-Martina Reyés, 18- xxPeppermintxx109-

I wake up early that morning to Marlene crawling into my bed.

"Lene?" I yawn tiredly, blinking sleep out of my eyes. The 5-year-old sniffles and curls up to me, and I notice by her breaths that she's crying. "What's wrong?"

"You were reaped," cries Marlene, "You and Trey were reaped and they took Leah too…" She buries her face in my side and cries quietly.

"Oh, Lene…" I hold my five-year-old little sister close. "That's not going to happen," I whisper quietly. "Nobody's getting reaped, nobody's going to die, alright?"

"B-But-"

"Sh… Don't worry about it, Marlene. Nobody's going to get reaped, alright?"

I can't say that for sure, of course. Every year, we get more and more slips in there. In another District, maybe taking ten shares of tesserae each year would be unheard of. But, here in the starving, desolate District 11, it's simply what I have to do.

I check the clock and see that it's 5 in the morning, which means my parents will probably be leaving to get in some work time before the start of the reapings. I offered, but they said it would be best for me to stay home. "It's your last year," they said.

Besides, I'm needed to be here with my siblings. It's a hard day for them. This is my last reaping, but I will never have peace. Not until my siblings are safe. I'm the oldest at 18, then there's Leah, who's 16, Trey at 13, and Marlene is the youngest at five. I'm done this year, and Leah will be done in two years. After five years, Trey will be safe, and I'll only have two years to breathe before Marlene starts them. And that's not even the start of it.

"Remember, Tristen and Mariah both survived the reapings just fine." My brother and his wife moved out a while ago.

"And Jackson," sniffles Marlene.

"That's right," I say quietly, "Jackson too."

Marlene snuggles into my side and closes her eyes. I wipe the tears gently off of her cheeks from her eyes. "We're all going to be alright, I promise," I whisper, trying to ignore the creeping fear of being reaped. Marlene falls asleep again, snuggled against me. I pull the blankets around us, and close my eyes again, figuring I still have some time to sleep.

.

I wake up again at 11 and decide that's a good time to get out of bed. I move as quietly and gently as possible, trying to not wake Marlene up. It sounds like she had a sleepless night, and I wouldn't want to ruin her rest by waking her up too early. I wrap her up in my blanket and she rolls over, stirring slightly but not fully waking up.

I smile softly at my sister, getting dressed in my best blouse and skirt for reapings. The best clothes I have, really. After all, the only time we have to dress up is for the reaping and for weddings. I remember my brother's wedding like it's just yesterday.

It was such a good day. Mariah's dark skin looks like dark chocolate, it was so beautifully contrasting against her dress. The wedding was short and simple, and family oriented. Then, there was a party in the Town Square. It was a long distance to go, but worth it. We had some music there, people playing guitars and other stringed instruments, singing some of the folk songs from the District that are so familiar. Her dark eyes sparkled with bright happiness as she gazed at Tristan. Tristan's eyes returned the happy gaze as he danced with her. But, after he had danced with his new wife to his heart's content, he still took me for a dance as well. From the time we were just kids and he was slipping Leah and I food, I made him promise me a dance at his wedding. After he gave me a jig, he went dancing with Leah, and I danced with Trey and Marlene, and we had a great time.

I will never forget how we all laughed on that day. It's one of my fondest memories to date. I always smile when I think about the music, the laughter.

Another of the happiest days I can remember is when Mariah and Tristan welcomed my nephew into this world, naming him after our late grandfather. It's almost time for us to celebrate his first birthday, considering he was born right after the 83rd Games are over… It'll be a relief when that comes, though. That means we'll all be safe from the reapings for another year. I'll be safe for good.

I smile as I go to wake up my other siblings. Leah is already awake and dressed when I come in, looking in the small mirror we were able to get for her and frowning.

"Hey," I say, going in.

She looks up. "Hey," she says quietly.

"Nervous?"

"It gets more and more likely each year that one of us would get reaped…" she frowns and speaks quietly. I give her a hug.

"We'll be alright," I say quietly. "It'll all be okay. I promise. I have to wake Trey, okay? Then I'll be out for breakfast."

"Okay," she says quietly. I go to Trey's small little room.

"Hey," I say, "Time to wake up."

His interestingly gray eyes open and look at me sadly. He knows what day it is. He doesn't want to get out of bed. He does, though, and I go out to where our small breakfast of bread is on the table. Leah gives me some.

"You're beautiful," I say.

