A/N: I considered trimming down the Reaping chapters I'd written already but decided against it because I like my writing and I can easily write shorter pre-Games chapters if I find that I'm writing too much. Please enjoy District 1!
Morgan Chatelaine, age 18
District 1 Female
Not every Academy trainee in District 1 swims regularly, but I hit the Academy pool for an hour every day. It's calming being in water, and it's also important in the Hunger Games to be a good swimmer. Not every Arena includes bodies of water, but ever since I was eleven years old I've realized how important it is to be prepared.
I think about the Career system as I freestyle in the pool. The Hunger Games are an unavoidable punishment for the Districts' rebellion, but the Career Academy provides tributes with a fair chance. It's better than the situation in the Outer Districts - I've watched time and time again as twelve-year-olds, sick kids, disabled tributes, and even a heavily pregnant girl from the 37th Games were forced into the Games against their will. At age eleven I pledged to volunteer for the Games once I was eighteen, to continue the thankful tradition of District 1 sending willing volunteers.
I can't help but have some doubts, though. I hate unequal fights, so I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to kill a weaker tribute. Despite my experiences with watching the Games, maybe I can be an honorable Career who only kills when she has to. But I can't think too much of that right now. I've gotta finish this lap before cooling down and then getting ready for Reaping Day Brunch.
I pant with exertion as I put on a final burst of speed, reaching the finish line a second before Cartier. He's super cute and the darling of the District 1 Academy, slated to volunteer next year. I'm crushing on him hard, but I can't tell him how I feel now, not when I'm going into the Games and he probably likes Iolanthe anyways. Maybe I can tell him once I come home a Victor.
"You wanna swim some more or just call it a day?" Cartier asks, water streaming down his bare torso.
"Where are you going?" I ask. Damn, awkward.
"That's kind of a weird question but I was just going to go home," Cartier answers.
"Are you coming to Reaping Day Brunch?" I ask. Please say yes…
"Nah, why would I?" Cartier says, chuckling. "I've got better things to do."
"Iolanthe will be there," I blurt out, wanting to see him later today.
"Well damn, I'd better come to support the chosen volunteer, then," Cartier declares, hauling himself out of the pool. I try not to stare too much as water drips down onto the concrete surface.
"Yeah, um, I'll see you there," I say. "I'm going to cool down with some breaststroke, and then I'm going to go home and get ready-"
"Sure, as long as you bring Iolanthe we're good," Cartier says, waving briefly at me before grabbing his towel and disappearing into the locker room.
I sigh as I start my cooldown. I wish I wasn't so awkward…
Alone in the pool, it's harder to focus on just the motions of my body as I cool down. My mind keeps wandering to the Games and how I have no idea who's going to join my District Partner Glitz and I in the Career Pack. I hope that the other Careers are easy enough to get along with. I'm nervous about the Interview too, because I don't like to think about the lights and the crowd. I wonder if I can still win the Games if I screw up my Interview.
Before I know it, the hour is up, and I leave the pool, sufficiently cooled down. I grab my stuff, take a quick shower in the Academy pool locker room, and head to the parking lot where my mom agreed to pick me up. I would drive myself, but my mom wants to involve herself in my Academy training, and I'm not going to have her swallow her pride.
I'll be wearing my Reaping outfit during Reaping Day Brunch, an Academy-run event that happens every year on Reaping Day. Attendance is required for the chosen volunteers and mentors, but a lot of other people, including the tributes' friends and family, often show up as well. Strike Worthington, Victor of the 7th Games and Headmaster of the District 1 Academy, personally hosts Reaping Day Brunch every year. Even though I purposefully picked something less fancy as my Reaping outfit, I'll still have to spend some time getting ready for both the Brunch and the Reaping itself.
I quickly spot my mom's car and hop in, greeting my mother. We chat on the way home, my mom expressing how proud she is of my bravery and the fact that I was the chosen volunteer.
"I hope Dad enjoys Reaping Day Brunch," I say.
"He'd better," Mom murmurs, her face falling. "I still don't understand why he doesn't want you in the Games. I keep telling him that you have the ability to win but does he listen?"
"I hope you two get along better once I come home," I say, trying to sound more confident than I actually am.
