Chapter 4: False Heart

District Four Reaping

Anet Bennet - District Four Male

" Of all judgments we pass in life, none is more important than the judgment we pass on ourselves,"

- Nathanial Branden

Warning: Innuendo Joke

The breakfast I carried slipped out of my hand's, all those flapjack's and maple syrups were touching the dirty ground. Shit. Shit. I'm such shit, how did it slip out of my hands? My old relative needed that food. I cooked it and then proceeded to waste it in front of my grandmother's sick bed. I screwed up bad. Why do I have to be such a nervous shit?

"I'm s-sorry, grandma," I studdered an apology. She deserves better than this. Not an idiot grandson that can't even hold a dish right. And here I thought breakfast in bed would have been a great idea. Stupid, just stupid, I chastised myself. Sometimes, I wonder why anyone would ever choose me as a volunteer for this year's games.

My grandmother was on her bed, resting her fatigue, and she turned her head my way, right next to her, then looking down the to the ground at the mess I made.

"Sit down, Anet," she said, sighing. That might as well be an order. I did as she asked of me, sitting on the chair close to her bed. I don't know what I should expect next from my grandma Illia. She could -is- be kind and gentle or she could be a hard taskmaster that kept her the Head Instructor of District Four Academy all those year's ago before she was forced to retire.

She's met my grandfather at that same academy. Both of them wanted to be in the Hunger Game's, but they didn't make it for reason's they still complain about today. After Twenty, they got married, got a daughter(my mother) named Darla. Grandma became Head Instructor for a while, but she was forced to retire when she was found out by favoritism which she actively denies whenever people ask. My mother Darla tried but didn't get to be the volunteer, and she met my father Rosenfoltz also in the academy. The same with him, he wanted to be a volunteer, but couldn't get it.

My family forced me to train since I was six. They wanted me to what they tried to be all those year's ago. My grandparent's, my parent's, and everyone else wanted me to be the volunteer. I did my best. I won my fights. I got to be District's Four Volunteer. My family was so happy, happier than I ever seen them before.

My grandmother took the kind approach this time, not that she isn't kind, but I learned that she's a little manipulative with everyone she meets, "What's on your mind, Anet? It's easy for me to see something is bothering you."

"I-it's nothing," I denied telling her, not wishing to be a bother, which in turn, annoyed my grandmother.

"I'm old. Not senile," grandmother reminded me, the look Illia is giving a look that I'm not escaping this conversation. 'You won't get "You are a career, Anet. This nervous mess I look at is not the career that your father, and I had been training. Now, What is bothering you?"

Well, I tried. I know I can't fight it, and a part of me wants to talk about what I think.

"It's about the Hunger Games," I began, my grandmother nodded for me to continue, "I don't think I'm the best person for it."

The fury is visible on her, and I realized that I should have worded that better.

"You are going to those games," she said frostily. "Your grandfather and your father weren't chosen back when they were your age. You have the skills and generations of fighters in your blood. You can't lose."

Nice to know my family still has confidence in me where I don't.

"T-The odd's aren't all in my favor," I cautioned, more of what I thought than anyone else here. My family seemed oblivious about the fact the District Four hasn't won in a decade and a half.

"You don't need odds, Anet," she hissed, dismissing the thought's I've dwelled on for years. "We have trained you! It took us far too long for someone from our family to get into the games! You are going to the Hunger Games! And you are going to become a victor! Do you- Ach!"

She cut herself off, getting a wide-eyed expression, and clutched her heart. Shit! Her pill's!

I rushed as swiftly as I can to get to the bathroom, making on turn outside to the living room, then another in under five seconds, when I reached the bathroom, getting the pill's out of the shelf made a mess with everything else on the shelf, but I didn't care, my grandmother needed this.

As I get the pill's, I swiftly ran back to my grandma's room. She was breathing irregularly, not a good sign. I pulled the pill's out of the container and made sure she got it in her mouth. Grandma swallowed down her medication's, slowly and surely, her lung's were going back in working order.

"Are you alright?" I asked, concerned.

"Better," Illia replied, loud breathing from her nose can be heard. "Are you going to the game's or not?"

My red-headed grandmother said that. She gave up much of her time for me so that I could become a victor. I got her red hair from her, her blue eye's, and her fair skin. Her skill's with a sword and trident.

"Promise me that you'll go, Anet. Please go," my grandmother begged me, not crying, just saddened by the fact that I don't want to go to the Hunger Games.

I don't want to go.

