Dorian Sargasso, 18

District 4 Male

The sound of waves crashing on the beach lulled me and I almost felt as if I could fall asleep. The shade of the trees was keeping me cool and the light was sparkling on the water in the most beautiful way. District 4 was paradise and I didn't understand why anyone would ever want to leave it.

Of course, I would be; though I didn't have a choice in the matter. My parents spent their whole lives dedicated to the Hunger Games. Neither of them were chosen to volunteer and neither were my older siblings. Andreas simply didn't try hard enough and Cora was beaten by another girl. I was their last hope.

It didn't matter to them that I had no desire to fight, or kill, or be paraded around on a stage. I wanted to watch the water and feel the breeze and enjoy my life. But I was a Sargasso, and so my fate was sealed.

I was honestly surprised the Academy chose me. Like Andreas, I didn't think I'd put in enough work. I wouldn't call myself lazy, but I knew other people would. Especially Cora. But somehow I did enough to impress Delphina, the Head Trainer.

I didn't dislike training. It was actually pretty fun to wield a sword and dance through all the different poses and techniques. I felt powerful, and that was a cool feeling. But it would've been better if I was just doing it for fun.

A group of girls came down the road, chatting and laughing. One of them was holding a volleyball. I smiled and watched as they set up a net and divided themselves into teams. I didn't have friends like that. Between training and my content with solitude, I never really let friendships foster.

It didn't bother me much, but sometimes it was fun to imagine what a real friendship would be like. Would that friend miss me if I went into the Games? Would my parents, for that matter? I knew they loved me, but they loved the Games more. Mom said they knew what was best for me and that I should listen to them. Dad said it was my duty to bring honor to the family because otherwise I would waste my life doing nothing.

The sun was getting lower in the sky. Mom and Dad would want me back home for dinner. They were hosting a dinner party with Cora, Andreas, and Andreas's girlfriend Elena, as well as some of their adult friends. They said it was to celebrate me, though I knew it was really just to show me off. My parents were over the moon that I was volunteering. I just wished it could have been Cora.

I didn't want to do it, but I would.

Alara Banks, 17

District 4 Female

It was windy as Hudson and I climbed the slope to the cemetery. District 4's cemetery sat atop a cliff, overlooking the ocean. Every evening, the sunset would illuminate the landscape, outlining the headstones in gold.

But it was early today, and the air was warm despite the breeze. Hudson walked quietly alongside me as I clutched the sprig of sea lavender to my chest.

Every day I laid a blossom on my father's grave. His death was sudden and heartbreaking, and on some days the grief still threatened to break me apart. On other days he was just a joyful memory.

Hudson paused when we reached the crest of the hill.

"It's beautiful up here," he said quietly. I looked back at him and tried to push away the sudden ache in my chest. I understood what he was trying to say.

Hudson and I became best friends the moment we met. We were inseparable all throughout grade school and eventually became more than friends. We shared our first kiss on my fifteenth birthday. But then my dad died and I wasn't in the right place to be with him. We took a break. And though we remained close, things got awkward. I wasn't sure if I loved him, but I knew I needed him.

I stepped through the gate and onto the stone pathways that wound through the gravestones. Hudson waited by the entrance as I made my way to Finnegan Banks's headstone.

"Hi Dad," I whispered as I kneeled in front of it, adjusting my skirt so it wouldn't get dirty. "The reaping is tomorrow and Rief is very nervous. He's been very anxious since you died. Which isn't your fault, of course. We all miss you, but we'll be okay without you. I promise."

"Mom is nervous about the reaping too. It'll be her first one as the mayor. I hope we get volunteers so it will be easier for her. I heard Dorian Sargasso is supposed to volunteer. Word is he's pretty good."

"I've also been thinking a lot about Hudson. He means a lot to me but I don't know if I'm ready to open my heart up again. But I also don't want to string him along. If he wants to see other girls, he should be able to. But a part of me doesn't want him to. It's too complicated!"

"Anyways, I just wanted to say that I love you and I miss you. I'll bring more flowers tomorrow, but in the afternoon; because of the reaping. Bye Dad."

I stood up and brushed the grass from my knees. The lone purple flower sat in front of his grave. I ran my fingers over the smooth stone and then went to join Hudson. I knew I should talk to him… but I was scared.

Tomorrow, I told myself. I'll tell him after the reaping.

Hey everyone! I present to you... District 4! Thank you to n3b for Dorian and DaughteroftheOneTrueKing for Alara. I think it'll be fun for these two to get to know each other and I already have some interesting alliance ideas. As always, please leave a review and let me know what you think of this pair. And I'm sorry the POVs were a little shorter than usual. My brain isn't working at full capacity today but I really wanted to get a chapter out. I'm also going to start adding questions to my Author's Notes. They're completely optional, so feel free to answer all, some, or none of them.

QUESTIONS

1) Which tribute did you like better? Why?

2) Out of all the other tributes we've met, who do you think Alara would be most likely to ally with?

3) What district would you want to be from?

Have a nice day, be kind to each other, and never stop reading!