District 12 reaping

Annie Gris D12F 15

"Don't worry about it sweetie, this one is on us!" I say to the little girl leaving our sewing/clothing store." Her smile lights up the whole room as she smiles from ear to ear. She giggles and skips out the store happily. She wanted this cute little orange dress we were selling but she was a few dollars short, so I gave it to her.

Things have been rough here around twelve and our family has been fortunate to still be afloat so when I can help others I do.

"Annie Lock the doors and come upstairs and get ready!" My mom yells from upstairs. Our family lives in an apartment right above the store so I guess they kind of got a two in one deal. "Ok I'll be up in a second!" I yell back.

I head to the door to lock it when I hear a loud knock on the door right behind the curtains we use as a cover. "Hazel, you scared the crap out of me!" I say as I open the door for her. "You're just a wuss is all," She says as she playfully punches my shoulder.

Hazel and I are like two peas in a pod. We mess with each other all the time but its all fun and games. "Come on ill get ready with you and we can meet Matt and walk to the reaping together," She says as she starts shoving me towards the stairs leading to our apartment. "Fine but no jokes while my parents are here," I say as I shove her back a little. It's usually not a problem when Hazel comes over, so I don't bother asking my parents if its ok for her come in.

We go past our living room and head for my room. When we get to my room I got my closet and the decision process begins! "So, should I go with the light blue dress or the light blue jumper?" I ask Hazel as I hold both them in front of me like I am displaying them.

"Depends, are you trying to look like your five? Because if you are I'd go with the pretty little dress" She says as she smiles.

"Ok, jumper it is," I say as I begin to slip it on. "You know you can always pick something out her to wear if you'd like," I say as I put on my brand-new flats. "Annie, I don't want to have to justify your horrendous style, plus I look amazing if I must say so myself," She says as she twirls to show off her outfit.

It's some jeans with cuts at the bottom of them, A blouse that's a little faded. She looks fine I just offer just to make sure she doesn't want something else to where. Its nothing against her I just feel bad sometimes. "That you do my dear, you look swell," I say in the fanciest accent I can muster.

She smiles and says, "Come on, we need to hurry if we want to make it on time!" "I'm coming, I'm coming," I say I make sure my blond hair is all tamed before we leave.

I hurry downstairs with Hazel on my tail, grab a piece of bread and give a piece to Hazel.

"Bye mom, bye dad! We'll see you after the reaping!" I yell as loud as possible to make sure they hear me.

"Bye honey be safe and be on time!" She yells. My parents have always been this understanding,

I am one lucky person.

Kolten Gray D12M 18

It is beautiful, it has grace, beauty, creativity, uniqueness, and last of all it looks just like her. Magpie is going to love this. But I can't show her because she doesn't like me drawing her. Its ok though, Magpie is my best friend in the whole world.

I've been trying to win her over since the day I met her but with no avail. It's ok though I will one day though. She's not the only beauty in my life, she's just the beginning. Everything here in 12 is elegant or can become elegant with some work, I try my best not to see the ugly in things but the potential beauty.

I love drawing and painting and I'd consider myself an artist. It all started with my grandmother when I was younger. She'd use sticks to draw things in the dirt. Not stick figures or anything like that of course, only the most exquisite things like full houses or perfect replicas of the meadow or the skies that day. It was amazing, and she is the reason I see the world for the beauty instead of the latter.

I make sure I use something to somewhat cover my drawing since I did use charcoal dust, so it can be easily messed up. It's not the worst thing when this happens. If it gets messed up I can just do it again so I'm not sweating it.

I get up and start making may back to the seam. It's the poorer part of the district so of course, it's where I reside. I start making my way back and I see Magpie on the way since she lives a few houses down from me.

"Hey Magpie, when are you ready for the drawing session?" I say as I smile.

"Maybe one-day Kolten, maybe one day". she says

"After the reaping?" I ask her as I give her a hug.

"Maybeeeee," she says in a playful way. "Meet me out here and we will walk to the reaping together ok?" She says as she walks towards her front doors. I nod, and I start to make my way to my house.

