True McKellar, 17

District 8, She/Her

July 28th, 96 ADD

5:49 PM

"True, there's someone at the door for you."

She'd been about to scold her twelve-year-old sister for not knocking, but the look on Lyric's face stopped her. "Yeah? Who is it?"

"A man," Lyric said, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.

"Gotcha," True said, frowning. "You stay here, 'kay?"

Lyric nodded. "Okay."

True stood, flipping her long black braids over her shoulder, and Lyric stepped aside to let her pass. True breezed through the doorway and down the stairs until she arrived at the front door.

She sighed. She cracked her knuckles. Then, she opened the door.

"Who are you?" she asked, jutting out her chin. The man before her was pale, tall, tattooed, the setting summer sun casting a sheen over his ink. He had a hooked nose and a heavy brow.

"I'm here on behalf of The Oasis Casino," he told her.

True's frown deepened. "Never been."

"It's about an unpaid debt."

True blew out a long breath. "I don't know how many fuckin' times I need to tell you people. There's no debt here."

"Under the name of Idol McKellar?"

"My father has never stepped foot in a casino," True said. "Understand?"

"Miss, there are tens of thousands of dollars owed to The Oasis under his name."

"It wasn't him," True said, bouncing on the balls of her feet. Fuck- she loved these sneakers. They weren't worth ruining for this dumbass. Maybe it wouldn't come to that?

(She'd loved her purple ones, too, but the bloodstains hadn't come out yet. She had to start wearing her black ones for these things.)

"Then who-"

"Imani," True interrupted. "Those are Imani McKellar's debts. She's a fucking snake-ass bitch, and it's her you should be bothering, not me. Got it?"

"There are no records of an Imani-"

"Did you not hear the snake-ass bitch part of what I just said?" True demanded. "How stupid are you? What's your name, by the way? I know this guy named Duke. You guys would get along."

The debt collector's expression shifted. "Duke Bradley?"

A knowing smirk crept across True's lips. "You know him?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I do."

True took a moment to examine her knuckles- one scratch was still healing. "You wanna tell him hi for me? I hope he healed up good."

The man took a step back. "You can tell him that yourself. I'll pass."

"I don't think he's interested in seeing me again," True said. "Besides, I'd be shocked if he's walking around already. I thought I did a pretty good job."

(Amazing, what could be accomplished between a pissed-off True McKellar and a metal pipe.)

(She'd go for another round with Duke if she could, though. After all, he did ruin her sneakers.)

"Listen, I think I've got the wrong place," the debt collector said. "You said these debts are Imani McKellar's? Not Idol McKellar's?"

"Don't make me repeat myself."

The debt collector nodded. "Let me get that reassigned," he said.

"You need her address?"

He raised his eyebrows. "You got it?"

True rattled off her aunt's address. "There. I don't wanna see you here ever again."

"I mean-"

"Or anyone else. We have no debts. They aren't ours. Spread the word."

"I only represent The Oasis- I can't speak for other groups."

True grinned humorlessly. "Then I'll show you what I did to Duke."

"It doesn't need to come to that."

"I agree. It doesn't." True stared him down.

He broke eye contact first. True crossed her arms, pleased with herself as she watched him look away and say, "Alright. Thanks for the address. Won't be troubling you again."

True rolled her eyes. "Oh, fuck off."

She turned and slammed the door with a groan, only to find Lyric lingering in the kitchen.

"Thought I said to wait upstairs," True said.

"I wanted to make sure you were okay," Lyric replied.

"It's fine." She sighed. "Hopefully, that's the last we'll see of 'em."

"You think so?"

"I'd like to. I even gave him Imani's address."

Lyric's jaw dropped. "For real?"

True shrugged. "Her debt, her problem."

"Damn!"

"You think they're gonna keep asking politely, Lyric?" True asked. "You think they'll go 'Do you have the money today?' and when we say no, they'll just leave us alone? Fuck no. I'm not gonna let them come after us for Imani's bullshit."

"Do you…" Lyric trailed. "Do you think they'd kill Auntie Imani?"

"She'll figure it out."

"And if she doesn't…?"

