Chapter 2: Hall Of Fame

You're standing in the hall of fame

And the world's gonna know your name

Hall of Fame, The Script

Amelia Roosa, District Two Citizen

Amelia flipped an omelet onto the plate in her hand, calling over her shoulder, "Dad! Breakfast is ready, come eat!"

Putting the plate on the table, she cracked another two eggs and began to make her own omelet. A moment later, her father entered the kitchen, tightening a belt around his waist.

"Morning, Ames," her father greeted, pouring a cup of coffee before sitting down and eating the omelet. "What's the plan for the day?"

Finishing her omelet, she put it on a plate and sat across from him. "The usual, I think. Riley's going to wait for me at the square, and we're going to sign in and wait until the reapings. Then we're both volunteering."

This had been decided two months ago by the trainers at their Academy. Amelia and her boyfriend Riley Adrian had been called into the offices of the head trainer, Helaine Killian, who had told them that, due to their abilities to work so well together, they had been chosen to enter the arena together. To the trainers, it made sense, and gave them the highest chance of having a victor that year. Amelia, however, had been a shoe-in for the last three years.

Amelia saw her father's calm, interested expression change to a worried frown. "Amelia, I accepted it when you wanted to volunteer, I thought it would give you the tools to stand up for yourself. I never thought you'd actually end up volunteering."

For Amelia, there were two reasons she had trained so hard and made her way up the ranks to be District Two's volunteer this year. The main reason, the one that Amelia had outwardly convinced herself was the real reason, was that they would be her chance to make something of herself. In the Districts, being a tribute was just about one of the only ways anyone could be someone well-known. Amelia knew that's what she wanted to be: remembered, and to gain the honor of competing and coming back a Victor.

But there was a reason, that, while she tried to keep back, she knew was her real reason for wanting to go in. When she was born, her mother had died from trauma and other complications. Amelia knew it was irrational, but she often blamed herself for "killing" her mother. It was this that made her want to enter, so that she could make sure her mother hadn't died just for her to sit and be a bump on a log.

"I know, but I have to do it. I'd rather it be me than some poor girl who has no idea how to defend herself. I have a chance, at least."

Her father sighed, a dark look crossed his face. "Yes, your training gives you a huge chance to come home. I just wish Riley wasn't going in with you as well. I know you guys have been together for a couple years now, and you'll have a hard time killing him if it comes to that."

Amelia had thought of this. She knew she could beat Riley at Final 2, as they'd agreed last month. She was better than him in every aspect of training except for the strength tests, but she made up for this with her extensive tactics and weapons knowledge. She dearly hoped someone else would beat her to that kill, because she dreaded it.

"Dad, if it's him, or me, I know what decision I'm making," she assured him. "Now, come on, let's finish eating, the reapings are in an hour, and I'm still not dressed."

Her dad sighed, putting on a smile for his daughter again. "Okay, kiddo. I'm going to have faith in you."

For the next few minutes, the pair ate in silence, only speaking to make simple comments that had nothing to do with the day's events and Amelia's role in them. Eventually, Amelia finished and excused herself to get ready.

In her room, Amelia flopped backwards on her bed. It was difficult to have to act the grown up, but when her mother had died, he had never been much of an authority, preferring to act like a friend instead of a father. Sometimes she wished he would have. Maybe things would have been different if her mother had survived, but they would never know.

Taking out her clothes, Amelia got dressed. As she did, she continued to think. Did she really have a good chance of winning? Her honest answer? She didn't know, and wouldn't know until she met her competitors. It was likely that she could beat everyone in the lower Districts, but anyone in the Careers were fair competitors. Going by the statistics, she had the highest scores of any District Two volunteer in history, so that had to mean something, right?

Finally ready, Amelia examined herself in the mirror, brushing a few strands of hair away. Smoothing her skirt, she gave herself a determined nod. "May the odds be ever in my favor."

Riley Adrian, 18, District One Citizen.

After having seen his four siblings into the square, Riley Adrian waited just outside, waiting to see any sign of Amelia. Of course, he knew she was almost always late, except to reapings. They had met outside of the square for reapings ever since they'd started dating two and a half years ago, and every year he'd been first to arrive.

