/N Hey guys!

This could have been up a lot sooner had I not left for vacation, but it's here now! I didn't wanna rush it. :P The next two tributes (and first non-careers) have arrived! Here is the District Three Reaping, hope you enjoy it! J

Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games.

Rick Sparks POV

People are so pitiful.

The way they move through life thinking it has some great meaning that needs to be solved, doing exactly what the world expects of them. Never once questioning what the point of it all is. Seriously. You go through years and years of the torture that is school, a place that supposedly "teaches" you things (in reality they're just brainwashing you), then you go though years and years of work, basically just acting as another puzzle piece of society keeping it all intact. And then, your body slowly shuts down and you die.

Sweet, sweet freedom.

I kick a pebble out of my way as I walk down the grey streets of District 3. That's really the best word you can use to describe this place: grey. Everything. The sky, the road, heck even the people are starting to look a little grey. Not that it matters.

I just don't understand why people think life is so important. Why do people see death as such a negative thing? What even is life? It's boring and useless. Nothing ever happens. People betray you, cheat you, and those who actually treat you well are eventually taken away from you. Life is just an illusion of something important, but really it's nothing. Just nothing.

People just don't see that. And it's pretty shameful.

I take a quick glance at the people around me. There are very few, mostly people bustling about, trying to get some last minute errands done before the reaping.

The reaping. Just one more pointless thing I have to go through every single year. Personally, I don't see the point in the Games either. So, the districts rebelled. Get the hell over it and move on. Who cares? I guess people will never stop caring so much…

I make a detour and begin heading for home. I can't watch these people anymore. They're so pathetic it almost makes me sick.

I overhear countless conversations on the way home, almost all of them about the Games and the reaping and how terrified they are to get reaped. Personally? I think being reaped is a blessing in disguise. At least something somewhat interesting is going on in your life. Not nearly interesting enough, though. Nothing ever is.

I pick up my pace as my house, grey like everything else, comes into view. I just want to get this reaping over with for the fourth time.

Not that I have anything more important to do but, hey-

That's life.

Jade Astoria POV

Life is so exciting! Always a new opportunity to learn, even on the morning of the reaping. Knowledge should never be wasted, even if school is out for the day.

I flip over to the next page of my science book. This book actually belonged to my older brother Zoro. He's nineteen and hasn't needed the book since he started working. I'm sure he doesn't mind me reading it, especially considering he's never home anyway.

I skim through the facts listed on the page, searching for something I don't already know.

Every year, over one million earthquakes shake the Earth.

One million! I've never even felt one! That means there must be more to this world than the districts and the Capitol! Unless, of course, the earthquakes are at too low a strength to feel…I shake my head in wonder before turning back to the book for a new fact. I'll have to bring this discussion up with my best friend Estelle.

The average person falls asleep in seven minutes.

Not me! It usually takes me hours before I finally fall asleep…too many thoughts and facts and theories running through my mind.

So many interesting things to ponder about life, and what it means!

The sound of my sister's voice startles me, making me jump in my seat.

"Jade! Get ready for the reaping, I wanna get this over with. And for the love of God, put that science book down, why would you willingly do work?!"

Sigh. Typical Zara. It often shocks me that she's Zoro's twin, considering how all he does is work while she practically never leaves her bed.

I'm about to reply when she starts speaking again, "Oh, and I already picked out your outfit since it always takes you for-flipping-ever to decide. It's on your bed."

Now I'm afraid.

I turn away from my desk and look over at my bed, where a dress has been carelessly thrown. I get up and take the dress, examining every inch of it. A very simple dress, really. Short and plain black. I remember my sister wearing it to the reaping before my first, when she was fourteen. She was pretty tall for her age.

I absolutely despise it.

But I suppose I should wear it. Zara will be angry and hurt and nobody wants that.

Besides, the sooner I get ready, the sooner I can get back to doing what I do best: learning.

Rick Sparks POV

I step into the house, ignoring the greetings of my parents. What's the point in acknowledging them? They know I'm not deaf. I head over to my room, which once had plain white walls that have now turned grey over time. Sometimes I wonder what color the walls would be if I moved to another district. I mean, who knows? Maybe in District 4 everything is blue, like the ocean. Oh, well. I guess I'll never know. As if it matters anyway.