"I hope so too," Mom says. "Knowing Headmaster Worthington, I know Reaping Day Brunch will be great. Just get ready and let me know when you're done, okay?"
We reach home in a few minutes, and I waste no time in opening the garage door and greeting Sparkles, my huge, shaggy, overly enthusiastic mutt.
"Hey Sparkles, who's a good girl?" I coo, scratching my gigantic dog behind her ears. "Calm down girl, I'm happy to see you too. I'm getting ready for the Hunger Games so I'll be away for a few weeks, but I'll see you soon okay? Hey, lemme get upstairs."
I laugh to myself as Sparkles gives me just enough space to sneak past her and dart up the stairs. I know this isn't the last I'll see of Sparkles, especially because I'm going to greet her one last time on my way out, but I still hope that Mom and Dad will take good care of the lovable mutt when I'm away.
Glitz Mayfair, age 18
District 1 Male
"How do I look?" I ask my fifteen-year-old sister as I finish up my eyeliner.
"Great," Glamour says with a smile. "I don't get why you're getting ready for Reaping Day Brunch this early, though. We still have a couple of hours."
"I'm going to Ruby Albright's Reaping Day party," I explain happily, putting down the eyeliner pen. "Hey, can I have a flower crown?"
"Glitz, please don't tell me you're planning on wearing a flower crown to the Reaping," Glam says with a smile and an eye roll.
"Why not? It could be funny," I say, grinning.
"Seriously bro, don't do it," Glam says as she starts putting the makeup away. "Nobody's going to take you seriously."
"Alright, but can I at least wear a flower crown to Ruby's party for poops and giggles?" I ask, helping with the cleanup.
"I guess that's alright," Glam says, walking over to her bedside table. "Here," she says, tossing me her artificial flower crown. It's pretty, with well-made peach-colored flowers. I admire myself in the mirror as I put it on.
"Thanks sis, you're the bomb," I say, giving Glam a hug before walking out of her room.
"Glitz, you forgot your bag," Glam calls after me.
"Oh, oops," I say sheepishly as I go back into my sister's room and pick up the bag I left on her floor. "See you later at Reaping Day Brunch!"
"Of course, have fun at the party," Glam says with a smile.
I head down the stairs quietly. Hopefully my parents won't notice that I'm not where they want me to be. I sneak past the kitchen and open the door.
"Why aren't you at the Academy, Glitz?" Dad asks as I'm about to step out.
My heart drops into my stomach. My parents' high expectations are nothing new, but I wish they'd lay off me on my big day.
"I'm already really well-prepared," I say, turning around to face my father and trying to sound more confident than I feel. "I've been training for years and I worked really hard for the volunteer spot. So I think I should be able to let loose, just for today."
"Son, what are you wearing?" Mom says loudly as she joins my father at the foyer. "You can't go training looking like a girl."
"Well, I was going to go to Ruby Albright's party," I say, trying to keep my voice steady.
"You can party once you're a Victor," Dad says sternly, raising his voice. I try not to flinch as he steps closer to me and whisks the flower crown off my head. "Glitz, I'm driving you to the Academy and you are to stay there until I say you can leave."
"But I just cleaned up," I protest, "and that flower crown is Glam's, give it back."
"I'll give it back to your sister, Glitz, and hopefully she doesn't keep lending her stuff to you," Mom says as Dad hands the flower crown to her. "I'm sorry your efforts in dressing up were wasted, but that wouldn't have happened if you were training like you were supposed to."
"Can't I have this day to myself?" I ask, frowning. My father grabs my shoulder and roughly guides me towards the garage, answering the question with his actions.
I sigh as I get into Dad's car. In the Arena, I'll have to be violent, just like my father. He's never hit me directly, but maybe I can still be like him, callously hurting weaker people without a second thought. I'm still looking forward to moving out, though. Once I'm a Victor I'll be free from my parents forever. No more high expectations, no more being looked down upon for liking to feel pretty, no more yelling from Dad.
And of course, the Victors' lifestyle would be awesome too.
