So on to district 8. This chapter is dedicated to moon plus stars and ma best friend in the entire solar system, allycat211. I hope you both like this chapter.

Also this chapter is dedicated to one of my oldest friends, J.K. If any of you are religious or even if you're not please pray for him because he was hit by a trolley yesterday.

The Reaping of District Eight (Enter Alicia Hills POV)

Does this little girl really wanna start with me today I thought? It was the day of the reaping and I was getting some last minute hours in at the silk textile mill where I worked. I needed to get out of there soon so I could get my younger sisters Gabriella and Mocha ready. My boss had other ideas though. Her name was Serenity and I hated every bone in her chubby body. That feeling between us was mutual. She already had made me stay later than everyone else and now she wanted me to clean up her mess? Oh hell no. Enough is enough when I'm concerned.

"Um Serenity, I gotta go. I've got Gabby and Momo waiting on me and the reaping is in an hour!" I snapped.

"Ugh. Fine! Go but were going to talk about your job performance tomorrow, Alicia."

I was already out the door so I didn't reply; I didn't care anyway. I rushed the 5 blocks over to my house and found my sisters waiting expectantly for me. Our parents and our brother had all died years ago in a mill accident. That left me the task of raising a 3 year old and a 7 year old by myself. They were 8 and 12 now so it wasn't as hard but I still wished our parents could be here.

We all got into our best dresses. I couldn't let anyone in my family go out in public looking a mess. Gabby and Momo really were pretty with their dark skin and bright eyes. If only they weren't such smartasses. Guess that's what happens when you get raised by someone like me with a big mouth and attitude to match.

We made it to the square in time even though that ugly monkey-I mean Serenity-kept me late. Mayor Liu was a tiny thing so the microphone always had to be lowered for him. Momo poked me in the side and we both dissolved into laughter. He read the Treaty of Treason, then the list of District 8 victors. 17 years and we had two of them; Jasmine Grant and Usher Raymond. The latter, praise Panem, was the hottest male to walk on the face of the earth. Soon it was time for the drawing of the female name.

"Mocha Hills."

What in the WORLD? It couldn't be true. Momo was just twelve; they can't possibly have just picked her. But they did. However there was no way I was letting her go to the capitol. I gave Gabby and Momo big hugs before saying, "I volunteer!"

I made my way up to the platform. As I passed her, Serenity smirked at me and gave me an evil look with her beady little crocodile eyes. Since 2 can play this game I smile at her sweetly before flicking her off. I hear snickers here and there. Most other people don't like her either. I stood calmly waiting for the male name to be chosen thinking, these other tributes better watch it cause I'm coming to these games prepared to take them out…

_Flashback 2 Hours_

(Enter Damon Yale POV)

"Hey Damon," Says a bright voice from my left.

I cursed inwardly. The greeting had come from this girl named Lea, who for some reason had decided she wanted to be my friend. That was a problem. I don't do friends. Furthermore I'm not friendly. The only person I can honestly say I like is my cheerful, happy-go-lucky 12 year old brother, Adam. But even though I like to be left well alone, I'm not rude.

"Hi." I hoped my short tone would let Lea into the fact I wanted to just concentrate on my work. Subtle hints don't work with her most of the time.

"So who do you think is going to be chosen in the reaping today?" she asks.

"No clue."

"I hope it's not you or your brother."

"Thanks. Same for you."

"That's sweet of you to say." Lea gave me a warm smile. Soon after our supervisor came around to see the progress we'd made and to dismiss us early for the reaping. His name was Owen and he was nicer than most supervisors. He got to Lea and me.

"Lea Kelly, I see you've completed 8 different types to textiles today. Excellent job kid you're good to go. Good luck at the reaping today."

"Thanks sir." Lea moved off to the side but stayed. Often she walked with me back to the tenements because she lived over that way too. She didn't seem to mind that I barley contributed to our conversations. Owen turned his attention to my work of the past several hours.

"Damon Yale, you have 6 different types of textiles done. Good work. You're free to go as well."

Lea and I turned and walked out of the factory. It was a short walk. Both of us lived in the poorer part of District 8 and of course that's where all the textile mills and factories were. Within 2 minutes we'd reached the front of my home. Before I could stop her Lea gave me a big hug. I stood rigid until she let go.

"See you later, Damon!" She called cheerfully as she walked off.

I proceeded up to the 6th floor to the tiny apartment Adam and I lived in. Our parents had died during a flu epidemic. We'd been sent to live at the community home until I was 14. That's the age you have to be to rent an apartment in any part of 8. Adam was already dressed in his best clothes reading a book at the table. We both love books but can rarely afford them on my small salary.

"Damon." He said brightly with a big smile. I gave him a small grin.

"Hey to you to."

I showered and dressed. Then I actually tried to spend time combing my disorderly black hair into some order. The bathroom lights made my abnormally pale skin look even sicklier. I don't like the sun and I always wear hoods and long sleeves to shield from the bright rays. Brightness always reminds me of happiness and love and all that dumb stuff. What good was love anyway? It didn't stop bad things from happening. It didn't help anything. It actually just makes things worse because nobody can stand to let anything they love go. People are unable to accept it when something or someone they love is lost. Love is useless.

"Ready to go?" I call to Adam.

"Yep!" he says.

We got to the square with time to spare. I left Adam in the back with the 12 year olds. I went up to where the 14 year olds were. Mayor Liu read the Treaty of Treason and the list of victors. When finished he gave the mike over to Vienna Lee. That woman is always so happy and preppy. It's enough to make me sick. She picked out a girl's name.

"Mocha Hills." The crowd shifted at these words.

"I volunteer."

I dark girl with curly hair approached the stage. Vienna asked for the girls' name.

"Alicia Hills." She had the same last name as the other girl. They must be sisters.

Vienna then rushed over to pick a male name.

"Damon Yale!" She squeaks into the microphone.

I didn't really feel anything. My feet just reacted to the words and propelled towards the platform. I mounted the stairs and took my place on the stage. I turned and glared at Vienna Lee and Alicia Hills who were both looking at me. It seemed to unnerve Vienna a bit. Alicia was a different matter. When I glared at her she gave me a look that if interpreted would probably mean I really wanna slap that expression off your face but since were on stage in front of a bunch of people I won't.

I turned away and semi listened as Mayor Liu talked. Soon the anthem of Panem was playing. Every eye was on us. Mayor Liu said," I give you our tributes Alicia Hills and Damon Yale. Good luck you two."

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