I head over to my closet and fling the door open. I don't have very many clothes. It isn't necessary. I
will never understand those girls I see around the district who are constantly buying new outfits. What's the point in having so many clothes? The ones you had before were perfectly fine! But whatever. At least I know I've got the right idea.

I pull out a pair of jeans and a random shirt which turns out to be black and put them on, not a single thought running through my mind. I then walk over to my mirror, which I only ever use when I'm fixing my hair. If there's one thing I actually almost enjoy doing, it's fixing up my hair. I remember when I died it blue last summer, a week after my fourteenth birthday. I remember even clearer my mother yelling at me, telling me that blue hair was unnatural and not fit for a thirteen-year-old boy. She still wasn't used to the new age yet.

I just walked away as she yelled and went to take a nap. I can do what I want with my hair, anyway; its mine. It was at that time that I started using hair gel to spike it up, just cause I felt like it and it looked kinda cool against the tanned tone of my skin. Plus it was almost amusing to see the looks on certain people's faces whenever I walked by.

I spike up my hair with perfectly practiced fingers as the memories run through my mind. I don't have to concentrate when I do my hair…I can probably do it with my eyes closed.

Speaking of eyes, did I mention that they're grey? Yup. Can't catch a break.

When I'm finally satisfied with my hair (which actually only takes about two minutes), I head downstairs to go to the reaping. Yeah, I'm freakishly early, but hey it's not my fault I don't take an hour to get ready like everyone else!

I catch my mother's voice behind me just as I reach the door, "Where you going, Ricky? The reaping's not for at least another hour."

I close my eyes tightly and sigh. Ricky. I've told her so many times not to call me by that pointless nickname. However, I don't comment on it. Instead, I simply say, with my back still facing her, "Who cares?" and walk out the door.

Jade Astoria POV

I stare into my reflection in the mirror, trying ridiculously hard to smile. It comes out looking forced, and I find myself desperately shifting my eyes around the room so I don't have to look at it. Or the hideous dress.

"So, how do you like it? Pretty, huh? "

I simply nod my head, keeping the ridiculous smile on my face. What my sister doesn't know can't hurt her.

"I knew you'd love it, " Zara says with a smirk, "Now are we all ready to go? Drea! You ready? "

Drea, my other sister, steps into the room wearing a dress almost identical to mine except white. She simply nods her head, signifying she is ready to leave. I can tell she's nervous, even more nervous than usual. With good reason, of course. This is her first reaping.

Zara then leaves the room without a word, knowing Drea and I will follow and that Zoro will meet us there from work.

I put my arm around Drea's shoulders, startling her.

"Drea, don't worry about the reaping. It'll be fine, I promise."

She stares up at me with misty eyes.

"How do you know?" she asks shakily.

"Because I've been through four of them already. Besides, you only have one entry in there. I promise you that you won't be picked. It's mathematics, plain and simple. The odds are in your favor, logically."

Drea smiles at my words and nods her head in understanding.

"Thanks, Jade."

I just smile down at her, give her one last squeeze and then pick up my pace to catch up with Zara. Drea does the same beside me.

I take a deep breath as the square comes into view.

This is it. I think to myself, Reaping number five. You can do this. It's logic. You won't be picked…

But somewhere in my mind, a tiny part of me is still afraid.

Rick Sparks POV

The Capitol woman at the check-in booth seems shocked to already have a client. I simply stare blankly at her and hold out my hand. She knows the drill.

"Wh-why are you here so early?" she asks, eyes wide, "I haven't prepared my booth properly…"

I nod my head, letting her know that I don't mind waiting. I never do.

She rummages through her bag, searching for the list of names and the sharp object she will use to prick my finger. She then begins to talk to me as she looks.

"So, aren't you excited? It's reaping day!"

I just shrug, not really giving a shit if I'm being honest. The woman looks up at my lack of response, and we just stare at each other for several seconds. When she realizes she won't be getting an answer, she uneasily lowers her gaze back down to her bag, where she finally finds what she's looking for.

"Alrighty…name, please?"

"Rick Sparks."

She flips over to the "S" section of the list and hastily checks my name off and pricks my finger. I don't even flinch.

"Thank you, you're free to go. Happy Hunger Games!"

I am gone before she even finishes her sentence. What is there to be happy about? Pathetic.

I walk over to the empty 15 section, and patiently wait for the others to arrive. It's not like I've got anything better to do anyways.