"Better her than Dad." True frowned. "She took advantage of him for years. Years! Let her deal with her own consequences, and we're better off without her, yeah?"

Lyric sighed. "I guess so."

True caught the dubious look on her face and softened her tone. "I know you don't remember Mom, okay?" she said. "But I do. She wouldn't take Imani's shit, and I won't, either. She did this to herself. No one made her steal Dad's money. That's on her."

"I know," Lyric said. "I just think it sucks."

"It does," True agreed. "But hopefully they'll leave us alone now. Cheer up, 'kay? I don't like seeing you so down about that nasty bitch."

Lyric nodded.

"And when Dad gets back, he doesn't need to know about our visitor, 'kay?"

(True's dad had mixed opinions on her fighting habit. Sometimes he let it fly- such as the day True found out about Imani's stealing, and pulled up to her house to take care of the matter herself. Other times, he didn't approve so much. So if he didn't need to know about a fight, he didn't need to know, simple as that.)

"Okay."

"Great." True cuffed Lyric lightly on the arm. "The three of us is all we need. Forget about her."

Lyric cuffed her back. "Alright."

Lyric kept her word. When Idol got home from work that night, she didn't say a word, and neither did True.

(And a week later, when a letter arrived officially clearing Idol McKellar of his "debts," the relief on her father's face made every fight worth it.)

Zinnia Urkyztrum, 14

District 3, She/Her

August 10th, 96 ADD

4:25 PM

tw: suicidal thoughts, mentions of abuse

Kamela's father stopped the car in front of Zinnia's house. Kamela turned around and grinned at Zinnia, waving goodbye without making eye contact.

That was a great session! she said, Zinnia reading her lips. We'll totally win the Science Bee next year, too!

Zinnia smiled back, clapping to show that she was excited, too.

Next to her, Gretel shifted in her seat, catching Zinnia's attention. School hasn't even started yet, Kamela. We have loads of time to prepare.

Zinnia glanced back at Kamela, who seemed unfazed. Good thing we've already started studying!

Daphne, the last member of their quartet, leaned over and caught Zinnia's eye. She gave a little wave and a soft smile. She pointed at her wristwatch, then pointed at her eyes and then Zinnia. Finally, she held her forefinger and thumb so close together she could barely see the space. Daphne had always been the best of the three at communicating with Zinnia, and Zinnia understood her clearly- Goodbye! I'll see you soon!

Zinnia waved back, her smile fading. With a sigh, Zinnia unlocked the car door and headed inside. It took her a minute to unlock the front door- her hands were shaking too hard to hold the key steady. After a few tries, the door finally opened.

As soon as she was inside, she could tell music was playing from the slight buzz of the floor. Probably Unix practicing. She scrunched up her nose, listening harder, and was able to make out a few notes. Piano? That seemed right. After all, that was what her parents had first loved about Unix. They'd stepped into the adoption center looking for a younger child, one they could train the way they'd failed to train Zinnia, and the moment they heard Unix practicing on the dingy community piano, the deal was sealed. Unix was the child they wanted.

(Not Zinnia. Never Zinnia.)

She didn't blame Unix. It wasn't per fault that Zinnia wasn't talented like her parents. In fact, maybe it was better to have Unix around. Unix captured all their attention, which meant Zinnia didn't have to play music she could barely even hear anymore. She could hide away in her room with her biology books instead.

Speaking of…

Zinnia pulled off her shoes and made a getaway for the stairs. She darted through the living room- Unix was practicing piano, as Zinnia had suspected, and per ignored her as she made her way through- and into the kitchen, circling around the back of the house to the stairs-

-and there was her mother.

Zinnia was so startled that she missed the first few words.

-arrived today.

Zinnia furrowed her brows in question, tapping her ear to indicate she hadn't heard her.

Her mother pursed her lips and repeated herself. Your batteries arrived today.

Zinnia's eyes widened. Her mother gestured toward the kitchen table, where a small package sat waiting. Zinnia made a beeline for it, tearing at the tape with her fingernails. A faint noise made her lift her head- her mother called her name, shaking her head and pointing at a pair of scissors next to the sink. Zinnia retrieved them, opening the package shakily. The scissors slipped as she cut through the ends of the tape, leaving a slice across the back of her left hand.

