UPDATE: I haven't drop the story! I'm on vacations, and I have no internet access. Meanwhile, my brother is going to make a SYOT, if you want you can check out his. His name is Bran Welch.

Chapter 7

Reapings

Perfect Wonderland

Peyton Hemmings, 17 years old. District 1.

Today is the reaping day, and I couldn't be more excited. I couldn't sleep last night, but that's just fine. I'll sleep later, on the train ride possibly. I walk towards the town square on my own, getting a few whistles on my way. I guess that they can't resist how I look on this dress. Every now and then I wink at the boys and they smile back, raising their eyebrows expectantly. Yeah guys... Keep expecting.

The sun is shining at its fullest, it is a very hot day. I tie my long goldish brown hair in a ponytail while I walk. My house is relatively close to the town square, so after a while I arrive. There are already people in there. I make my way towards the seventeen years old section with a grin on my face, while raising my chin a bit higher. I got first on the Try Outs, so I have all the right for being cocky.

I start thinking in everything that will happen in the next hours. The ceremony will begin, the mayor will say his speech, and the escort will pick the girl who will go to the Games. Then, I'll volunteer. I hope he sees that. I want him to see how far I reached without his help. I want him to swallow what he said about mom, but what I want the must if for him to pay what he did to my sister.

I can't help but remember that day, I was just a little kid back then. I went to Isadora's room, and there he was... Touching her. The man we used to call father. But, I refuse to do so anymore. Not after I saw that, not after my sister became depressed, not after he left to find a job in the Capitol, stating that we wouldn't be able to survive without him. We don't need him, and I'll prove that today. I know I'm frowning, but I don't really mind. The idea of him disgusts me.

By the time I had finish thinking about my sweet revenge, everybody is already in their places. Well, everybody but the mentors, who are nowhere in sight. The mayor has an angry frown in his face, he has always been an impatient man, and one that respects and follows the formalities exactly as they are. I can't be angry at them though, the excitement is too much for that. I'm finally volunteering today! I've waited for some years now, I believe I can wait a few more minutes.

After what seemed like seconds, Agatha and Alex make their way towards the stage. Agatha sits gracefully with that eccentric manner of her, she still looks beautiful though. I'm sure that the reason this two are still our mentors, even when there have been more recent victors is because they are loved by the Capitol. Alex's face is sweaty, but he looks hot that way. That way, and every other way he is in. I guess all the girls, especially the ones at the Academy, like him. And we have a reason, he's gorgeous and strong. I shake my head to the sides, I've got more important things to think about. Like, what I'll do if I get to see him.

Pryce Vexed Gardner, 17 years old. District 1.

This is what I'm meant to be... A victor. I've known this, everyone has, ever since I was born. In less than a month I'll be right back at my home, District 1, getting cheered by a proud crowd. I know that it will happen, so I don't have to worry about anything. I actually don't, it's just a game after all, and I always win.

I am standing in the seventeen years old's section. My arms folded in front of my chest, a grin on my face. I'm more than ready for this. I glance to the sides, and I can see my father and my mother. He gives nods at me, and I nod at him. That's how he shows his support and pride. My mother throws me a kiss and I give her a smile. They've been waiting for this since a long time ago. They are probably as excited as I am.

I wonder how the other tributes will be. If there will be any one worth fighting against me, if there would be any stupid lovers, if the careers of the other districts would be up to the challenge... At least, I know my district partner is, I've seen her practice. And not only does she have a sexy body with great curves, but also she has great skills handling weapons, and she's fast. She's definitely going to be one of my allies. I'm sure that as soon as we volunteer we'll have thousands of sponsors, after all we have the looks for it. And, when the Games start, we'll surely put District 1's name on top.