Jade Astoria POV

After check-in, I immediately begin scanning the crowd for Estelle. I find her in about thirty seconds, still waiting in line for check-in. She is talking the ear off of the little boy beside her and I hold back a giggle at the look on his face. Typical Estelle. Sometimes I wish I was as sociable and outgoing as she is.

Suddenly, she catches my eye and the little boy she's talking to is forgotten.

"Jade! Hey, Jade! Wait up, I'll be there in a minute!"

I nod, giving her a thumbs up. As if I was going anywhere anyways. I then turn to Drea, who has started to tremble beside me.

"Drea, don't worry about it. The odds, remember? Just think of something happy, and it'll be over before you know it. Or just recite scientific facts in your head, like I do. Okay?"

She nods her head and heads over to the 12 section, still looking terrified and drained. I sigh and stare after her, wishing I could just remove all the negativity from her mind, when Estelle pops up next to me, her red hair glistening in the sun and green eyes sparkling with a grin on her face.

"Your sister will be fine, Jade! Don't worry about her. Come on, let's head over to our section before we end up in the back again like last year. We couldn't even see the tributes, remember?"

I nod, remembering. Being reaped last year would have been hellish with the section we were in.

We hurry over to the 16 section, Estelle talking about this and that the entire way. I just listen, like I usually do, and occasionally make a comment. As soon as we reach our section, the escort comes onto the stage, cutting off Estelle's grand tale of the lengths she took to avoid her "stalker" this morning. I think the guy just has a cute little crush on her, but that's my opinion.

"Welcome, all! Now, I know you are all just SO excited to see who this year's tributes are, so let's get started! Ladies first, of course."

The square gets quiet, then. So quiet you can hear a pin drop as the escort dips a purple tinted hand into the girls ball. All I can think in my head is that I hope it isn't me, or Drea, or Estelle…

Please, please, please…

"Jadelynn Astoria!"

I sigh in relief out of habit before I realize what she just said. Jadelynn Astoria. That's my name. I've been reaped.

The other girls in my age group have made a path for me, and Estelle is red in the face and teary-eyed.

"Jadelynn Astoria! Come on over, don't be shy sweetie!" the escort calls out in her microphone, eyes darting around the square, looking for me.

I stumble out of my section, realizing there's nothing I can do. My mind then takes a weird turn, a turn it hasn't been on in a long time; my parents. My parents, who died in a mechanic misfunction when I was five. My parents, whose names I don't remember. I can hear them laughing, my mother in her high-pitched, almost hyena-like giggles, and my father in his deep, hearty chuckles. It's all that's left of them in my memory.

I come back to reality and mount the stage, my wet cheeks telling me I must have cried a little without realizing. I wipe them away. I need to be strong now and think positive. Positive thinking always equals positive results, psychologically.

I look into the crowd, at the crying, devastated faces of Zara, Zoro and Drea and come to a conclusion.

I need to come back to them. They can't lose another piece of their family.

Rick Sparks POV

I watch as an amber-haired girl from the 16 section mounts the stage, silent tears stroking her face. All I can think of is how pointless her tears are! She should be embracing this…surely her life must have been just as boring as mine up until this moment. Oh, well. Not everyone thinks the same way.

The girl has just barely reached the stage when the escort returns to her mic.

"And now for the men, " she says, emphasizing the word men in an almost flirty tone of voice.

She reaches into the bowl and swiftly pulls out a slip.

"Munstead Hawksmoore!"

One of the twelve year olds bursts into tears on the spot and doesn't show any signs of moving.

Oh, what the heck. Might as well bring some "excitement" into my life.

I say the words loud and clear just as the peacekeepers begin making their way to the terrified boy.

"I volunteer."

The other boys my age stare at me in complete shock as I push my way through towards the stage. Even the escort seems shocked and I wonder for a second what the girl who checked me in is thinking right now.

"Ooh, it seems we have a volunteer! So exciting! What's your name, dear?"

I roll my eyes at "dear" and say my name in an emotionless tone.

"Rick Sparks."

"Oh, what a lovely name for a handsome young man! Love your hair!" she exclaims.

Of course she would love my hair. Hers is purple, nearly identical to the color of her skin.

"Right, now how about a warm round of applause for our latest tributes, Jadelynn Astoria and Rick Sparks!"