She gasped as her hand started to sting, tears welling up in her eyes as she looked up at her mother. She'd hoped her mother didn't see the mistake, but her lips were pursed again. Her mother shook her head and reached for a clean rag. Zinnia took it from her and wrapped it around the back of her head, trying her hardest not to cry, before returning to her package.

(It wasn't the pain Zinnia minded so much. She'd done it to herself; she deserved it. And it wasn't a habit of hers, simply because blades scared her. She wasn't brave enough. No, it wasn't the pain, but the humiliation of her mother's eyes on yet another mistake. Zinnia would never be capable of anything in her parents' eyes, and that hurt far worse than a cut.)

Thankfully, she'd finished cutting the tape before hurting herself. She opened the box and pulled out the eight-pack of batteries- they were in plastic wrapping, which meant she'd need to use the scissors again. She glanced at her cut. Meekly, she brought the batteries and scissors to her mother, who frowned but took them. Zinnia went to the sink to rinse her cut- her mother would be upset if she didn't. It was shallow, and stopped bleeding quickly. Zinnia held it under the water until it turned from pink to clear and patted it dry with the clean part of her rag before retrieving a band-aid from the bathroom.

When she returned, her mother had removed two batteries from the package. Zinnia removed her hearing aids and opened the battery compartment, poking at the disk until it popped out. Then, she slid the new one into place, removed the backing, and shut the compartment. She repeated the process with the other hearing aid, keeping her hands steady enough to complete the task without too much trouble.

And then, for the first time in a week- sound.

Her world hummed back to life- the buzz of the air conditioning, Unix's piano, her hair swishing against her shoulders, the tap-tap-tap of her mother's fingernails against the table. Zinnia blinked rapidly, processing the reawakening of an entire sense.

Her mother didn't wait for her to adjust. "That should tide you over for another month," she said. "Remind me again when you need more."

Zinnia nodded shyly.

(She'd reminded her mother last time a week early. She'd still forgotten- Unix had just started practicing a new piece, and that required all of her parent's free time. So Zinnia had done her best to make it through another soundless week.

Ever since Unix had arrived, her battery replacements came later and later.)

Her mother turned away. Zinnia took this as a dismissal, fleeing up the stairs and into her room.

She didn't leave her room for the rest of the day. But no one would've cared if she did.

Fleur Pettifur, 17

District 6, She/They

August 17th, 96 ADD

1:13 PM

tw: mentions of stalking

"Six isn't so bad!" Fleur chirped. "Look- there's a river with little boats on it! Isn't that cute?"

Nova shrugged.

"It's only for a year," Fleur said. "That's not very long at all. Daddy says the time will go by quicker than we know it!"

Nova sighed and returned to looking out the window. The Pettifurs had just moved into the penthouse apartment of their new building (the doorman had called it a skyscraper, but it wasn't nearly as tall as their old apartment building). Their sister Poshe had complained about the view, but Fleur thought it was pretty enough. Apparently Nova- who was about ten years older than Fleur- thought the same.

(And it was a high enough floor that she was okay with leaving the curtains open sometimes.)

"Plus, Mom says Six is safer than ever these days. That's why she made us choose Six instead of Eight."

Nova shrugged again.

"We can go for a walk if you want," Fleur said. "I need to run some errands anyway. Poshe has been rather down about the lack of quality sweets here, so I thought I'd pick her up some authentic District Six candies! What do you think?"

Nova gave a reluctant nod.

"Amazing!" Fleur squealed. "I'm so glad they let us bring you with, Nova. I know Avoxes aren't exactly common in the districts, but I really thought- you know, after… everything… that they'd say no. But they were fine with it! Maybe I can try to find you an Avox friend."

Nova shrugged, waving her hand.

"If you change your mind, let me know," Fleur told her. "Let me go change, and I'll be ready to go! I think it'll be pink for today." She grinned and flipped their hair over their shoulder. She'd had it redyed right before they left, thank goodness, and wouldn't need a touch-up for a while.