But, I owe everything to her, and mother and father.

"I promise."

She let out a sigh of relief.

"Grandma. I think you should go to sleep."

"Think your right. Dam these old bones," she agreed with me. "Shame, wish I could come to the Reaping tomorrow, Anet."

"Me, too."

"I can't wait until you come back a victor," she said with certainly before closing her eyes and resting on her pillow.

What have I done to deserve such a high opinion that I could survive the Hunger Games? I went out swimming in the academy pool that night, soothing my mind. My life matter's to them, my family. They want what's best for me. I didn't enjoy training all that much, but what I did enjoy was racing. A simple thing, but I enjoyed racing. I loved running down the track, challenging my parent's to race. An exercise that where we all laughed.

My family doesn't laugh very often.

"Come on, big guy! We got to go to the Reaping!" my childhood best friend, Cyrene cried out. She was waiting outside. Cyrene's nature is somewhat not near close to mine, but if we had this friendship for this long, I'm not going to question it. She's kinda my only friend.

"I'm coming. I'm coming. Wait for a second," I told her, getting my boots on.

She smirked, I could practically see it, "That's what she said."

I snorted, opening the door to get out of the house, "How mature of you."

I see my blonde, blue-eyed friend leaning next to the door.

"You just can't wait. Can you?" she joked brazenly.

While her jokes aren't appreciated, the blush on my face most possible matched my red hair. She laughed in response.

"Don't we have a Reaping to do t-to?" I said quickly.

"Avoiding the question, are we?" Cyrene teased.

I rubbed my flustered face, "Seriously stop."

She waved my word's, still snickering. You'd think at a day where twenty-four kids have to get chosen to fight each other she'd be less humorous. Nope, not her. She alway's needed a better sense of humor, then again it's like I'm the paragon of laughter, I shouldn't criticize. I don't mind it, but I could use fewer puns in my life.

Cyrene looked at my house, "So. How's the old bag doing?"

"Fine," I responded softly.

"Of course she is," she said sarcastically, seeing through my words. She then picked up a thoughtful expression. "You know, it's probably going to be a good thing that you're going to volunteer. When you win, you'll be rich as hell. Your grams would get better."

"That's..." a good idea, my thought's trailed off. Maybe going to Hunger Game's give's me a chance to do something more than fulfill accomplishment in my family's name. Did my father and mother think this too? It still depends on's if I make it or not in as a victor. Glad Cyrene told me this, it makes me feels better about myself.

Cyrene had a flat look on her face, "Hey Anet. You're doing that thing again. You know. When you go off daydreaming?"

"S-sorry," I replied, chastising myself. I shouldn't do that.

"I bet you're dreaming about around escort Forever, eh," she punned. Oh god no.

"No," my boring one word answered didn't stop her from talking.

"Anet so good, too," she continued, this isn't the first time she punned my name.

I brought my hand to her mouth, "Stop it."

"This is why people call you Silent Anet. I hope you that, man," she said once I let go of her mouth.

I nodded. I know that. I don't like talking to people much, since my general nervousness and lack of social skills would possibly end up bitting me in the ass at the Acadamy. I just thought it would be better to keep silent. It worked out.

We reached the town square. The line's where ready. The mentor's and escort are sitting at the end of the stage. Cyrene and I went to our line's, opposite of one another. There was a bit of wait for the mayor to start his speech. He talked about the rebellion, the treaty, and played a video that President Chamber audios. After that, he called up Forever Elbategrof.

"Hello there, District Four. It is an honor being here," a pleasant woman with a saucy voice. Her long braided hair was blue and yellow. Her shirt had a display of ton's of sea creature's, most of them are dolphins, and her pants were shiny as well as purple. She wasn't the weirdest capatolite there was, she had no strange makeup that made her look like a clown. "Now, let's get to the girl's, shall we?" she walked up to the girl's bowl, picked up a name. "Shelby Myers."

"I VOLUNTEER!" a tan Asian girl cried out. She's wearing regular jean's and blue jacket that look's good on her. She was tall, thin, long black hair, and I remember her. Her skill's with a trident is equal to my own.

She walked up to Forever, looking at everyone in the crowd fiercely with her brown eyes, "Delmara Lum! The victor of the 172nd Hunger Games."

Bold claim. She got the crowd going, so that's something.

Forever smiled, then proceeded to the boy's bowl. She picked out the boy's name, "Hobert Jobert."

"I VOLUNTEER!" I cried out, everyone making there way. I walked up to the stage next to Forever and Delmara. "Anet Bennet."