Christian Evanescence, age 37
District 1 Escort
It's a District 1 tradition to have the two mentors chosen for the yearly Games to be an older Victor above the age of thirty alongside a younger Victor below the age of thirty. According to Strike Worthington, Victor of the 7th Games and Headmaster of the District 1 Career Academy, this system encourages cooperation and community as younger Victors learn how to mentor tributes from their older counterparts. In addition, Strike likes to have different Victors team up every year, to teach all the Victors to be able to work together.
It's a noble thought, but here I am thinking that District 1 should prioritize winning over learning. What use is Victors learning to work together if they can't bring a tribute home? If the chosen mentors truly don't get along, it jeopardizes the entire District's chances of winning.
It's happened before, and I have a feeling that it'll happen again this year with the chosen mentors. Platinum Stone, Victor of the 16th Games, and Amazon Blush, Victor of the 39th Games, are different as night and day. Amazon, short for Amazonite, is a young woman who's trying to take District 1 away from its convention of sending good-looking volunteers. She feels that One tributes have lately gotten to be more beauty than brains and brawn, and volunteered to prove that One was capable of more than just glam and glitz - in fact, she changed her name from Shimmer to Amazon to reflect her preferences.
Platinum, on the other hand, is a traditionalist. The middle-aged man won his Games by being good-looking as well as deadly, and helped solidify District 1's reputation as a District that sent beautiful, healthy, ready volunteers. He feels that District 1 having beautiful tributes has worked wonders so far, so there isn't really a point in changing things.
Lately there's been a divide in the Academy between the traditionalists who value beauty and the revolutionaries who don't care about it. I personally think that both sides have a point, and it isn't really my place to intervene. I'm just the escort, tasked with preparing tributes for the Hunger Games. But tributes from One are always as prepared as they can be anyways, so I often feel that I'm not very useful.
Crazily enough, part of me wants to move to a non-Career District. That way, I can really be helpful to the tributes, who usually have no idea of what's coming. On the other hand, I have a lot of fans here in One, and their adoration is something that I don't want to give up.
"But the best will be good-looking as well as strong," Platinum counters, wrapped up in an argument with Amazon. "That's Glitz. He's going to win this year and prove you wrong. Mayor Wonder thinks so as well. Don't you, Mayor?"
The Mayor of District 1, an old but bombastic woman named Diamond Wonder, has been watching the mentors' argument amusedly and now speaks up.
"It's hard to say who's going to come out on top between Morgan and Glitz," Mayor Wonder says, "but I have to side with Platinum here. Our system of sending Career volunteers who are good-looking as well as strong has worked pretty well for us so far. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, you know what they say."
Amazon sighs, slumping back in her chair. "I figured you wouldn't change your mind," she grumbles, "so I'll just focus on mentoring Morgan this year. I'm pretty confident that she'll prove to be a good choice on the Academy's part."
"Hey," I interject gently, "Amazon, Platinum, shouldn't you two focus on working together? Glitz and Morgan will be part of the same alliance, after all. It wouldn't make sense to get into a competition this early in the Games."
"Good point, Christian," Mayor Wonder says, nodding. "The two of you should focus on working together to bring home a Victor for One, first and foremost."
"I guess so," Platinum concedes slowly. "I'm going to try my best to have the Victor be from District 1 this year. But I still think it's going to be Glitz."
"I wouldn't be so sure," Amazon says immediately, and I sigh because we're right back where we started. Mayor Wonder seems annoyed as well, because she checks her watch and stands up from her seat to begin the Reaping.
The crowd cheers wildly as Mayor Wonder takes the stage. She's a beloved figure in One, and her yearly speeches always make everyone excited for what's to come.
"Well, that's it from me, for now," Mayor Wonder says, wrapping up her welcoming speech. "I'll turn things over to our wonderful escort. You know him as Roger Stevens a.k.a. Captain Panem, please welcome, the beloved movie star, Christian Evanescence!"
I get up and start waving at the crowd as I make my way to the microphone. I'm sporting a simple black-and-white tuxedo this year, but I always also make sure to wear something to remind viewers of my other job as an actor. This year, I'm wearing a red, white, and blue pin of Captain Panem's iconic shield.
"Roger Stevens!"
"Captain Panem!"
"We love you, Christian!"
