Ever Carlin, District Seven Female (Age 18)

My mom always said these competitions were no good but I didn't care.

They were one of the few ways I could have harmless fun, and I sometimes even won extra money. What was wrong with that?

Now, I was never one to run off and do anything stupid. I always thought about what I was doing before I did it, and nothing bad could happen from going. I'd gone over it in my head.

She wanted me to be a lumberjack anyways. I loved my mom but usually I didn't understand her.

But regardless, we were here at the competition. It was nice and nearly empty since most people were off preparing for the Reapings.

"I'm going to go check the odds," My dad told us.

I wasn't supposed to have a favorite parent but he was my favorite. He worked his ass off yet managed to give a damn about us, while my mom did neither.

"Sounds good!" My brother Austin gave him a thumbs-up.

He was fourteen and this was his first time attending one of these, and he was thrilled.

Not much went on in our lives. We were just your regular District Seven family.

Everyone was scattered around the area and there was a directory showing where was what. I ran my finger down the list and paused at "Speed: 18 & Under Girls".

There wouldn't be many people I'd compete against. I could win.

I turned towards Austin, who was focusing on the directory as well. "Do you think I should enter this?"

He bounced and nodded. "Yeah, you could win! You always do, I don't know why you don't come here more often."

I felt my face turn red. I hated to admit it but my only reason was my fear of losing. I'd rather not risk it than face the humiliation.

"I think I will." I shook my nerves off with a rare smile.

We followed the path indicated on the directory and must've passed hundreds of trees along the way. Austin's excitement seemed to die down and he was quiet.

It was a pleasant, cool, humid day. Today was technically summertime but the canopy provided adequate shade.

Eventually, we made it. A group of girls stood by a row of nearly identical maple trees. They must've been hundreds of years old and today we would try to chop them down as quickly as possible.

Austin shuffled over to the group of rocks where a couple dozen people sat, watching and betting.

A tall woman holding a stack of papers sat on a log, examining the other five girls and I.

"Are you joining us?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

I nodded, feeling slightly pressured but still eager. She was intimidating.

"Alright." She said and gestured me over towards the others. "Stand by them, you got here just on time."

I smirked, putting on a nice, confident facade. Fake it until you make it.

These girls were weak, I was gonna win this thing.

Blaze Montana, District Seven Male (Age 17)

I strolled through the marketplace, keeping a charming, unsuspecting grin on my face.

I scanned the booths for something small, something lovely, and something that was hopefully that right shade of blue-green.

And something I could easily slip into my pocket without anyone noticing.

Stealing was wrong, yes, but my sister and I needed food and clothing. It wasn't like I was only doing it to give other people a disadvantage.

And maybe a Reaping day bracelet wasn't necessary, but she deserved something nice every once in a while. She had a ton of friends but I always worried she was unhappy and I wasn't doing enough.

Our community home childhood was rotten so I'd have to constantly steal.

The woman in charge rarely gave us any food and probably wouldn't care if we starved to death.

Over time I became a master of pickpocketing and shoplifting. I never got caught and if I ever did I'd be fast enough to get away.

Then I saw it and shook myself out of my thoughts.

The bracelet was made of turquoise stones. I wasn't sure what they were called but they looked pretty, and they were my sister's favorite color.

She would love it.

I made my way to the table, which was run by a posh-looking girl a year or two older than me.

"Hi, are you interested in anything?" She asked. "Bracelets are five gold coins each, necklaces are eight."

"I'm just browsing, my sister might want one of these." I looked at her and positioned my hand just right as the other one snatched the bracelet. I smiled. Score. She wasn't even paying attention.

"I'm not gonna buy anything. See you." I nodded and quickly turned around, trying to get away before she noticed it was missing.

Once she did I doubted she would remember my face. I was considered good looking but I had the typical dark brown hair, brown eyes, and tanned skin of the District. I looked like almost every other teenage boy.

I exited the market and ran down the street to the community home. The main area of the District was abnormally crowded for the Reapings. All the rich people came around to shop and celebrate.

I wouldn't even really call it a home, more like a big room with supplies scattered all around and dozens of homeless teenagers.

Then again, beggars can't be choosers.

At least we had a shelter, and I realized how ungrateful I sounded.

I swung open the doors and made my way to our little spot in the corner, stepping over backpacks and sleeping bags.

Ivy and I had two twin size mattresses and a couple ratty old blankets. We also each carried around a tiny pouch containing our money and valuables.

It was enough to live by and I found myself stealing less and less lately.

I did my best to be a good person despite my questionable actions, and I wanted to make the world a little bit of a better place.

Even if I went down the wrong path.

Ever Carlin, District Seven Female (Age 18)

Taylor flattened her hair. "The Reapings are dumb." She declared, rolling her eyes. "Why don't the Peacekeepers just kidnap the kids from their houses?" Her tone was snarky.