Nova flashed them a thumbs-up, and Fleur flounced off to her room, rummaging through her closet for a nice outfit. She'd found Six a little less hot than the Capitol, at least in the summertime, although it was more humid, which balanced it out. Fleur selected her ruffled pink crop top with the sparkly sheer sleeves, matching it with a pink miniskirt the same color as her hair. She even had pink platform sandals to match! She dabbed sparkles on her eyes and cheeks and reapplied her lip gloss, too.

(She also twisted her hair back, securing it with a long, jeweled hairpin, her fingers trembling as she slid it into place.)

(And slid pepper spray into her purse.)

(And made sure her nails were filed to a point.)

After accessorizing with a few more bracelets, Fleur returned to the living room, where Nova was still staring out the window.

"Ready when you are!"

Nova peeled away from the window, walking over to Fleur with a frown. She tapped the back of her head, then gestured at Fleur's hair.

Fleur's smile faded. "Please?"

Nova tilted her head, considering.

"I won't use it," she promised. "Just let me have it. Please."

Nova raised an eyebrow.

"Promise."

Nova closed her hands in fists, then extended her front and middle fingers. She twisted each of her fists inwards, tapping her right wrist on top of her left wrist twice.

Careful.

"I'll be careful," Fleur promised.

Nova gave a reluctant nod.

Fleur sighed with relief. They smiled back at Nova, holding their hand flat and pressing their fingertips against their chin before extending their hand out to Nova.

Thank you.

Nova's face softened as Fleur used one of the signs Nova had taught her. She held out her right hand, thumb extended and palm facing inwards, and swept it down and around until her hand was parallel with the floor, palm facing up.

You're welcome.

Fleur blew her a kiss before saying, "I like it when you teach me signs. I wish you'd do it more!"

Nova put a finger to her lips.

"I know we're not supposed to," she said. "But it's really fun! And I like talking to you."

Nova nodded.

"You and Mom are the only ones," Fleur told her. "Daddy barely listens to anything I say, especially not since… yeah. And Poshe has been downright nasty lately. Hopefully the sweets will help with that." She leaned in, whispering conspiratorially. "Poshe loves being pandered to."

Nova nodded knowingly.

"And maybe it'll keep her from saying such rude things about the district people," Fleur remarked. "Because then there'll be something she can't hate on!"

Nova shrugged, clearly dubious.

"I guess it'll be easier when school starts," Fleur said. "Mom was talking about homeschooling, but I think I'd rather go to a school, you know? Meet people! She says the classes aren't as good here, but I think it's more about the experience! I'll do summer school when we go back home if I have to. I don't mind."

Nova nodded, seeming sympathetic.

"But I'll come back and tell you about everything that happens!" Fleur promised.

Nova flashed her a thumbs-up, then gestured towards the door.

"Okay!" Fleur dashed back to her room to retrieve her keys, and then they were out the door. They took the elevator back to the ground floor.

(As they crept closer to the street, butterflies whirled around Fleur's stomach. Not her happy butterflies, either.)

She perked up as the elevated dinged one more time, the doors shuddering open. Nova followed her out onto the street.

"Well," Fleur said, forcing her voice to stay level, "here we are!"

(Relax, Fleur. Colin's not here. He can't follow you here.)

Nova patted her shoulder.

Fleur glanced at her, blinking quickly. "I'm fine!" she said brightly. "I'm okay!"

(You have your pin and your pepper spray.)

Nova raised both her eyebrows.

"I am," Fleur insisted.

(He can't see you.)

Nova slipped her arm through Fleur's.

(He can't touch you.)

Fleur grinned at her, her smile as wide as she could muster. "Let's see. We went right last time… left it is, then!"

And then they turned onto the sidewalk, off to explore the district Fleur would call home for the next year.

thank you to tyquavis for submitting true, platrium for submitting zinnia, and sakuradreamerz for submitting fleur! they are all lovely and i'm very happy to be starting off intros with them!

honestly i don't have much else to say today lmao. see you next time with tiernan, jest, and valentina!

rb