A/N: Celtic here! I'm excited that this story is taking off, finally! Enjoy the reaping!

Cartier Candelaria, District 1 Male- CelticGames4

I wake up this morning and don't recognize the bedroom I'm in. Well, I guess it's pretty normal for me to not recognize the bedroom that I wake up in. Today, though, it's not because I'm waking up next to anyone unfamiliar, for once. No, I soon recognize where I am, and today it fills me with joy.

I'm at the training center. Today I volunteer for the Games.

The Capitol's been throwing all kinds of excitement for this year's Games in all our faces, and honestly I've been reveling in it. The lights, the fame… It's a guilty pleasure of mine, but I dream of what it might possibly be like to have people all over the nation knowing who I am. And today's the day it all begins.

I get out of the small twin bed that's a guest room of the Training Center for all the young wannabes who want to volunteer for the Hunger Games. I remember the lock-in that's been a tradition since… Since the Games even before… those times. The times that we don't talk or learn about in school, the times that if you want to know anything about you have to put in a lot of effort. I know basically nothing about those times. There really is no reason to learn about them.

The designated volunteers are allowed to be locked into the Training Center for one last night of the most critical training before the big day. The volunteers are allowed to invite whoever they want, but this year I didn't have anyone. I don't really like to allow people into my personal life, even though somehow I always get tipsy enough to think it's a good idea. I didn't crash until 1 in the morning, and have to be up around 7. The reaping starts at 8:30 sharp, and I need some extra time to get ready.

I get out of bed and go to the small little guest bathroom to pee and wash my face and brush my teeth. I flip the dirty blonde hair out of my eyes and look in the mirror. I'd be lying if I told you I really liked my body. In all honesty, I'm just not satisfied with it. I'm fairly muscular but it's not really noticeable.

I turn away from the mirror rigidly and go back to the bedroom, where my clothes are waiting for me. I put on khaki pants and a belt (because they're way too big for me) and layer up before putting on a nice dress shirt. The red bowtie really adds to the outfit, going in its correct place around my neck.

I comb my short hair away from my eyes as best as I can and then hold myself up nice and tall. Nobody would take me seriously if I wasn't confident. The more confident I become in myself, the more people will take me seriously. And the ones that won't are just shallow and dumb, anyways. Then, I go out to the training center, where a banquet is starting to celebrate the big reaping day.

I have a lot of friends, so as people start to arrive I'm bouncing between at least five different groups of people, receiving their congratulations. It's something that should be really exciting for me, but people keep on saying things that make me upset.

"Wow, Cartier, I never thought you'd make it!"

"I can't really fathom how you outdid all those other boys…"

That kind of thing. It sucks. What makes them think I'm anything less than any other damn boy that trained here. I worked harder than them. I put in more time and effort towards learning and increasing my chances of survival than they did. I worked hard for this and fully deserve it. I wish they would just suck that up and accept it.

Suddenly, the room kind of fizzles off into silence as the female volunteer comes down the steps, looking sharp and elegant in black combat pants and a white tank top. Her brown hair is up in her usual ponytail, though it looks a lot neater than last night.

Her name? Jewel Arro. Everyone knew she was going to volunteer from the very beginning, considering her dad is a Victor and her aunt Teach is a trainer. Her aunt Teach was very helpful and gave me a lot of good advice when she was in. I admire the family, really. If I didn't get to volunteer, I would've wanted to be a trainer. They were actually very close friends with my parents, back when Jewel and I were young. I have plenty of fond memories of us playing pretend. Her favorite thing to do was play Games, an activity that I enjoyed a lot. We made a whole rotation system for who can be the Victor. Sometimes it would be us hunting for food or tributes, sometimes against each other in the final battle, sometimes one of us would be the interviewer and the other a Victor… Good times.

After some pretty significant events in our lives, our families grew apart, and so did we. We went from practically siblings to hating each other to reconciling somewhat. Right now we're kinda at that point where we talk strategy together, though we're not really best friends.

