This story will contain: LGBTQ people, Transphobia, mental disorders such as Depression, Anxiety, DID, multiple personalities, Suicidalness, cutting, discrimination, Diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease, etc. Loss of one's senses, Sexual Assault, people of color, eating disorders, Dyslexia, ADHD, Pregnancy etc.
Trigger Warnings: Transphobia in 3rd POV
District 8 Reapings
~Near, far, wherever you are
I believe the heart does go on
Once more you open the door~
Dorothea Winifred (17), District 8
Dorothea sat ideally at the window, content about looking outside. She was bored, and she didn't really want to read all the fantasy books that she already read for the fifth or tenth time. She probably could memorize all the words and the events that would happen, and the predictable plot twists, but she still indulged in the imagination that the books held. Though slaying a dragon sounded fun, and excited. Saving the village from the fire breathing dragon, sounded fun, and she probably would do it in a heartbeat. She didn't want to sit as a simple housewife- staying at home cooking meals, dressing up in dresses, and pleasing her husband, Leroy; she was just contempt of doing those sorts of things.
It wasn't like she would go up to her family and say she wanted to do something more with her life, but to them she was probably suffering from hysteria. Though Dorothea once aided a robbery, tossed necessary papers off building's roof, going on a joyride, and getting whipped after saving a boy that looked exactly like Leroy: red locks, hazel eyes and tanned skin with a bit of a healthy build to him. But it was the boy's thick accent that ruined it, and it reminded Dorothea about Xandra, Delphea's girlfriend, but the boy was from two, and Xandra was probably from a foreign kingdom that was thriving outside of Panem, now that would be cool. No one really knew what lies outside Panem besides the ocean, maybe one day in the future she would discover what lies beyond Panem.
"Leroy's here!" Mother, Cosma, cried. Dorothea wanted to grimace, but she refrained herself from doing so. I wasn't that Dorothea minded Leroy, but she found him a little boring for her tastes. Her arranged marriage partner, and their wedding was to take place soon after her reaping is over with. Both of them shared mutual feelings of just friends, it wasn't like there were chemistry between them, they were just friends. Grandmother foresaw that both of them were meant to be, but Dorothea didn't see that.
Dorothea didn't have many interactions with many people especially with people near her age-Leroy, Selma, daughter of a florist and Harriet, daughter of a bookkeeper, who always wanted to be an aspiring author. It was because her family clung to their reputation of being a seamstress/seamsters to the President, before that was taken over by the Capitol's seamsters and seamstresses, but once in a while, they received orders from some Capitolites, which was nice, and they usually received a nice tip because of how brilliantly done, and plus it was done within two days.
"Coming!" Dorothea yelled. Dorothea looked at the window one more time, mostly wishing that she could adventure and see what else there was, of what the world had to offer. Maybe she could explore all the across the nation, and see the sandy beaches with shells, and sometimes dark green seaweed lied. She heard the vast navy blue ocean was a site to see when it was the evening time. Though, all the novels she read made her interested in what the Districts held and the beauty of it all. Dorothea was a little bored with seeing the same stuff everyday-the constant smog made it to where she couldn't see faraway, and where she lived she couldn't see the ocean, and the boundary cut off right where the ocean was so that made her sad, but she tried not to think about it much. One day…
Dorothea walked downstairs, and smiled when she saw Leroy, composed and standing rigidly at the door. Grandmother made an aww kind of sound, and he adjusted her monical on her right eye. Her tanned skin was covered with wrinkles, but she still made an effort to smile. "I knew you two would make a brilliant couple." They were simply best friends and that was all they were. Dorothea just found him boring, and wouldn't mind choosing another partner, perhaps more exciting. She just wanted fun in her life.
"So are you ready for today?" asked Leroy, his hazel eyes looking into her green ones. He held the door opened for her, and she smiled, he was always such a gentleman to people.
