-Iridesce Eurian, 18- dreams and desperation-
I wake up in the library of the Academy, books scattered all around the table. I feel too lazy to lift my heard, twirling my finger around some of the dark blonde waves that are spread out across the table.
I sit up and gaze down at the page, noticing the smiling face of Gloss Constable. This is the face of a Victor. Yes, that's the kind of thing I like to see on my volunteering day.
When I finally get up and exit the library into the Training Center, I find my best friend Diamante Sawyer training. I stand in the doorway, watching her actions quietly, critiquing her every wrong move (and there are really a good number of mistakes). She looks up and notices me.
"Oh, good morning volunteer!" The last word comes out of her mouth more like a startled exclamation, as if she's just realizing the situation at hand. She runs over, takes both my hands, as if stunned that she's standing in the presence of the District 1 tribute in the 84th Hunger Games.
Well, not yet Iridesce. You could still be reaped, after all. That would be my worst nightmare. It would really be my last chance to get in the Games. I have to get to the Games.
My parents were arguing about who would get to have me the night before the reaping, but they forgot a very important part of District 1 tradition: the annual Academy lock-in. The selected volunteers from District 1 have one last night before their reaping to be locked in the Academy with a posse of their choice, for one last night of training and studying before the big day.
I invited my best friends, Diamante and Luscious Arbor, who retired early last night and went to a guest room to sleep in a bed. The designated volunteer for the year, Gravity Stowers, is also awake, training silently on maces. Watching how he destroys that dummy is both intriguing and horribly intimidating. Nobody would dare challenge him, really. Except for me, of course.
"Get used to this," smiles Diamante, "You're going to be here again next year, for my Academy lock-in!" She flips her hair. "Now let's go, we need to wake up Luscious and get you ready for your big moment in the spotlight!" she smiles, taking my hand and skipping off.
I glance back at Gravity as we go, who has moved on to throwing knives and makes my stomach turn watching each one hit its target with spectacular accuracy. He's going to be stiff competition, but I'm not going to let some quiet, strong guy tear me away from this. I've worked just as hard as he has. I go into the bedroom, and together Dia and I wake up Luscious, who groans and pulls a pillow over her head. "Five more minutes," she groans.
"No, no five more minutes!" Diamante protests. "We let you sleep as long as possible! C'mon, we have to help Iridesce get ready for her moment in the spotlight!"
Luscious sits up, wiping her eyes and stretching with a smile. "Oh, yeah. Alright." She gets out of bed slowly and heads to the bathroom while Diamante puts on her nice reaping dress and fluffs her hair.
Luscious comes back from the bathroom as Diamante is helping me zip up the back of my reaping dress, a very sophisticated green dress that sweeps across my feet. I'm no party-girl, not really ditzy and giggly, and I want to make sure the Capitol sponsors understand that from the first second they see my face on the screen.
Diamante and Luscious do my hair as I sit still, combing it carefully and arranging it perfectly. They cover my face with concealer, hiding any blemishes that may have been there, and frame my blue eyes in dark eyeliner and deep green eyeshadow to make them pop. They don't color my lips too much, but put a light gloss on to make them shiny.
Diamante looks like she could burst she's so excited. The Games are one thing that make her truly excited. Though she's more toward the bottom of her age group, she aspires to volunteer someday. As her best friend, it's my job to encourage her. If I'm a Victor, I'll have more of a say for her, I suppose, but I can't decide everything no matter how great I am in the Games.
My other best friend is the complete opposite, really. Luscious isn't nearly as ambitious as myself and Diamante. She has so much potential that goes to waste, but as her friend I can only do so much to try and make her live up to what she can be. I don't like to pester her about it.
I step into some silver heels, knowing that they'll be covered by the long dress but feeling confident all the same.
My friends make last-minute touches to my nails and hair, and then step back, grinning. "You're ready for your reaping," they say, beaming.