Last night, we trained together for a bit before separating and doing our own thing. My favorite weapon is knives, and that's really where I've put all my focus. She spent a lot of time with the archery last night.

She accepts the congratulations given to her with a sincere smile and walks with her head held high and confidently. She greets her friends before we get food for breakfast before the reaping. We face each other that morning when we both reach for the same croissant.

"Good morning Cartier."

I try not to seem as awkward as I really am. "Mornin'."

"Are you ready? For today?"

I allow for a smirkish smile and put a croissant on my plate. "I've been ready for a very, very long time."

"As have I." Her eloquence is very admirable. Jewel isn't all that bad of a person, really, so I'll definitely want to ally with her because she's knowledgeable and trained, and at least our District serves as one common thread.

However, as is with every year for as long as anyone can remember, there has been an alliance tagged as the "Careers." The nickname was given back during those times as an insult, but winning the Games really is a career worth working for, so the name was widely adopted through the Districts. This alliance consists of tributes from One, Two, and Four (sometimes) that train for their time in the Games and volunteer. It's usually the strongest, most powerful, and most feared group in the Games, but also proves to be the most unstable.

I like to think I can be at least a little rational at times, and stability is pretty important to me. Last night, Jewel let me in on her strategy, a plan that will be absolutely unheard of by any means and will either be widely celebrated or social suicide. When she told me about it, I was pretty hesitant. I'm still pretty hesitant. I told her to do what she wanted (I won't tell anyone her secret plan, I respect her that much) and that I'd consider it once we met the other tributes. Some years have proven to be intense and bloodthirsty, others have proven to be dull with next to no volunteers. More and more alliances have been created, which adds drama and emotional value. It's bound to be an interesting year.

Jewel gets the rest of her food and goes to find her aunt before the reaping begins.

I eat and find my little brother Soul in the crowd of younger trainees. He hugs me and gushes that he can't wait until three years go by and he'll be in my spot. I ruffle his hair and tell him sincerely that I hope the very best for him. He introduces me to some of his friends, who look so surprised that the volunteer is saying hi to them. It may sound conceited that I enjoy every second, but I'm just a little bit conceited, and I'm okay with that. After all, I have good reason to be proud today.

I find my best friend Bliss in the crowd of kids and accept her hug. Sometimes people ask if we're dating, and the answer is and always has been no. We really are just friends. She's always been there for me, and really she treats me better than some of my family members. I really appreciate having her. She flips blonde hair over her shoulder, her make-up making her cheeks rosier than usual and her eyes radiant.

"Cartier!" She hugs me. I hug her back.

"Hey!"

"Are you excited!?"

"More than words can say." Seeing her gentle brown eyes smiling makes me smile.

"I'm sure you are." Her smile becomes slightly hollow, if only for a second. I know she worked really hard trying to beat out Jewel. I'm sure she'll find a good job anyways, though, because she really is smart and very hardworking.

We share some witty inside jokes and more fun conversation before the Head Trainers call us all for a toast.

"To Cartier Candelaria and Jewel Arro, who worked hard and with dedication through their years training with us. They have exhibited the skills necessary to survive and prosper in the Games, and today is the start of their quest to bring pride to their Districts and their families. We honor you today, our courageous volunteers, and wish you the best on your endeavors. To our volunteers!"

All of the trainees hold their glasses high in the air and repeat, "To our volunteers!" Then we all drink and everyone applauds. I can't help the radiant beam that spreads across my lips. Jewel is beaming brightly as well. After the applause dies out everyone starts on their way to the reaping.

I hurry home with Soul like we promised to talk to our parents and little sister before my big moment.

My Dad greets me with a hug and tells me I look really handsome. My Mom makes a face when he says this, and I ignore her when she starts off on some really rude comments about how I'm not what she wanted, "not at all," blah blah blah and all that shit. My little sister Joy is only 5 and has pretty much been brought up to hate me, so she clings to my Mom and waves at Soul.