The escort clapped her hand's at her two tributes, "To the District Four volunteers! Delmare Lum and Anet Bennet!"

The crowd cheered, and I remembered something important to do. I crossed my arm's together, trying my best to look intimidating. My family says it's the best course to go with since smiling and talking isn't.

After that, I went to the Justice Hall, waiting for friend's and family.

Cyrene came first.

"You better make it Anet," she said to me, very concerned now. She was a firm believer like my family that I'll win the Hunger Games, and I suppose that's all she wanted to say.

I nodded solemnly, "I will."

She nodded back. "So... you got anything to say?"

That, I mean. "Not in particular. I alway's enjoyed, you're a good friend."

"Same. Just one thing to clear up," Cyrene has a strange expression. "You don't have any romantic feeling's for me, right?"

"No," I shook my head instantly, a little taken back. "You're a good friend-"

"-Your only one," she interjected.

"Yeah, I know that. I never thought you in a romantic sense, and I don't want to ruin our friendship over dating."

"That's fair. I mean, if we're being honest here. That Delmara chick," she whistled, "She's way prettier than you'll ever be."

I nodded in silent agreement.

Now that I think about, I never had a love life. I mean, I alway's did have a hero crush on victors of District 4. Justin Rotary, Nicole Gallon, either guy or girl were attractive in my eye's. If Finnick Odair was still alive, I wouldn't mind dating him.

The peacekeepers were coming in, and Cyrene gave me a weak smile, "Do good out there."

"You too," I mouthed.

Cyrene's time was up, next was my parents.

My honor-obsessed parents came in. My mother, Darla looked like me. While my dad, Rosenfortz, was a muscular browned hair man. Both of them, addicted to the Hunger's Games.

"Anet, son. You are going to the game's," my father said proudly, the smallest of smiles came to his face. He's an instructor back in the Academy, a stern man, one that show's tough love. "A chance that never happened with me and or mother. Feel proud for yourselves."

I can't see how. I do enjoy the praise I get from my family, but that's the only good that came out of it.

"Just remember what we talked about," my mother mentions. We don't talk as often as we used to. She does odd job's to get me to the Academy, and training equipment, I can see some bag's under her tired eyes. "Put on a good show. Join those careers. And get rid of the competition."

It's the last part that unnerves me. How to my parent's, those other tribute's life's don't matter.

"I'll try," I managed to say.

Dad glared at me, "There is no try. Only victory."

"R-right. Sorry."

"Don't do it again," he told me. He looked to my mother. "Can't you wait until he's a victor?"

"I certainly can," mom smiled. Their expectations of me are pretty high. "We'll see you on the screen son, just remember that we'll be watching."

The nod I gave was quick and sad. The peacekeeper took them later after that.

The responsibility and certainty people gave me was never something I liked. I didn't like training, the academy, being the only one to take care of grandma while she was sick. They think I'll be a victor of these games.

I don't know. Can I be?

Delmara Lum - District Four Female

Competition. That's what they are.

All of them back at the academy. I learned. I fought. I went my fucking way to get rid of my friend's back four year's ago. I've done my damnest to win, to beat every girl so I could get into the Hunger Games. So I could get perfect. Victor's are perfect human being's. Victor's are famed, worshiped even. Why wouldn't I do try my hardest to become a victor?

"Del, come on. Lighten up. Today at least, your finally getting what you wanted," my twin brother, Lyno appealed. He had tan skin, combed black hair, and brown eyes. He was a tall as me which was 5'9. We were both pretty tall, and both of us looked alike. If we ever wanted to, we could switch places. I'd have to cover my breast's then.

I looked at my brother at the end of the small round table I'm in, "I am happy Lyno. It's just that I'm not looking forward to wasted as you had."

Lyno laughed wholeheartedly at my insult, "That was a one of the greatest day's of my laugh."

"You came home naked," I reminded him with a half-glare.

The only other person in the table, Genodal, spit out the beer he had and started laughing. "Are you serious?"

"Yep, that was fun," my twin smirked at the memory.

"I'm sure it was," Genodal said, smirking as well. He was a strong guy, brick-faced, short dark hair, and brown eyes. Genodal is Lyno's best friend. Both of them are party animal's, better conversationalist's than I'll ever be.

All three of us where at an expensive bar, at the outside seat's. It was nice here. I looked left, enjoying the sight of the ocean, the wave's were in such singular motion that it was tantalizing. The reflection of the moon above improved the ocean's beauty, a good place for celebrating. We came here to celebrate my victory. For my hard work, and dedication at being District Four volunteer this year. A nice little gathering.