I've never been the type to giggle and smile, even when I'm feeling radiantly happy. "But you're not ready for my reaping," I inform my friends flatly. Diamante sits by the mirror and touches up her make-up while Luscious gets dressed.
"If you get reaped, I'll volunteer for you," Luscious says, but she's obviously being sarcastic. She knows I'd be the first to kill her if she did that.
"Maybe I'll be reaped this year," gushes Diamante, beaming. "Then I could be the one to present you with your volunteering gifts." It's tradition here at District 1 that each year the tribute that is reaped visits the tribute that volunteered for them and presents them with a laurel crown, bouquet of flowers, a medal, and other gifts for earning the opportunity. It's just a cute little tradition, really. I've never been reaped before, but I always wanted to be so I could have an excuse to visit the volunteer and give them gifts. It's probably a good thing I wasn't reaped, though, because people often say I lack tact and I'm quite critical, especially of volunteers.
By the time we're all dressed, everyone has arrived at the Academy for our annual breakfast banquet. The food is plentiful and delicious, and it's a time to mingle with those that are training at the Academy. Gravity flips curly brown hair out of his face, his green eyes alight with laughter as he's having the time of his life.
"Good luck, Iridesce. Aren't you excited!?" asks some 17-year-old whose name I've never cared to learn.
"No," I say flatly, "Of course I'm not excited. Not at all." I roll my eyes. I'm sorry, but sometimes stupid questions need sarcastic answers.
She rolls her eyes. Bite me. I talk to some of my other training acquaintances, and meet Gravity talking to a mutual acquaintance.
"Good morning," he says, with another hair-flip.
"Morning. Today's the big day."
"Indeed."
I quickly give him a nod and go off to find Diamante and Luscious. Suddenly, Gloss Constable and his sister Cashmere bang on their glasses with forks, getting the attention of the whole Academy.
"Today," says Gloss, in a big, theatrical voice mocking Blaine Buchanan's, "Is a very special day for two people."
Cashmere pushes past him, causing him to wrinkle his nose in annoyance. "Today, we honor our two designated volunteers as they prepare for the quest of a lifetime! To serve their District in the 84th annual Hunger Games!"
Everyone applauds and cheers. Gravity pumps his fist as people pat him on the back in congratulations. My friends squeeze my hand and my shoulders. Even though they're my friends, I could definitely get used to being commended by beautiful girls all the time.
"To Iridesce Eruian and Gravity Stowers! We wish you the best in your Games! Cheers!" says Gloss cheerfully, his voice booming. Everyone clanks glasses with someone around them. Niesha Varlett, Victor of the 82nd Games just two years ago, raises a glass, a smile on her lips, and the other Victors all applaud.
Suddenly, it's 7:45 and we're heading to the Square for the reaping. I regret not seeing my family, but they'll be able to visit me after it's over. As I walk with my friends, I notice that people are pointing me out and whispering. I guess the news of my volunteering has spread.
I'm stopped by a little girl in a navy dress, her dark hair pulled up in wavy little pigtails. "Hi!" she says. "You're the volunteer!"
"Yes, I am," I smile at her. "What's your name? I'm Iridesce."
"I'm Cheer, I'm 5!" she says. "Cheer Candelaria! I'm going to volunteer when I'm big and strong and 18, just like you!" Her eyes sparkle with excitement."
"Who knows, maybe I'll be your mentor?"
The little girl giggles. "Yeah!"
Her mother comes up, holding the hand of a little boy no more than 2 sucking on his fingers. "Cheer! Let's go!" The girl giggles. "I have to go back to Mama and Soul! Bye!"
"It was nice meeting you!" I wave after her as she skips off.
"What's it like being treated like a star?!" Diamante asks. I shrug her off. "It's okay, I guess." It's great.
We arrive at the Square and get our blood taken. I let the people staring at me empower me as I stand with Luscious in the 18's section, bouncing on my feet, waiting for the opportunity to volunteer.