I wanted to tell her to shut up, there were Peacekeepers everywhere, but I stopped myself. Sometimes it was better not to be cautious.

I smiled as I reached into my pocket and felt the five coins I won earlier. I barely placed first. Maybe being confident has its perks, even if it isn't real.

"It would take a lot less time." I looked around the square. There must've been tens of thousands of kids here, there was no chance anyone I know would be Reaped, let alone me.

It wasn't rational to worry about it.

Seven's three Victors sat next to the mayor. I didn't really know their names or their stories; there were far more important things to worry about.

I had no clue why everyone was so obsessed with the Games. All I knew about the Victors was that their names were Azalea, Alex, and Raine, and most of them won around a decade ago. I didn't give a shit, I just wanted to get on with it and go home.

I was familiar with the escort. His name was Rowan and he was alright, he did his job better than half of them. Most escorts never seemed to shut the Hell up.

"Welcome, District Seven!" He smiled at the crowd, who burst into applause. Seven was more enthusiastic about the Games than the other outer Districts, mainly since our tributes were stronger and we had more Victors than most.

"As you lovely folks know, we're gathered here today to select our two tributes to represent us in the Twentieth Annual Hunger Games! A thrill indeed."

"Two decades ago, after the rebels tore Panem apart, the Capitol decreed that each year, each District would send two children from ages twelve to eighteen to participate in the Hunger Games. The twenty-four tributes would fight to the death until one Victor stood. How exciting!"

Exciting if you're watching from your Capitol bed, maybe.

"Now, let us begin."

Taylor was bouncing her leg, much like Austin earlier. He'd be okay too, right?

"I'm bloody anxious." Her voice was quieter than usual and I felt a pang of worry. She was my best friend and if anything happened to her I wouldn't get over it for years.

"Me too." I comforted her. Together we were tough, tough enough to trust each other.

Rowan dramatically sashayed to the girls' bowl and I stifled a laugh. Capitolites were insane.

He took a moment to choose a slip and I felt myself breathing heavily.

"District Seven, your female tribute is Ever Carlin!"

Blaze Montana, District Seven Male (Age 17)

It took her a couple tries to get herself on the stage. She didn't come up until Rowan called her name a second time and Peacekeepers began to look through the crowd. It was nothing out of the ordinary.

This girl was quiet. She muttered something to the escort, who smiled and nodded, and took her place besides him.

She was probably scared shitless and I felt a pang of sadness. She was going to die.

District Seven would probably be lost among the other outer Districts just like every year. The Capitol would kill twenty-three more kids, most of them even younger than me.

Rowan cleared his throat. "Now, we have our female tribute, Ever Carlin. Time to select the boy."

I wrung my hands and felt myself twitching. I took tesserae. My odds were worse than those of most kids my age, I could very realistically be sent into the arena in a matter of days.

But I wouldn't be Reaped. I didn't deserve it.

Then again, nobody did.

He strode to the boy's bowl and delicately chose a slip of paper. The square was silent.

"Blaze Montana!"

Fuck. Oh no. No, no, no.

In the Games it was kill or be killed and I couldn't do either.

I twitched more and more. I was going into the Games, I was going to come back in a coffin.

I was going to die.

What about Ivy? Would she get enough food from her friends?

What about me, what about my life?

I stepped forward and walked to the podium.

It only took a few moments but I had enough thoughts in those moments to last me an hour.

I desperately gripped at any sort of idea, anything to prove I wouldn't be a tribute: maybe I was dreaming, maybe there was a mistake.

The square was hazy and I felt my head go light. I would not faint. I would not embarrass myself like that.

"District Seven, I present your tributes: Ever Carlin and Blaze Montana!"

I shook hands with Ever and the crowd applauded.

So this was it.

AN: FINALLY WE'RE DONE! Sorry this chapter was short, I'm just ridiculously tired of writing Reapings! I've introduced you lovely readers to all twenty-four tributes and I believe I have chosen a Victor. It might change based off your preferences and my whims but who knows!

If you feel like the characters you've seen so far have been shallow/underdeveloped, don't worry. I just showed you the tip of the iceberg and as the story continues I'll reveal more and more. You guys really did submit some outstanding tributes.

Next we'll have three-ish train ride chapters, and then we'll get to see the opening ceremony! I'm so excited for this story and it makes me happy people enjoy the things I write. I'm also sad I'll have to kill twenty three of these kids off? Most of them deserve to live.

Thank you all for reading, and please leave a review if you liked it! Or even if you didn't, tell me how to improve! I loved both of these characters but I'm afraid I didn't write them well. And I'd appreciate if you answered these questions:

What did you think of Ever and Blaze?

How long do you expect them to last?

Who are your favorites and least favorites out of all the tributes?

Who do you think will be the Victor?

Any other thoughts/predictions?