They say I only think in the form of crunching numbers
In hotel rooms, collecting page six lovers.
Get me out of my mind, and get you out of those clothes
I'm a liner away from getting you into the mood.
Nolan Durala, 18
District Two male
"Sarah, baby. Come back to bed, don't leave me hanging," I say flipping over the blue checkered sheets, making a space for her and motioning for the beautiful brunette to come back and join me.
"Who the hell is Sarah?" She asks, turning around abruptly, her forehead is wrinkled, and her hand is on her hip.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean Sarah, I meant… Carissa." I say, giving her the smolder, hoping that it will just make her forget all about the miscommunication. I rub the sheet next to me and wink at her, but she won't move.
"Wrong again, asshole." she slides into her dark denim jeans, throws her sweater over her head and storms out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
I would like to say that this is the first time this has happened to me, but unfortunately, I am all too familiar with this occurrence. It's not my fault that the lovely women of district two find me unbelievably attractive and irresistible. Hell, I find myself irresistible. There are different girls in my bed every other night, so I don't feel bad about something as simple as messing up a name. Sometimes, if the girl is good, she can stay for two nights but after that, I just get bored and move on to her best friend or her sister.
Now that the unnamed female has left the premises, I pull my phone out of my nightstand drawer. I scroll through my seemingly endless list of contacts. I need to find two names; Domica and Jaylil. Domica is my girlfriend of two months, she is the sweetest girl ever and she has a heart of pure gold. I almost feel bad for using her, almost. Her body is smoking hot though and she is really naive, making it easy for me to lie to her face. Jaylil and I have no relationship other than a physical one, friends with benefits if you will. She's down for anything and I love that about her. She has a slight drug problem, but she is bangin' so I try to overlook it.
Hey baby, be right over. Missed you tons.
How was your weekend away for training?
XOXO, Dom.
I fully plan on breaking things off with her for good eventually, maybe in the justice building. For now, though, I am going to fully take advantage of the situation. I get up and fix my brown hair and spritz some cologne on before wandering into the kitchen to get something to eat. I am in the process of shoving a turkey sandwich in my mouth when the doorbell rings. Domica wraps me into a tight hug, smiling up at me with her big green eyes.
"Every time I come over, I forget how nice your house is," she says stepping back and scanning the room, taking it all in.
You see, my dad works as the head trainer at District Two's training academy and my mom runs one of the main stone quarries. I have always lived quite the charmed life, despite living in District Two. My family has always had way more money that any of us could even begin to imagine what to do with. My mom takes pride in having nice things because they work hard for their money, I'm glad that they do because that means that I literally just get to sit around and do nothing all day long. I couldn't imagine what my life would be like if I actually had struggles.
"I mean, it's alright. Let's just go my bedroom," I shove the last of my sandwich in my mouth before gently grabbing her wrist and leading her into my room. Domica is a nice girl, don't get me wrong. But when I get her alone, she is a freak. That is one of the only reasons that I have kept her around for so long aside from her smoking hot body.
"You've been working out more, you're so toned," she says winking at me.
I started training when I was seven years old, my parents thought it would be good for our image,so that is where I spent most of my childhood. My father, being the head trainer at the academy, always made sure that I got more time than the others in the district. He wanted to make sure that if I was chosen to volunteer, that I would be ready. I soon became the most well-trained trainee at the academy. People looked at me with envy and admiration, but that's how I've been looked at my whole life, so it was nothing new. When you look as good as I do, you have to get used to people's eyes being on you all the time.
Anyway, when I turned eighteen, I was chosen to volunteer. I was so excited and ready for the journey that was about to ensue. I have no doubt in my mind that I will do well in the arena. Other people, weren't too pleased with me. Rumors started floating around the district that the only reason I was chosen to volunteer was because my father basically runs the training academy and not because I am good at what I do. It's not going to change anything, though, I am still going to volunteer and it's still going to be an easy win.