I smile broadly, soaking up my fans' praises. I stand in the center of the stage and wait for the applause to die down a little before speaking into the microphone.
"I'm glad to be back," I say, and the crowd goes wild again. "Hey, I love you as much as you love me, and I'm glad you all are happy to see me." I can barely hear myself over the cheers, so I speak louder. "But we've gotta meet our tributes for this year so I'd appreciate it if you guys quieted down, just so we can get this Reaping on with."
The crowd respectfully quiets down, though it's still abuzz with excitement.
"Great, thanks," I say with a smile. "Alright, let's start with meeting our female tribute."
I walk over to the female Reaping Bowl and take some time in choosing a name, knowing that it won't matter but wanting to make the Reaping more exciting for the District. I walk back to the microphone and read the name.
"Alright, will Sapphire Sheen come to the stage!"
In District 2, the chosen volunteers usually announce their intent to volunteer immediately after the Reaped tribute's name is called. However, District 1 prefers to do things another way: the Reaped tribute gets onto the stage and enjoys their few minutes of fame before the escort asks for volunteers. That's when the tribute chosen by the Academy volunteers, making their way to the stage and shaking the hand of the lucky Reaped tribute. Oftentimes, the Reaped tribute visits the chosen volunteer after the Reaping as well.
This system allows the District to really get involved with and cheer for their representative. Of course, there are hiccups when the actual volunteer ends up not being the chosen volunteer, but the last time that happened was ten years ago, before I became an escort for One.
All eyes fall on Sapphire Sheen as she steps out of the section of fifteen-year-old girls. The Reaped tribute has tan skin that's darker than average for District 1. She's wearing a long, lovely green dress and clearly enjoying being in the spotlight. Sapphire climbs onto the stage and smiles at me, pulling a little notepad from her purse.
"Mr. Evanescence, can I have your autograph?" she asks sweetly.
The crowd ripples with laughter as I smile warmly and take the pen from the Reaped girl, signing her notepad.
"Today's your lucky day," I say to the girl, shaking her hand. I then turn back to the crowd.
"Are there any volunteers?" I ask.
"I volunteer as tribute!" a loud voice calls out.
There's Morgan, the chosen female volunteer this year. She emerges from the eighteen-year-old section, dressed nicely in a blue blouse, gray jeans, and pearl earrings. Morgan trots to the stage, smiling. She climbs onto the stage and shakes Sapphire's hand.
"What's your name?" I ask out of protocol, even though I already know it.
"I'm Morgan Chatelaine," the female volunteer says to the microphone I'm holding in front of her. "And I'm happy and honored to be your tribute for this year's Games. District 1, I won't let you down."
"Alright, let's give a round of applause for Morgan," I say, presenting the volunteer to the District. Sapphire, knowing her moment of fame is up, curtsies and hurries off the stage. The crowd applauds their female tribute as I smile and make my way to the boys' Reaping Bowl. I pull out a name.
"Will Seraphin Campari come to the stage!" I exclaim.
A slim but toned boy with bright, platinum blond hair emerges from the eighteen-year-old section. He trots to the stage proudly and waves to the crowd as he climbs the stairs.
"Hey Morgs, can you believe I was Reaped?" he says excitedly to Morgan as he shakes my hand.
"Yeah, still not cool with being called that," Morgan responds, though her smile betrays her true feelings.
"Are there any volunteers for Seraphin?" I ask.
"I volunteer!" a proud voice calls out. Glitz, the chosen male volunteer, worms his way out of the eighteen-year-old section and makes his way quickly to the stage, beaming and grinning all the way. He blows a few kisses as he climbs the steps, and the crowd cheers. Glitz hurriedly and happily shakes Seraphin's hand before smiling at me.
"What's your name?" I ask.
"Glitz Mayfair, future Victor!" the volunteer says confidently as the Reaped tribute makes his way off the stage, making finger guns as he leaves. There's a brief burst of laughter before Glitz continues, "I'm going to be the very best like no one ever was, and I hope you all can support me throughout the Games. Thank you everyone!"
"Well, there you have it, District 1!" I announce proudly, presenting the volunteers to the crowd. "Your tributes for the 44th Annual Hunger Games, Morgan Chatelaine and Glitz Mayfair!"
