Aspen- EllaRoseEverdeen

Ronan- District 9 tribute

Aspen Beech

16

~Girls with the most beautiful hearts seem to have the greatest insecurities~

I shift my position slightly and gasp. My back twists sand I have to reach to stop myself from falling.

I am deep into the forest of my garden and tucked up in a tree, reading.

I remember a time when the garden was neat and tidy. My mother kept the bushes clipped and the flowers weeded.

For a few months after my brother died my mother tried keeping it neat but she eventually stopped. My father never cared about the garden anyway.

Runyon was 5 years older than me but always treated me like I was just as strong as he was. He teased me constantly, to the point I nowcan't hear the word shrimp without flinching, but I loved him more than anything.

People tell me I remind them of him, trying to be nice but I hate hearing it. Runyon was one of a kind and like no other.

Honestly, the only thing that can numb my pain is reading. When I was 10 Runyon saved up for months to get me a necklace with a book charm for my birthday. Twisting it around in my hand is now a nervous habit. I've been warned that it will break, and I've tried to stop but I can't.

With a sigh, I check my large watch and close my book reluctantly. I swing my legs down, and with ease that is only there because of muscle memory, I shimmy down the tree.

It isn't a large one, an old apple tree. Me and Runyon used to pick them and sell them for loose change. We gave them free to anyone that looked hungry.

Neither of us liked apples.

I used to love doing stuff like that, walking around the district without any cares, but nowadays it seems like there's a thick cloud over my head.

The people I thought were my friends left me because I was 'too sad,' my parents barely speak to me or each other anymore and whilst I used to be at the top of my class, my grades have slipped so low there is talk of holding me back.

I open my garden door, wincing at the creaks. My parents will likely not be up for hours. Whilst they seem to sleep as much as possible, some nights I'm lucky to get three hours.

I walk into our kitchen and take some bread. It isn't the good, bakery bread but I made it yesterday and it isn't bad.

I take a large bite of it, trying not to wince at the grainy taste. Soon I have finished my chunk so I walk into my bedroom.

I have one or two pictures of me and Runyon, taken with an old, slightly broken camera we once found in the Antique shop. It took me two years to be able to look at the photos without bawling.

I pull on my usual attire of a black t shirt and leggings and look around for my green jacket. I shove on my trainers and leave my hair, usually pulled into a tight ponytail, down, long and slightly wavy.

My mother stumbles out, bleary eyed and looking like she hasn't slept for months. "Goodbye Aspen," she whispered, hugging me. "See you soon."

Ronan Longwind

17

~Enjoy life because it's too short. Especially when you live in Panem~

I look down at Sabbie, trying not to cry. She's pale and too thin. She was being sick all of last night. She's only 6 but doctors say without medicine she doesn't have much more than a year.

Even so, she's so bright and bubbly when she isn't crying in pain. She's optimistic and it's not fair.

She was diagnosed with brain cancer when she was 6. It's irreversible without Capitol medicine and they'd never donate any to us.

I have to stay strong for her and Dramon. I don't think I'd manage without my parents. They must be hurting just as badly as me but they always seem so strong.

Until you hear Mom and Dad crying because of our lack of food. I've begged them to let me take Tesserae but they refuse. I could secretly sign up but they'd wonder where I got the food from.

"Go get breakfast Ro!" Mom says and I reluctantly leave Sabrina, making a funny face as I walk out of her room. I am rewarded with the sound of her laughter.

I grab a bowl of oatmeal and slice an apple, carefully mixing them together. I eat it slowly, struggling to enjoy it. The apple makes it taste better but not by much.

I finally finish it and wash it down with some water. I feel bad for eating so much but it's the reaping day.

"Ronan!" My dad says quietly, "Can you get some chocolate from the market. Dramon and Sabrina need some cheering up. Get some for yourself too." He presses some coins into my hands.

I grab my coat and walk to the market, not every shop is open but a small grocers is. I don't get any for myself, not particularly liking chocolate, but I get slightly bigger bars than I could have before for Sabrina and Dramon.

I walk back and give Dramon both bars. He's a good kid and I trust him to give one to Sabrina.

I go into our shared bedroom and pull on a green shirt and black pants. Then I go to say my goodbyes. Mom and Sabrina are staying home but Dad and Dramon are gonna walk me there back to the square.

I stroke Sabrina's fevered forehead and kiss her goodbye.

Then me Dad and Dramon walk out of the house together.

Aspen Beech

The square hasn't been my favourite place for a long time. It is loud and too full of memories. Of course, the reapings make it much worse.

I can cope, but barely.

The Reaping goes like clockwork, the twist is explained, I try to tune everything out, the usual.

Then out escort walks over to the bowls.

Once these bowls contained my brothers name. I wonder where that slip of paper went.

Thrown away like it wasn't the most devastating thing in my life.

"Aspen Beech!" She calls out.

My heart almos stops and all too soon I feel the tears running down my cheeks. I taste something salty.

I wipe them away angrily and mount the stage. This was one of the last things my brother saw in district 7

Our escort, unaware that she hasn't ruined my life once, but twice, carried on cheerfully.

The boy came out, stood on the stage and we shook hands.

Would I be liked enough by my teammates to avoid death?

Ronan Longwind

Everything is happening too fast, almost in a flash the escort is going over to the box filled with the names of everyone standing by me.

"Ronan Longwind!"

I walk up to the square, begging my face to not show how terrified I really am. The girl is crying softly, not hard enough to be caught by the cameras unless any are really close up.

Our escort is way too cheerful for this. She cheerfully tells us to shake hands and I put my hand out. We shake twice, her grip is weak and her palms are sweaty.

I wonder if we'll interact at all. Will we be in the same tribe?

Aspen Beech

I sat on the plush leather seats with my hands crossed, waiting.

My parents didn't know yet.

I imagined a peacekeeper walking into the house, telling my parents I was reaped.

How would they react?

I felt sick. Of course my token would be my necklace.

It would likely be a nice decoration for my corpse.

Ronan Longwind

My whole family, minus Sabrina comes rushing in. My mother got here fast. I wonder who's looking after Sabrina.

I don't have a token. It isn't something I'd want. An item getting marred by the memories of my death.

It wouldn't be fair.

Dramon taps my shoulder and hands me the remaining bit of his chocolate. "Thanks," I say.

I know from experience that he won't take no for an answer.

Favourite?

Fun fact: Anne Frank was born in 1929, the same year as Martin Luther King Jr.