"A bit. Yeah, I'm a bit nervous to volunteer, but this is for the best," Dorothea responded back. She was planning on volunteering, yeah maybe she'd be gambling her life away, but Leroy agreed to her volunteering this year. Both of them been talking it over, ever since last year when the twelve-year-old female was reaped and killed off from the very first day.
"You know we're going to miss you, right?" Leroy said after a moment. He held a look of concern in his eyes which Dorothea gave a small smile.
"Yeah. You know how much I dislike living my life prim and proper, and all that stuff." She made a disgusted look, but continued walking. "I just want to live my life differently. I don't like that you're going to be my future husband, and it seems how much my family loves arranged marriages. I would rather slay a fire-breathing dragon that murdered my whole village instead of being a stupid housewife, and I'm too contempt of being one."
"I bet you would make a useless one when we become 'family'." Leroy laughed at that, which Dorothea lightly punched his arm which he only grinned at her response.
"Very funny," she said dryly, returning her gaze to the Town Center where already a massive crowd was standing in line to get checked in. Her last reaping. Dorothea was sad about that, but with the odds against her, she would escape her arrange marriage and her prim and proper life.
~You can count on me like one two three
I'll be there
And I know when I need it I can count on you like four three two~
Auster Worthing (16), District 8
200 more days… That was how much longer Auster had to wait in order to drop out of school. It really wasn't a bad reason though it pained him to drop out; he liked school despite his issues which he always seemed to get behind on many subjects minus math, where he understood numbers a lot better for some odd reason. Sometimes, Auster felt like it was frustrating for him not being able to comprehend what he was reading, or really the words on the page that was just so confusing.
"What do you want to do?" His boyfriend, Troy, asked. His fingers entwined in Auster's coppery brown hair. Auster's left arm was draped on Troy's neck, while he leaned his head on his shoulder, mostly cuddling. It was what they usually done when they hung out which was considerably often. It was so weird to imagine that both of them were dating, and all they did was cuddle and just stare at space or watching whatever the hell was on TV which most of it was just pure boring. "Go outside? Get a smoothie?" He suggested.
Normally, Troy was usually quiet, especially on their dates which this probably would've been like the tenth date. Though, Auster secretly wished it was their first date all over again or well, both of them did. They were just so awkward, though Auster was glad they were together once he wormed his way into his heart as he always referred to himself for getting one date with Troy. It was awkward, but totally adorable soon after. He was glad that he mustered up the courage to ask Troy out, right before the reaping, who knows what would have happened if he didn't. Probably just staring at him all class, wishing he had the courage to ask him out.
"We could always get a smoothie. It is the reaping and who knows what will happen today. Hopefully, both of us would get spared. We shouldn't have anything to worry about!" Auster spoke. His dark brown eyes gazed at Troy's chocolate ones. Though Auster only tasted chocolate only once, he could still taste the sweetness to it and Troy's eyes always looked like chocolate.
"True. Both of us hadn't taken out a lot of tesserae, so we should be good," Troy answered back, keeping his fingers entwined into Auster's hair slightly wrapping it around his finger. Asuter smiled and slowly retracted his arm and stood up, lending Troy a hand getting up from the black sofa. The blue knitted blanket laid discarded on the floor, perhaps still warm from both of their body heat.
Auster stole the moment to kiss Troy, which Troy kissed back after a few moments. He tasted like cinnamon and sugar, probably from those snacks Auster served or well grabbed since it was right there. Soon, Troy pulled apart and whispered, "We should get going and get a smoothie unless you don't want…"
He let out a small laugh, grabbed a handful of change and walked out with Troy ahead of him. Auster considered himself lucky that he managed to get Troy's attention. Even his friends, Meliori and Marion noticed it; the way that he always seemed more focused on him than them which neither of them really minded even with Auster's disability, which they always joked about him being apart in the Capitol, and handling all the laws even with his problem. He wouldn't put it past him, and he hoped that he would grow out of it. Nothing last forever and perhaps in time, his learning disability will go away!
