Gilt Ainsworth POV
I plummet my foot into the dummy's side and slice its head off with my katana. Pinning another dummy to the ground I stab it in the chest multiple times. I jump back to my feet, impressed with my effort and wipe the sweat dripping from my platinum blonde hair.
"Nice work you just need to work on your cover when attacks are made from behind," my brother-I mean stepbrother Tassel explains to me as I sip my water, "now you know you know todays reaping day are you volunteering?"
"Course," I manage to say between huffing.
"Good," Tassel says to me not caring, "now go."
I walk out of my brother's house who lives in Panem's most populated Victor's Village. Tassel volunteered and won the games five years ago leaving me all by myself in a little shack, it isn't much but good enough for me. Most people think that being in District 1 we are wealthy but for some of us that's just not how it is. Ms. Beaumont, Tassel's mother, pays for the shack and my well being like school funds, food just stuff like that. She lives in the Capitol now as an astronomer or something like that, she only rarely visits us because she spends so much time with her boyfriend. I just can't believe that Tassel didn't let me live with him in the Victor's Village, I mean we are practically brothers. He's just so self obsessed thinking every looks up to him being a Victor and all with his spiky blonde hair and blue eyes but he's such an ass.
As I leave the Victor's Village walking to my cabin I hear snickering and whispering. I look over and look at a group of boys from the Training Academy following me making fun of my shades. Ah yes how could I forget my aviator shades. When I first started school Tassel bought me a pair of glasses so I wouldn't get picked on. He said red eyes aren't common so I should try and hide them. Ever since then I have wore them every day but I believe it has only caused me more problems. Tassel wrote an excuse to the school on my forms saying my eyes were sensitive under direct light and my tinted shades were to be worn all the time. I heard the boys behind me joking around and laughing. Don't show your emotions, is what Tass had told me, it makes you look weak. Why should I listen to him what has he ever done to me.
I got to what I call home and ate some lunch I had cooked up before I left and changed into an emerald green shirt and black dress pants for the reapings. I stare over at the photo of my mother and father I never knew them. Tears come to my eyes, NO, showing emotions is weak I think. I hear the buzz of people walking to the reapings. I readjust my shades, I betta go.
Anastasia Jasmine Donovan POV
I stare at my reflection in the mirror and brush my ebony hair into a ponytail tightening it with a ribbon. Perfect, just the way I like it I think to myself. I walk downstairs to the empty kitchen my mother must be getting ready with my stepfather for the reapings. My real father divorced from my mother before I was born and now I'm stuck with the snobby mayor playing the role as my father. I make myself a bowl of fresh muesli my mother left out for me. She never has been the mother that was there for me I mean I rarely see her and only occasionally talk to her.
The only person who I always know cares about is my twin, Raveena, she's a victor now. Last year she won the games even after an accident in the Training Center causing her to loose her sight. She learnt to use her other senses and listen to her surroundings. It was a truly extraordinary win. But even after that she was still there for me and didn't go mad with money, drugs or alcohol. She was more of a mother than my mother will ever be even though we're the same age.
I knock on her front door.
"It's me," I say.
"Come in," she replies.
I open the door and a calming feel brushes over me. I can smell tea, she must have been expecting me. I take a sit in her cozy living room. She walks through the room carrying a tray of tea and freshly baked biscuits. Raveena has always been one of those people that even after an accident have done everything normally like it hadn't affected her life.
"So are you volunteering this year?" she questions me.
"No, something about Quarter Quells I just don't like," I answer between sips of my tea.
"Right," Raveena says reaching into her pocket, " I found this jewel the other day and I thought you might like it." She shows me a beautiful sapphire.
"It's amazing," I gasp as she places it into my hand.
"Now you better get going."
I walk down the road to District One's Training Academy. I check-in with my ID and the students are buzzing, as today is Reaping Day. They are insane thinking that the games are enjoyable like honestly that is mental. I grab a few daggers and take my place in the room. I aim at the targets and practice hitting the bullseye almost every time.
