Louan Amontillado, 17

The instant I awake I am aware of my surroundings. I could get up immediately, but take a moment to appreciate the feeling of the cool, crisp sheets. I like to appreciate the finer things in life. Deciding it's time to get up for the morning shift, I slip out from beneath the covers, make the bed, get dressed, and pad downstairs to the kitchen. It's very nice in the mornings, illuminated and heated only by the stove. I spend the next half hour cooking eggs benedict for breakfast. I could just make toast, but again, the finer things in life. Ordinarily, immediately after finished I'd make myself retch to remain empty, but I need to pack on some weight for the games.

Treading lightly to avoid waking the baby, I grab my stuff and head to the shop for the morning shift, watching the sunrise as I go. I'm glad I managed to avoid my aunt and uncle this morning, their meaningless small talk annoys me. I'm glad their baby didn't wake up too. The streets are mostly empty, today more than ever because of the reaping. Bad for business. Good for me. I hate customers. That must be what got me fired from my last job.

After fiddling with the keys, I push the door open to the sound of the ringing bell, turn the closed sign top show open, and go to the back room, past the rows of garish handbags. I've barely put my bag down when the bell rings again. Being obliged to interact with the customers, I begrudgingly stroll into the shop. Oh no. Standing right at the counter, fiddling with a rose-themed handbag is Sparkle, a girl from school.

"Hey!" She chirps, smiling wide.

"What do you want?" I say automatically.

"Well I was wondering if you'd like to hang out. After your shift." She warbles whilst twirling her hair.

"Why would I bother myself with someone like you?" I say. I don't mean it. She's lovely, really, but I can't afford to get close to anyone. Especially not a girl.

"I just…" She trails off, biting her lip.

"If you're not going to buy anything then get out." I say harshly. Too harshly.

"Fine." She says flatly before dramatically flicking away her striking blonde hair and strutting away.

I feel bad about what happened, but after what happened with my mother and her friends, I just… No. I won't go there. Still shuddering from the social interaction, I retreat backstage and resolve to ignore any other potential customers. Thankfully, the bell doesn't ring. I spend the time cataloguing new arrivals. There's a very expensive leather tiger-print bag missing, I'll have to make a call. When the time comes, I pack up my stuff and head back home. My uncle and aunt are up, their baby too, but I manage to avoid them. After quickly changing, we all go to the reaping. I have to endure some of their questions, but it's worth it. They know I plan to volunteer, and they've been very supportive so far. Backs straight, we march to the town square, sign in, shake hands as I join the seventeen male section, and wait for the fun to begin.

Ember Darkworth, 17

All the girls are woken by the head trainer, Esmerelda, who storms into the room, clapping and shouting. We're all awake within seconds. It's the morning of the reaping, and the dormitories are lit with raucous chatter. Understandably so, it's a very important day, and we have a lot to do. We immediately patter to the dining hall, where we scarf down a quick breakfast. Most girls hardly eat, they're either too nervous, or busy chatting with their neighbours. I talk with my two best friends, Kaela and Raelyn. Together, we are unstoppable. Pranking people, covering for each other, giving generous scores for 'peer assessments'. We're basically sisters.

"What are you going to wear?" Kaela asks Raelyn.

"I'm not sure if I should go with my ruby-red dress or the blue one," she babbles excitedly, "you know, with the long sleeves. I have slippers to match the red one but a lovely blue fascinator I haven't worn yet." A troubling predicament.

"Well, like, more people look at your head than your feet. So fascinator." Kaela replies. I nod my agreement.

"What are you wearing, Ember?" Raelyn asks me. I consider my options, before replying,

"I'm not sure yet."

Three hours later and I'm dressed in a beautiful jade green cocktail dress, crafted from silk but embellished on the shoulders with sequins and glitter. Raelyn wears her blue dress and fascinator, elegantly hugging her curvy frame. Kaela chooses a more conservative dress, but she's just as stunning. Strawberry blonde curled and out, perfect white layered and folded dress, both of which complemented perfectly by her diamond and amber earrings. She almost looks like a bride. We stand in a circle, making adjustments, complimenting each other's looks.

"Your dress really brings out the green in your eyes!" Raelyn tells me.

"Oh yeah? Well your earrings match your hair andyour dress." I jab back. It's a game, insulting each other with compliments. We all laugh. Too soon, we are called to enter the examination room. At least, that's what they call it. It's really just a hall with a few seats in front of a catwalk, which disappears behind a curtain. There are also weapons, which we can choose to use. Most everyone does, but it's not necessary for success. The head trainer gives a short speech about the honour of the games, and how honoured we are to be here. That only twelve of us made it this far, and only one will be selected.

Kaela doesn't want to be here, but Raelyn and I did so naturally she decided to join us. We line up behind the curtain, and take our turns. Kaela is stunning, and would probably be chosen for her talent with a sword, but she 'accidentally' stumbles and drops her weapon. I must admit, she's a brilliant actress, you'd think her tears of shame were real. Raelyn struts down the catwalk, not even bothering with the weapons, confident in her figure alone. When my turn comes, I swagger down the catwalk and put on what I think is an excellent archery display. They know I'm one of the best. If I don't get picked, I'll be genuinely surprised. We are momentarily dismissed, so my friends and I discuss Kaela's convenient mishap.

"Was I convincing?" She asks.

"Yes!" Raelyn and I shout. An accompanying trainer with short dark hair steps out of the room, and all us girls go silent.

"Through much deliberation, the trainers have chosen… Ember Darkworth!" Everyone looks at me, and I feel a smile appear on my face.

Julia Topaz, head gamemaker

The cameras are just tuning in to the district one reaping when I turn on the television. The square is wide and airy, surrounded on all sides by graceful marble pillars and shopfronts, but the main feature is undoubtedly the justice building, more intricate and lovelier than any other building. There's a good reason district one is a capitol favourite. The people this year are as eager as ever, and it seems as though the female tribute has already been chosen. There is some squabbling in the male section, but it quiets down when the speeches begin.

It's rather dreary, which the commentators make a point of. I decide to disable the now optional feature, their voices cloud the true experience. Before long, the escort, this year dressed in frilly white, takes to the stage and begins to select the tributes. Everyone knows they'll be replaced with volunteers. She's barely finished the female's name before another girl volunteers. She's beautiful, a perfect district one specimen: long, silky, white-blonde hair, blue-green eyes, and pale skin. Her jade green dress is tastefully chosen, as is her matching jewellery. I notice her stance: she's an archer. Very good.

The boy initially reaped will never be known, because before the escort even plunges her hand into the ball, a tall and even paler boy volunteers. He doesn't seem awfully strong, but he's good looking enough. He wears a soft leopard-print sailor shirt under a black blazer, with black slacks and dress shoes. His hair is in a quiff, rather odd looking but very memorable. I'm sure the commentators will pick this up. He seems confident but unsure of himself, and he moves in an odd, angled manner. The tributes shake hands, and the screen cuts to a view of the commentators. They discuss the tributes outfit, hair, haste to volunteer. The next reaping, district two will begin in twenty minutes. I flick off the TV and pace around the plush room, wondering about the other tributes.