Anthony Morgan, 18

District 4 Male

Anthony let out a breath, squaring his broad shoulders and taking up a familiar stance. His fingers drummed briefly on his trident before he hefted it up and hauled it back. Muscles bunching, he threw, releasing it at just the right time and watching it soar across the room to sink into a dummy's chest. Tridents were heavy weapons, so getting distance on your throw was difficult. It was something he'd spent years perfecting.

"Anthony!" A blonde girl called his name from across the room. He held up a hand in greeting as she jogged over. It was one of the Carlson twins, though for the life of him, he couldn't tell which. Eve and Anne were both in his year at school, and they were pretty much identical. When Eve/Anne reached him, she gave him a huge grin and nodded towards the dummy.

"That was a great throw."

"Thanks."

"So, uh, Eve and I were wondering if you wanted to come over tonight? We're having a small get-together to celebrate the reaping. I know it's last minute, but we've been hanging out recently, and-"

Anthony cut off her rambling with a hand on her shoulder.

"Sorry Anne, I'd love to, but they're announcing the volunteers early tomorrow morning and I want to be ready."

"Oh... okay, no worries," she said, smiling a little awkwardly. "Um, good luck. I'll see you around."

Anthony nodded politely as she walked away before going to retrieve his trident. After a few more throws, he put the weapon back on the rack and headed to the changing rooms. He wanted to get some swimming practice in before he headed home. Changing into his trunks, he gave a few other guys a nod when they passed, and opened the door to the pool area.

He picked a lane on the end and dove in, starting his laps. Water was Anthony's safe haven. It kept his limbs loose and strong, and, like his dad said, cooled off his hot-head. He knew he didn't have the best grip on his temper, but he was trying. And that was the important part, right? He knew they wouldn't choose him for the Hunger Games if he blew up at every little thing. And so he worked to improve himself.

Once he was slightly past tired, he hauled himself out of the pool and headed for the showers. He was just toweling off when Jaxon Browne approached him. Jaxon was known as one of the troublemakers of the Academy. His twin sister Dina had been expelled a few months ago, and there were rumors that Jaxon was on the same track.

"Anthony, my man!" Jaxon cried, his voice echoing off the walls. Anthony forced a smile.

"Hi Jaxon. I wish I could stay and talk, but I'm already late..." But Jaxon brushed off his attempt to escape with ease, throwing an arm around Anthony's shoulders and pulling him towards the sinks.

"Look in the mirror," Jaxon said. Hesitantly, Anthony obeyed, expecting something horrible to happen. Instead, he just looked at his normal reflection; white-blonde hair, green eyes, sun-tanned skin.

"See that handsome face? It's never gonna look that good again. Because you're going to be a corpse!" Jaxon released Anthony and stumbled back, laughing hysterically.

"You're the chosen volunteer!" he sneered. "You! You don't stand a chance!"

Anthony's hands curled into fists and he whirled around, grabbing Jaxon's collar and shoving him backward. He was about to deliver a harsh punch to his face when his mom's gentle face appeared in his mind. His mother abhorred violence. When he got angry and wanted to hit something, she'd hold his face in her hands and stroke his hair until he calmed down.

Anthony dropped Jaxon, turning away from the younger kid.

"I could beat you up," he said as he began to pick up his things. "But I won't. Because you are worth nothing. And I am going to win the Games."

Ceto Preston, 18

District 4 Female

Ceto wanted to scream. They'd chosen that slimy, hot-headed idiot as her district partner? Anthony was such a tool! How was she supposed to succeed with a fool like him working with her? She clenched her jaw, forcing the smile to stay on her face as she stood in front of the cheering Academy. Anthony stood beside her, but Ceto refused to look at him. He wasn't worth it. She'd just have to rise above his uselessness and carry District 4 on her own.

After shaking hands with all the victors, she blew the crowd a kiss and darted off the stage in order to avoid Anthony. She didn't have the patience for him today. As well as being the day the volunteers were chosen, it was the ninth anniversary of her uncle's death. Every year, she went to visit his grave. He was killed in a riot in District 5 when Ceto was nine years old. Uncle Gideon was her closest family member, besides her brother Theseus. She was his perfect little niece, and she missed him every day.

