Hi Guys! D1 time!

Junia Allaire, 18

District 1, Two months before the Reapings

The smell was what awoke Junia Allaire every morning, or at least, the mornings he spent the night at home.

He raised his head, allowing his senses to take in the morning air. A sweet, delectable scent sifted through his small bedroom and enveloped him.

The room wasn't big at all. In fact, it was rather barebones. On one side, there were bookshelves, bursting with giant books, some old and some new. Junia's bed faced some stairs, heading down to the rest of the cottage. To the immediate right of the stairs, were more books. These were piled up on the floor. They looked rather unorganized but it was clear that there was a method to this chaos.

A large, octagonal window was sprawled just behind the back of Junia's bed. It overlooked a rather impressive garden, with flowers and a variety of flora and foliage.

He gracefully stepped out of bed, allowing a sudden new scent to take over. Something was cooking down in the kitchen, and it smelled delightful.

Junia dressed quickly, in a simple white shirt and brown slacks. Sometimes simplicity was just better. Compared to the rather extravagant personalities and looks of the others in District 1, Junia found that a more muted look was superior. He didn't need to flaunt in that way. He didn't believe anyone should flaunt that much. To him, the only thing worth flaunting was someone's mind. That was true beauty.

He traipsed down the stairs to find his mother cooking in the kitchen. Now that he was closer, he recognized the particular smell.

"Cinnamon rolls?"

Junia's mother turned and smiled, answering his question without words. Sheeva Allaire had always been there for Junia. She had raised him on her own after a teen pregnancy. Things weren't easy for her. Then she discovered meditation. It changed her life, and by proxy, Junia's as well.

Soon, Sheeva had gone into business with her practice and made significant profits. She passed lessons of loving the earth and the environment and philosophical thoughts on to her son. Junia had been shaped by this zen life style, but he soon developed his own personal philosophy.

His mother's practice was not as genuine as it was pitched to be. In fact, a lot of it was just bullshit. Candles couldn't cure illnesses. Junia was a reader and thinker, and he certainly wasn't stupid. He didn't agree with his mother's practice, but still loved her the same.

"Made them fresh his morning, all-natural ingredients."

"I'm sure."

His mother sighed indignantly.

"Not everything is scam you know."

"I know." Junia grinned.

He took one of the cinnamon rolls. They were perfection. Crisp and brown, with the perfect temperature and just the right flavor.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome! By the way, are you off somewhere today?"

"Yeah, I think I'm just going to go for a stroll."

"Ok, have a blessed time and spread the word of the earth!"

Junia playfully rolled his eyes.

"Of course." With that he headed outside.

The cottage was small, but it was cozy. Besides, it was the grounds around it that made it so magical. Prismatic flowers, dripping daises, and twisted trees sprawled across a smooth stone path that snaked its way from the cottage and down a hill. The end of the path was obscured by foliage, but it led directly into town after some time.

Junia never minded the long walk. It gave him time to think, and he never passed up the chance to think. Dwelling in the mind was one of his favorite pass-times. How could people even be bored, he often wondered. How could they, when all they have to do is reach into their conscious and just think. It wasn't that hard, and it was where enlightenment was reached.

He didn't have time for people who didn't know how to truly think. They were a waste of time and a waste of life. Perhaps they were good for money, but that was about it. Junia didn't care much about money anyway, but a lot of people did. He figured there were much more valuable things in life.

It seemed like no time had past at all when Junia reached the end of path at the bottom of hill. Town awaited. He walked with an air of superiority through town. He wanted people to know that they were not full of greatness. How could they be?

"Junia!"

Junia turned to the direction of the voice. A girl with an avalanche of blonde hair waved to him as she approached. She was quite beautiful.

"Velvet, how are you?"

"Oh Junia, I'm not doing so great. Merlot and have been fighting. A lot."

"I see." He reached out his hand and placed it on her shoulder. He closed his eyes and dragged his hand across her exposed collarbone. He then opened his eyes to meet Velvet's.

"Well?"

"Yes, there is certainly a change in your aura. Something is blocking its flow, pressing it down and holding it back."

"What do I do?"

Junia smiled. The best was still to come.

"Meet me later tonight, I think I have an idea."

He turned to leave and smiled to himself. Wait for it.

"Wait!"

Junia turned back to Velvet. Success

"Yes, Velvet?"

"I'm…I'm free right now and no one's home. It'll just be you and me and we can figure this out…"

Velvet's eyes shone with admiration and passion. Junia knew that it for him, and he loved it.

He reached out and took her hand.

"Lead on."

Velvet's eyes sparked with electricity and the two walked through town until they came upon a large white house.

Velvet gestured to the empty house.

"Shall we?"

"We shall." The two walked up the stairs and into the house. Despite its emptiness, it was warm and inviting, and of course, very nicely decorated.

"Velvet, I believe is issue in your aura isn't you, it's something else."

"What do you mean?"

"I know you. You shine with unobstructed light. The blockage isn't you. It's Merlot."

Velvet looked down at the floor and then back up to meet Junia's fiercely passionate gaze.

"I think you're right, so what should I do?"

"Let me show you." That was the final nail.

Junia didn't come home to the cottage that night. He slept…elsewhere.

Akiara Ito, 16

District 1, Three days before the Reapings

Akiara Ito was reading. She knew she really should be watching the sparring match instead, but she couldn't help it. She couldn't waste any chance to study, especially since the Games were so close.

