Nelson Cho, District 4, 14
The burning sun tanned Nelson's skin as he wandered around the cul-de-sac, breathing heavily. He'd left at 3am, and hoped to get back by 6 to see if Marley was around.
Nelson knew Marley hated him with a passion, and was 3 years older than him, but he still had romantic feelings for her. After all, it wasn't considered 'weird' to like someone if they didn't like you back, right?
Nelson sighed, starting back home. His mother, Ying Cho, was a widow. Not necessarily good for social status here in District 4, where it was all Games, Games, and more Games.
Nelson didn't want to be a Career, he wasn't going to volunteer.
Nelson ended up on his doorstep without even realizing it, as his younger brother, Nathan, opened the door wide, shoved him in a net, and closed it.
"NATHAN BAXTER!" Nelson screamed, but he didn't come back out. Of course he didn't. Obedient little Nathan and Alexandra. Nelson heaved a breath as he sprinted to the training center across the street.
Marley was already there. She always was. Marley never skipped a day of training, except maybe for the day her mom died.
"You know, you should really practice your form, unorthodox." Nelson knew how to get under Marley's skin, and he could see her grinning, even if she didn't want to.
Nelson took a hurried glance at the clock, 11:35. No time to practice, no time.
He tugged at Marley, who surprisingly didn't resist, and dragged her all the way to the reaping, only departing ways once aside.
Nelson had memorized the mayor's speech by heart, it was the same one every year.
The good part know, was the reaping itself.
"And the female tribute for District 4 is...MARLEY YOUNG!" Nelson couldn't believe it, no one had volunteered.
But he never could have expected what came next.
"And the male tribute for District 4 is...NELSON CHO!"
Nelson knew this was a nightmare, he punched himself in the face to prove it.
It wasn't.
Nelson walked up onto the stage.
Marley had fainted.