Ceto caught a ride home from some friends, who chattered away noisily. Ceto engaged in conversation too, but she wasn't truly feeling it. At home, she called out to her parents as she entered the house. No response. Obviously. They were probably out at a friend's place, celebrating the upcoming Hunger Games. Ignoring the small sting of rejection she felt, Ceto headed upstairs to shower and change. She selected a flowy dark blue sundress and strappy sandals for her visit, and began to brush through her thick sandy-blonde hair. She put on some eyeliner to make her dark blue eyes pop, and then put her hair up in a ponytail. There. She was ready.

District 4's graveyard was near the Victor's Village, and her uncle's grave was in the far right corner, where Peacekeepers and other government officials were buried. Ceto brought one white rose with her as she climbed the small hill to his tombstone.

"Hi Uncle Gideon," she said, resting on her knees and setting the rose down. "I have good news. I was chosen as this years' volunteer! They told me I wasn't ready last year, but I'm finally going to be able to avenge you. Those 5 kids are going to pay for everything they've done to us. And I won't let anyone stop me. Not even Anthony, who's my district partner. That really sucks. He's a player and a heartbreaker."

Here, Ceto stopped to take a deep breath and push the memories of Anthony to the back of her head. She didn't need to reexamine those wounds. Especially not now. And Uncle Gideon knew about it all already. No point in rehashing it, right?

"But anyways, Anthony isn't important. He never was. What's important is you. And me, of course. I am the volunteer, after all. I just wanted to share the big news with you, and to say hi. I miss you a lot. Mom and Dad won't really care about me leaving, but I know you will, so I wanted to tell you first. I'm sure Theseus will be proud of me too."

At this point, her knees were hurting and her legs were cramping up, so Ceto stood.

"Bye Uncle. I love you," she whispered, readjusting the rose before brushing the dirt off of her knees. The sun was setting; Theseus was probably home by now. She had to cherish her last moments with her brother, since he was moving out with his girlfriend soon. By the time she was back from the Games, he'd be living somewhere else. She would miss him, but she could always visit. Uncle Gideon was truly gone. And it was 5's fault.

Archibald Pell, 13

District 8 Male

Pell shifted through the pellets in the litter box, dumping the rabbit waste into a bag and returning to the box to continue. It wasn't the most of pleasant of jobs, but it was rhythmic, and in a way, soothing. He had been helping his dad with the animals since he was little, and it had become a bit of a weekend tradition. Pell and his dad went on Saturdays, and his little sister Amelia joined them on Sundays. During the week, they both had to attend school, and the buildings were busier, so dad didn't invite them.

Animals weren't common in District 8, but there was some scientific overflow from District 3. Especially in the medical field. Since 8 already had facilities, scientists from 3 would do tests there, and then send the results back to other professionals in District 3. Pell's dad cared for the lab animals.

"Almost done?" he asked. Pell nodded, tying off the top of the bag and tossing it in the large trash bin. "Alright. I have some stuff to sweep. Just hang out in here, okay?"

"Okay," Pell agreed. Once his dad left the room, he opened the cage and lifted out Suzie, the largest of the white rabbits. She was sweet and gentle, and Pell had a soft spot for her. He set her on a metal table and stroked her head, keeping one hand securely on her body to hold her in place. But she was relaxed in his arms, nose twitching gently as she observed the room.

"Pell!" a loud voice called, making him flinch and Suzie try to buck. But he kept his grip on her and quickly carried her back to her cage before looking around. But the room was empty.

"Hi Morty," his dad said from the hall, and Pell relaxed. They weren't looking for him. Still, he crept to the door to listen to the conversation.

"Your kid here?" Morty, his dad's supervisor, asked.

"Yeah, he tagged along." Pell held his breath. Would he be kicked out.

"Good. We've got a scared, pregnant and that boy is a natural with 'em. Up for bringing her home until she gives birth?"

"I'll ask him," his dad said, but Pell stepped back, no longer listening. He was getting a rat? He was getting a rat! The door opened and he stumbled back, trying not to smile too widely.

"Hi Dad," he said, biting the inside of his cheek.

"Hi kiddo," his dad said. "Mr. Pederson said-"

"Yes," Pell interrupted, eyes bright. His dad laughed.