"Thanks," she says, looking sad. "Wish the occasion would be happier."

Trey comes down just then, smiling despite the occasion. I know he's trying to make us feel better. "Hey! Morning!" I smile and pat his head as he eats the breakfast he was given. More like brunch at this time. I wish we didn't have to wait so long for the reaping to start.

"I can get Marlene up," Leah says. "If you want to go see Jackson."

"Ooo, Jaaackson," Trey says teasingly. Leah tries her best to smile and I manage one for his sake.

"Thanks. I'll see you afterward." I kiss both of their heads and head out the door.

I find Jackson, the sun shining off his bald head and making him easy to find.

"Hey you," I say, smiling as soon as I see him. He's helped me through so much…

"Hey," he says, giving me a hug and a kiss in greeting. I hold him close, hugging him tightly. I feel his heart beat and hear his breathing in my ear, knowing that he's here. He's warm and he smells so familiar, and I love him so much. I kiss his jaw gently.

"I'm so scared," I confess quietly, frowning. "I don't want to go to the Games…"

"You won't. You won't, it'll all be alright." I bury my face in his neck, and it feels warm and familiar and I feel much calmer.

"It'll be fine." I cling to him for a while, then he takes my hand and we walk together, talking about sweet nothings that only serve to get my mind off of things. He's sweaty and I know it's because he'd been working to get some extra funds. I don't remember what we talk about, but it's a good distraction from the horrors that are to come.

1:00 comes too soon. I have to say goodbye to Jackson and promise to find him later. I get my finger pricked, going all the way to the 18 section and feeling more afraid than ever. I look back and find my sister in the crowd before losing view of her.

The mayor speaks before the escort, Delicia Armand, takes the stage. She's an old, horribly fat person. She's dressed up all in bright red, like an apple. It's so bright and vibrant it's almost impossible to watch.

"Welcome, District 11! To the reaping for the 84th annual Hunger Games!" She's absolutely disgusting. "Today, I am going to select the lucky one young man and one young woman that will get to die a painful and gruesome death in our lovely Capitol!" She's not lying, but sometimes you wish she'd have more faith in us.

She goes over to the girls' bowl and picks out a name. My chest feels tight with nerves.

"Martina Reyés!" I feel like I've been stabbed in the guy. I'm frozen, I don't know what to do… Being reaped when you're from 11 is pretty much a death sentence… I slowly start my way to the stage, finding my parents and Marlene, my brother Trey, Leah, Jackson… I make it up next to Delicia, who is already over by the boys' bowl. She picks a name.

"Edgard Lowell!" There's a long pause. A boy comes out of the 18s section, looking tense but trying to smile. I feel for him. He wants to look good for the cameras, for the sponsors. He's built with muscles and has short, messy, dark hair. He makes it to the stage without breaking.

"Everyone, your District 11 tributes for the 84th Hunger Games, Martina Reyés and Edgard Lowell!"

We're escorted back to the Justice Building.

-Edgard Lowell, 18- 20-

Another reaping day is here.

I sit on the edge of my bed, my big toes grazing the floor, going around in circles.

It's early. Too early. But there's no way I can possibly go back to sleep.

Thoughts, like ghosts, dance around in my head. Murky, hazy, like smoke, that I can't make my way through. Thoughts that scare me and confuse me. Thoughts that I can't sift through, opinions that I can't form. Things that I can't quite figure out.

My future has been assured to me, handed to me on a silver platter. My parents are glad that they can give this to me, that I don't have to worry about toiling my whole life away. They've worked hard to get us here, and I'm really thankful for that… But even so, sometimes I still don't feel like I can carry the legacy on well enough.

I feel so insufficient.

I might be able to live well, but I'll never make anything of myself. What kind of impact will I leave? Will I ever be anything? No matter who we are, the truth is that someday we'll all end up nothing but dust. The only thing that will live on of me is how I affect others. But I feel like I will never be memorable. What can a guy from 11 of all places do to change or affect anything? Will I ever match up to the expectations?

I stare at the floor for a while, tracing my toes around on the rough floor. I could barely sleep. Not only do my thoughts haze and confuse me, but whoever Wren chose to bring home last night was so loud. I hate what my brother does, and I hate it even more when moans and giggles and exclamations keep me awake all night. As if I didn't have enough to think about already.

I get out of bed slowly even though I have hours until the reaping. I feel exhausted, but I probably won't be getting back to sleep soon. I can't help staying awake. I wash my face and brush my teeth, fathoming that for some families this is a privilege that seems almost unreachable.

