Velvet Mettalic's POV

I woke up to a pounding on my door.

"Velvettttt!" It was Satin. "We're leaving in fifteen minutes! Hurry uppppp!"

15 minutes? How long did I oversleep? I quickly ran to the bathroom, and changed into my Reaping Clothes. Just a plain, white velvet cocktail dress with black flats and a red velvet sweater. I quickly braided my hair into two braids, and draped them across my front. I glanced at the unopened things of mascara, white eyeliner, and silver eye shadow on the counter. I shrugged. Why not? I quickly applied them-slightly shaky since it was my first time trying makeup-but it looked good in the end.

"Velvet!" Mom called as I was twisting the mascara cap back on. "Time to go!"

"Coming, mom!"

"It's really a shame that the Mayor's son fell ill," I heard my dad say as I walked into the sun room. "He would have made a great Tribute."

"What are we waiting for?" I demanded. "Let's go!"

I basically shoved my parents outside, and dragged them to the square.

"Woah," Satin exclaimed. "What's gotten into you?"

"I just want to get to The Reaping before it begins." I told her.

"You know they do let you in late, right?" Mom asked.

"What's that gonna do to my...uh...reputation?" I asked.

Mom and Satin were quiet the rest of the way there, but I heard dad complaining under his breath. In the end, I made my way to the 15 square right as our escort came up to the stage. She was new-this was her first year. You could tell she was only 19, and was fresh from the Capitol. She had deeply tanned skin, long, curled sky blue hair, and crystal blue eyes surrounded in pink makeup.

"Uh, hello," She began quietly. "I'm your new escort, Katrina Jones. Welcome to the Reaping for the 34th Hunger Games..I guess the girls will go first."

I saw Hale ready to go, and I knew it was now or never.

"I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!"

Manny Ohm's POV

"MANNY!" Elle screamed, but then cracked up. "How do you beat me every time?"

"Eh," I replied. "Mario Kart's my jam."

"I still can't believe you used to be homeless," Elle acknowledged.

"Best rags to riches story of all time, eh?"

"You bet-DANG IT!" Elle screamed again before falling into fits of laughter. "Any..anyways..." She was trying to catch her breath. "Anyways, ready for da Reaping?"

"I guess," I sighed, playing with the sleeve on my jacket. "I mean, my name's only in five times, and I didn't sign up for any tessare or anything. So.."

"Pfft," Elle scoffed. "Think about it. Even if you did get Reaped, you'd, ya know, win all the sponsors."

"Hardee Har Har."

"I'm serious!" Elle exclaimed, straightening the dress that had become crooked after screaming her head off at a game. "Everyone loves you! You're the most famous teen in the District! The Sponsors would ensure you're survival!"

"Yeah..Okay,"I pretended to agree.

"Aren't you gonna change into your Reaping outfit?" Elle asked.

"This is my outfit!"

"You call a blue jacket and pair of jeans a Reaping outfit?"

"Yeah."

"I will never understand you, Ohm," Elle said, shaking her head. She handed him a few bucks for winning, then walked towards the door. "See you at The Reaping! Tell Milly I said hi!"

I smiled. Milly was the nice old woman who kind of basically took me in when I was ditched by my family when I was younger. She was 87 now, but was still up and active. Of course, when I became rich and famous, I took her up with me. She was most likely in the garden right now.

"Hey, Milly!" I called, opening the patio door. She turned to me from a few rose buds and smiled.

"How you doin', Manny?" She asked, a nice county accent in her voice.

"Good! Elle says hi," I told her. "And we should leave for The Reaping in a few minutes."

"Okay then, I'll go change," She responded, walking towards me. "Be out in just a minute!"

I waited, leaning against the front door. A minute later Milly came out, in a simple black blouse and gray pants. Her white hair was slightly curled, and her magenta eyes shined bright. I opened the door, and we strode into the cool, morning air. We only walked about a block, as our house was close to the square. I quickly signed in, then ran to the 16 square. I wasn't worried in the slightest. When the escort walked up, you could easily tell she was new.