Suddenly, we hear the mayor talking on the stage and the reaping begins.
The escort for this year is new, introducing herself as Mary Catherine Bundren. She has bright hair colored many different blues, purples, some greens, and silver, put up in many elaborate braids styled up in a way that's kind of bizarre. She wears a dress that looks like the night sky, and has on the hugest eyelash extensions I've ever seen.
She speaks loudly and with a very strong accent. "Good morning District 1!" Everyone applauds, including me. She puts on the video, but it goes by so fast, I don't pay attention. Suddenly, she's at the reaping bowl, picking the girl's name. She gets right to the point, clearing her throat and reading loudly, "Health Meyers!"
The girl emerges from the 15 section, her head up high, a smile on her face.
"So," says Mary Catherine, "Do we have any volunteers?"
I take it as my cue, breaking through the crowd and shouting loud and clear, "I volunteer!" I stand up taller and smile proudly.
"Wonderful! What's your name, then?"
"Iridesce Eurian." I say it loud and clear.
"Great!" Mary Catherine beams and goes to the male reaping bowl. She swirls her hand around and picks a name, unfolding the paper and reading clearly:
"Gravity Stowers!"
.
Callum Ainsworth, 17- fat necrosis
I'm out of bed early, not like I slept much anyways. I sit with my grandmother, gently rubbing her hands that ail her so much. She sleeps, peacefully, hopefully unable to feel the pain of the arthritis, the pain of not being able to walk for herself…
I know that I'm her only caretaker, and she still loves me and supports me, but… It's so hard to see her so miserable. Sometimes she's not even… Here with us. Here, but not really here. I continue to stroke her hands until I have to look away from her old face, sunken and exhausted from constantly being in pain.
I hear my grandfather stir in his bedroom and go to help him get up and prepare for the day. His vision is going, so he needs help getting around.
"Good morning Grandpa," I say, and he takes my arm, nodding at me in greeting. I help him to the bathroom. "I'll be making breakfast. Call me if you need any help." I don't think I could spend another day in the hospital, though, with another one of his broken bones. I go to the kitchen and set out food on the table, not feeling awake enough to cook after the long night I had caring for Grandma.
While I was awake, I had a lot of time to think. My mind wandered away from my aging grandparents, and I kept on thinking about my future, about the inevitability of both Grandma and Grandpa dying and leaving me without friends and family. Last night… Had I really been thinking straight? I start to doubt myself, how my mind wandered.
I go to the bathroom for myself and get ready for this reaping day. I wash my face and brush my teeth. I bend over backwards in the mirror, fluffing my totally average blonde hair out of my face and noticing a red dot on my cheek, right below my eyes.
I sigh quietly, going to my grandmother's bedroom, where she sleeps, and taking a dab of concealer from her vanity. I dab it on the spot, making it disappear. I may look average, but part of me still cares enough to put in effort like this.
I put on my nice clothes for the reaping and go back to my grandfather, helping him down the stairs as Grandma wakes up. I grab a banana for myself and a bowl of oatmeal for her and go to help her up.
"Good morning," she says. I don't know if she's here or not, but she has such an empty look in her eyes nowadays all the time. I know that she's going to have to be put out of her misery someday, but I dread the day.
"Morning Grandma," I say gently. "I made you breakfast."
"Oh, I'm not hungry, thank you though, Callum." She's here. Her appetite has been going slowly, and she barely wants to eat anymore.
"How are you feeling?"
She shakes her head a little bit. I know she's in pain.
"Eat, and then you can take a pill," I tell her. Her arthritis is so bad she can't hold the fork, so I have to feed her. I really don't mind, I care so much for her.
After I finish feeding her breakfast and helping her get dressed and into her wheelchair, I bid my grandparents farewell, going to the market to talk to my friends before the reaping.