I don't have to do much to my short, dark hair. I go out of the bathroom, getting dressed in a nice shirt and khakis with some nice shoes. So many people in my own home only have one set of nice clothes, and I have several to choose from. I can't help wondering if there's someone more worthy of being in my shoes than I am. There are so many people in this District that work from the early hours and still have no shoes to put on their feet.

I'm boring and dull, and I feel ultimately inferior. I didn't do anything to deserve this life. I've done nothing significant, and I may not ever. And yet, I have my life planned out for me. I don't have to worry about a thing. I don't deserve what I have. What have I done to get it? My parents have worked so hard to build their business… But what have I done?

I work, sure. But only half days. It's all we need. I go to school in the mornings, work in the afternoons. Not many 18-year-olds in District 11 can say that they still go to school. And what am I taking from it? I'm not particularly bright. I have these opportunities but I haven't used them. There are so many that can only wish someday their children or children's children, some part of their lineage has food on the plate all the time. Probably some great people, and yet I'm here and I'm so… Average.

I adjust my collar, going to the small kitchen to get some breakfast. I'm left by myself. My brother will come down eventually, and I don't want to be here when the girl has to do her walk of shame. That's really when you see the kind of girls they are. Some of them hide their faces, some of them walk with pride, some casually. I've lost track of all the different girls my brother's brought home with him. There never seems to be the same one twice.

I sit by myself, which just gives me even more time to linger on my thoughts. I always end up thinking about myself, and my situation. I know myself so well, and overanalyze what I do. I keep thinking back to conversations I've had with people, how I've messed up, how I've messed up, what I wish I'd said or done. I try not to linger on it, but I have way too much time to think.

The girl comes through the kitchen just then, her hair messy and clothes looking disheveled. She's a quiet one, and I do her a favor and pretend not to notice her sneaking out. I sit there and stare at the wall as she slips out the door.

Wren comes down the stairs just then. He doesn't have to worry about the reaping anymore, but still supports me when the time comes. This is my last one, and I haven't had to take tesserae.

"Are you going to the bar before the reaping?" he asks as he gets breakfast. No, I don't drink. He's talking about the bar my parents own and run. We both help them run the bar when we can.

"I'll probably drop by to talk to Mom and Dad before the reaping." He nods.

"I'll be there when I get dressed." I nod and head out the door.

The summer breeze is soft and it feels nice. I walk to the bar, which isn't all too far from our place. It's nice to have the bar so close. Since I'm not going to school because they wouldn't have school on a reaping day, I have time to work and help out before the time comes.

I find Mom and Dad and wave to them. They're working hard behind the counter, and I quickly go to lend a hand. I don't mix drinks as much as I just go run and fetch what they tell me to, which is fine by me. I fetch drinks for those that order and see a group of Peacekeepers waving for some more. Igor's face is still contorted slightly with a pout, while Violan has his feet on the table. Tavion is more casual about it. He only drinks every once in a while saying something about a day that deserves it. They all love reaping day. They like to make bets on the tributes when they're reaped. I've seen them, heard them. It's sick.

I go back to the counter and see Zinnia Verone there. Zinnia is an employee of the bar, and she works very hard when I'm not there to help with the bustle.

"Hey Edgard," she says.

"Is Kayla with you?" I ask.

"No, she isn't. She wanted you to meet her at Mich's place before the reaping, though."

"Oh. Okay. I still have some work to do first, but I'll go there when I can." I go off to get more drinks for paying customers.

After my shift and some lunch, I quickly leave to find Mich and Kayla before the reaping. I knock on the door of the mayor's house, Mich's father. Mich opens the door, Kayla behind them, both of them dressed in their best.

"I was wondering when you were going to show up!" Kayla says.

"Sorry. I got roped into a shift at the bar before the reaping."

"I figured. That's why I told my Mom to tell you to meet us."

"Who are you going to kiss good luck this year?" I joke. Kayla's always been concerned with finding the one. I haven't really worried about it, I've barely even wanted to think about it. Too confusing for me. I'm indecisive, and though it'll be nice when I figure out who I want to settle with, I haven't made it a priority.

Kayla rolls her eyes. "I don't have anyone like that. In a couple of years, it'll be Milos." Kayla is 17, and her little brother Milos is 10. In two years, Kayla will be safe from the reaping, but Milos will just be beginning it. Kayla's never going to get a break, not until Caritta finishes the reaping. And she's only 7, so it's going to be a while still.