Today, her focus was on terrain. What types of terrain had what types of flora and fauna, what types where the deadliest, what types were more inviting, etc. She asked these and other questions to herself. She found that thinking through the information via a question and answer format was the key to information retention. It hadn't failed her yet.

"And that's the match, Junia wins!"

Akiara looked up from her book to the center of the training room. The room was a cobalt blue color with no windows. The floor had blue mats that mostly clean, although the occasional stain persisted. A boy was laying the floor in the sparring ring at the center of the room. Standing over him was another boy, huge in size, the ghost of smile across his face.

"Sorry Merlot, your energy was unbalanced," Junia stated matter-of-factly.

Akiara rolled her eyes. Even from the benches lining the edge of the room, she could see right through his bullshit. Junia Allaire was one of the top students of the year. He was likely one of the final candidates for the Games if it was any other year, but this year was a Quell and the selection process was different.

The Quell announcement had thrown the D1 training community into chaos. The oldest kids were pissed, the trainers were pissed, everyone was pissed. Akiara understood the fuss, but it didn't really concern her. She still had two years before her most likely chance of being able to volunteer for the Games. She had renewed ferocity after the subpar performances of Glimmer and Marvel in the 74th Games.

Nevertheless, the D12 pair won fair and square, so she didn't feel too badly about it, she just wanted them to represent better for the next year. She hoped that whoever the Matchmaker would choose would be up to the task of winning the Games.

Akiara hoped it would be her, but she knew that was very unlikely. Besides, she wasn't really sure about whether the Quell twist was a blessing or a curse yet, and she certainly wasn't sure about potential romance. She was shy, quiet and unsure. The Quell wasn't her time, but the 76th or 77th Games were hers to win. Period.

"Hey."

Akiara turned to the girl who had just sat down next to her.

"Callista, I thought you weren't coming in today."

"Well, I decided to. Reapings are in 3 days you know. I thought a little extra training might not hurt, especially if I get picked."

"Do you want to be picked?"

"You know, I'm not entirely sure. It's a weird Quell, nothing like we've seen, but I guess that's what makes it so interesting."

"I guess." Akiara sighed. Callista flicked her eyes to her friend and then back at the center of the room.

"Anyway…so why did you come here? You could read anywhere…"

Akiara closed her book with a thud that echoed around the training room.

"I thought I was going to spar, but I got engrossed in this. Knowledge is not overrated and people here tend to forget that."

"Ok, sure, but maybe this isn't the place—"

"What are you reading?" came a deep, smooth voice.

Callista and Akiara looked up to the towering figure of Junia.

"Well?" he asked again. Akiara and Callista were silent.

"Uh, well, it's on topography and variations of terrain."

"Interesting." Junia sat beside Akiara, who was now sandwiched in between him and Callista.

"Not many people here read."

"I've noticed," Akiara replied.

"People should read more; the world gets so dull without books. Wouldn't you agree?"

Akiara was concerned with the conversation. She just wanted to get up and leave. Callista wasn't much help either. She was just sitting there, silent.

"Yes, I think so."

Junia nodded in response.

"I agree, it makes people's auras exceptionally pure and bright." He let of his fingertips brush her shoulder. "In fact, you're probably the brightest in the room."

Akiara stood up in an instant.

"I don't buy what you're selling Mr. Allaire, you're just as bad as that mother of yours." With that she stormed off, a book in one hand and Callista's arm in the other.

Soon she and Callista were outside. The blues of the training were gone and replaced with the radiant warmth of the sun at the height of the afternoon.

"Well that was weird," Callista muttered.

"Oh, you weren't any help at all so don't even bother saying anything."

"Akiara—"

Akiara huffed at looked her feet. Her eyes were nearly steaming.

"Sorry, it's just…that guy really rubs me the wrong way. And the fact that he actually came up and talked to me…"

"Do you think he wanted to sle—"

"I don't care what he wanted, I just want to go home. I'll see you later." Akiara turned on her heel and marched away.

She didn't fully show it, but she was much angrier than she had let on. People like that…she never respected. Junia and his mother were famous for their "alternative lifestyle" and "special gift" and the citizens of District 1 ate that stuff up.

Sometimes, living in D1 was a real pain. Sometimes, Akiara would wonder what it would be like to live in District 3, where they valued intelligence. Of course, that was just a random thought. District 1 wasn't that bad. All things considered, it was pretty good.

Akiara knew she was close to home when heard the familiar barking of her dog. She smiled as she reached the porch of her house. It wasn't as big as some of the houses, but still, it was a decent size.

Instead of going through the front door, she headed around the side through a gate into her spacious backyard.

A happy yelp greeted her as a little ball of tan fire barreled into her.

"Hi Jasper!"

The corgi was a gorgeous tan, sandy color. His eyes were full of light, just with the happiness of seeing her come home. Akiara laughed as Jasper snuggled all over her, panting heavily, butt wagging.

She loved animals, especially dogs, and seeing Jasper was just what she needed today. She loved Jasper, but often wondered thought about what he would do if she volunteered and never came home...

No. She would come home. She had to. There could be no other outcome. Logic was telling her otherwise, smacking her upside the head, but she just couldn't bear the thought of a world in which Akiara Ito wouldn't be the Victor of the Hunger Games.

YAY! Thanks for reading and reviewing btw. It means a lot to me. I've been going through a lot this week, I won't overshare but I had no time to write basically so it's a good thing this chapter was ready by last week. Next chapter will probably be a little later than friday just because I have midterms next week and I GOTTA STUDY.

Did you like these two? Did you like one more than the other?

Are you #teamJUKIARA?