Starr Lynan's POV
I stare out of my window as the golden sun rises over the wheat fields, casting a fiery glow over the district. I hadn't caught a wink of sleep last night, I was so anxious for the Reapings. I had sat all night at my window sill, thinking about the Quell and what would happen of I was Reaped. I spent all night going through scenarios of the arena. But, then I realized that there was no possibility that I could be chosen for the arena, since my older sister Sunny refused to let me take the tesserae. I stand up from the sill and go to get changed for the reapings.
Searching through my small wardrobe, I select a knee length white skirt and a sky blue blouse and quickly throw them on as I brush my wavy brown hair that grows just past my shoulders. I have emerald green eyes and pale skin, which is strange since we in district nine spend a lot of time in the sun. To finish up the outfit, I clasp on my lucky silver necklace with a star shaped pendant. I look at myself in the grimy mirror and fix my hair until I'm satisfied with the results.
I head to the bathroom to brush my teeth, but I find that my eighteen year old sister, Sunny, is already in there and probably will be for the next hour. Sunny is super girly and and thinks she's all that. However, she can be really nice if she wants to. So instead of waiting for an hour, I head downstairs to brush my teeth in the kitchen sink. My parents are already there, preparing breakfast and getting everything ready for the Reapings. I silently sit down and eat my breakfast, trying not to think about the horrible day to come.
I've always dreaded the Hunger Games, it just seems like it's cruel and unnecessary. It's completely barbaric and it sickens me that kids kill other kids just for sport. And it's hard to believe that some of the tributes enjoy it. They find joy in murdering innocent kids, who had an entire life before them, and it just disappears. So far I've gone four years without being chosen and I have three more to go. I'm hoping for the best.
After I say goodbye to my parents, Sunny and I leave for the Reapings.
-oOo-
Rye Fields' POV
My alarm clock erupts in a shrill ringing, blaring loud enough to wake anyone in District Nine. I groan, not wanting to face the trying day ahead of me. For a few minutes, I stare up at the ceiling, pondering about the day to come. This year is my last year in the Reaping bowl and I'm hoping that I will survive this last year before I'm free.
I just find the hunger games to be such a waste of time. I mean, instead of spending billions of dollars on stupid suits and cheesy television entertainment, how about they try to feed the hundreds of thousands of starving families in the outer districts, like nine, ten, eleven, and twelve. I mean, we're the ones who do the most work. And, the districts like nine are the ones who harvest the food, and they barely get any of it. It just goes to the greedy capital people. And the worst part is that they just throw it all away and take it for granted. Many of us are poor and starving! Half of us live on the streets and the other half are struggling to keep our houses. Last week, I overheard my mother taking to one of her work friends about the taxes. She said that we might not be able to keep the house and Peacekeepers have sent her many warnings and I fear the worst. Since we live in a one paycheck family, we tend to struggle to do just simple things, like buying a loaf of bread.
I never met my dad. My mom told me that he abandoned her when he found out she was having me. Ever since, I have always wondered who my real dad was. I would sometimes find myself looking about at the square, analyzing every face, trying to find one with my dark brown eyes or a dimple on their left cheek. Every time I see a man with short brown hair like mine, my heart leaps thinking I've found him. But every time, I know it isn't him. I'm still waiting anxiously for the day when I see him and just know that he is my dad. However, that day is yet to come and I am losing hope.
Slowly, I rise out of my bed, my tall figure almost hitting the ceiling. I put on my nice outfit, which I had laid out the night before. It was a crisp white dress shirt and my black worn dress pants. I had worn the same outfit for Reapings for as long as I can remember. As I examine myself in the small, dirty mirror, the only one in the house, my shirt looks worn and it feel tight as I am extremely muscular. Satisfied with how I look, I head downstairs to see my mom, with worry lines on her forehead from years of stress. She is hunched over a newspaper, looking in the jobs section.
"Are you looking for another job?" I ask. My mom already works three jobs. Marketplace in the morning, harvesting in the afternoon and grain packaging at night.