I glared at them, "I swear to Snow if I have to carry both of you out of here. I'll kill you."

Lyno raised his hand's easily, giving me a relaxed and amused smile. "Geno and I can handle our liquor. The real question is: can you?"

"Of course I can," my voice automatically replied. I'm somewhat doubtful, but I have to make sure I drink the right amount unlike the other two.

"Then let's get this party started," my brother told us. He raised his beer mug, Genodal followed, and I was the slowest to do so. "For my wonderful sister, and future victor, Delnara Lum. Cheers!"

"Cheer's!" Genodal and I repeated. He was more enthusiastic than I was, but the celebration is appreciated. Especially if it's for me. We drank, we talked, we smiled, and it got uncomfortable real fast when Genodal opened his mouth.

"I wish you didn't go."

"Goddamit, Geno," Lyno replied, knowing how I would respond.

A look of contempt was on my face, then I looked at Genodal's direction, "What did you say?"

"I said, I wish you didn't go," Genodal repeated. He was alway's a dumb bag of bricks.

"Why not?" I hissed.

"Because..." Genodal half-slurred had a look full of thought. "You might not come back."

I was a second close to punching Genodal, a second, but Lyno cleared his throat, "She'll come back."

"How do you know?" he questioned.

"She has her skill's and her smarts," Lyno answered.

"Didn't help our previous tribute's that much," Genodal mumbled, he had tear's in eyes and he turned to me. "Please don't Del. Please don't go and die. I care too much not took talk about this."

I glared at him, "... We're not dating anymore, Geno."

"It's not about that!"

Then what is? He doesn't understand my dreams. I earned what I did to get where I am. I had to distance myself from everyone so I can improve. What am I going to do? Throw all the work I did these past years! Throw away my dream's away! My mother never gave two shit's about what would happen to me, and dad doesn't know how to talk to people or how to open up.

"I don't care what you want Genodal, exactly like how you don't care what I want," I responded with bite, "You never cared for what I want! You never understood it!"

Genodal flinched at that, knowing how stubborn I can be, he turned to my brother, "Lyno. Are you okay with this? That she's going to the Hunger Games."

Now it was Lyno turn to flinch, and looked at me with a look that he swallowed a lemon, "It's not that I'm okay with this. It's that I know Delmara. She's going to win. She can win. She knows what she's doing."

Good old Lyno alway's having my back. I'm happy to have him as my twin, my other half. If I didn't have him by my side, I would have become more of a vicious bitch than I am now.

"Fine then. Fine," Genodal whined, seeing that he'll never win anyone over, he cut his losses and went back to his beer.

Serve's my former boyfriend right. No right to tell me what I can or can not do. It was fun for a month or two, and Lyno urged me to get something to do other than train. In the end, however, I got my priorities straight and broke up with him. I have to become perfect, and Genodal was getting me far from that. I have to get perfect. My mother says I'm nothing more than a waste of space, not even worth her time. I'll show her who's a waste of time. I'll show her that I'm perfect.

"Waitress! Another beer this way!" I cried out nearby, a surprising action by the looks of Lyno and Genodal. The both of them looked at each other, frowning.

I'll show everyone that I'm perfect.

The beer came by, then came another one, and then another. The beer was so good, and I needed to relax. I wanted something for myself.

"Shit, Delmara! You alright," my twin(I think?) said to me.

I giggled drunkenly, "Of course I am, I'm perfect."

"Okay, she lost it. Geno, see you later. I'm bringing her back home," I heard him say, I shook myself trying to puzzle out why we needed to go home. It was fun here.

Lyno put his arm's around me, I tried to resist, but he didn't let me and I didn't try hard enough. He practically carried me out of the bar.

"And you thought you'd have to carry me back home," he mumbled, and my head felt fuzzy. I felt sleepy and just went with it.

That conversation happened last week. I felt quite ashamed about it that I threatened Lyno that I'd kill him if he ever told anyone.

I'll never talk about it.

Now, that Reaping has come. The day I have been waiting for years. The anticipation is killing me in the inside. When I went toward's the town square, I could see all those line's forming. I see Justin Rotary, the victor of the 157th Hunger Game's was backstage. I'll have him as a mentor soon enough. The mayor going on with that fucking speech of his. I can't be the only one who thinks it's boring. Eventually, the mayor call's on our district's escort, Forever Elbategrof.

