District 1: Sangria Ashworth (18) Pov-
My father doesn't know anything about style. He says I look fine whether I'm wearing a pair of sweats or a trendy dress. If I want to look great for the reaping, I have to head over to Mascara's early. She always helps me look my best.
I pack a few possible reaping outfits into my bag and tromp down the stairs.
"Going to Mascara's?" Dad asks from around the corner, though it's more a statement than a question. I always go to her house before the reaping.
I turn back and nod before slipping out the door. As I walk the four blocks to Mascara's house, I can't help but wish that I had a better family than I have now. I mean, I know my mother loves me, but I wish she was around more often. Maybe I shouldn't be complaining. The money she brings in from being a supervisor at that gemstone mine is what keeps our house in order. But it's hard not to wish that I had another girl in the house. And my father, well, he never agrees on anything. He thinks I'm spoiled, but I'm not. Just a young woman with a bit of fashion sense. I've heard him muttering about how he blames the academy for shaping me into who I am.
Mascara answers the door, smiling.
"Sangria!" she says. "Congratulations, I heard you won the contest at the academy."
"How did you know?" I was hoping to surprise her at the reaping.
"Everyone knows. Now come on," she says, gesturing for me to come in. I close the door behind me and throw the contents of my bag onto her bed.
"You have got to wear this one!" she says, holding up a dress with purple sparkles.
"I'm thinking something that matches my eyes."
Mascara gapes and picks up the most hideous green skirt in the world. "Girl, you have got to wear this!"
"No!" I say, laughing and swiping it out of her hands. She still teases me for bringing Ben Hansel out to prom three years ago. Saying yes to him was an instant regret, especially considering that I had so many other guys to choose from. He was the biggest nerd in the district and I wore the ugliest outfit ever to the dance. I'm shocked I haven't gotten around to burning that skirt yet.
"I think I'll go with this one." My hands reach for a sea-blue skirt with sequins at the bottom of the pile.
Mascara helps me pack the outfits back into the bag. I have to get back home before Champagne and Rosen wake up. My dad thinks I should set an example for them by being a responsible older sister and not waking up early to go shopping or try on clothes. But they're probably up at this time already. They usually are. Still, Dad sometimes seems to find every excuse he can to take away my "privileges" for the week.
I thank Mascara for the help and jog the four blocks back to my house, careful not to get any dirt on the dress I chose. I'm confident I'll be eye candy at the reaping, just what I need to put me on the path to winning.
District 1: Declan Benitoit (17) Pov-
"Don't forget to cover that scar," Narce says.
"Sorry, I forgot." I adjust my shirt to cover the mark on my wrist. I've had it for five years, ever since my hand slipped and I stabbed myself while I was training for the games. I have to look as handsome as I can for the reaping, especially because this is the year that I'll be volunteering.
"Think you can impress a hottie from another district? Or maybe that Sangria girl who's volunteering? That girl is a goddess!"
I let out a laugh. I've always known that half the district likes that girl, but I got over that years ago, unlike some of the other guys who seem to be nursing a serious case of Sangria Ashworth fever. Narce is my best friend, and I'd never tell anyone, but I know he has a massive crush on her and wishes he was in my spot.
"We'd better sign in before the line gets too long." Narce starts to walk away.
My shoes clomp over the stone ground as I melt into the line to sign into the reaping. Before long, I'm at the front. I hold out my finger. The peacekeeper collects some of my blood and smears it onto a little slip of paper.
"Thank you, sir." It can't hurt to be polite. Especially because I grew up with precious little in terms of politeness. I can't remember a time that my dad hasn't thought of me as worthless. And my mother has never been around much. I feel so distant from her that I even call her by her first name, Alexandra.
Anyhow, the world can never have too many nice guys.
District 1: Sangria Ashworth (18) Pov-
Calypso Star has been District 1's escort for as long as I can remember, though I'm not exactly her biggest fan. She talks too much and goes way over the top with her costumes. A true Capitol citizen if there ever was one. I'm not saying I hate her. She's just a bit too over-the-top. And too much saliva flies out of her mouth when she talks for anyone to be at ease.
"Are we all ready for the eighty-third Hunger Games?" Calypso claps her hands. The audience bursts into applause.
She reads the Treaty of Treason. In previous years, I always zoned out during this part. It's not like I had anything I could miss. I never liked standing all cramped with the other District 1 citizens, and, since nobody I knew ever volunteered, it was a bit boring. But now, I'm so thrilled that I don't zone out for a single word.
"Now, let's get down to business!" Calypso shouts. She struts over to the girl's reaping bowl and plucks out the first slip she encounters.
"I would like to welcome to the stage… Jade Cornelia!"
"I volunteer!" I shout. The other girls make way for me as I run up to the stage, making sure my hair and skirt are in place.
"My, don't you look lovely!" Calypso remarks. I smile at the audience. Three boys I recognize from my grade smirk and nudge each other. I flash them a flirty wink.
"What's your name, dear?"
"Sangria Ashworth."
District 1: Declan Benitoit (17) Pov-
I drum my fingers against my thigh, waiting for Calypso to pick a boy's name. Nervousness floods through me. I spot my friend Vanessa in the girl's section. She gives me the thumbs up.
"I think it's time we pick a boy," Sangria remarks. She laughs as if it's a clever joke before striding to the boy's bowl.
"Flash Riverpetal!" The name echoes around the square.
"I volunteer!" I shout. The crowd clears a path for me as I sprint onto the stage. My hand brushes against Sangria's. Narce catches my eye as I sweep over the crowd. He gives me a reassuring smile, though he does look a little jealous.
"I give you the tributes of District 1!"
District 1: Sangria Ashworth (18) Pov-
Mascara runs into the Justice Building laughing.
"The Hunger Games!" You're… the Hunger Games!" she intones.
She seems to find her voice in a few seconds. "You can't screw this up."
A laugh tumbles from my lips. "Yes, I'm well aware I shouldn't be screwing things up."
Dad visits me next. He doesn't say much, but, just before he leaves, he hugs me. I can't remember the last time he did that.
My mother is much more emotional. "I've been dreaming of this moment ever since you were born. Ever since I saw the fighter in your eyes."
"Thanks, Mom," I reply.
"Just remember that I love you more than you know. Remember that, Sangria, and remember just how strong you are."
District 1: Declan Benitoit (17) Pov-
Narce struts into the room. "Awesome. Awesome. Awesome."
"Awesome indeed," I reply with a laugh. "And it'll be even more awesome when I'm the victor."
"Of course, man. I'll be rooting for you, remember that."
My family comes in next. My mother and father are in the front, with my sister Blair close behind.
Dad sits beside me and lets out a long sigh. "I love you, son." The words take me aback. It's been a long time since he said that.
"I love you too." We sit beside each other for a while. Neither of us can think of anything to say. But sometimes quality time is better than words, it would seem.
"You sure you've got this?" Blair asks, looking more than a little nervous.
"Yep. Pinky promise." I hold out my pinky and lock it with hers. It's a gesture we used when we were little kids, and it's been a running thing ever since.
Now, I have to win. Because I would never break a promise with my sister.
Here are the District 1 tributes! Thank you to Sparky She-Demon for Sangria, and District5Chemist for Declan. If you want to submit a tribute, be sure to hurry, as there is only one spot left in the tribute list. I will be doing sponsoring for this story! I'll go over the details later, but the main way to earn sponsor points is to correctly answer the questions at the end of each chapter. Each question answered correctly earns you five points, and you can use these points later on to give gifts to your favorite tributes in times of need.
Question 1: How many blocks apart do Sangria and Mascara live?
Question 2: What is Declan's mother's first name?