Morgan Chatelaine, age 18
District 1 Female
I find myself frowning as my parents leave the Goodbye Room. It's pretty disheartening, having them argue in front of me when I'm about to go into the Hunger Games. But I can't let that distract me from my goal of winning. Besides, my friends are coming to visit me soon, and I don't want them to worry about me.
Sure enough, the door opens, and Iolanthe and Seraphin walk in with smiles on their faces. I smile back at my friends as they sit down next to me on the couch.
"Morgan!" Iolanthe exclaims, giving me a big hug. "You've finally done it!"
"I know," I say with a chuckle. "I'm really looking forward to representing District 1 in the Games."
"The Reaping was quite the trip, wasn't it, Morgs?" Seraphin asks with a smile. "Man, I'm so glad we're Careers because if we weren't I might be going into the Arena."
"Hey, you aren't bad at fighting and stuff," I say, grinning at Seraphin. "You may stand a bit of a chance in the Arena."
"A bit?" Seraphin says, feigning annoyance. "Have you seen my sword skills?"
"I've seen them, and I've beaten you," I say matter-of-factly. "Guess that's why I'm a chosen volunteer and you're not."
"Don't be mean, Morgan!" Seraphin exclaims, though he laughs, letting me know that I'm not being mean. "Hey, knock them out, okay? We'll be waiting for you back home."
"I can't thank you guys enough," I say honestly. "I mean, if it weren't for Iolanthe making it her personal mission to befriend me on my first day in the Academy, I'm not sure if I would even have any friends, and maybe I wouldn't be training so much that I'm picked to volunteer." I put an arm around Iolanthe and give her a quick squeeze. "So thank you, Iolanthe. I don't know what brought you to talk to the awkward girl, but it paid off, didn't it?"
"Hey, I was just trying to be friendly," Iolanthe says with a shrug. "But I'm so honored to be your friend, Morgan. I can't wait until you come home so I can be the best friend of a Victor!"
"I won't let you down," I say with a smile. "Hey guys, take care of Sparkles while I'm away, okay? She loves people and she'd really enjoy playing ball with you two."
"Of course," Seraphin says, grinning. "Your mutt's in good hands while you're kicking ass in the Games. Don't worry about that."
Iolanthe, Seraphin, and I continue chatting until the Peacekeeper at the door lets us know that our time is almost up. Then Seraphin's face falls.
"Hey Morgan, I just want to wish you good luck," he says. "I know I'm being a bit of a downer right now but keep your head on your shoulders, okay?"
"Of course," I say, nodding. "I'll make sure to make rational decisions that will help me in the Games."
"And you should probably get along with Glitz until you absolutely can't anymore," Iolanthe advises. "I know this won't be a problem because the both of you are pretty chill, but just saying."
"I see what you mean," I say. "Don't worry, guys. I'll do my best and hopefully I'll see you in a few weeks."
Pretty soon, it's time for my friends to leave, and I say my final goodbyes to them. I hope Cartier visits next, but as time passes it becomes clear that Iolanthe and Seraphin were my last visitors. I feel a little disheartened that my crush didn't find it in him to wish me good luck, but I take comfort in the fact that I probably won't need it. After all, I'm well-trained in many different areas. All I have to do now is put my training to the test.
Glitz Mayfair, age 18
District 1 Male
The door closes behind Glam, and I let out a sigh. My sister deserves the world, and I'm more determined than ever to come home and let her live with me rather than our parents. Sure, Mother and Father have never been as hard on Glam as they are on me, but once I'm a Victor and out of my parents' house who knows how they'll treat her? I think it would be nice if Glam lived with my best friend Castle and I in the Victors' Village. I definitely want Castle to move in with me because his parents are dicks, and I think he'll be chill with Glam living with us as well.
I'm expecting Castle and Lumi to visit me next, and sure enough, the door opens and Illumination Barnaby walks in with her usual frown. Lumi is technically me and Castle's friend, but she has a lot of emotional issues and is hard to get along with. I try to cut her some slack because I don't want to be mean, but I'm glad that she's visiting separately from Castle so he and I won't have our moment spoiled by her whining.
