl was pulled out and he put his hand in.

"Ladies first." The hand came out, "Brooke Evans," Phil read.

'That's just great' Orion thought, 'She didn't even need to say the words'

Phil put his hand in the bowl, "Now, for the boys," he pulled out a hand, "Jayson White,"

"I volunteer," Orion said, not even thinking about whose name was just called. He walked up the stage and shook hands with Brooke.

The peacekeepers led him to the goodbye room. "15 minutes," they said as Jaxon walked into the room.

"Listen boy, I don't care if you make it back here or not, but if you don't get a bunch of kills and avenge your mother and manage to make it back, you better hope the spoils keep you alive." Jaxon told Orion.

Orion couldn't take it anymore. He punched Jaxon in the face, leaving a mark that will probably become a black eye.

"You sack of shit! I did nothing to be born to you! Mom ran off and I bet you didn't try to stop her! It's probably your fault she left and all you've done since she died was be shit to me and marry a bitch!" Orion ranted.

Jaxon went in for a punch, but the peacekeepers pulled him out of the room.

Next came Vera. "Thank god," she said, "all you've been for the last 17 years was a big hole in my money. I can't wait to watch you die on the-"

She stopped mid sentence because Orion gave her a right hook to the jaw. The peacekeepers led her out before anything else happened.

After that was Jayson and Althea. Jayson came in for a bro hug and said, "you can do it man, it's your big moment, this has been your life." Orion merely nodded and Jayson left, giving the couple the room.

"So, if you don't come back-" Althea started.

"I'm coming back. And to make sure I do," Orion pulled the sapphire ring from his pocket and bent on a knee. "Will you marry me?"

"Hell yeah." Was the only response he got.

They kissed one last time before the peacekeeper came, "Times up," she said.

Althea gave him a silver necklace with a gold heart pendant and left the room. Orion walked on the train where Brooke was waiting.

Brooke

The peacekeeper led Brooke to the train, where Sarah Hollings, Finnick Odair, Killian Smoke, and Izzy Evans, Kai's wife, were waiting. The three mentors eyed her down, then told her to go eat something.

She entered the dining cart with Orion on her heels. He filled his plate of food and headed to his room. She heard the door lock when he shut it.

She shrugged her shoulders and sat down, piled a plate full of food, and ate.

After a while Sarah and Finnick came in. "Brooke," Sarah started, "We've decided that I'm going to be your mentor." Brooke nodded.

"Where's mine?" Finnick asked. Brooke pointed to the hallway where the rooms are.

Finnick walked off, leaving Brooke with Sarah.

"So," Sarah started, "Let's talk strategy."

Orion

Someone knocked on his door. "Who is it?" Orion yelled.

"Finnick. Your mentor. Open up please." Was the reply he got.

"No thanks, I don't need it."

"Yeah, you do. You don't volunteer for the hunger games and not take advice from your mentor."

Orion sighed, "Then let me take advice later."

"Suit yourself kid." Finnick said as he left.