"Thanks, baby," I say flexing and tucking some of her blonde hair behind her ears and kissing her. I lead her to my bed and get what I want, for the second time this morning. When I am done with her, I make up some bullshit excuse about how I have a meeting with the head trainer at the training academy. Her Naivety comes in handy when I need to make up excuses like this because she doesn't realize that my father is the head trainer at the academy. Domica rolls out of bed, covering herself with the blue sheets, gets dressed before blowing me a kiss and exiting the room.
It's not that I want to be this way, but looks like mine, come with great responsibility. I am doing the girls of district two a solid, by even associating with them.
I lay in bed, running my hands through my hair. I stare up and watch the blades of the ceiling fan go round and round and close my eyes. The ding of an incoming text message, causes me to jump.
Hey, handsome.
Can I come over? ;)
Jaylil.
I consider texting her back and telling her no, this morning has already been exhausting. Who am I kidding, though, I am always down for round three?
See you soon babe.
Nolan.
I press send and smile at how ridiculously charmed my life is.
I played with your heart
And I could treat you better but I'm not that smart
You still mean everything to me
But I wanna be free
Gillian Donnan, 18
District Two female
"Just take one more drink, handsome," the man at the bar is one drink away from being blackout drunk. That is exactly what I want, though.
"Then we can go get a hotel?" The man puts his hairy and burly arm across my thighs and I cringe, but I have to keep it together. The deal is almost done. "One more crown and coke please," the man snaps at the bartender, his breath smelling like a brewery. He downs the drink in one big gulp, and I engage in meaningless conversation with him until he finally lays his head down on the dark wood table.
The brick walls in the bar reflect the lights, giving this whole thing a creepier feel. When I am almost positive that he isn't functioning like a normal human being anymore, I reach in his back pockets and feel around for his wallet. When my fingers collide with the smooth brown leather, a smile spreads across my face. Callen is going to be so pleased. I slide the wallet into the top of my dress and walk up the bartender.
"You might want to call him a cab, it seems like he might have had a bit much to drink. What a shame," I wink at him and strut out of the bar back to Callens black car.
"Did you get it?" He asks, his blue eyes piercing into me. His black hair is slightly gelled up in the front, he just looks really nice.
"Don't I always?" I wink, pushing aside all of my guilt and forcing a smile.
"That's my girl," he says, sending my heart into a fit of flutters. Callen makes it clear to me that our relationship is purely business, but he saved me. He will always have part of my heart for that.
I hand him the wallet and he starts to go through it, taking out anything that looks even remotely valuable. I watch him and try to ignore the pang of guilt that I feel when I think about what is going to go through that poor man's head when he wakes up. I don't mean to hurt anyone and I wish I didn't have to make a life for Callen and myself this way, but nobody ever said life was fair. When I start feeling guilty about screwing people over, Callen reminds that in order to keep the life that I'm living, this is a necessity.
Sometimes, looking at Callen hurts. It reminds me of a past that I struggle with wanting to forget and trying to remember.
Growing up, my parent's never really cared about being parents. They were too immature and young to raise a baby and it started to create problems between them, However, they decided to stay together and try to make it work for a little while longer. The only thing that resulted in was the birth of my little sister, Maggie. Just another life that they weren't equipped to take care of. They fought constantly until one day mom had enough and left. My dad turned to drinking, he was useless when he was drunk.
Not to long after my mother left, the Peace Keepers were notified of the neglect that was occurring. I refused to be taken away by strangers and luckily, I was able to escape them by running. My little sister Maggie wasn't so lucky, I haven't seen her since that dreadful day. My heart ached so bad as I went around searching for Maggie. I never found her, but I vowed to never stop searching until I at least had answers.
Anyway, I was on my own ever since that day, struggling to eat and even to live and then I met Callen. I was so hungry that it was actually painful. I was stealing only the leftovers from a local butcher shop when he found me. Before I could get caught, he took me in and gave me something to eat. I didn't know how to repay him, so I thought I would offer him the one thing that I know every man wants. He just laughed at me and shook his head, before providing me with a warm bed to sleep in.