Both of them soon reached Trisley's Smoothie Shop that was packed with people. It was usually a quiet place where a lot of high schoolers were often here, goofing off with their friends, studying or just buying food in general. It almost seems like most of eight's population was here, but that was exaggerating. Most of them were teenagers paying for their meals, with a select few that had dirt covering most of their faces and rags for clothes. It broke his heart to see two twin boys that had a gaunt look to them and looking hungry at the way both of them gawked at the steaming at food. Auster pitied them, but he couldn't be helpless and not help them. They were just kids that were probably worried when the next time they were going to eat again.
He slowly pulled his hand out from Troy's grip, grabbing onto his very loose black dress pants that was possibly like two sizes to big for him, ones that Bartley let him borrow for today. With his other hand, he dug into his pocket and found some extra coins. He was going to pay for the kid's meals and possibly a little extra food just in case (who knows when the kids were going to eat again?). He hoped that it would brighten the kids' day and who knows, maybe their lives would change to yourmorrow. They were just going through a tough time, and it would slowly improve for them just as long as they don't give up.
Luckily, they were almost to the cashier so it wasn't that bad of await. By the time they were there, Auster ordered a green apple smoothie and some pretzels for the two kids (Troy ordered since Auster had a hard time comprehending the menu and literally thought that green apple meant mint haven which was just weird.) He walked to the two kids who were scruffing down a single peice of hamburger and was probably the only thing they could afford.
Auster handed them the bag that the pretzels were in and the boys looked up with curious expressions. The dirty-blonde hair boy took it and said a quick "thank you" to them which Auster smiled, his mind already drawing a blank on what to say.
"Your welcome," Auster responded after a few moments had pass, and he finally had the courage to say something back. "I hope you two have a marvelous day."
He turned, holding the large green apple smoothie in one hand and the other holding Troy's hand as they were sipping the drink, doing who knows what next, possibly more cuddling until the Reaping started.
~And I can be all the things you told me not to be
When you try to come for me, I keep on flourishing~
Vernon Gethou-District 8 Mentor
Vernon pricked himself with a needle as he sewed his friend, Dia, dress who somehow ripped a hole in her favorite dress and since she didn't know how to sew, Vernon was more than happy to sew it back together. He used to think that sewing was boring, but at least it helped him in life. Sewing clothes was definitely useful in life, and he enjoyed it even if his poor fingers don't. He winced, but still stuck the needle into the periwinkle-blue dress. He always liked the feel and how creative dresses can be, but this probably was his favorite one yet.
Vernon pulled out the silver needle with a bit of dark blue thread (it was the only blue he could find in his sewing kit) left, and looked at the finished result. The upper-thigh length (he was tall at 5'7, with Dia standing at 5'0) periwinkle-blue dress looked practically in brand-new condition, and he really couldn't tell where the hole and the dark blue thread was located at. He put down the dress on the brown coffee table and went to find his shoes, which disappeared once again.
He was never one for being an organizer and would probably forget his head if it wasn't already attached to his body. He didn't really seem to care, and things would turn up after a few months anyways at the latest, normally it was a few days at least when he finally found his prized possession, which was probably silly for a man to have which were simply earrings. He liked wearing jewelry and looking at dresses whenever he got out of the house, which wasn't often. Vernon preferred to stay inside cook, read and maybe work a bit on his makeup skills even if they were terrible.
He finally located his shoes and put them on, curling his metal toes to test that it truly worked. It was a habit that he couldn't stop doing even after getting a metal foot. Vernon woke up with a metal limb that worked really well, and didn't mind missing his original foot. After all, his games were a while ago-the second Hunger Games, so he had more time to adjust with his cyborg leg, which he found it cool. Once in a while, usually when he got the foot wet, he would be unable to wiggle his toes, and that certainly was a hassle to let it dry off.
He grabbed the dress and his wallet, hoping to find some pastries around town for himself. Normally, he would bake them, but did he somehow misplaced every single ingredient to make sugar cookies, one of the many cookies he liked, and somehow ran out of eggs along the way. That was how careless Vernon was, which could be a reason why he currently had like a watermelon like belly. He had a major sweet tooth and plus Vernon found exercise to be quite boring.
