Layla Stratton, 17

I turn the page in my book. The weather outside is perfect for a day like this. Sitting outside, away from my family, no cares. Well, until the reapings, that is. Then you have to sit through a drawn out, stressful event and pray you nor anyone you care about is sentenced to death. Most can't handle it. Me, I just try to keep my head held high.

Footsteps make me look up. I smile when I see Holden walking towards me. It's amazing how much has changed in the few years I've known him. He's grown taller and more muscular.

"Hey kid." I say. He takes a seat next to me.

"Oh please, I'm bigger than you, if anything you're the kid." I punch him in the arm and he winces.

"Never forget I can still kick your ass." He laughs and I smile. It's nice being around him. We truly understand each other.

He stands up and holds his hand out. I don't hesitate to take it and we stand up. The meadow is beautiful in the quiet, as beautiful as the day we met. Oh how much has changed since then.

We walk slowly back to the district. Every step makes my stomach turn. I wish I could stay out here forever, my family certainly wouldn't mind.

I look at Holden. His blonde hair shines in the sun. A few years ago, I would cringe if you told me I'd fall for a boy. But…here we are. If only he knew.

We make it back to the street and I see my sister walking with her boyfriend. I roll my eyes and walk past her without any acknowledgement. She cares more about him than me, anyway.

"I'll see you at the reapings?" Holden says. I nod and hug him goodbye. His arms make me feel warm and accepted. I like it.

I dip into my room before running into my family. They wish I was more like my sister Lucille, less like myself. Screw them, I didn't get to choose my family, they certainly didn't get to choose their children. Plus, I help the family name. A perk of your best friend being the mayor's child.

I gently set my book on my bed before walking to my closet. I pull out the first dress I see, which happens to be a light blue one. It'll do.

I slip it on and brush out my blonde hair. My blue eyes stare back at a small, fierce seventeen year old girl.

I sneak out of my house before my family sees me and book it to the square. I see Holden waiting for me by where we sign in. What a gentleman.

We sign in together and make light chat as we stand in the crowd. I hear whispers of children wondering who will be picked, hoping it won't be them. That I can relate to.

Our escort hops onto the stage. She's a little bitter that both tributes from our district perished so quickly last year. She's despicable.

She introduces herself and I roll my eyes, wishing I was back in the meadow.

The video quickly ends and she walks over to the bowl. She wastes no time picking a single name. My heart races quicker than ever.

"Our female tribute is…Layla Stratton!" I let out a little gasp. I look at Holden, he looks as shocked as I am. But I do not succumb to fear. Instead, I hold my head high.

I stand on stage and look out at the crowd before me. Every female looks relieved, they are safe another year.

I take a deep breath and keep all of my emotions in line. I will not give up, no matter the challenges I will face. I can do this.

Holden Hayes, 17

I walk through the district, headed to the mountain I know Layla will be.

I remember the day we met very vividly. Calix was beating me up, like he usually does. I was left laying on the outskirts of the field when I saw her picking flowers. I never knew a girl could be so beautiful.

She came over to help me up and we spent the rest of the day talking. It was hours and hours of us simply getting to know each other. And we did this any time we were free. Neither of us wanted to be near our families, so we just spent the time together. It was nice. It was freeing.

I see her at the top of the hill with a book in her hands. I smile. She's certainly kept her beauty over the years.

God, don't think like that. You'll ruin your friendship with her.

As I get closer to her she looks up at me. Her smile makes me smile.

We chat for a bit, trying to avoid the horrors that lie before us. Two children will be taken from the district to fight to the death. I shudder at the thought of Layla being reaped. She doesn't deserve that.

We stand up to leave the meadow. As much as we'd both prefer to stay out here, the Capitol does not allow it.

I hug Layla goodbye and walk back to my own house. Many are envious of me, being the mayor's child and all. But it's not as great of a life as everyone makes it out to be. We always have food, which I'm very grateful for, but my father and brother have never forgiven me for taking our mother away from them.

I pray I don't run into my brother as I open the door. I quietly walk down the hall to my bedroom and shut and lock the door.

I change into a black shirt with some khaki pants. I brush my brown hair back and take a deep breath. My grey eyes show slight fear. You're going to be okay. You and Layla will be okay.

I hear a knock at my door and hold my breath.

"Open up!" It's my brother. I stay silent for a bit, but once I realize there's no escape, I open the door.

"What's up?" I say, keeping the door cracked. He looks pissed.

"Father wants us in the kitchen. Now." He turns and walks to the front of the house. I follow behind.

I haven't seen my father in a couple of days. After my mother died he buried himself in his work, even more so than before. He looks tired, worn out.

"Let's eat." He serves us spaghetti and we eat slowly, without conversation. I quickly finish and excuse myself, leaving the house before they can stop me.

I arrive at the reapings early, so I stand by a building and wait for Layla. I see dozens of children and teens walk by me, their faces filled with fear. Not a single one makes eye contact with me.

I finally see her in the crowd. She looks great, I don't know how she does it.

We sign in together and stand in the crowd together. Every one is on edge, nobody wants to be the one standing on that stage by the end of the event, taken away to whatever horrors the Games bring. I shudder when I think about it.

The reapings start and I see my father on stage, welcoming us. I tune it out.

Our escort draws a single name from the girl's bowl and I feel Layla tense up.

"Our female tribute is….Layla Stratton!" I hear her gasp and I freeze with fear. I turn to look at her and she does the same with me. But she shows no fear, unlike me. I am frozen with fear. She walks onto that stage and I cannot stop worrying. Why her?

I don't even realize they call my name until someone gently taps my shoulder. I walk onto the stage and her eye's are wide, more shocked than she was when she was reaped. When the escort asks us to shake hands, I do not hesitate opening my arms up to her. We hug tightly, I never want to let go.

Why? Why us? Why do bad things happen to good people?

Let me know what you think of these two!

All Capitol events will only feature 1 or 2 districts to get through them quickly, so please let me know which section you'd prefer to have your tribute featured in! I'll be writing Train Rides, Chariot Rides, Training Days 1, 2, 3, Private Sessions and Interviews!