I know there's a banquet happening at the Krietzer Academy for Future Tributes of Panem, but I can't go because I was kicked out. I wasn't performing well enough, they said, so "We regret to inform you that we're letting you go." With a part-time job and the constant search for more money while caring for my grandparents, I really didn't need the training of the Academy.
I go into the market, noticing that it's bustling with people talking about Gravity Stowers and Iridesce Eurian, the selected volunteers. They're both the big winners, selected for their exceptional talent and skill. Though it was a relief to be cut out from the Academy, it still sucks that I wasn't selected as a big winner. There are a lot of things I don't like about myself, really. But the fact that I'm not a winner is the one I hate most.
The market is bustling with people, having conversations. It's a little too claustrophobic for me with so many people here, and so many loud conversations. I immediately start to feel anxious, wanting to sink into the floor. I hang my head down, avoiding eye-contact with anyone. I see all these people around me, people from school and even strangers at the market, and wish I could talk to them. It seems that when I try to talk to anyone, though, I completely freeze up. I hate that.
I buy a pack of almonds, though my appetite's been lost, and find my best friend Armory easily because of his bright ginger hair. I can tell by how he looks he has that he's hungover as fuck. I smile a little bit.
"Morning," I say. He throws up a hand, grunting. He takes a sip of the strongest coffee he could get.
"Crazy night last night?"
"Woke up next to someone I didn't even recognize." He laughs a little bit, then groans. "Fuck…"
I pat his back gently. "Don't worry. Next time I'll be there to drag your ass out of there before you do anything horribly stupid like that. I just… Had to care for Grandma. She was having a bad night."
He nods understandingly. "It's fine. Really, it's fine."
We go outside together, him complaining about how his head pounds. I notice a 13-year-old girl on her way to the Academy that I recognize very well. I couldn't possibly say whether or not she knows who I am, but I definitely know her. We share a last name, but I'm not exactly well-known in the District so she might not know who I am… Either way, I want to avoid talking to Amina, my sister, watching her walk away. She lives with my mother, who abandoned me. I'm still bitter about it, but I know my grandparents raised me well and I'm very thankful for them.
Just then, I notice another friend, one that I've known for less time but still feel crazy close to. She flips her greasy brown hair out of her eyes, waving to us quietly.
"Hey," she says. Armory and I both greet her as we start walking for a quieter, calmer spot, by the fountain. I breathe a sigh of relief at the silence.
After some small-talk, I bid my friends farewell and go to make sure my bedridden grandparents are on the list to be excused for not attending the reaping. When I get the all-clear to go, I go back to the reaping, getting registered and falling into the group of 17-year-old boys, all talking excitedly about Iridesce and Gravity.
"Did you hear that Iridesce is genderfluid?" someone next to me asks his friend.
"What the hell's that?" asks another.
"Hell if I know. But she's totally a lesbo," says the first guy.
"Shame," says the friend. I grit my teeth, wishing they wouldn't talk so offensively.
To get my mind off it, I find Armory in the crowd of 16's, and see Niss in the group of 17-year-old girls.
The escort takes the stage just then, introducing herself with a powerful, booming voice. She's brand new, and very young, which is a surprise. Usually the young escorts get put in the lower Districts and the older, seasoned escorts get bumped up to the strongest Districts (1 and 2). It's been absolutely forever since District 1 had an escort younger than 45, but it's fairly refreshing. She shows the video, and picks the girl name. As planned, Iridesce volunteers.
My mind wanders. I have nothing left. My grandparents are going to die, probably soon, and I'll have to deal with funeral expenses while being left all on my own. Can I really do it?
Are you really sure this is how to solve your problem, Callum? I ask myself.
Mary Catherine picks the boy's name. My heart pounds out of my chest. Am I going to do this?! No way. No way, I'm too anxious, too quiet, I don't have the balls to do it!
"Gravity Stowers!"
The District plunges into silence.
The selected volunteer stiffens up, in shock, with a gasp. He looks despaired. His dreams have just been crushed. It's officially a free-for-all. He threatens the crowd as he goes up to the stage.