When I woke up the next morning, he finally told me what he really wanted. Callen was looking for a partner, someone that would never betray him. Of course, I accepted right away. From that day on, I have always had a roof over my head, food in my stomach and he never asked me for anything in return except for me to do my job.
Slowly but surely, Callen started to take a piece of my heart. Some of my best memories are with him, not that I would ever admit that. One, in particular, stands out to me and will forever be my favorite. Callen and I pretended to be a married couple by the names of Dayna and Kalin Yoran, in order to get a pretty good chunk of money for this rich woman who was visiting District Two from the Capitol. That was the night that I realized that Callen would always have a part of my heart.
For my most recent job, I got a spot in the training academy. I love training, I love to know how to defend myself. It could really be put to good use if one of my late night meetings with the men of District Two takes a bad turn. When I started training, though, I started to question everything.
Part of me wants to stay with Callen forever, never leave his side. He has given me a perfect life. I would never want him to think that I was betraying him by leaving. The other part of me wants to take my own path and find my way. I've been on my own before, so I know the ropes. I spend most of my time these days hoping that something will happen that will lead me towards a decision.
Last night, I was laying in my bed thinking about what to do, I closed my eyes and saw my sisters face. Suddenly, I knew what I had to do in order to find her, I needed to volunteer. If I won, I would have my sister back and Callen and I wouldn't have to hurt people anymore. It seemed like the perfect solution. I take a deep breath in the mirror and tighten my dark brown ponytail. The yellow dress that I'm wearing makes my darker skin pop, I think I look pretty darn good. I walk into the living room and find Callen sitting cross-legged in a green armchair.
"Callen, I need to talk to you," I start, getting shy and nervous all of a sudden.
"Sit," he motions for me to sit on the arm of the chair as he sets down the book he was reading.
"So.. I have decided that I'm going to volunteer before you say anything, just hear me out. I would have the opportunity to find my sister and we would be set for the rest of our lives if we won.. We-" I start, but he interrupts me mid-sentence.
"Gillian, I have told you time and time again, I don't wish to change who I am. You are more than welcome to volunteer, but I refuse to change any part of me for you," she says with a straight face before looking back down at his book.
The words that he speaks hurt, but that is our relationship. He saved me, I feel like I have feelings for him but I know our relationship is strictly professional. Of course, he is always there for me when I need a hug or something, but that's it. Our relationship is extremely dysfunctional, but I wouldn't change it for a thing.
Volunteering is still going to be what is best for me as a person. I need to take my own path and learn how to be alone again.
One night and one more time
Thanks for the memories
Even though they weren't so great
Nolan Durala, 18
District Two male
"Are you sure you have to do this?" Jaylil asks, twirling her hair as she watches me train. She is sitting on top of one the big blue mats.
"Jay, some people are just naturally good at things, and in my case, this is one of them," I reply, punching the punching bag repeatedly.
I'm just one of those people who is just good at everything, I didn't ask for this to happen, it just did. It creates a lot of problems, really. Everywhere I go, people stare at me. Whether it's because of my insanely attractive face or just the essence of talent that pours from my bones, I'll never know. Moral of the story is that shit gets's old.
"You know, a lot of people train. Just because your dad is the trainer here, doesn't mean you are automatically the best out of twenty- four," she says rolling her eyes and crossing her arms over her chest.
"Excuse me?" I shoot daggers at her with my eyes. Who does she think she is saying that I'm not the best to my face. If you are going to talk shit, at least do it behind my back. "This is why you are just a side chick," I smirk at her and continue to punch the red cylinder. She huffs and walks away quickly, but not before getting in one last insult.
"And you are just a pretentious and disappointedly below average sized white boy. I hope you die in there," she says tossing her dirty blonde hair over her shoulder and strutting out.
I roll my eyes and punch harder.
"Ah, nerves must be taking over, you are being extra snarky today," my dad says, patting my back.
"I don't get nervous," I say throwing the gloves to the side and wiping the sweat from my brow.