"Are you ready to go to the Square?" Mich asks, giving me a nervous look. I swallow hard and nod, though I don't feel ready at all and probably never will.

We walk together, the three of us, all in silence. The usual banter and sarcasm and jokes is replaced with a nervous veil of fear.

We get our fingers pricked and then say goodbye to Kayla as we go our separate ways. Luckily, I'll have Mich to be there and support me. His father speaks, looking grim. "It's our last year," Mich whispers when his father is done with his speech. I swallow hard and nod as Delicia Armand takes the stage.

"Welcome, District 11! To the reaping for the 84th annual Hunger Games!" She smiles with her crimson apparel that makes her look like a giant fat apple. "Today, I am going to select the lucky one young man and one young woman that will get to die a painful and gruesome death in our lovely Capitol!" Frank, but true. She says it because she hates the lower Districts, she doesn't care if we go off and die. She doesn't have a care in the world.

She goes over and picks the female name. "c!" There's a slight pause before a girl comes from the crowd of 18-year-olds. Her dark hair is brought away from her face in cornrows, and she has very wide brown eyes and thick black lashes. She looks afraid, and terrified of being in the Games. She steps up onto the stage slowly. Delicia guides her over to the center, with a very obviously fake smile.

Then, she goes to the boys' bowl. She reaches a plump hand in and chooses a name. I can barely focus on anything but the panic, my heart beating hard, the blood roaring in my ears…

Everyone in my section takes a step away from me. When I look over at Mich, he's trembling, his face contorted in devastated panic.

I realize that I must have been… Reaped.

I force a smile across my features, keeping the Capitol sponsors in mind as I start up to the stage. I try to look confident and happy, as always, even if I'm horrified on the inside and panicking. I make it up to the stage, barely able to make myself think about the future. My parents are crying, particularly my mother. Kayla is shaking her head, as if she doesn't believe it. Wren is staring, in shock.

I stick out my hand and Martina shakes it. Then, Delicia announces us again and ushers us back to the Justice Building.

Mich and Kayla come in first, and Mich is the first to hug me tightly.

"Edgard… You have to come home…"

"I know," I say quietly, hugging my friends tightly. "I'll do my best." I bite my lip. "I can't really promise-"

"Shut up!" Kayla sniffles and wipes at her eyes. "Don't talk like that. You have to believe in yourself and have some faith. You have to do it for us! We need you to come back!

I release Mich and take my crying friend into my arms, hugging her tightly. "Sh… I'm only being realistic." After all, I'm nothing special. I'm just a kid from an outer District. We only have three Victors. Out of 84 Games. I feel sick to the stomach thinking about going into an Arena.

"You're going to win!" she shouts, crying. "You have to win!"

"Sh…" I know that nothing I say is going to make her stop now. I would be devastated if it were her or Mich.

"Thank you both for your friendship. We shared some good times."

"Don't talk in the past tense!" she shouts.

"Don't talk like you're going to die," Mich says with a nod, much calmer.

"Okay," I say quietly. "But thank you. I love you guys and you've done a lot for me."

We make a giant group hug, and stay there until Kayla's sobs quiet into sniffles. I hold my friends close, enjoying their warmth. It's possible that time's already up, but when the Peacekeepers come, I see that it's a couple of regulars to the bar, Violan and Tavion, and they're a lot gentler and more lenient than they'd be on someone else.

"Edgard… Kid… We've given you all the time we could."

We let go and Mich puts an arm around Kayla for support.

"Thanks for everything," I tell them.

"Come home, Edgard. You have to," Mich says, and they both leave.

My family comes in next. My mother is weeping, so I give her a big, tight hug first. "Mom…"

"Edgard," she say, sobbing. She holds me tightly and I feel her shaking breaths. "You have to get home!"

"Mom, I promise I'll do my best to get back. But I can't promise anything."

"I love you!" she lets me go, wiping at her eyes, and I hug my father tightly.

"Love you, Edgard," he says quietly.

"Love you too," I say quietly. "Thanks for all you've done."

Wren still looks in shock when I give him a hug. My brother hugs me back.

"Come home," he says, his usually bright voice dark and sad. "Please."

"I'll do my best. Go on without me if I don't, okay?"

He only hugs me tighter. "Love you, little bro."

"Love you too."

When I say that, my mother runs over and joins the hug with a loud sob, and my father joins last. We stay there, a big, hugging family. My mother sobs but the rest of us are dead silent.

