Esmeralda- ChillyIce

Drake- Shadowking179

Esmeralda Artiza

15

~Do not underestimate the determination of a quiet man~

I walk downstairs carefully, it would be just like Edwardo to have something 'special' planned for today. And when I say that, I mean a prank.

I have to get to training, I train for at least two hours a day so in a few years I may be able to volunteer. Maybe I don't want to go into the games but it's the only way to prove myself to the District and my father.

"I wish I could volunteer!" Said my Edwardo, seemingly unaware of my thoughts. "Have I really gotta wait another 6 years?"

"Yes!" I said firmly, "Or not at all. You could die there Eddie! It's not a game."

He just laughs, obviously not taking me seriously. "You're sooo boring Esme!" He whines. Sometimes I despair for my brother. My father isn't in the kitchen, probably doing some mayor business.

Mother is visiting her new master. That's right! The esteemed mayor's wife of district One has a side Man. She's too flirty for her own good.

Sometimes, I think that's why Father doesn't like me. I don't look like him and on some level, I think he suspects I'm the product of an affair. He's good at hiding it, passive aggressive and hiding snarky comments, but he doesn't love me the way he loves Eddie.

I finish my breakfast and walk to the training area. The only weapons I really like are bows and knives, looked down on by a lot of people for not requiring much physical strength.

It's stupid but true.

I wave to some of my acquaintances and get right into the training. The two hours seem long but finally they're done. I redo my ponytail and walk back home.

I walk through the door. And right into Edwardo's trap.

I feel the sticky honey in my hour and the feathers stuck to my skin. The little brat's lucky I was about to have a shower.

I quickly wash my hair and get the feathers off of me. I dry my hair with the air currant in my room and quickly change into an orange sweater and a black skirt, pairing it with my flats. I leave my hair down for once, looking like liquid chocolate. I choose a pair of earrings, the ones I got for my birthday. To complete my outfit I slip on my favourite thing ever. The bracelet my mother got me a few years back.

"There better not be any more pranks Eddie!" I holler, waiting for him. Finally he appears and we leave the house together.

I hate the reapings.

Drake Braddock

18

~If you aren't aware, you're going to die. No ands, ifs or buts about it. End of story~

My javelin rams straight into the targets heart and I shiver. It seems to be looking at me as I'd to ask why I did that. That's the drawback of having such realistic targets. Beside me Brook claps. We're taking it in turns to evaluate each other's moves.

It's not like either of us will volunteer, Brook doesn't agree with the games and I'm not stood enough to go into a games where there will be obvious anti career bias. I'm strong but not an idiot.

The small ring I have in my pocket seems to be burning. I'm not rich enough to afford a diamond but Brook isn't materialistic and I know she'll love the stone that looks like it's glinting.

We finish training and I know it's now or never. After waving absently at the mayor's daughter, I take Brook's hand. "So Brook," I say. "We've been together almost two years now," I cringe at how awkward I sound. "Point is, I love you and I think I can see myself spending my life with you." I bring out the ring and blushing deeply, Brook holds out her hand. A perfect moment.

"Nice Bro!" I turn around and see Markus and Jacob laughing but obviously happy for me. I flip them off but I can't stay mad at them for too long. If it was anyone but them I'd have punched their faces in by now.

I say goodbye to Brook, ignoring Markus and Jacobs groans when I kiss her, and the three of us walk home, joking lightly.

We get to the house and my hand freezes on the doorknob. I remember the time I walked in to see my brothers unconscious and Leanne with a sick smile on her face.

I had to fight my stepsister to stop her killing us three. I somehow managed to win and now Leanne is in a hospital, diagnosed with several mental disorders. She only leaves for the reaping. She was my stepsister and even though my stepmother understood that I had to do what I did, she couldn't take it and left.

Dad was depressed for ages afterwards. It was the second of the wives he'd lost. This was three years ago and the scar is still as prominent as ever, I'm almost blind in my left eye, although I can see a little, I mostly rely on my right.

Finally, I open the door, I get the shower first, being the 'oldest' and once I'm out, I shove on a black v neck t-shirt with denim jeans, black, fingerless gloves and blue and red sneakers. Me Jacob and Markus usually wear the same things to the reaping with our fashion sense being so similar.

We aren't identical if you look close enough. Jacob's hair is slightly lighter than mine and Markus's, Markus has freckles, and my eyes are green whilst theirs are blue.

I also have my scar but I prefer not thinking about that.

"Ready to go?" I ask and they nod.

We leave, ready for the reaping.

Esmeralda Artiza

Normally, I love the square. You feel like a part of the community, it's my favourite place in One.

Not on the day of the reaping though.

What people don't seem to realise is how often a Mayor's child will get reaped. It may not be rigged exactly but I have suspicions that we naturally have more slips. What adds more drama than a child of a leader going into the games?

"Welcome everyone!" Our escort shrilly. I've met her before and her voice wasn't this high. She was actually kinda sweet. Her real name was Ella though she called herself Emerald.

She was dressed in what seemed to be a unicorn outfit, her hair was in rainbow colours and she was wearing all white. She didn't look bad but I preferred her original colour.

After her speech she sent over to the bowl. filled with names.

"Esmeralda Artiza!" She hides it well but I can tell she recognises my name. Matbe she remembers the time we had coffee together.

Or maybe she just reconises my last name.

For a second I'm wondering why no one volunteers.

Is it the twist or is it me?

Drake Braddock

We stand together, the Braddock triplets. Apparently girls call us 'hot' and giggle about us but none of us really care. I have a steady girlfriend, Jacob is gay and Markus isn't interested in love.

He's not really a people person to be honest.

Emerald, our escort steps on stage and after a boring speech, finally gets things over with.

"Esmeralda Artiza."

I msg be imagining it, but I see her head twitch slightly. I've studied emotions immensely since Leanne. Maybe I could have noticed before she snapped. I wouldn't have the scars.

"Drake Braddock."

Why is my luck so shitty? Couldn't I just just have one lucky break?

Esmeralda Artiza

My family comes spilling in and for 5 seconds the attention is on me.

Then mother and father start arguing.

Eddie comes over and squeezes my hand.

"I'm gonna miss you Esme." I give him a hug.

My parents continue arguing, forgetting that I'm about to die.

Drake Braddock

People may think it's girly to hug, but when my brothers come in I decide I dint give a shit.

Next Brynn comes in, looking stunning in her reaping dress. She still looks beautiful, even if she generally prefers trousers.

"Here's your ring back." She says huskily, "Its now your token. When you come back you can propose again."

"No," I say. "It's yours now. "Remember me by it."

I kiss her passionately, and for a minute, I forget that I'm going to die.

Favourite?

Will they die early or thrive on the island?

Fun fact: After Monday and Tuesday, the calendar spells out 'WTF!'

Me too Calendar. Me too.