"All students training must leave the campus now and return home as the reapings will commence in a couple of hours, thank you," I hear through the speakers. I pack up my things and return home.
I put on my purple dress, I'm not one to wear dresses but it's Reaping Day so my mother says I have to. I pick up the gem Raveena gave to me and place it in my pocket. I shall keep this I think, as I know I need luck when going to a Quarter Quell reaping.
Gilt Ainsworth POV
I arrive at the town square along with thousands of other Careers some more prepared then others. I need to be ready for this as I take my place at my age section. I stand at the front waiting for the speeches to begin.
I see the pudgy mayor walk to the stage and start his speech it's the same every year, District 1 blah blah blah …...…. Victors most succeeded whatever. He finally finishes and welcomes the escort to the stage, Carrion Longwood. He always wears his purple jumpsuit with his short, curly, black hair always cut the same way. He's just so stubborn and ignorant just like the mayor. He begins with the girls walking causally slow to the giant bowl filled with thousands of pieces of paper with hundreds of teenagers names printed over and over again. He coughs into the microphone and says, "Anastasia Donovan." A shriek from side stage echoes throughout the square as a girl walks up stage smirking like this is all a joke, I'm confused. "Now for the boys," Mr Longwood announces. I can't wait another second. "I volunteer," I scream sprinting to the stage before anyone else can argue or take my place. "What's your name boy," Mr Longwood asks me.
"Gilt, Gilt Ainsworth," I reply. I hear a few laughs and some people whispering say the glasses dude or red eyes.
" Well please congratulate District 1's 150th Hunger Games tributes, Anastasia Jasmine Donovan and Gilt Ainsworth." Mr Longwood states as we are escorted to the Justice Building.
I wait for Tassel to visit me but I'm not surprised as I sit there patiently alone to be taken to the Capitol.
Anastasia Jasmine Donovan POV
I leave my stepfather's richly furnished home to District One's Town Square. I check-in to the 16 year old section and look around to trying to find any family or friends. As the mayor walks to the stage my attention is caught side stage. There she is, my mother. Staring into his eyes like a she's gone mad with love, she is either in love with money and fame or him. Instead of supporting her daughter she is supporting her 'lover'. The bastard the stole my mother finishes his speech as Carrion is called to the stage. He talks about the Quarter Quells and courage and all that other shit as we watch the Treaty of Treason clip. "As usual the ladies first," he speaks into the microphone, "Anastasia Jasmine Donovan." What, me? No, but. I walk to the stage waiting for the volunteer to step forward. Oh you wusses and the fucking Capitol with the bloody Hunger Games. I smirk as I climb the steps. I am going to kill these games. "Now the bo-," someone from the crowd volunteers instantly and jogs up to the stage. I haven't seen him before but he looks pretty damn sexy. Carrion asks for his name, "Gilt, Gilt Ainsworth," he replies. I think to myself, wow Anya keep this one in mind he might be a keeper.
My mother bursts through the doors of the building sobbing, running over to me. Now she cares. "You can win you know how to fight you have practiced heaps you will win I know you will," she manages to say through bawling her eyes out, "Raveena will help you," my mother says as the peacekeepers drag her out.
"What how," I scream, "tell me!" And that was the last thought in my mind as I left District 1.
Q1. Before the reapings of the of the 74th Hunger Games Katniss says, "I wish I looked like you little _." - 20 points
Q2. Beetee and Wiress nicknames are what? – 30 points
Q3. Who were the three tributes that were saved from the 75th Hunger Games and weren't taken to the Capitol? – 40 points
So what did you think of my first chapter? Keep on reading and don't forget to review! Love you all Write down the answer to these questions for sponsor points. Check out my profile for more information on the questions for sponsor points.
P.S. Chapters are gonna be around this length if that's cool.