"I have to go. See you after during the visits!" I take Soul's hand and together we rush off to the reaping. The reaping is a day of celebration, and today's my shining moment. I've been waiting for this day for a really long time. I'm volunteering to bring pride and money to my District and family, sure, but I'm also volunteering for myself. I have my reasons.

I get my blood taken and go to the 18's section for the reaping, continuing to hold my head up high as the ceremony begins. The crowd applauds and goes along with the escort Cloelia Vale. A woman of around fifty with more plastic surgery each time we see her, her heels make her taller than anyone in the District and she's very very thin. She speaks with energy but a strict tone.

"Welcome, District 1, to the first reaping of the 97th annual Hunger Games!" she says, and everyone applauds. She smiles and the video of the Games plays in the background. I know it so well, but I'm so nervous that it seems to take forever. Soon, Cloelia goes to the bowl full of girl's names and picks a slip of paper. He reads the girl's name, and luckily it's not Jewel's that gets picked. She volunteers confidently and takes the stage.

Finally, it's time for the moment of truth. Cloelia picks the male tribute's name and all I know about it is that the name doesn't belong to me. Before anyone can protest, I yell it loud and clear.

"I volunteer!"

Everyone looks towards the girl's section at first, looking confused. My voice is pretty high, it probably threw them off. I have no time to feel embarrassed about it, though, and go through the crowd of other boys as the rest of the crowd is silent. Nobody knows how to react to the girly-sounding boy that volunteered. I walk up on the stage and hear a whistle from the boy's side that I recognize to be Soul's. Then the District bursts out into applause. I smile as I shake Jewel's hand with a tight, confident grip.

The crowd claps and cheers, and I beam brightly at the fame rushing straight to my head. Then, we turn and go into the Justice building where we are ready to say our goodbyes.

.

I sit in the Justice Building and wait for the visits to start. First, a group of people I like to party with appears to tell me goodbye. A boy with sparkly green eyes and a sexy smile (that I've slept with once or twice) gives me a hug and a wink goodbye.

After that comes Bliss. She gives me a tight hug and a bright smile.

"Congratulations!" she says, "You looked spectacular!"

"Thanks!" I say, smiling. "I felt spectacular. Though I sounded-"

"Don't worry about it." She smiles at me and my worries all dissolve. I know that it's all going to be okay.

"You were very good. I'm sure you'll do excellent in the Games."

"Thanks Bliss. You always know what to say."

She smiles. "Any time." We hug again and she buries her face in my shoulder. "Come home soon, alright?"

I smile. "Of course. Anything for you. Thanks for being there for me all this time. Through everything."

"No problem." She smiles at me and I know that no matter what she does, she'll be successful. She's Bliss, she can do anything.

"Good luck. I'll miss you."

"I'll always be with you," I say with a teasing grin.

She smacks me lightly on the arm. "Stop being so fucking corny. I'll see you in a couple weeks."

I laugh a bit and give her a last quick hug. "See you in a couple weeks."

She leaves and my family is the last to visit.

"Congratulations!" Soul says, hugging me tightly. "You looked amazing!"

"You were wonderful," Dad says, patting my shoulder with a proud twinkle in his eyes. "My mature young man, ready to fight for his life in the Games." Hearing my father say those words makes my heart swell with happiness and pride and even tears come to my eyes. I can't believe I made it here. Trust me, this isn't how I imagined my future when I was little. But I couldn't be happier. No regrets.

My Mom stands off in the corner, looking disgusted. "I wanted you to volunteer for the Games, but never like… This." She pulls a face.

I roll my eyes at her. "I'm really fucking sick of dealing with your shit, alright? I'm sorry I'm not what you wanted but your dumb snide bitchy comments aren't going to fucking do a thing to change it!? You got what you wanted! Now just stop bitching at me about it!"

"Language!" she scolds. I give her the finger. My Dad gives me a strict look as Joy starts asking, "What's that mean?"