Training with my dad every day has basically forced us into a pretty close relationship. I love it, though, it's nice to have someone that just gets me. My mom and I have never been very close. Her biggest concern in life is that she is about to turn forty years old and she doesn't want people to know it. We never hang out because honestly, we both know we have better things to do. We don't beat around the bush.
People in this district are ungrateful, my presence is something that needs to be appreciated. It's not every day that you come across someone as endearing as me. Maybe after I make it out of the arena, people will start to see that. I am volunteering whether people in my family like it or not, and the rest of the tributes will be graced with my presence.
I throw on my favorite muscle tank and a pair of red cargo shorts, before slipping into my Adidas sandals and throwing my drawstring bag onto my shoulders, and head to the reapings.
When it comes to love, you're an easy fight
A flower in a gun, a bird in flight
It isn't fair and it isn't right
To lead you on like it's all alright
Gillian Donnan,18
District Two female
"Are you absolutely sure that this is something that you need to do?" Callen asks me, standing in the doorway, watching me straighten my long hair.
"I would never forgive myself If I didn't at least take the opportunity to find my sister," I say tightening the back of my silver earring.
"You have everything you need here, though, don't you? I have given you a great life, haven't I?" Callen asks me, leaning against the doorframe.
"Of course, you have, I can never even express how much I appreciate everything you have done for me. You gave me a life when I didn't even want to live, Callen. But I need to know who I am and I need to go down my own path. You understand that, right?" I walk over to him and wrap my arms around his neck. He hugs me back briefly before backing away.
I spin one last time in the mirror, sending my white dress in a circle. I strap my heels on and head to the reapings.
The line is really long. I look around and see a lot of different emotions. Some faces are excited, others are terrified, but the majority just look like they are ready for this whole thing to be over. I get my finger stamped and head to my rightful place in the eighteen-year-old section.
It seems like it takes forever for the escort to come out onto the stage, but when she does, I wish she would go back to where she came from. She has her hair piled high on the top of her head, forming some type of beehive. Her lips are a putrid shade of green and she is wearing a purple and green striped singlet.
"Welcome to the lovely District Two! My name is Quartz Reynard and I will be the escort for our lovely tributes. I know that right now you are probably feeling like you are stuck in between a rock and a hard place, but I promise this will be a great opportunity. She laughs at her own district two puns and continues speaking.
"Well, let us get right to it, shall we?" She skips over to the big glass bowl and sticks her arm all the way in, ruffling the pieces of paper.
"Athena Monroe!" A girl with long brown hair cries out and loses her balance.
"I volunteer as tribute!" I shout. The girl looks at me as I walk up to the stage with gratitude in her eyes. I walk up to the stage and shake this weirdos hand. The whole time, seeing my sister's face in my head.
"What is your name, you gorgeous girl?" she extends the microphone in my direction.
"My name is Gillian Donnan," I say with a fake smile.
"Do you have anything that you would like to say?" She asks.
"I'll find you, Maggie, I promise!" I say, looking directly into the camera. Quartz gets a confused look on her face, before skipping over the males bowl.
"Dex Martin!" she shouts, extending her arms.
"I volunteer as tribute," an attractive boy with dark hair and striking blue eyes emerges from the crown. He smiles over at the female side the whole way up to the stage.
"Young man, what is your name?" she asks.
"Nolan. Nolan Durala," he blows a kiss to the audience before retreating to the other side of the stage.
"Please give a round of applause for your District Two tributes!" She says raising our hands into the air.
I dread the conversation that is about to follow inside the building, but my excitement is growing more and more by the minute.
Hey y'all. :)
Here are the District Two reapings! I really hope you like these two as much as I do. Thanks so much to Annabeth-TheTributeThatLived and LokiThisIsMadness for these amazing additions to my story.
So, the blog is done and I will leave the link below, but please remember that this is my story and that gives me the right to do what I want with the districts. I didn't completely follow the rules. :P (Rebel asf.) I picked the tributes that I thought I would write well and that would make for a good story line, so please be nice. :)
selfportraithg . weebly . com
Let me know what you think! :)
Thoughts on these two?
Predictions?
Do you like the arena?
Love you all.
XOXO
Jenna.