*DISTRICT 12*

*SEPHORA WILLIAMS*
*FIFTEEN*

"District 12 is such a drag," whines Sephora. "No offense, Kris, you're cool, but..."

"No, I totally agree," moans Kristina Chase, the only decent person in the high school (at least in Sephora's opinion). "They don't bother to train you or even let you practice for the Hunger Games. And then they wonder why no one from here ever wins." She rolls her eyes dramatically and tightens her blonde ponytail.

Sephora tugs on her own light brown hair and twirls the thin dagger that she holds in her right hand between her fingers. "Things were much better when we lived in District 2. I can't believe Daddy actually let Mother talk him into moving here with her when they got married. If we still were there, I'd be in a training center right now, really preparing for the Games. Here, I'm stuck with just Daddy to teach me."

"Your dad's pretty good, though," Kristina says. "I mean, he did show me how to use a spear." She lunges forward and plunges the weapon into a tree in front of her, then removes it, smirking as sap runs out of the trunk. "We might want to get back to our houses, though, so we have time to get ready for the Reaping."

"If I was in District 2, I'd volunteer. But I will not be the loser who represents 12. No way."

"What if you get Reaped?"

"Then I win."

"Do you think you'll join the Careers?" Kristina inquires.

"The second they learn I'm from 2, of course. I'll just have to convince them that I'm not lying."

"You won't have to. Only a native-born District 2 can use knives like that."

"Thanks." Sephora links arms with Kristina as they saunter up the road to the merchant-class houses. Sephora's family basically had enough money to buy the entire District, because things were much more expensive in District 2 than District 12. But they'd settled on a stone house just outside the Victors Village instead. "Here I am," Sephora announces. "Come say goodbye if I'm Reaped?"

"Of course!" Giddily, Kristina throws her arms around her friend. "And I'll watch you every second on the television."

"I'll watch you too," she promises, before entering her house, the stately white door slamming shut behind her.

*KALEB RUSH*
*EIGHTEEN*

"Are you excited to get married?" Kaleb asks his twin, Juniper. They're poring over sketches of wedding dresses that District 12's seamstress had loaned them a few weeks ago. Juniper still hasn't picked one.

She beams, grinning so that the edges of her smile practically stretch up to her navy blue eyes. "Of course, Kaleb! Embry is just...amazing."

"Is he?" Fondly, Kaleb pats his sister on the shoulder, where a few strands of her honey-blonde hair (much lighter than his), rest. Even though Kaleb is only four minutes older than Juniper, he likes to think it's four years.

He has to admit, though, he likes Embry too. When Juniper first made Embry a promise to marry him, Kaleb was worried, as he'd heard some of the things husbands do to wives, especially when they're young. But Embry's young too, and he's fun and likes to joke and always keeps an eye out for Juniper. She really couldn't ask for anything better in a man.

"He is," Juniper insists. "Here, what do you think of this one?"

"That's the one," Kaleb declares, his eyes twinkling. "As long as you like it."

"It's perfect," Juniper agrees, page in hand. "Alright, I'm going to go take this down to Aunt Hazelle; I'll be back in time for the," she bites her lip, "Reaping."

Kaleb is still at her side. "You don't have a thing to worry about, June."

He smiles, because he truly believes it.

*DISTRICT 12 REAPING*

"Now, now," Effie Trinket coos as she pats Katniss and Peeta on the head. "Just sit right there and watch the Reapings. And remember, you have to pay attention, because the second they're over, each of you has to pick a tribute to mentor. Choose wisely!" And she prances off to make her entrance.

Dutifully, Effie plays the video, placing a hand over her heart with a breathy, "I just love that part," at the end. Then she straightens her sunset-orange skirt and nods once. "Here's for our female contestant. Ahem." She rifles through the papers, and with a ceremonious flick of her wrist, she opens one. "Sephora Williams."

Sephora strides up to the stage, her blue eyes snapping.

Effie jams her microphone into Sephora's face. "Tell us a little about yourself, darling."

"My name is Sephora Williams. I grew up in District 2. I trained there for eight years. If you want to get of the arena alive, I suggest you run away from me. Fast."

"Thank you. Now we have...Embry Wilcox!"

"Embry!" Juniper screams. "No!" Not after everything they've been through, not when their wedding is so close...

She's right, Kaleb thinks to himself. No. He can't let this happen. "I volunteer!" He marches up to the podium, but doesn't accept the opportunity to talk about himself. Instead, he just waves, his face grim.

*BACKSTAGE*
*KATNISS'S POV*

"Two volunteers in a row," Peeta marvels. "That's going to make for a nice show."

"Maybe Caesar'll get a bonus," I mutter, trying fruitlessly to make my layered, metallic-pink skirt a little more comfortable to sit on.

"Do you want one of the tributes especially?" Peeta asks kindly.

"I don't think I could do the boy. He's older than I am. But the girl...she's so bloodthirsty..." At least it's not Prim.

"Your pick."

"Which one do you want?" He can't make me choose. I don't want either. He can't make me choose.

Suddenly, I see why this is so hard for Haymitch, why he turned to drink instead of making an effort to help the tributes each year. Just watching them die, summer after summer after summer. Dead. Dead. Dead. Dead. Dead. Dead. Dead. Dead. Dead. Dead.

"I want the girl," I say. She has a shot at winning.

"Sephora?"

"Yeah, and you can have-"

"Kaleb," he supplies.

"Alright-"

But before I can say more, Effie sweeps in, straightening her fluffy wig. "Come, come, dears. You must meet your tributes! You have decided, yes?"

"But Haymitch didn't meet us," I blurt out.

"Yes, well..." She mimes raising a bottle to her lips, then blinks a few times and fakes passing out.

"Ah," Peeta says. "Okay, come on, Katniss." He reaches for my hand, and I take it with pursed lips, following him out of the wings and into the Justice Building.

gah. this chapter was not good. but things will get more detailed on the trains and when saying goodbye.

question (please answer; it's easy): my plan is to let each district have their own goodbye and train chapter, melded into one. like, d3 girl goodbye, d3 boy goodbye, and then third person on the train, all in one chapter. and then the next district. is that a good idea?

please R&R!