"Oh… Wonderful…" Mary Catherine can tell something was fucked up. "So… Any volunteers?"
For the first time in forever, the crowd is silent at the question. Nobody would dare volunteer for Gravity, especially having to face him after the reaping.
My hand goes up in the air. This is going to help your future. You can do it. I force myself to speak. "I volunteer as tribute!"
The crowd goes silent, a lot of the boys trying to figure out where the voice came from. I step out from the 17-year-olds, feeling the piercing eyes of the 18-year-olds on me, feeling like I could cry from the anxiety. I know they all hate me, but it's too late now. Gravity's emerald eyes are dark with hatred as he intentionally bumps my shoulder on my way up. I take the steps, trying to not panic at the dead silence I receive from the crowd.
"What's your name, Dear?" she asks me.
I swallow hard. "Callum Ainsworth." My voice booms across the shocked District, greeted with silence. I avoid looking at my friends and grandparents.
"Yes, then. Well, here are your District 1 tributes for the 84th Hunger Games, Iridesce Eurian and Callum Ainsworth!" The crowd applauds, and we're escorted back to the Justice Building.
.
Armory and Niss come in first. Tears stream down Niss's face, and Armory looks much more well than he did before, but also more upset.
"Callum…" he's the first one to speak, taking my hands. "Why did you do it?" He looks completely shocked, stunned. He doesn't know what to say.
"Callum," Niss chokes out, in tears. "I can't believe you… Actually…"
"I refuse to be alone." It comes out weakly at first, so I say it again, more firmly. "I refuse to be alone. My grandparents will be dead soon, my Mom and sister hate me… I'm not going to be alone. I need the money."
"You have to win," Niss says, crying, "I can't go on without you, Callum… We need you here. Make sure to make them like you, get sponsors, don't fall for the Career alliance's tricks, alright?" She sniffles.
"Alright." I smile at her. "I'll win. Don't worry about me."
Armory takes me into a tight hug, not sure what to say. "Fuck, I need you back. Who else will be there to drag my drunk ass home?" A laugh bubbles out of his throat, "Niss?" I laugh.
"No need to worry," I tell them. I mean it.
After one last group hug, they're escorted out, and the next people through the door surprise me.
I tense up. "Mother."
"Good day Callum. Congratulations to you," she says, her eyes softening.
I look at the ground awkwardly, refusing to look at her, and mutter, "Thanks."
My sister Amina, now 13 (the same age I was the last time I saw my mother), waves to me but looks like she would rather not be with me right now.
My mother holds out a necklace to me, with two gold bands on the end. "I told your grandparents what you did. They want you to have this as your token. We're supposed to give it to you."
I take it and nod curtly to her. "Thank you."
She and Amina get up and leave before the Peacekeepers tell them to.
Last to visit, stiff and staunch, biting his lip, is Gravity. He presents me with a medal, and a laurel crown, customary to give to the tribute that volunteered. I wasn't expecting him to come, and don't know what to say to him.
Be smart, Callum. Be courteous, but don't put yourself down in the process. Say something smooth. God, he's attractive. Wow.
"How're you taking it?" Yeah, that was a stupid thing to ask. "Sorry," I add quickly.
"It's how the cookie crumbles." He laughs bitterly. "It's up to fate. It's not your fault my name was the one chosen from that damn bowl."
"What's next for you, then?" His pretty green eyes stare at the floor, looking at our feet.
"Become a trainer. If my parents don't kill me first, I suppose. Maybe go for Head Trainer."
"You'd be a good Head Trainer," I say, searching for anything else I might say to leave a good impression on him, to make him think highly of me. I mean, this guy is really cute. Thinking about that isn't really helping my case, though.
"Thanks," he mumbles, scratching the back of his neck with a strong arm. My ears must go red. No, I'm almost positive they do. "Good luck in the Games," he mumbles, getting up. He pats my back. "Make the District proud."