"Hello there, District Four. It is an honor being here," Forever boomed with that girly voice of her's, "Now, let's get to the girl's, shall we?" she walked up to the girl's bowl, picked up a name. "Shelby Myers."

Nah. No Shelby this year. There's going to be me. I opened my mouth to say,

"I VOLUNTEER!"

Walking up to Forever, I glared at everyone in the crowd, preparing what I've been wanting to say for a while, "Delmara Lum! The victor of the 172nd Hunger Games."

The crowd was cheering at my self-confidence. I can't help, but feel pretty damn proud at that. My brother was supporting me in the crying mass as well.

Forever went to the boy's bowl next. She picked out the boy's name, "Hobert Jobert."

"I VOLUNTEER!" the male volunteer said to the crowd. Everyone saw a redhead with a green jacket, blue pants, and black boot's. He looks frighting to an average person. I glared at the eighteen-year-old walking forward. It was Silent Anet. His skill's with weapons were respectable, and Anet most likely trained more than I have.

"Anet Bennet," he said once he got close to Forever's microphone.

The escort clapped her hand's at her two tributes, "To the District Four volunteers! Delmare Lum and Anet Bennet!"

To the crowd, both Anet and I looked fierce, ready, confident, and something to be feared. The crowd helped a lot, making me both anxious and joyful. Hard to believe that the Capital will be more cheerful than now.

After the Reaping, I went to the Justice Building, directed by the peacekeepers.

"You better come back," my twin said to me, he hugged me the first thing he did.

I scoffed, then grinned, "Of course I will. You're talking to the next victor."

"Yeah..." he told me, drawing on that word and looked away at me. "Don't be like."

"What are you talking about?"

"Delmara," Lyno looked serious, quite out of character for me. "81.5% percent of career's die because they underestimate their opponent's and overestimate themselves. So, don't be like that. Get a good ally. Maybe your district partner."

"The fuck. Where did you get so smart on me?"

"For the record, I do well in school. If I can't beat my sister in muscle, may as well beat her in smart's as they say," he reasoned.

That last part makes no sense(no one says that), but every else did. I did alway's have those weaknesses. I'm aware of them, but if I can't be confident, I'll be weak.

"Just don't get yourself killed," he told me glumly. "It would suck if you did."

If anyone else told me that, I would've made a ton of nasty insult's at them, only Lyno can have my benefit of the doubt. "Fine. You bastard. I'll do that," I said back. Can I keep such a promise? About how he told me to be less myself in the Games. I'm not certain how.

"Other than that, you'll do great," Lyno smiled, I couldn't help but give a small smile back. He took something out of his pocket, "Here. Your Token."

My twin gave me a fishing hook. From the good day's where we didn't give a shit about the games, and went fishing.

"Thank's," my smile stayed on.

The peacekeeper's knocked on the door. Lyno nodded.

"Bye Del."

"Bye, Lyno," I waved at him when the peacekeepers came into the room to get him.

The next came my docile father and overbearing mother. My father, Lokan, was a built Asian man with short brown hair. He doesn't talk much, probably got my anti-social gene from him. My mother, Nessa, was a vain blonde woman who only wants me in the game's because she wants me to win her money. Like I'd ever let in her inside the Victor's Village when I win.

My father put his hand on my shoulder and nodded at me. I nodded back. Yeah, that's pretty much our entire relationship. He may be proud of me, who the hell knows?

"I look forward to you winning, daughter," Nessa encouraged. Not in the way family should, more in the way that she's hiding something. It unnerves me.

"I will," I promised. Not that I'll ever let this ambitious skank get to me. Nessa's ambitions were for me were never for my sake, and she'll never get into my coin purse. "I suppose that's all."

"It would be rude not to see my daughter after she left," her smile, unlike Lyno's, irked me. Both of them went after that.

She rile's me up, and I managed to calm myself. I suppose it won't matter about what my family thinks. I'll win, and I'm going to be perfect.

A/N: The Career District's are done. Thank you santiago.20 for the apologetic Anet and the tough gal Delmara. I'll be honest, they were harder to write than the other two districts.

Sorry, District Three. I had to skip you because some 'people' didn't send a District Three Male in time. I was a little peeved at that, and hopefully, people could send some more tribute my way. COME ON! At least, five more opening. You have it if you want it. Hope my marketing skills are as great as Delmara's ego.

And once more, thank's for the reviews.

Ok. One more thing. Alway's wanted to do this: Who's your favorite career so far?