Vernon looked up at the greyish sky, it looked like it was about to rain, but he doubted that would happen. The district was really polluted and always caused smog. On some days, no one was allowed outside because of how unhealthy it was to inhale it. There wasn't usually rain in the district, always passing by and going unless there were hurricanes involved, but those were often destruction, and he was lucky enough to escape with only minor flooding so that wasn't a waste.
Soon, Vernon arrived at the Gothic house that Dia lived. It reminded him of all those comics that he read with some of them setting in all creepy, goth like mansion, but luckily it just looked depressing on the outside, and was happier in the inside. Vernon loved it especially as a little kid. He considered Dia's family as his second family and called them mom and dad respectfully, and they didn't care what Vernon's gender was, usually saying that genders didn't confine anyone to that gender which made Vernon love them, and plus they always treated him as a son they never had.
He knocked on the door and rightaway, Julianna, his second mother showed up. Her dark chubby figure still looked the same and her black Afro hair was pinned into what it looks like in a bun, but clearly failed. She wore her normal big-framed glasses and her normal flora clothes. "Vernon what a huge surprise!" she exclaimed. Her full lips perked into a smile that shown her white buck teeth. "You should have told us you were coming! You're getting big, you certainly aren't pregnant right?" she accused which Vernon laughed.
"I'm bisexual like any other people, mom! Just because I have a vagina still, it doesn't mean I like spreading my legs when I have sex and I'm still a virgin. I'm a male and therefore, I identify myself as a man."
"Oh I know, probably because I have Alzheimer's Disease. This disease is keeping me from being sane. I literally forgot that Dia was my second eldest daughter. I mixed Dia and Keeva up this morning, and they probably hate me… Ooh, come in. Do you want to have some homemade rolls? I whipped up another batch this morning and well I don't know what to do with it all," Julianna rambled. If there was anything to note was that Julianna was a rambler, and would talk a lot and Vernon wasn't exaggerating. She would probably bore someone to death, if her cooking skills didn't already. Her food wasn't terrible, but she cooked for extra people, which often times went to his house or to the poor, whenever they literally was sprawled across the yard. "I could always give it to the orphanages or the soup kitchen-certainly, they need more volunteers. They often run out of food, making all those hungry people starve…"
"Yeah, um… I just came to drop off Dia's dress. I have errands to run before the reaping, so…" Vernon trailed off, unsure of what to say next. It wasn't like he had like a speech prepared or anything. He was just socially awkward to people, often saying the wrong thing which always received backlash no matter what he said. "I'll see you later." He really hated doing that to her, but it was the truth. He had a few errands to run and the Reaping was in a little over an hour, hopefully he could get to a shop before they closed if they didn't already.
Unfortunately, all the shops were closed, but there was one still open and it was his bitch of an ex-girlfriend's shop and ended on not on speaking terms level, like literally. Vernon gulped, but opened the door. Jessamine quickly noticed him, dressed in a waitress like outfit, she strolled over to where he was standing, her nostrils flared. Jessamine's dark eyes looked at him, her long, black hair was pinned up in a neat bun with chopsticks in her hair. "What are you doing here? We don't serve trans people like yourself," She said rudely.
Vernon's bottom lip quivered, with his eyes starting to water from the hurtfulness. He should have been expecting that from her. This was why he never really go out, especially with the bitch and her hateful rumours that he was just pretending to be a male and was truly a female. But he identified as a male, and therefore he was a male, even if he still had inter-sex parts.
~The light is coming to give back what the darkness stole
You wouldn't let anyone speak and instead
The light is coming to give back to what the darkness stole~
Riven Harvins-District 8 Escort
Riven stared at the emerald ring on his finger. He hadn't taken it off ever since Lorrain gave it to him, as a goodbye present to him. She died shortly after she gave him it and it held significant amount of significance to him and Riven considered it precious and it made him even sadder that she died right before he was due to go to the train station to catch the District 8 train. He was going to bring her with him, but death caught up to her. Lorrain wouldn't want to him to mourn for her, choosing happiness then just mourn for something that was meant to happen. Maybe that was the reason why Riven hadn't chosen a date for the funeral.