Finally, he saw her approach, grinning as she said, "Howdy, stranger. What brings you here on this fine afternoon?"

He thought it was hilarious when Amelia put on her smiles, because most people didn't realize that behind them was a girl who could kick anyone's ass and not blink an eye.

"All right, Ames, stop it," he returned her grin. "Let's go, it's almost time for us to begin the journey to the final two."

As they approached the table to sign in, Riley noticed Amelia's smile drop, and saw her eyes grow pensive. Eventually, he stopped her and said, "Amelia, what's going on? You know we have this in the bag, there's no way you can be worried."

WIth a flash of defiance, she said, "Well, I am!" With a groan, she said, "I'm sorry, Riley. I just… I don't know. Don't you have any doubts? Any at all?"

Riley confidently shook his head. "Why should we? We've both trained since we were kids, we have infinite experience. Besides District One and maybe District Four, none of the other districts have anyone who could beat us."

Riley knew that Amelia was a lot less confident about their chances of winning than he was. He just didn't have any doubts. After all, his family was centered on training. There was no way he would lose to anyone except Amelia. Even then, it would come down to a hard fight between them.

"Come on, Ames," he said, when she gave him a skeptical look. "We're District Two, we can't lose."

"What about Riven, Alex, and the twins? Your parents? Won't they worry about you?"

Riley gave her a derisive look. "You know how Mom and Dad are, they've always wanted me to volunteer. Riven's a big girl, she can deal, Alex could care less, and the twins have each other."

Amelia looked like she wanted to say something more, but decided against it. She'd learned that when it came to talking about his family, less was usually better. "You're right, I guess." Turning away, she said, "Come on, we're almost up."

Making their way to the desk, they made it into the square and found places with their other peers near the front of the stage. Many tried to avoid Riley as they gathered, which was the reaction he usually got. Most people were intimidated by him because of his size. He wasn't fat, just a big, broad guy. Amelia, however, had become friends with him because she wasn't intimidated by anyone. Two and a half years later, they were closer than ever. In all honesty, Riley had grown closer to Amelia than anyone else he knew, except maybe Riven, his thirteen year old sister.

Their escort, Juniper Thwaite, approached the microphone and said her usual spiel that most of the older kids, as well as many of the others could quote word for word. Many of them thought that it was scripted, which made sense, as many of the escorts he;d seen on television didn't seem all that smart. She ended with, "May the odds be ever in your favor, District Two!"

Riley knew this was it, the moment that both he and Amelia had trained for since they were six years old. Juniper went over to the girls bowls and picked a name, bringing it over to the microphone. "The District Two tribute will be Nicolette Stern!"

With a calm, ringing voice, Amelia called, "I volunteer!" She left Riley's side, and he watched her ascend the stage to stand beside Juniper. When asked, she said, "I'm Amelia Roosa," with a broad smile.

The male came quickly after that, with Juniper reading the name of some boy who would likely have not stood a chance. Luckily for them, Riley was there. As soon as the name was called, Riley surged through the crowd, his call of, "I volunteer," much brasher and insolent seeming than Amelia's had been. He didn't volunteer out of pity for the other kid. He never pitied anyone. He volunteered because that's what his whole life had been about. His father was a trainer at their academy, and Riley had been intended as a volunteer since even before his training had begun.

Before he was asked, he said, "I'm Riley Adrian. Amelia here and I are the best District Two team you'll have, and one of us will definitely win."

With a roll of her eyes, Amelia said, "Well, we are a team, but it's not polite to boast. You'll just have to see how far it takes us."

With the customary shake of hands, Amelia and Riley were escorted into the Justice Building.

And here's chapter two, with both characters created as a pair by david12341. Hope you enjoy this, please let me know what you think! Here are some questions to get you started.

Who do you like more, Amelia or Riley?

If they weren't Careers, do you think your character would ally with them?

How do you think Amelia will handle being in the arena, with her internal struggle over "killing" her mother?

Riley's overconfidence is quite obvious (hopefully lol). Do you think this could help, or will it be so extensive that people dislike him?

I actually had a lot of fun writing this chapter! They should be coming faster now since I have a bit more time before school starts. Maybe not two days but definitely another chapter by the end of the week.