Soul seems to be trying to sink into the floor. He looks awkward and very uncomfortably out of place, which is honestly exactly how I felt when she first began bitching at me. Eventually I learned that it doesn't matter and if she's going to bitch about me then that's her own problem. It just doesn't affect me anymore because I just don't respect her anymore. I don't care what she thinks.

"Good luck, Cartier," Soul says, hugging me and feeling really tense and awkward at my Mom's displeasure. "Thanks Soul."

My Dad hugs me tightly, patting me on the back. "You've matured into the best young man you could be. You will be a good Victor. Be safe, be proud, don't let them get into your head. Understand?"

"Yes sir." He ruffles my hair and I laugh a bit. "Love you guys." I pat Soul on the head and give my Dad a last tight handshake before Peacekeepers escort them out of the room. My Mom and sister leave the room without as much as a goodbye, not like I care. Hopefully Soul keeps working on at least Joy for when I get home. It'll be a slow process but hopefully it will work.

So, I guess you've been wondering why some people treat me so poorly, right?

Have you figured it out? If you didn't, good. That means I passed and nobody noticed. If you're confused, well, so are most people who meet me, so you're not alone.

Let's just say I'm the first male volunteer from District 1 that still has periods every month.

Jewel Arro, District 1 Female- Wolfie McCoy

The lock-in is way more fun when you are actually invited instead of forced to stay in your room while all the volunteers get to train and socialise all night. It is an all-night event that consists of socialising, training and drinking, although the last is done in secret by the less serious volunteers. A tradition that dates back to the first volunteers, it was nice to know that I could be a part of it. While most socialised, I and a few others decide to train.

I spend some time alone practising with my whip, then I train with some people I know at the shortswords, but my favourite part of the evening was shooting bullseyes with my bow and arrow. Breaking my speed record of four shots in a second, I'd say it is turning out to be a good evening.

I see a few of my fellow trainees at the lock-in. Ruby, Sapphire, Jasmine, and Cheer… Make that Cartier. It's the first time I've seen him in a while. He is the obvious male candidate for this year so I take a good long look at my not-so-close friend. He muscled up a bit. It's a pity him and I won't be team mates, but maybe it's for the best. With the plan I have I don't think I'd want to have as one him anyway. We used to love the games so much we'd pretend together. And when we were the right age we trained together but that's all in the past now. The only time we talk to each other is the few awkward times we are paired together in training like last night at swords, but that was in bitter silence. Thankfully swords ended quite quickly because I had gone to shoot arrows. When lights-out is put in place everybody goes to sleep, but I go to bed later than most to help clean up. By two a.m. I am out cold.

First light manages to creep up on me through the space between my curtains, damn curtains. But it is seven thirty anyway, time to get up. Groggily I put on my black combat boots with the pants to match; I then put on a simple white tank top and a ponytail that was just as simple. Looking in the mirror I saw a simple girl with simple clothes and a simple face, light brown hair and blue eyes looked at me and probably saw the same thing. Despite all this, I was anything but simple.

I go down for breakfast to see that almost everyone is already grabbing food, so I decide to join. Although I would have preferred to grab something and go, I decide to grab some food to sit and eat. I reach for a croissant which some idiot simultaneously tries to grab. Of course it just had to be Cartier. Murphy's Law, damn it. He congratulates me on my record (which means he was watching me) which I accept with the best smile I can put on. "Good morning Cartier," I say smoothly enough. "Mornin'," he mumbles in reply. "Are you ready?" I ask, it sounds a bit stiff so I add, "for today?" He tells me that he had been ready for a long time which is good because I tell him, "As have I."

I eat my breakfast while reminiscing over my old friendship when my aunt, and trainer, Teach launches the keys across the room to me and, in a sing song voice, tells everyone to get out. I love this woman, but I'm not dumb enough to stand there and simply love her when I got a command. I unlock the door and then proceed to be on my way.

A few of my fellow trainees greet me on the way, and all wish me luck. Obviously worried what I'd do if they didn't, but I appreciate it regardless. I give them the simple smile I always do and move on.