Riven felt tears threatening to fall, but he couldn't bring himself to cry much less think about Lorrain. If he did it would wash away all the makeup that he managed to put on, and he didn't have waterproof mascara on him which literally sucked. By the way the clouds looked, it looked like it would rain anytime though he wasn't sure. Riven never liked traveling and escorting was the only expectation. Riven didn't take the advantage to travel when the District borders were open before the Dark Days happened which was just fine by him. He would rather read comic books and watch anime instead of doing something else.
Riven stood up, bearing a Cheshire cat like smile and walked out. He shooed away anyone and beamed as he saw the population of District 8. As soon as he stepped outside, a large crack of thunder went off which he ignored, just as long as it wasn't lightning. He always hated lightning and after seeing one of his close friends get hit by lightning, it just scarred him for life. Lightning meant getting electrocuted, and Riven didn't want that. Though he was probably seen as a chicken for fearing lightning, but he didn't mind he was a geek though.
Riven did all the normal things-introduced himself, introduce the Mayor, than the video. He thought it went quicker than last time or it was probably because his mind was slipping somewhere instead of focusing on the task he was supposed to do. He looked at the solemn faces before taking a deep breath and dipped his washed-away green hand into the right Reaping bowl where the female names lied.
"Millicent Rexon!" He cried out.
A small girl with a pug look and crazy hair stepped out of the fourteen-year-old pen, but the girl looked like she was only eight. She let out a huge sob before someone walked forward, not even looking back to the reaped tribute. The different girl had on an elegant blue dress that had green highlights and brown tights.
"I volunteer!" The girl shouted. Her blonde hair was combed neatly and parted on the right side, where a pair of green eyes looked at him. It was always uncommon for someone to volunteer especially in District 8, where there was only one Victor. No one usually dared to volunteer as it meant being suicidal. Out of eighteen tributes from the previous years, one came out. "Dorothea Winifred, age seventeen!" She cried out before Riven had a chance to even question what her name was and how old she is.
He turned to the attention of the left Reaping bowl as soon as Dorothea stepped onto the stage. He opened the white slip and spoke, "Auster Worthing!"
A slight movement happened from the sixteen-year-old section where a boy stood, trying to untangle his hand from what it looked like to be his boyfriend, but Riven knew better to assume. For all he knew, the boy-Auster had a good friend, and he didn't mind hand holding in public and possibly labeled as gay though Riven didn't particularly have a preference on genders if he ever dated. Auster was stoic, and he still had his dark brown eyes widen in fear perhaps, or it was simply just shock, Riven didn't know. The tributes reactions were usually different, but they always ended up unhappy which Riven would agree on. He wouldn't want to do anything against his will, and maybe that's how all the tributes felt besides the volunteers.
The boy was trembling and his bottom lip was quivering. He looked so terrified, and probably wished that he didn't get reaped, but life didn't work that way. Life was unfair, if life was fairer that he would have had his family including Lorrain back to keep him company. But what happened next made Riven wished he didn't witness and reaped the frightened sixteen-year-old.
Auster's black dress pants fell off him revealing his boxers before he grabbed them and put them back on, his pale freckled cheeks flushed a deep red, and tears dropped as Auster looked at the black stage floor. Poor kid... Riven thought as he tried not to look at neither of his tributes and stared back at the crowd which it seemed like all the eligible looked happy to be spared this year. He kept his tone neutral as he spoke,
"Our tributes for this year-Dorothea Winifred and Auster Worthing of District 8!"