"Uh, hello," She began quietly. "I'm your new escort, Katrina Jones. Welcome to the Reaping for the 34th Hunger Games..I guess the girls will go first."

She hadn't even moved when I heard a deafening shout.

"I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!" A girl screamed, running out of the 15 square. She had long, wavy blond hair and hazel eyes. She was wearing a bit of makeup, and I have to admit, she looked kinda...cute.

"Oh! Uh, what is your name?" The escort asked.

"I'm Velvet Mettalic!" The girl exclaimed into the mic.

Velvet...that's a pretty name. Ugh! What am I thinking?! I should just slip out right now before I fall for a dead girl.

"The male tribute is..." I was nearly over the fence when Katrina called out-"Manny Ohm!"

I fell from the fence, and doubled back into the 16 square. Was that my name? Of course it was! But, why was it called? Oh, right, I was Reaped. Wait...I was Reaped! I was shaking in my shoes, terrified.

"Manny Ohm?" Katrina asked. "Is there a Manny Ohm here?"

"Yes, right here," I squeaked, walking up to the stage.

"Everyone, our Tributes for District 3!"

Justice Building

Velvet Mettalic's POV

I couldn't bear the pain and resentment my parents must feel for me now. I could only await their entrance into the Justice Building, if they came at all.

"Three minutes," A Peacekeeper demanded, pushing Hale and Brandi into the room. Hale was crying.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"Thank you?" I asked. She nodded.

"My...my parents made me volunteer, I hated the idea though. To make myself feel better, I pretended to love that. But..It just made me feel guilty," Hale explained.

"Am I aloud to talk now?" Brandi asked.

"Yes, you bowl of soup," Hale teased. Brandi rolled his eyes. When we first met him, he had fallen into a bowl of soup.

"Hey, I'll miss you Velvet," Brandi sighed. "I mean, we could have worked something out between-"

"I already know you've liked me since second grade," I told him.

"Oh," he whispered, turning red.

"Times up," Hale and Brandi were escorted out. "Three minutes."

My stomach dropped. It was my parents.

"M-mom? D-dad?" I asked, trying to put a smile on my face. They just snarled.

"You disobeyed us!" Mom hissed.

"You volunteered!" Dad cried-and he took out a knife.

"HELP!" I screamed, seeing no other way out of it. "PEACEKEEPERS! HEEEELLLLPPPPPP!"

One of the Peacekeepers opened the door, and gasped when she saw my mom and dad. She quickly pulled out two pairs of handcuffs, and knocked the knife to the ground. She chained my dad, then my mom. I was honestly happy. The Peacekeeper turned to me.

"Thanks for hollering," she told me. "And may the odds be ever in your favor."

Manny Ohm's POV

I put my head in my hands, waiting for someone to show up.

"Three minutes."

Elle strode in, and plopped down beside me.

"So...You're a Tribute."

"Uh-huh."

"And you were Reaped, not a volunteer."

"Uh-huh."

"And you're gonna die."

"Uh-huh."

"And-"

"WAIT!" I cried. "I'm going to survive Elle!"

"I know how you can," she told me.

"How?" I asked, desperation in my voice.

"Suck it up," She told me. "Suck up to The Capitol. Play the hot ladies man. You're bound to get sponsors that way. Just hide on the sideline, play plain survival and last until the end."

"Good idea," I mused. "I'll do it."

"Times up!"

"Good luck!" Elle called.

"Heyyy Manny!" Another kid walked in. My best friend, Gene tried to give me a high-five.

"Oh, hey Gene."

"I know ya have the hots for that Velvet girl," he taunted. "I saw your face when you shook her hand."

"No such thing," I hissed.

"Yeah, tell it to the Pres." He scoffed.

"I've never seen you like this," I mumbled.

"People change. I'm just gonna go now, good luck."

"Three minutes."

"Milly?" I asked.

"Oh Manny," She sat beside me, and gave me a hug. "I'm sorry about this. If it was my decision, The Games wouldn't be a thing in the first place."

We sat in silence for a minute, just sitting there , understanding each other's feelings.

"Times up."

We quickly said sad goodbyes, and then I was left alone in the room. By myself.