Huge thank you to xGred-Forgex for Cooper and dreams and desperation for Livee! I love both of your tributes ^.^
Cooper Gadget, 18
District 3 Male
I sit up straight in bed and yawn. Marie, my twin sister, is standing over me, a huge genuine smile on her face. "Good morning sleepy head. It's good to see you awake!" she giggles and moves out of the way. I stand up and sigh, combing my hair with my fingers as I begin to walk out the front door.
"What time is it?" I ask her, and she shrugs.
"I don't know. I woke up and thought it was bright so I decided to wake you up." I nod, smiling at my sister. It's the reaping today, but I doubt me or Marie will be picked. I mean, plenty of the people in our district need tesserae, which is sad because they don't have enough money, but neither of us need them so it should be fine. Over all? I'm not too nervous about today, it's a nice day and my family is nice and I'm just in a nice mood today. Of course, I'm always in a nice mood so it's not like that's anything new.
I stroll out to the front door and take in the sight of the beautiful sunny day in front of me. On a day like this, what could possibly go wrong? It's perfect! For the past year or so my family hasn't been making the most money, and my mom blames it on me for giving money away. There were people on the streets, living off of nothing, really, and so how can she blame me for wanting to make their lives just a little less miserable? We have enough and they don't… She probably just wants the best for our family, though.
Things were always really well off for us before Dad's business went bankrupt. After his work went down the drain, we've been tight for money and everyone has been really stressed over everything. Marie and I were like beams of sunshine casting on our parents, but they continued with their constant negativity. At least things are going better again – my dad's business is starting back up and hopefully it stays that way this time. I would love for that to happen.
"Cooper! Come back in and change for the Reaping!" I glance into the living room and see my mother, Bernadette, standing right in front of the doorway.
I smile at her as I walk by on the way to Marie and I's room. "Good morning Mom!" Thankfully my sister isn't changing in here right now – That would be awkward. My clothing is already folded at the foot of my bed. I put on a clean, white polo shirt that I saved for today and a pair of jeans that was in Dad's clothes. Being nearsighted is kind of annoying, but I'm glad that my parents can afford to buy me a pair of glasses. They're not the most fashionable, but I don't really care and it makes me more fortunate than other people in District 3 who can't even afford food. I really do love my family… Even if I don't have a tele-pathetic relationship with Marie, we're both incredibly close. We can tell each other anything. She's an extremely nice person, and even though she's eighteen she's still very sweet and innocent. But aren't I, as well?
By the time I'm back outside again, Mom and Dad are already standing there. The stress on them all the time must be terrible, trying to get food on the table every day. There are days where we'll go to bed on an empty stomach but that rarely happens. Even when it does, I always appreciate their effort. I'll never stop loving my family, even when Mom does act rude at times.
Marie finally emerges from the house and we wordlessly walk towards the Square. It's not that I'm nervous or anything, it's just that there's nothing to say. Even if there was, it could be said after the Reaping. After all, even if I don't really care about them, my parents do. They're constantly worried that one of us will be reaped, but the chances are 14 out of thousands. That's why I never worry.
After about half an hour of silent walking the Square comes into view. Maybe I am a little nervous. Only one more year of this, and it's all over…
Livee Meress, 16
District 3 Female
At least the sky is clear this morning. Not a cloud can be seen. That's what I think about as I stare out of my bedroom window. I hear footsteps approaching my room, and I sit up straight in bed. Better act awake if I want to make my parents happy.
My mom opens the door and smiles when she sees me not sleeping. "Are you okay Livee? I'm surprised to already find you awake." I jump onto the floor and spin around in a circle, ballet dancer style.
"I'm completely and fully awake Mom!" I giggle as I look up at her. She nods and sets down a stack of clothing at my feet.
"If you're interested, you can wear this."
I take the clothes and nod. "Thank you!" Mom leaves and I half-heartedly stare at the fabric on the floor. My life is fairly boring, and in all honesty very average. I'm an only child, and both of my parents are alive. We make some money, but not much. I take a small amount of tesserae, but then again not much. I go to school during the week and work in a factory over the weekend. I'm nothing special, and everyone knows it.
Smiling, I look at the cream colored camisole and plaid skirt. Simple but cute, I really like that. I put the clothing on and step into some brown leather boots. This outfit is perfect! I laugh and walk out of the room, plowing right into my unsuspecting Dad. Oops. At first he glares at me, and then he chuckles. Dad's usually a very serious and stoic person, but I usually manage to make him lighten up. He pats me on the back and grins at me.
"You look like you're ready. Do you want to leave now?" He asks, and I energetically nod.
"Sure! Mom, we're leaving, you're coming with us right?" I call out jokingly. Everyone knows that it's mandatory to go to the Reaping or else you're going to be killed.
Mom peeks her head from behind the front door and waves. "Of course I am! Let's go."
With that we stroll outside into the brilliant, warm sunny day. On the way to the Square my parents and I crack random jokes about nothing in particular. Even though they're not exactly funny, it helps keep our mind off of the fact that today, the deaths of 23 children would be announced.
"What do you call cheese that isn't yours?" Mom asks as the Square comes into view. Dad shrugs and points at a random part of sky in front of us.
"I don't know, cheese?" I laugh and tilt my head at Mom. She shakes her head and raises a finger into the air.