I start getting anxious, I want to volunteer now, I want this to begin already. But, it seems like we are waiting for the mentors to appear. Oh, they just arrived. Those two are there to make us even better, aside from making the deals with the sponsors. I wonder how Alexandrite will be, I'm not sure what to expect. I know he's a beast, I know that behind that nice and classy look there's a monster. But, I've never talked to him, I admired him when I was little, when I saw his Games on the television. On the other side, Agatha will be a delight to meet for sure, or just to look at. She's one sexy lady.

The mayor starts and the ceremony passes quickly, at least to me. I started thinking in my strategy and as soon as I do that, I get lost in my thoughts. I smile. They shouldn't be doing any of this, they already have a victor, and that's me.

Alexandrite Thyst, District 1. Victor of the 55th Hunger Games.

"We are so damn late!" I shout at the top of my lungs as we run out of the victors village, towards the town square.

"Whatever!" Agatha screams back and I give her a disapproving look, but I smile. I don't actually care if we are late, it's not like we are missing something important. Every year is the same. But, I do prefer being in time just to avoid hearing the mayor's stupid talk about being role models afterwards.

We are close to the town square now, I can see the crowd in front of me. I'm thankful for having studied at the Academy, if not for it I would have probably stopped a long time ago, exhausted. We arrive and make our way towards the stage, the mayor thankfully hasn't start his speech yet, but gives us an angry look. We are definitely getting to hear a very long speech about being responsible later. The mayor stands up and I realize they were waiting for us to appear. I avoid looking at the crowd, I know how boring it is to be in there. So, I kinda feel bad for the children that stand there just waiting for the two volunteers to do their thing.

I sit on the chair as comfortable as I can, but I know that it ends up looking as if I believed that I own everything. I don't actually care, it's better that way. It helps with the almighty victor appearance. I roll up the sleeves of my white shirt, after running like that I feel like getting naked. Agatha is using a hand-held fan to give herself air, her brunette hair is held in a high ponytail. Her dress barely covers her chest, so all the guys at the crowd are probably having a great time. I know better than to do that and it's not like she's interested in any of us. She's wearing sunglasses, and even when people might think it is actually for the light, it's just to cover up her hangover. She always does this before the reaping day, well she actually does it almost all the time. I know her reasons so I don't judge her. We just have different ways to cope with the scars left by the Games.

The mayor is still giving his speech. I take a deep breath, this is going to take a lot of time. I decide to think of this year's volunteers. It's highly likely that one of them will make it back. I smile. If that happens, Mason and Mandy will go crazy. I start remembering what happened last year during one of the parties that are held for getting the sponsors to spend their money. I bet everyone remembers that. I'm not very proud of it, but I don't regret what I did.

"This year female tribute is..." Says the escort. Damn! Did I really got that lost in my thoughts? Either way, Flannel Hindrance puts his hand in the bowl and I can't help but wonder when is this dude going to retire. He is one of the last male escorts, and I can swear that he is mad. But, overall he's fun and relatively nice, so I don't mind having him around that much.

"Ruby Schwarz", he announces with a grin. He's old, even when he doesn't look his age, he has been district one's escort for as long as any of us can remember.

An eighteen years old girl makes her way towards the stage laughing, and I smile. Everyone on the stage does. This girl was reap last year too. She's not a student of the Academy though, she sells jewels along her family in a high end store that is near the Victor's Village. I like this people more, those whose life don't spin around the Games. I know that such thing is only possible in career districts though. And I also know that the Games were my life, and every time I have to be a mentor is like a reminder that I'm still controlled by them.

Then comes the usual, Flannel asks if there is a volunteer, the Academy student volunteers and the same happens with the male tribute. By the time the ceremony closes the two teenagers I'm taking are call Peyton Hemmings and Pryce Vexed Gardner. This year promises to be the same as always, but as long as I get to see her, I'm fine.

AN: Hey guys, I'll just take this note to say thanks for reading and reviewing the story.

Oh and remember to check out the blog! It's updated constantly and it has exclusive content. If you'll like to see more in the blog and have an idea, don't be afraid to tell me!