I sign in and smile when they prick me to get the blood sample; it is cute seeing all the others flinch. Obviously untrained or not trained hard enough. That was probably my least favourite part of training, pain tolerance. Getting hit and cut and occasionally shot with arrows, I trusted Teach but damn, it hurt like hell. So this prick? Nothing.

I get into line by the u/18 Females area. On my left, some merchant's child obviously waiting to leave, on my right: Sapphire. The look on her face when I growl at her is priceless; she can tell that the games are my right. Considering the fact that my dad is Midas Arro, winner of the 77th, and I was raised by the district's most competent trainer makes this year's games my reward. No. My birth right.

Sitting on stage are the mentors for this year. Sheen Harlow, youngest damn career to volunteer and live. He won his games at fifteen and is currently one year older than me. Really hope I don't get him… Then there is Iunia Sele, a victor that I admire and am practically related to due to her being friends with my dad. She won at sixteen using the fact that she was underestimated to her advantage and took everyone out one by one.

Our mayor gives the speech that I (read as "district one") could not care less about and then we watch the film about the "dark days". I could just kiss the person who started that rebellion, because without it I would be living without the games. And that would be no fun.

Mister Mayor Man then proceeds to call up Cloelia Vale. Personally I think she's a bit old for this job, at the ripe age of fifty, nobody would be interested in her… but she's brought home more victors than I wish to count including Dad, so she knows what she's doing. Still doesn't mean I have to like her.

"Time to announce our tributes for the 97th hunger games!" she cries out in a voice that reminds me of the 9 year old trainees when the get hit for the first time. "Tracy Irvi-" she begins when I throw my hand up in the air with the two words I've been internally repeating all day, "I VOLUNTEER!"

Without so much as a blink she calls me up to the stage where I gaily skip towards, although I could be floating, not too sure. Once at the front I grab the mike out of her hand and yell, "I am Jewel Arro, the winner of these games!" She takes the microphone back and then walks to the boys bowl, reaches in and reads the slip. "Nestor Granite," she says, this time showing surprise as nobody says—"I volunteer!" a somewhat high pitched voice in the males section squeals. Damn it, Cartier. Could you not have tried to at least sound deeper? He walks up to the stage wearing a smile as well as some good clothes. "I am Cartier Candelaria," he announces. I am annoyed at the fact that he out-dressed me so when we are told to shake hands I squeeze a bit tight to assert dominance.

At the waiting room the first person, unsurprisingly, is Aunt Teach. She may have been eccentric but when she walks in dressed like a Capitolite 6 year old that got to dress itself… well, I am a little more than surprised. "Like it?" my somewhat nutty aunt asks. "You look ridiculous" I reply attempting to contain my laughter. "And you look like a boy," she snapped, which was followed by a giggle. After a good laugh we had a little chat until the peacekeeper said it was time to go, she then hugged me tight and wished me luck, although she knew I didn't need it.

Outside the door I hear a peacekeeper say that I have another visitor, which surprises me, but I assume it is somebody trying to befriend the next victor. Obviously the emotion the courses through my veins when I see a previous victor is surprise. "Hi, dad…" I stammer while trying to stand straight and look presentable. He walks toward me and I don't know what to expect, but it sure as hell isn't a hug. "I can't believe that even though I was never there, you followed in my footsteps. I was hoping not to influence you to try and volunteer, those games are hellish. Fun maybe but it can hurt to see a friend die." He must be talking about his district partner. "Leaving you with your aunt Teach probably wasn't the best way to go about doing it. Listen, you don't know it but I've seen you train; you're good enough to do this. Teach has told me how much like me you are in training, so you've got this. What's your strategy?" He has given me a bit to wrap my head around but I decide to be blunt. "I'm not going to.—" I get to say before a peacekeeper walks in and tells us time is up. Midas… Dad hugs me again. His last words to me being, "Pick the house next to mine!"

The last batch is the one I didn't want, the wannabe friends. I act politely enough and they have to leave before it gets too bad. Everyone who has spoken to me believes in me. What's the point in letting them down?