Dahlia Rowan POV
Life is good when you're perfect. It's a bowl of cherries when you're pretty, smart, athletic, popular, and simply the best. It's even easier when it's so simple to make other people look bad. People never suspect such a sweet little angel is the one who swiped their test or spread a nasty rumor. I can't help it I need to be the center of attention.
I put on the new dress I got just for the Reaping. I was dark pink with a frilly skirt.
"You look wonderful, honey," my father said.
"You look like a powderpuff," my big brother Spearmint said. I stuck my tongue out at him and swept off.
I found my way to the Reaping a few seconds late. I had to be fashionable, after all. I slid into an edge space so everyone could see me when they walked by. I noticed Fawn across the row and smiled beatifically at her. She shot me a hand gesture and looked away. It must be hard to be normal. Mariposa Aglet walked onstage wearing some sort of upside-down dress with rainbow butterflies all over it. It looked tres chic, but I looked better.
"Ladies first!" she said cheerfully. She reached into the bowl.
"Dahlia Rowan!" she announced.
Who, me? Why, I'm flattered, I thought as I flounced onstage. I ruffled my dress and waved at the audience. They must think this will be a piece of cake for me. And it will. Mariposa reached into the boys' bowl.
"Dante Efore!" she called.
I groaned. Not Dante. He was the most annoying twerp I'd ever known. I'd have to bring this one home for Seven myself. Dante would probably get himself killed in training. He joined me on the stage and slapped my hand with an obnoxious guffaw. I pulled my hand away like it was tainted.
My father joined me backstage. My mother would have, but she died just after I was born. She named me after the prettiest flower she'd ever seen. She had good taste.
"Have fun, Dahlia! See you soon," my father said. I gave him a hug and he left. I sat fiddling with the anchor necklace I always wore.
How shall I win this thing? I don't mind taking care of things, but it can be so messy. I'll have to find some idiot from the outer Districts and let him think he can win me. This will be a cinch.
What am I going to do when I win? I thought. I'm already fabulous. I'll be rich, too. Ooh! I can finally visit Four like I always wanted!
Hope you're ready, Capitol. Here I come.
Dante Efore POV
People call me Laser. After I rescued that group of kids from those rogue wolves, I've been pretty famous in Seven. People love to see me touring the District laying down some gold humor or solid wisdom. They always know when I'm coming, because that's when the party starts.
"Hey Beatrice, you know the Quell rules are only girls who are eight years old can be Reaped, right?" I said to my little sister.
"Nu uh. The rules are we have to vote on the contestants," my sister said without missing a beat.
"It wouldn't matter anyway," I said. "You're actually nineteen. We adopted you from the circus. You're a dwarf." She rolled her eyes and went back to her toys.
I made my way to the Reaping Center, calling out to all my friends as I went by. I used my usual voice- an exuberant shout.
"Hey, Fatface! Hey, Snoopy! How's it going, Dumpster?" I greeted my crew. They were all pretty worried about the Reaping, so they mostly ignored me. I ran to the end of a line and spanked a few people as I passed. Might as well shake things up.
"You're full of it, Dante!" someone yelled from the crowd.
"Full of awesome!" I shouted back.
Mariposa was wearing some sort of ridiculous getup as she picked out the lady Tribute. She called up Dahlia. I knew her, of course. She loved me, but there was too much Dante to go to one girl. Mariposa called out the other Tribute.
"Dante Efore!" she called.
"Whoo! Now we're getting somewhere!" I whooped. I jumped up next to Dahlia and slapped her hand. She pulled it away like she was afraid too much contact might overwhelm her. I took a huge bow after we were announced.
Beatrice darted into the room backstage towing my parents behind her.
"Dante, you're going into the Hunger Games!" she said.
"Don't worry, squirt," I said. I leaned closer and whispered. "I've been training with ninjas. I would have volunteered years ago, but it wouldn't have been fair."
"What-EVER, Dante!" she said.
"Just… keep your head on the ground, sweetie," my mother said. She kissed me on the forehead.
"Go get 'em," my father said. Beatrice grabbed me in a bear hug.
"See you soon, half-pint," I said. "Love you all."
I sat swinging my legs, waiting to go. This was going to be even better than the time I went skydiving.
These chapters seem awful short, but it's just hard to get much out of these characters. Maybe once they start interacting.