"I figured you overheard. And I figured you'd be on board. We'll pick her up before we head home." He ruffled Pell's shaggy blonde hair and stepped back into the hall to follow Mr. Pederson. Pell waited until they were out of sight before letting out a little cheer. It was rare he got this excited. Life in 8 was mundane, and he was okay with that. But having a rat of his own, even for a bit, was new and fun. And Mr. Pederson trusted him! This was going to be amazing.

Kjole Schmeichel, 16

District 8 Female

"Kjole..." her mom said slowly. Kjole tucked the wrapped sandwiches into a bag and turned to her mom.

"Yeah?"

"I know today might be a lot for you, but you need to keep your cool. It's Andreas's birthday and-"

"Mom, I know," Kjole grumbled. "It'll be fine." As long as they behave, she added in her head.

Kjole loved her cousins. She just didn't like them very much. Their energies didn't match, and since they were so much younger than her, neither did their personalities or interests. They only thing they all liked was soccer, and that was only because Kjole liked soccer. The little copycats.

Her mom gave her another look before grabbing the bag of food. Kjole snatched one of her books off the coffee table before following her outside. Her dad went early to help his sister - Kjole's aunt - with party setup.

It was only a ten-minute walk, so they didn't drive like they often would. Kjole's maternal grandparents both died when she was little, and her mom, being an only child, had inherited everything. It allowed their family to live a decent middle-class life while her aunts, uncles, and cousins were slightly poorer. Kjole never took it for granted. She would never be able to handle living with her cousins, and she wouldn't be able to afford the nice clothes she occasionally splurged on. She wasn't a vain person, but looking nice made her feel nice, and that wasn't a bad thing.

There were a few empty lots in the District that had been changed for sports purposes. Soccer was the most common, but there were a few baseball fields. The nearest soccer field was fairly close to her extended family's apartment, so it made sense that Andreas would want to have his 11th birthday there. As she and her mom headed down the back alley to the field, a stray cat darted behind a dumpster. Her mom immediately turned to her.

"Don't. We'll be late." Kjole deflated a little, but listened. She followed past the dumpster, but turned back to whisper to the cat.

"I'll come back and check on you."

On the soccer field, the party was in full swing. A few of Andreas's friends from school were there, as well as the entire Schmeichel family. Her dad was telling Norse myths to some of Andreas's school friends; she could tell from the way he was hopping around and waving his arms. District 8 was a fairy lax district in terms of heritage and history. A lot of people in 8 knew their pasts, and the Schmeichels were no exception. Kjole was well aware of their Viking lineage.

"Kjole and Auntie Crin are here!" Anja shouted. Anja was the youngest, and absolutely hated being left out. She was definitely the hardest to please.

"Can we play soccer now?" she asked as she ran up to Kjole.

"It's up to Andreas," she told her blonde cousin. "It's his birthday." Anja looked like she was about to protest, but Kjole's mom jumped in.

"Anja, can you help me set out the sandwiches? You get to pick yours first."

"Okay!" Anja chirped, taking off again, and Kjole shot her mom a grateful smile. Crinoline winked back at her daughter before following Anja.

But once the food was set out, Andreas decided it was time to play. He divided all the kids into teams, and put Kjole with the hoard of blonde cousins. Kjole tied up her dark bob and slipped off her old gloves to put on her goalie gloves, purposely avoiding looking at the scar that marred her right hand. As she went to stand in goal, Mathias ran up to her.

"I want to be goalie!" he shouted.

"Next time," Kjole said, waving him off. "Come on, we're about to start playing."

"But I want to be goalie!"

"No!" Kjole snapped as her dad facilitated kick off. She kept her eyes on the ball, ignoring her bratty cousin. But Mathias would not be deterred.

"Please?" he whined. Andreas dribbled past Simon, coming straight towards the two of them. Kjole grit her teeth.

"Fine!" she growled, throwing her left glove at her cousin. Then she charged forward, swiftly stealing the ball from Andreas and sending him sprawling. She dribbled past his buddies, approaching the opposite goal, and kicked. The ball soared over the short goalie's head, sinking satisfyingly into the net. Everyone turned to gape at her and she stomped off the field.

Hi everyone! Here are the next two sets of OC intros! All of these guys were fun to write and I can't wait to explore them more in the Capitol, and in the Games, especially Kjole and Ceto :)

I hope whoever's reading enjoyed this chapter! Please leave a review, if you can. It means a lot to me.

Have a nice day, be kind to each other, and never stop reading!

- Fiona