~You'll always have my shoulder when you cry
I'll never let go
Never say goodbye
You know you can~
Auster Worthing (16), District 8
Auster felt mortified that his pants fallen off him. He just wanted to turn invisible at the sheer amount of embarrassment that coursed through him. Who ever heard someone dropping their pants in shock? He knew what he was getting into when he asked Bartley for some clothes. He just wanted to wear something nice for the reaping, or well it was mandatory to wear something nice. Oh well, it was the past now no need to get worked up over something. The past was the past, and he had to live in the present.
Auster tried to keep his trembling down as he sat in a plain room with only a few chairs in the room. He sighed as he looked up to see his older sister, Eliza, and her husband, Bartley. Eliza was only six years older than him, and was the first to move as soon as she turned eighteen. Usually when Eliza came to visit, she often said that she wanted children to make their family complete, but both of them were fearful because of the Hunger Games and with him getting reaped was a reminder that no one would be spared, or maybe a few families would be.
"Nice way to make an impression," Bartley joked which a glare from Eliza was received. Bartley ignored the look and continued on, "Anyways… How are you doing?"
"Terrible," Auster admitted, his voice quivering. Auster was still trembling and he doubted that it would stop soon, but he didn't mind. It would go away once he felt calmer instead of being afraid.
"It's alright to be terrible. Mostly everyone is though with that incident, it would probably help you out more in the arena," reassured Bartley, his hands touching his face, affectionately.
"Thanks," Auster murmured, meeting Eliza's eyes who only gave a small smile. He could tell that Eliza was trying to hold back tears-trying to remain strong while Auster went into the Hunger Games, with only a small chance of survival. Auster hoped he would come out alive, and he believed in himself that he would. This was certainly a challenge that he could overcome with obstacles in the way.
"I love you," Eliza murmured, as she embraced him tightly. Auster hugged her back, smiling and tears threatening to fall.
"Love you too." And with that both of them left, Eliza's head leaning on Bartley's shoulder, probably trying not to cry. Auster probably knew what they were thinking, how much it would be dangerous for their child if they got one, to grow up living that they might get reaped.
Auster looked at the brown, wooden door, hoping that someone would come through which sounds obviously stupid. Of course, people would visit him and besides he wanted to kiss Troy one last time. He still had his parents, his other sister, friends and his boyfriend. It just required waiting patiently which Auster happily did until the door swung open to reveal Mom, Dad and Dorota, with mom crying. Auster hated when she cried and it usually wasn't often.
"My poor baby!" she sobbed, wrapping her hands around him. "We just saw Eliza and Bartley in the hallway while we waited for our turn. They said you were doing okay, and Troy is waiting, but we'll keep him around. He's like my third soon after you of course." she let out a laugh which Auster beamed at that. Auster already knew his mom accepted him for being gay, and didn't mind. In fact, she suspected that Auster was, which Auster didn't mind. At least he had loving parents.
"Thanks, Mom," Auster said as she pulled away after planting a kiss on his temple.
Dad smiled and hugged him which Auster gladly accepted. Even though, they didn't spend much time together they were father and son, and Auster loved him. Dad was often working and by the time he always got home, he was just exhausted without spending time with him. He understood that and didn't mind. He whispered, "I love you." and patted his shoulder.
Dorota was the only one who hadn't said anything, but she had her head down as she walked towards him. She was clearly upset, and it usually was often where she would get upset. Dorota wanted her Independence and often grew annoyed by having to share, but was working away to her I, instead of living with them. Auster didn't mind and only kissed her on the cheek after hugging her when she approached him.
"I love you," Auster murmured which Dorota smiled and kissed him back.
Soon, all three of them had to leave and Auster was alone for a short time. The door opened to reveal Troy, Meliori and Marion. Marion's blue eyes met his and raced to him, giving him a bear hug and almost knocked Auster down to the hard, concrete floor.
"I love you! I love you! I love you!" Marion said, saying the same thing over and over again. It was typical for Marion to do that, always hugging and saying I love you over and over again. Auster didn't mind, it was what made Marion unique and an awesome friend. She was special and didn't bother hiding anything from anyone, she was an open book. "I'm going to miss you! You shouldn't be here in this position! And you're probably going to die!"