"Alright man." Gravity leaves and we're suddenly on the train to go to the Capitol.
.
Iridesce
My mom visits me first, smiling. "Congratulations, my dear," she says, hugging me and kissing the top of my head. She's a single mom, has been since before I was born, but she's been spectacular to me.
"You have to come home, alright?" she asks me, holding me in her arms.
"Of course," I say, smiling. "I can't wait."
She kisses my cheek one last time. "I love you, Iridesce. I'm proud of the young person you've become."
"Thanks Mom." The Peacekeepers escort her out, and next comes my father, and step-mother Radiance.
"Hi Adi," I say, smiling. She hugs me, and my father next.
My younger step-brother Alabaster gives me a hug, though he huffs about it. "You should've heard the toast they made, just for Iridesce!" he says. "Although they could've said-"
"That's enough," I say, sighing. I don't want the know-it-all to ruin it for me. He rolls his eyes at me.
Soon, though, the positive memories come back, and soon we're all laughing. Adi and Pa give me a last hug and kiss and wishes of good luck before they're escorted out.
Health, the girl that was reaped, visits next, putting a laurel crown on my head and giving me flowers and my medal. She tells me how glad she is to be meeting me and how she wishes the very best for me. I tell her I'm not worried, especially now that Gravity was shut out by some 17-year-old that dropped out of the Academy. She gives me a hug and when she leaves, I feel like a princess.
Diamante and Luscious come next, gushing.
"You have to come back, Iridesce, so you can mentor me next year!" Diamante says.
"No, I'm just not coming back. I volunteered to die," I say flatly.
"No need for the sarcasm," she says, but she's laughing.
"Congrats," says Luscious.
"Thanks," I say, smiling.
"You're going to be beautiful and come back home to us and be a great mentor forever more. I can't wait."
"I can." I'm met with blank stares so I add, "No, I can't, of course."
I bid farewell to my friends, and before I know it I'm boarding the train to the Capitol, and my time preparing for the Games has begun.
.
A/N: I stayed up waaaaay to late but I wanted this to be done for tomorrow! But I was on a roll and had to finish it out.
To my submitters: I hope you liked it! I hope you don't mind what I added (mostly the reaped tributes visiting after the reaping), but that's in my headcanon and I wanted to stay consistent.
I hope you enjoyed my take on the volunteering District traditions. Feel free to use the headcanons how you like, let me know if you liked them/want to use them! Gravity is 100% made up by me to add some depth to the plot, I hope you guys liked him.
This story is officially rolling! I'm so excited!
Chapter Question: To my D1 submitters: How did you like their reapings? To my non-D1 submitters: Which of these tributes stood out to you more and why?
Scores:
dreams and desperation: 26
Skyflapple: 6
xxPeppermintxx109: 31
Seahorse8: 12
Rosemarie Benson: 12
CrissKenobie-the-Numenorean: 21
santiago. poncini20: 21
Emrys Holmes: 36
A-Bookworm-Named-Steph: 16
We're All Okay: 21
Kyoko Rose: 26
Lady Lysa Arryn: 77
W. R. Winters: 26
fat necrosis: 22
LokiThisIsMadness: 16
Josephm611: 22
nevergone4ever: 2
Jalen Kun: 2
Music Rules The World: 4
Xx-Katerina-xX: 16
Dreamer: 217
hopefuldreamer1991: 111
Sinfonian Legend: 265
Jess: 251
Kate: 193
magicharity: 163
xQueen-of-Applesx: 40
rising-balloons: 75
superneet1214: 6
elisa. anya: 5
Coolgal02: 61
epictomguy: 34
Medium-Indigo (Guest): 60
AbbyCorabby123: 10
falyn. oliver: 43
seaotter99: 22
ThisWorldWeHate: 17
Blonde4ever: 62
Beauty. Is. Strange: 61
Ibbonray: 35