"Today sucks," she complains, plopping down onto the couch next to me. "Reaping Day is supposed to be fun but instead my mom decided to bitch at me again."
"Things aren't looking up, huh?" I say with a weary smile, not at all surprised that Lumi decided to complain about her own life rather than wish me luck.
"She complains so much, honestly," Lumi says, twirling the laurel crown she's carrying in her hand. "Like, everything is a huge issue to her and it's impossible to get along with her. Dad's not helping, either, he's really distant and he always says he's busy at work. I call bullshit, it's probably just that he doesn't like us." She groans and leans back in the couch. "You know what Mom said today? She asked me to clean my room. On Reaping Day! I told her that I'm eighteen and she isn't the boss of me, but did she listen?"
"What's that you're holding?" I ask, trying to divert the subject away from Lumi's issues.
"Oh, I was going to give it to you as your token," Lumi says, giving me a rare smile as she hands the laurel crown in her hand to me. "I know how much you like them. I hope you win."
"Thanks," I say, taking the laurel crown and placing it on my head. "I hope I win too."
"Castle wanted to visit you separately," Lumi says, crossing her arms and frowning again. "I wonder what he's up to. Does he not want to hang out with me? The two of you don't have any secrets you're hiding from me, do you?"
"Of course not," I say quickly, deciding not to tell Lumi about how often Castle and I meet up without her to talk about how hard it is to get along with her. "I'm sure Castle has a good reason. You know him, he never does anything without a good reason."
"I guess so," Lumi says with a shrug. "I wish I was as smart as him. I feel so dumb sometimes. I'm still upset about that B-plus I got on our last math test, I mean I was one percent away from an A."
Lumi continues complaining throughout the rest of her visit. By the time her time is up, I'm glad that I won't have to deal with her for at least a few weeks. Hopefully when I come home Castle and I can figure out how to end our friendship with Lumi peacefully. The thought makes me frown. I'd rather stay friends with Lumi, but we've tried helping her in the past, only for her to stubbornly refuse things like therapy. Maybe it's better if we just let her go.
The door opens again, and I smile, genuinely this time as Castle walks in. He's carrying an old antique key with a string attached to it.
"Hey nerd," I say with a grin as my best friend sits down next to me and pats me on the shoulder.
"Hey jock," Castle says, returning the grin. "Congrats on everything, Glitz. You're finally living the dream."
"Of course," I say, clapping Castle on the back. "And when I come home a Victor you can live with me in the Victors' Village. I'm not backing down on that promise."
"Thanks, bro," Castle says. He leans forward, as if to give me a hug, but changes his mind. "I would give you advice but we've been through that already, so I guess all I can do is wish you good luck and give you your token."
"Thanks," I say, "but Lumi already gave me this rad laurel crown." I look at the key Castle is carrying curiously. "What's that you've got, though?"
"Come on, you should take it," Castle says with a smile as he shoves the key into my hands. Then he grabs my face and kisses me hard on the lips.
My eyes widen, and my heart rate goes from zero to a hundred and I taste my best friend's lips. I've kissed plenty of people before, but this feels different. I don't want to lean in and make out with Castle, but I don't want to pull away either. All in all, I feel confused, but good.
Castle breaks the kiss abruptly and stands up quickly. "Good luck," he says, his face flushed as he bolts out of the room.
I'm left sitting there, stupefied as the door closes behind my best friend - or whatever he is now. I'm not sure about my feelings as a million questions race through my head, but one thing's for sure: I have to go home so I can tell Castle how I feel.
I'm definitely going to take the key instead of the crown, though, I think, removing the laurel crown Lumi gave me. That way, maybe Castle can see me wearing it in the Games and know that I'm thinking of him.
A/N: Thank you Bel0chka for submitting Morgan, our District 1 Female, and many thanks to CelticGames4 for submitting Glitz, our District 1 Male! What do you think of Morgan, Glitz, and Christian? If I wrote your character, how did I do? Please let me know what you think of the characters and the chapter in the reviews! Next up will be the District 2 Reaping, which will introduce Sequoia Clearwater and Jason Trynx.
Thanks for reading, and may the odds be ever in your favor!
