Here we are, at the beginning of the second reapings. I apologize for the sudden disappearance in my activity, I was busy with school and other things. As always, I would greatly appreciate constructive criticism, as this is my first story and I'm looking to approve. Anyway, I present to you, Brighton Holland III, from Jammy122, and Ariadne "Ari" Lawson, from Mystical Pine Forest. Thank you both for your tributes!

District 2, Reaping Day 9:25 A.M.
Brighton Holland III (D2 Male, 18)

It's the morning of a new day. Reaping Day. This year, I'm 18, so I won't get another chance to enter the games after this. I'm athletic, I'm strong, and I have no doubt that I can win, unlike other tributes.

I get off from my bed, listing off my strengths in my mind, and get dressed. I decide to wear some black skinny jeans and a white longline jumper.

As soon as I finish getting dressed, I head out into our dining room. Inside, my Mother and Brother sit, eating breakfest.

My mother has blond hair, and she is 6 feet tall. She is not very wide, rather being lean in build. Ever since my father died, she has had a haunting look in her normally bright blue eyes...

I approach them and sit down. Without a word, I begin to eat breakfest. I want more than anything to spill my plans to volunteer and avenge my father, but I know Mom wouldn't want to talk or hear anything about him, especially on Reaping Day.

My dad... he was a supporter of the rebellion, even though it had ended by the time he was executed. From what little I know of him, he was similar to me in looks. He was even taller than me, and a master of different kinds of weapons, including swords and throwing knives. I've wanted to be like him, and avenge him, my entire life. He was the reason I trained, and the reason I'm going to volunteer.

Back to the present, my mother eventually speaks up. "It's reaping day... and your last reaping as well, Brighton. Are you going to... volunteer?" The way she spoke, the feelings underneath her tone that hint at fear and sorrow, lead to me lieing in my response. "No. I'm not going to, Mom. Don't worry."

My brother, Wilfred, looks at me with his eyebrows raised. He always had a way of detecting my fabrications.

Wilfred has a face similar to mine, but the similarities end there. He is 5 foot 8, much shorter than me, and he acts completely differently as well. He has that shy personality, the same one my mother has. These traits led to him being bullied at school, and as I helped him during those times, I developed a desire to be protective of him. Just like I did for my mother.

Anyway, to avoid questioning from Wilfred, I quickly finish my food, get up, and head outside. Once I finally exit my home, I check my watch. 10:05. Almost time for the reaping.

I decide to just walk to the district plaza, and I quickly blend in with the groups of civilians. I spot my best friend, Graham among them, and I wave to him. He comes over, and we quickly enter a conversation about what we are going to do for reaping day.

"I'm not going to volunteer," He tells me. "I still have a year, and I intend to use it." He brushes his blonde hair out of his eyes and looks at me. "What about you?"

"I'm... I'm going to volunteer. I have too. I'm not going to let my father's name go unavenged." Even as I say the words, I know that I can never go back. This is my last chance. And I'm going to do whatever it takes to win these games.

Even if I have to kill.

District Plaza

Ariadne "Ari" Lawson (D2 Female, 18)

I arrive at the plaza, laughing and talking with my best friends, Athi, Artemis, and Apollo. While they were a little down when I first told them my intent to volunteer, they got over it quickly. They know how I'm practically made for this, and how I'm more determined than ever to do this as well.

Eventually, we reach the section of the plaza where we get that prick on the finger, and get sent off to our seperate sections. Athi and I wave goodbye to Artemis and Apollo and head to the 18-year-old girl section.

Within a few minutes, our escort, a young man named Jay, steps onto the stage. Despite that fact he is a capitol citizen, his clothing is pretty ordinary. Just a simple laid back long-sleeved shirt and jeans. Maybe it's a fad to dress "casual" in the capitol?

Anyway, the presentation ends after a few minutes and he finally begins the reaping. "Let's start with the boys, everyone!" He calls out. He walks over to the reaping bowl and pulls out a slip. "Jesse Randall!"

A voice calls out. "I volunteer as tribute!" As the boy stands up, I recognize him. It's that boy, Brighton. He's the most popular kid at school! Why would he ever want to volunteer?

It seems like he's serious, though, as he heads up to the stage and introduces himself, not like anyone doesn't know him. "My name is Brighton Holland III, and I am going to be the next victor."

The escort, Jay, simply shakes his hand and moves on. "Okay, girls are next!" He calls out in a relaxed tone. He pulls out a slip from the girl's reaping bowl. "Medea Hawkins!"

Before the girl can get out of her section, I raise my hand and call out. "I volunteer as tribute!" I walk up to the stage and shake hands with the escort. "My name is Ariadne Lawson. Call me Ari."

The escort directs Brighton and I to shake hands, and as we do so, he looks at me strangely. With... sadness? No, that isn't the case. Before I can place what the emotion was, the moment ends, and we're done shaking hands.

I look out into the crowd, and see my friends, and my family. I smile at them all.

I'm going to win these games, I know it. Before the end of the year, everyone in the continent will be talking about Ari Lawson.

And there you have it, the ending to the second reapings of my story. Thanks once again to Jammy122 and Mystical Pine Forest for Ari and Brighton. They are both interesting tributes, and I hope you enjoy how I depicted them.

As always, readers, make sure to submit if you want too, and leave a review as well! Any constructive criticism at all would be nice.