"Nacho cheese." I hear Dad sigh beside me. I have to admit that these jokes are terrible, but they create such a great sense of family, of unity. I'm so fortunate to be able to have these experiences.
Mom laughs when she puts her hand on Dad's shoulder. I feel him tense under her touch and then quickly relax. I love my family. I run up to the two of them and hug them from behind, and Mom playfully push me away from her. "Livee, go ahead and get yourself signed in," Dad tells me. I run towards the check-in area and wave to my parents.
"I'll see you after the Reaping!" I see them look to each other worriedly as they walk away. I'll be fine though, why wouldn't I be?
The Peacekeeper pricks my finger and motions me to leave. I shrug and, while sucking my finger, skip to the 16- year old section. After a few minutes of standing and hearing hushed whispers, our escort, Fawn Lazuri, walks onto the stage. I can't help but be shocked by her appearance. She actually looks… Natural. Her dark brown, curly hair reaches her mid-back, and instead of the weird neon colors a lot of the escorts like to wear, Fawn is wearing a leather jacket and jeans. She stands by the mic and taps it.
"Welcome to the 150th Hunger Games, District 3!" she says with fake enthusiasm. "Today is the day that two tributes, a male and a female, will be chosen to give honor by representing their district in the Games. First, let's watch a very interesting video to show us why the Hunger Games were created by the beloved Capitol in the first place." Fawn reads these lines very dully, as if the words were scripted.
The video begins, and I look down at my feet, bored out of my mind. I vaguely hear the sound of gunshots and cannon blasts, however. I only look back up when the Panem anthem plays. I see that Fawn has a neutral expression on her face as her hand hovers over the female bowl. "May the odds be ever in your favor." She withdraws a slip of paper and reads the name out loud. "Livee Meress."
What?! How could it be that I was called? It could have been anybody else but of course it had to be me. As I walk towards the stage, I smile as a happy thought courses through me. My friends weren't called! They're okay! I increase my pace and soon reach the stage. Fawn glances at me and looks down at my clothing. "Nice fashion taste." I smile a little, still in shock. At least my escort is nice. She puts her hand over the male bowl and grabs for a name.
Cooper Gadget, 18
District 3 Male
"Cooper Gadget."
I feel my muscles tense right after. Great, now I'm going to be killed! No, don't think like that. I'll be fine. Of course I will be. Why wouldn't I be? I take a deep breath in and, on my way to the stage, manage to trip. Ugh… What am I even doing? I climb the stairs onto the stage and shake my partner's hand. She smiles at me, and I manage to do the same for her. I don't even know her but I don't want her to die. I've seen her around the district, always bubbly and happy… She deserves to live.
"Ladies and gentlemen, your tributes from District 3!" Peacekeepers drag me and Livee into the Justice Building and dump us into individual rooms. Only about a minute of sitting later my family burst into the room, seemingly out of breath.
"Cooper!" I hear Marie cry out. She sobs into my shoulder and it takes all my will to not cry as well. I must stay strong. I must.
Mom and Dad also approach me and wrap me into a tight hug. "Good luck. Just remember I love you," Dad whispers into my ear.
"You better come back, I don't know what I'd do otherwise," Mom breathes. I nod.
The Peacekeepers enter the room once again and pull my family away from me. I hear Marie sniff as the take hold of her and right before they're gone I tell them something they already know.
"I love you. All of you."
Livee Meress, 16
District 3 Female
I fidget as I quietly sit in the comfortable chair in the room they put me in. The door creaks open and I smile to see my Mom and Dad enter.
Mom steps forward to go and hug me but Dad puts his hand in front of her. "Wait. I want to tell her something first." Mom nods and he walks a step closer to me.
"I'm assuming you have no confidence in yourself right now. You believe you were chosen for your certain death and you stand no chance." I nod, and he smiles at me. "Nope, you do! Just because you're not a lumbering Career brute doesn't mean you're dead. You have a skill with technology and electricity, if it comes down to it you can char those Careers while they try to kill you."
I shake my head. "No. I can't. I can't kill people, Dad. Do you see my problem? Do you? I care too much about everyone. Even if they're trying to kill me, I still care. Does that sound like a Victor to you? Does it?" Mom reaches in for a hug and Dad does the same.
Mom answers my question. "Not every Victor is a bloodthirsty brute. Remember Priscilla from last year? She won without killing amyone. She was the first, but certainly not the least. Just remember, please. Not all hope is lost." I nod. I close my eyes as footsteps approach us and my parents are taken out of the room. They're both right. Maybe I do have a chance.
So... Here are the tributes from District 3! I feel like this chapter is really good, especially Livee's first POV... I'll be writing and updating more frequently because I want to get out of these Reapings and into the Capitol!
Thanks for the reviews last chapter... All 5 of them! Lol... No, but really though. Thank you. I love reading feedback on my writing and the tributes you guys created, it's like one big family :) Okay, not really, but I think you understand what I mean... I hope... Oh, and I have 1 female and 4 males left, so if you haven't yet submit someone!
Here are some questions that you could maybe answer:
1) Favorite POV?
2) Thoughts on these tributes?
3) Is my writing really as flawless as you all are telling me? Seriously, if it's not I want to improve.
4) How would you react if you were reaped into the Hunger Games?
Thank you for reading! Next chapter will hopefully be out sometime this week!