Alberta Lee, 17

District 5 Female

The ride to the train station was a quiet one. I had some time to reflect on the events that just ended. I remember the conversations I had with my grandfather, then Melody, and then Nova in the justice building. Even with my friend, I have to continue my act as the selfless volunteer sister, but it's gotten quite tiring for me. It almost seems so surreal, that it is difficult for me to not burst out laughing, as I leave the car and head toward the train.

The cameraman snapping pictures at my arrival on the train gives me a bizarre look. I tried to stay serious with my facade, but I just can't stop laughing. Maybe it just occurred to me, that I actually got away with my parent's murder, and the fact that everyone believed my little volunteer stunt at the reaping. I take a few deep breaths to calm myself down, before walking inside the train.

Due to my father's occupation, I've been in a train just like this one before, decked with chandeliers and posh seating. I take a seat at the long red sofa, and just a few seconds later, Namid walks in and sits at the far side of the sofa. Almost immediately afterwards, the train starts moving.

The first few minutes go by in a blur, and by the time we exit the boundaries of District 5, dotted with desert landscapes and windmills, I expect Namid to say at least something, but he just has his head staring down at his lap.

I slide over closer, leaving just a few inches between us, and attempt to start a conversation.

"Hey Namid! Long time, no see,"

He doesn't look at me, and just slowly nods his head. I'm gonna find a way to talk to him somehow.

"How's it going with you and Sally?"

"We're fine." He responds.

"That's good! You know I kind-"

"Alberta." he interrupts me. "I don't think we should be talking, I mean we've both been through a lot today. Let's not act like we're friends." He finally looks at me.

"I'm sorry. I'm just such a mess, I mean my makeup is all messed up because I've been crying so much. I just really need someone to talk to so I can forget about it all."

Namid is silent again for a while, and then responds again. "Okay, but can we please not talk about home right now? I need a moment to forget about it too."

I smile at him and tuck my hair behind my ear. "Okay. What's your favorite color?"

"Promise me you won't laugh?"

"It can't be any worse than mine." I reassure him.

"I like rosy pink." He says. "It reminds me of wildflowers in the spring."

"That's lovely. My favorite color is crimson! It reminds me of blood."

Namid tries hard to not chuckle.

"Hey, I said I wouldn't laugh at yours!" I remind him.

But then we both start laughing, loud enough where our escort Consus walks in, a big grin on his face.

"Looks like you two are getting along! Supper is being provided in the dining hall, where you will meet your mentor."

I take Namid's hand, and run with him down the hallway.

"Why so excited?" He asks me.

"Oh, just excited for the Hunger Games, per usual!"

Namid laughs, and I smirk at his naiveness. When I said I was excited for the Hunger Games, I wasn't joking.

Lily Tang, 18

District 7 Female

"Your nails are gorgeous." I say, looking at our escort Cimarron Boudié. They are long and heart shaped, and colored a dark red.

"Thank you!" She exclaims, clearly not bothered by the amount of times I've complimented her this afternoon.

We've been on the train for a few hours now, and we are now riding down the coast of what I presume is District 4. The sun gleams over the blue water, and it's a beautiful sight. I wonder if it will look as beautiful in the arena?

Then reality hits me. Oh. I am really going into the Hunger Games. When I was reaped, I genuinely had no reaction but shock. At least I was wearing a nice dress, but I thought only the poor kids got reaped. I'll think about my survival strategy later, right now I'm just really stoked to be going back to the Capitol.

I've tried to make conversation with my district partner, the 12-year-old, but he just ignores me. I've been talking to Cimarron a bit about the different fashion trends right now, but I can tell she is tired of me.

Earlier, I had a conversation with my mentor, Lira Wilkensen. She won her games at only 13, and I was hoping that since we're close in age she would want to talk about something, like I don't know, fashion or makeup. But no. She only wanted to talk strategy with me, and didn't even attempt to be my friend! It's times like these when I miss my girlfriend, or my friends back home.

I rest my head on the window, and stare out at the ocean, until my eyes close and I drift off to sleep.

Aaron Hamilton, 18

District 10 Male

The fried chicken on my plate is so delicious. I've never tried anything better, and I can't tell what's in here, but it tastes so much better than the stuff we eat in District 10.