"Someone's looking for a nanny in the evenings," she responds tiredly. Because of all of her shifts, she barely catches a wink of sleep at night. Working in the evenings will leave her with absolutely no sleep and she's rarely home.
"Mom, all of this work isn't good for you. You're overworking yourself," I warn her, worried about her future.
"Times are tough, Rye. I can barely pay for the house and it's a hardship just to get food, even with you taking the tesserae," she sighs, frowning at the paper. I know I can't argue with her. If my mom wants or needs to do something, nothing would ever get in her way.
"We need to get to the Reapings. They start soon, and we need to get to the fields as soon as possible."
With that, she puts down the paper and we leave.
-oOo-
Starr Lynan's POV
As I reach the town square, everything has been decorated for the Reapings. Market stands have been pushed aside and replaced by large, colorful banners, television cameras, news crews, and of course the dreaded stage that no one want to stand on. I take my place in line to get signed in. In the background, I hear the younger kids whimpering and the reporters buzzing around, excited for the Quarter Quell Reapings. I barely flinch as my finger is poked and I wander over to my section. As people are filing in, I look over at Sunny, who's standing in the eighteen year olds section, showing know expression. I try to catch her eye but she's off in her own world. Finally, the escort, Lupé Feather walks purposefully onto the stage. His bleached hair is almost nonexistent next to his pale skin and his blue eyes shine vibrantly in contrast. He is cheerful, but behind the façade is a sad man.
I've heard many stories about Lupé, but theres one that I heard was absolutely true. I heard that he grew up in district six, training to be an engineer when his older brother was reaped for the games. He died pretty early on and Lupé never recovered. He always seems to have more to him than just a stereotypical capital escort. Tapping the mic, he begins to speak.
"Happy Hunger Games, District Nine and May the odds be ever in your favor! This year, our very special tributes will be facing their biggest fear in the arena, IF they live to face it. Without further ado, let's begin!" He struts over to the girls bowl and quickly pulls out a name.
"District Nine's female tribute is... Starr Lynan!"
Immediately, my pulse quickens. I tend to get like this when I'm stressed. My breathing gets louder and louder until I'm feeling lightheaded. I'm wheezing as two burley peacekeepers come over to me and half drag me onto the stage. I'm still hyperventilating as Lupé chooses my district partner.
Rye Fields' POV
After arriving and checking in, I stand awkwardly in my section. The girl next me is Sunny Lynan, who is in a few of my classes. We never really talk though. She was always out of my league, being one of the most popular girls in school. As our odd escort does the usual Hunger Games speech, I wonder what's going on in everyones heads right now. Drawing me out of my thoughts, Lupé calls out a name.
"District nine's female tribute is... Starr Lynan!"
I expect Sunny to volunteer, but she just stands there, too shocked and afraid to say a word. As Starr is dragged onto the stage, Sunny's eyes are watering, but she remains silent. I know that she is going to regret not volunteering later on. I feel so sorry for her, she always watches out for her sister and now she couldn't protect her any further. I barely pay attention as Lupé announces another name.
"Rye Fields!"
I'm taken by surprise as everyone turns and looks at me. Sunny's eyes meet mine as she whispers,
"Protect her. Please, whatever you do, just make sure she doesn't get hurt. Promise me?" Tears are streaming from her eyes.
"I promise." That was all I managed to say as I was pulled away by a peacekeeper. I knew I would try my hardest to keep my promise to Sunny as I try to survive in the arena. I WILL protect Starr, even if it's the last thing I do.
A/N
Thanks Jess Kline for Rye and Lupé and Tigergirl22 for Starr! Don't forget to send in game maker forms! The dead line has been moved to Wednesday November 6th. Who's excited for the Catching Fire movie? Its only like seventeen days away, not that I'm counting or anything! Here's the trivia question!
Who is in the career pack in the Hunger Games?
Don't forget to review!
Angelofmusic4ever