"So sorry Lowells, but we can't let you stay any longer," says Tavion. I lose the warmth of my family as they let me go.

"Love you," I tell them. They all respond with the same as they're escorted out.

-Martina-

My parents are the first to come in. They look exhausted and worn out, not to mention older than they are. If I win the Games, I could win a better life for them and they'll never have to work again in their lives. That would be nice.

My mother is crying quietly, wiping her eyes. I hug her tightly, and she hugs me back, crying. Even my father is shedding tears when I hug him.

"Martina… Please get back…"

"I'll do my very best," I promise. We say our last "I love you"s before my parents are escorted out.

Next, Tristan and Mariah come in, carrying Demarcus with them. Mariah sniffles and Tristan is crying, causing tears to come out of my eyes. I hug Tristan tightly.

"I love you Martina," he says, holding me tightly. "Come home."

"I'll try… Don't count me out…" he releases me and gives me a kiss on the head.

I give Mariah a hug as well. "You're such a good sister," she says quietly. "I love you."

"Love you too." Mariah fits in perfectly with the family, she immediately became one of us. I give Demarcus a kiss on his forehead. "I'm going to get back to you. I want you to know your Aunt Martina."

"You have to," says Tristan. "He needs his oldest Auntie there."

"I'll be back." I try a smile through tears, and get last hugs from my brother and his wife before they have to go.

Marlene runs in next, sobbing loudly. She jumps into my arms, sobbing. "You said you wouldn't be reaped!" she sobs.

"Sh… It's okay…"

Trey comes in after her, giving me a sad look, his eyes teary. He sits next to me and I put an arm around my little brother, holding Marlene close to me. She hugs me tightly, as if that will prevent me from going.

"Martina…" Trey looks up at me, his gray eyes full of tears that pour out and roll down his cheeks. I pull him closer and he buries his face in my side. I hold them close.

"I love you guys," I say quietly. "No matter what happens, it's going to be alright. I'm going to do my very best to win."

"You have to come home!" Trey sobs.

"I will."

"I love you Tina," Marlene says, burying her teary face in my neck.

"Love you," Trey echoes, as the Peacekeepers come into force them off of me.

Leah is the next to come in, sobbing as tears roll down her cheeks. I take her into a tight hug and she hugs me back, sobbing.

"Leah, you're going to have to take responsibility for the younger ones, alright?" I ask quietly.

"I c-can't-"

"You can. You'll have to. You can do it."

"I love you!" she sobs, holding me tighter.

"I love you too," I say, holding her tightly. She hugs me and sobs until they force her away from me.

Jackson is the last to visit. I run to him, sobbing, and hug him tightly. Even Jackson is crying, and that's devastating.

"I'm going to get home," I say, hugging him tightly and crying into his shoulder.

"You're strong and determined," he says in my ear. "I love you so much, I need you home…"

I sob into his neck, and he guides my chin up, making me look into his slightly teary dark eyes. "You can do it. I love you so much, we all need you home."

"I'm taking the flower."

"Huh?"

"That cherry blossom flower… That you gave me…" I sniffle quietly. "F-For the promise ring."

"Oh, that… Isn't it withered?"

"I don't care. I still have it. I'm taking it with me. I'll never forget you. I love you."

"I love you too…" He guides my lips to meet his in a sweet, gentle kiss. It ends too soon, and his warmth is stolen away from me by the Peacekeepers.

"You can make it home! Martina I need you!" he calls as he's taken away.

I sigh quietly, wiping the tears from my eyes as Delicia collects my District partner and I and we're sent away, far from home, to the Capitol.

A/N: Another chapter up! Man, 42 is serving as a great motivator! Hopefully the D12 reapings will be out sometime this weekend, if I get a chance to write them! And then we'll have met all our tributes, which is when this story will really kick off! I really am trying to give you guys fast updates, but still high-quality, so I only write when I'm really in the mood to. I hope you guys liked this chapter and enjoyed the characters!

I think that's all I have to say for now! I mean, if you're bored and want a really awesome story to read/submit to, remember that my friend Wetstar's doing a partial SYOT called Magnets and needs tributes still and it's going to be SO good I highly suggest you check it out!

Chapter Question: Submitters, how did you like your tributes? Non-submitters, which one stood out more and why?

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elisa. anya: 5

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erica1024 (I'm assuming you're the same person who reviewed as a guest named Erica, but let me know if you're not!): 16

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