Yeah, yeah, let's cut to the chase already.

Jade Astoria POV

I sit in the tribute room, not thinking of anything but what's to come. What will my strategy be? What is the most logical way to win this? My thoughts are cut short when my siblings burst into the room, all blotchy-faced and puffy-eyed.

Zoro walks up to me first, and I can only imagine how similar we look right now. Everyone tells us we look almost exactly alike, even when we cry or laugh. I can see my devastation mirrored on his face.

"Listen, Jade. You can do this. You're one of the smartest people I know. You may not be very big or strong, but that doesn't matter! Those careers are all buff and no brain, your intelligence is so much more useful! I know you can make it, Jade."

He wraps his arms around me and steps away, letting my sisters take over.

Zara just pulls me into a hug and sobs while I rub her back and make promises to her that I'm not entirely sure I can keep. By the time she lets go, I'm sobbing almost as hard as she is.

That's when Drea steps forward, tears glistening in her eyes.

"I took this from mom and dad's old room while I was getting ready. I thought it would bring me good luck. But I don't need it now. You do."

She takes a deep, shaking breath before continuing.

"I want you to have this."

She opens her hand to reveal a gorgeous silver ring covered in diamonds, imported straight from district one.

My mother's engagement ring.

My mother's laughter rings through my mind again and my throat tightens with emotion, my eyes filling with tears.

"Th-thank you so much Drea. I love it."

I place the ring on my finger and turn to my siblings.

"I love you guys. I love you so much-"

Suddenly, we're in a very tight, very tearful group hug. We stay this way until the peacekeepers come to tear us apart.

My next visitor is Estelle.

She simply gives me a long, tight hug and smiles tearily at me.

"Promise me you'll come back?"

I nod my head, too emotional to respond with words.

"Good. If you don't I'll personally come to the Capitol and kick your ass."

We both laugh weakly at the joke before the room is immersed into silence again.

"I guess I'd better go. Those peacekeepers literally scare the shit out of me."

Estelle hugs me again with one more squeeze and leaves the room hastily to hide her emotion from me.

I've made too many promises today. Promises that I can't guarantee will be kept.

But I know I need to try. For Estelle. For my sisters and brothers. But, mostly, for my parents.

I stroke my mother's engagement ring, watching it sparkle under the light of the chandelier above my head.

I'll make you proud, Mom and Dad. I know I will.

Rick Sparks POV

The most boring part of this entire ordeal has to be the tribute room. What's the point? Whether my parents see me again or not, life goes on, right? I asked the peacekeepers if I can just go straight to the bus and they downright refused. Something about "Capitol policy" or whatever.

Always so many rules.

My parents come into the room, both with a different expression on their face. My mother is simply devastated, tears pouring down her face like little waterfalls, whereas my father just looks shocked.

"Rick…I-I don't understand." my father says breathlessly, "Why would you volunteer for the Hunger Games of all things?"

I shrug my shoulders.

"I just felt like it. Things have been boring."

My father blinks at me, uncomprehending.

"You…you pretty much just voluntarily signed your own death sentence…because you felt like it? Because things were- were boring?" my father inquires, voice rising towards the end.

I simply nod my head, his increasing anger not fazing me in the slightest.

It is my mother who changes the athmosphere.

"Please, honey, don't upset him. If he wanted to go to the Games, so be it. But let's not spend these last moments with him yelling at him like this." She says, her eyes impossibly filling with even more tears.

She then pulls me into a hug, which I don't return, my father doing the same once she lets go.

There are footsteps heading towards the room. The peacekeepers are finally coming to get my parents. At last.

"We'll be rooting for you Ricky!"

"Do us a favor and come home alright?"

I don't respond to either of them. I just stare towards the doorway, where the peacekeepers are slowly emerging. They each grab one of my parents and pull them out the door, my mother blowing me one last kiss.

Finally. Let's just get these Games over with already, I'm already bored of them.

A/N

So, that's that! I'll try to get the next reaping up as soon as possible! Finally, I can write without interruption, so the next one should be fairly quick to update. To those who submitted these tributes, let me know if I did anything wrong, and to everyone else, well, I'd love to hear what you thought. Remember, reviews are love! J

Until next time, lovely readers! Thanks for keeping up with the story, it means a lot to me! 3