Auster reassured her, "I'm not dead yet, and I'm pretty sure I still have a chance. I could still win." It was the truth, Auster didn't count himself out. He may not have all those training the careers usually have, but that didn't mean he counted himself out.
Troy and Meloiri had to peel Marion off of him so they could say goodbye which Marion only blushed and went to lean next to the door. Troy embraced him and gave him an awesome kiss that Auster doubted he would forget anytime soon, that was how much Auster liked it. Luckily, he had something to remember Troy by-a small piece of Troy's handkerchief that Auster accidentally ripped off.
"You shouldn't be afraid of this," Meloiri said. "Don't be weak, or maybe you should. Find some good allies, and stay away from the bloodbath," she warned. Meloiri was basically the leader of the group and always stood her ground. She was almost a feisty one.
"I'll miss all of you," he said, just before they left and Auster was left alone.
~Love can touch us one time
And last for a lifetime
And never let go till we're gone~
Dorothea Winifred (17), District 8
"I can't believe you volunteer! You messed up your future plans!" Grandmother squawked as soon as she stepped into the room. Dorothea looked down to her feet, not wanting to meet Grandmother's fiery expression. Dorothea often hated when she yelled when something doesn't go right, but perhaps it was the reason why she is so strict, and sometimes upheld superior rules to the family.
Dorothea tried to look at her family who was scowling at her especially her mother. Cosma was always upbeat and chatty to anyone, making friends quickly and knew connection.
"Why did you volunteer?" Mother demanded, placing her hands on her hips as she gazed at Dorothea.
"I wanted something else to do. I was tired of living the same life," Dorothea said, only telling half of the information of why she volunteered. She knew of how her family would react, and was prepared for the outrage. Even though, her family wasn't strict, and grandmother being in charge of the household, Dorothea knew they would probably be disappointed with her for volunteering for something suicidal.
"I'm proud of you, sis," Jarren said which Dorothea smiled. Jarren was usually the understanding one and did his usual hobbies-ping pong, and swimming even though he's sensitive to the temperature. It had to be perfect for him, especially with his condition.
"Thank you," Dorothea responded.
Dorothea went on and gave hugs and kisses to her family members that were in the room-dad, mom, grandmother and Jerren. She wanted to say goodbye to them and Dorothea already knew that she wouldn't be heading back. This is what she volunteered for, and Dorothea didn't mind if she didn't come back. She whispered "I love you." before they left, leaving Dorothea alone for a few minutes before her Xandra and Delphea showed up.
Xandra was the only thing keeping Delphea standing up as Delphea continued to sob in Xandra's shoulders.
"I can't believe you volunteered!" Delphea sobbed which Dorothea grimaced.
"If you're going to scowl me, save it," She said coldly. Dorothea was tired of people just scowling her for wanting to do something else, she was her own person.
"I'm just going to miss my little sister! You shouldn't be going." she cried on until it was time for them to go. Dorothea sat down and waited for her friends-Leroy, Selma, and Harriet. Harriet was just standing there awkwardly by the door until Selma finally said something.
"I knew you were going to do something like this! I can't believe you never told me!" Selma whined, which Dorothea smiled at the comment. She didn't want to tell her friends, probably because she was afraid of how they may react. "Also, Leroy was being a bitch earlier. He annoyed me and I wanted to punch him." she voiced.
"Hey!" voiced Leroy who looked insulted to what Selma had to say. Even though, Selma tended to act like a bitch, she was a good friend to have.
"I'm going to miss you," Harriet whispered which Dorothea turned her attention to her. Harriet was always the quiet awkward one, but she was loveable. Only Leroy hadn't said anything, but Dorothea doubted he would since she already said goodbye to him earlier before the reaping started.
Their time was up quickly, and it ended during their discussion about things other than Dorothea volunteering for the Hunger Games, and Dorothea was left alone.
What did you guys think of these two tributes? Both of them gave me hell as I tried to write them, but I managed. I hope I did both of them justice! Drop a review down below!