Barb keeps eating the chicken wings over and over, and I can tell she enjoys it as well.

"Slow down! The meal was just served!" Our escort, Dimitria Harlot yelps at Barb.

Barb looks up, grease running down her mouth.

"I'm stress eating." She says.

Dimitria's pale face looks disgusted, and the extremely thin woman walks over to wipe Barb's face. Despite being from the Capitol, Dimitria looks very malnourished, and I don't get why, considering they eat so much there.

Suddenly, the door to the dining car opens. A woman in her late thirties with tan skin and short brown hair walks in, followed by an extremely tall and muscular young man with brown skin, who towers over me. I recognize them as our district's two living victors, Tawnee Sawyer, and Bison Eckhart. Bison sits in the seat across from me, and Tawnee sits across from Barb, a kind smile on her face.

"Hello, we are your mentors. I'll be working with Barbara, and Bison will work with you." Tawnee says, pointing at me.

Bison, who initially intimidated me, now smiles at me, and I can tell that he's a nice guy. After winning the 90th games, he was well-known in the district for falling in love with the girl from District 12, only for her to get killed in the final five. He opened a horse stable named after the girl, in her honor.

"So, I know it might be a bit early to ask, but do you two plan on allying?"

"I would like to ally!" Barb chimes in. "I mean if that is fine with you?"

"Of course, Barb!"

"You two know each other?" Bison asks, wondering about the nickname.

"Well yeah, we know each other from school, and she sometimes goes to my shows."

"You do bullfighting?" He asks.

"Yeah."

"I could tell by your reaping outfit," He says. "That's good, you probably know how to use a sword then."

I didn't realize that until now, but being a matador could greatly come to my advantage in the games.

Asa Gagneux-Boerio, 18

District 11 Male

I could feel the tension in the room from the moment I entered the train. Almost immediately, Quincy let me know that he knows who my family is, and what they do for a living. I just shrugged it off, but ever since then, he's been shooting me dirty looks

I guess lots of people in District 11 don't really like my family, and I guess I could understand. We're one of the few families in the district that sided with the Capitol, and I guess people know that we assassinate rebels.

Thankfully, our mentors walk in, and I instantly opt to talk strategy alone. My mentor, Lavender Percy, only won two years ago at the age of sixteen, and she's the same age as me. She recognizes me, because we've spoken a few times due to her also coming from a wealthy family. She wears her hair in braids, the bottom half dyed purple, which has become her signature style since winning.

We walk to the next car, which looks similar to this one, and sit on the sofa.

"Asa! I can't believe you volunteered, what happened?" Lavender says, with her sweet-sounding accent.

I don't trust this girl, and I don't know what to say. I guess I can't get in trouble if I tell her the truth, but I don't know if I feel comfortable yet.

"The girl who was reaped was my uh… Cousin."

"Oh, that is terrible! Well, you wanted to talk to me alone?"

"I think my district partner hates me. Quincy, I mean."

Lavender nods. "Do you want to be allied with him, or not?"

"I don't know." I say. "I know it's good that I have allies, but I can't trust anyone."

"That is true. Allies are good, but always watch your back. My allies slowly started turning on me." Lavender has a sad look on her face, and I can see her trying to fight back tears. If she's my mentor, then why is she so sensitive?

"I'm very sneaky, and I know my way with weaponry." I tell her.

Lavender looks at me skeptically. "I know for a fact you've never worked a day in the fields. Have you been training at home?"

I mean, technically it's not a lie. "Yes. Just in case I was reaped… Guess it paid off."

Lavender looks right at my face, her light blue contacts almost appear to be shimmering.

"I have faith in you, Asa. If you don't win, I will be very sad."

For the first time, I feel like I actually had someone rooting for me.

Another chapter down, and now the parade is next! I hope the updates aren't too frequent for y'all, but writing this has become my main hobby, and expect more to come out every few days. I would like to thank my friend Liliana for making Bison and Lavender :) As always, I hope you enjoyed, and please don't hesitate to send a review!

Questions:

1) Whose pov was your favorite this chapter?

2) Do you think Namid will discover Alberta's secret?

3) Who do you think Asa will ally with?

-xo, cassy