I walk by a couple houses and I see all the other girls, I try not to stare at, but they are stunning. I don't like them like that, but I don't deny beauty when I see it.

No one calls me out on my starting but if they do I'd tell them I want them to model so I can draw them, I would love to draw someone all natural, but I'd get slapped if I asked so I keep it to myself for now.

I go up to my house and go straight to my room. I am almost out of this damn place hopefully.

My father doesn't support me being an artist, he says it's not what men do. He says men work in the mines and do other things to support their family, but I don't listen. I am an artist and I love what I am doing so we are not on the best of terms.

My mother is much help to either side because she just lets me get yelled at by him while just doing nothing. It is unfair. I just can't wait to venture out and really discover the real beauty of the world on my own. I don't care I use sticks that I carved for paintbrushes or that I don't every color that I want.

I will make the best of it, I have always made the best of it.

The world is my canvass and I am the artist.

Annie Gris

"Come on Matt!" We say as Matt starts to run up to us.

"You two look nice today," He says as he gives us a shy little smile.

"Thanks, Matt, you don't look too bad yourself," I say in the sincerest way possible. Hazel keeps on insisting that Matt has this huge crush on me, but I'm convinced he is just being nice, even if he was I've been told I am oblivious to it so I dunno.

We walk from the seam to the square making small talk all the way until we have to check in. along the way I can tell Hazel is nervous since she has to take out tesserae. I try to keep her calm by not letting go of her hand the whole way there.

I've been lucky not to take tesserae out, but it doesn't mean I am not empathetic. We reach the 15-year-old section while we eagerly wait for the reaping to start. I watch the video the lady plays for us from the capitol and I slowly watch her walk over to the reaping bowl.

She takes awhile as she digs around for the slip of paper for like 10 seconds. She pulls out the name and reads it loudly "Annie Gris!".

I am shocked, my name was only in there once. It'll be ok, maybe I can go home? Or at least enjoy my time? I'm not sure but I try to keep the smile on my face as I walk towards the stage. Hazel was just frozen the whole time.

She'll be ok,

I'll be ok,

everything is going to be ok.

Kolten Gray

I leave my house without saying a word to my parents. I just have to get through this last reaping and I am free to go at the end of the year.

I start walking towards Magpie and I see her waiting for me at the fence. Dang, she really is gorgeous. We start the walk towards the reaping and we try to avoid reaping talk, but it doesn't really work.

"So, do you think we'll be chosen since we have the best odds to be?" Magpie says as we walk towards check-in.

"I hope not, I have too many things I must explore first, plus we have that drawing session still," I say as I elbow bump her. She giggles and hits my arm back.

Some guys start looking at her, but I give them a glare and they back off. I know we're not together, but I still want others to know that she isn't available.

We walk past check-in and we head to our sections I give her a nod. I sit there with other boys who have a very high chance to go into the games as I do.

I don't pay attention to the video because I am fixated on the odd attractiveness that is the escort. I just stare while she picks the females name. "Annie Gris!"

I take a sigh of relief that it isn't Magpie. I see a 15-year-old walk towards the stage. She is cute in a kid way, she should be able to well for herself in the games.

I'm watching her and studying her while she is on stage when the escort yells "Kolten Gray!" I stop for a second. That's me? That is.

I start walking to the stage and I begin thinking if I win or even die in the arena maybe my masterpieces could sell.

I could get my name known for a long time.

I think winning will be a better alternative for now.

I'll focus on accomplishing that know.

Ok all, I know it has been a little over two weeks since the last update and I apologize. I had to get a lot of stuff together since I return to school in a couple of days. No worries though minimum weekly updates are back on and I apprecaite the support from everyone! Now focusing on the story, Thank you for the reiviews and I want everyone to know I do read each and every review and It makes my day doing so. Let me know what you all think of these two from 12, they were a fun bunch to write. I was thining about adding Questions to the end of each chapter for you all to have some fun with. Expect those coming in the next chapter! ONE MORE REAPING TO GO! we have came so far and that one will be out within the next week. Once again thank you for everything and sponsorship points will be updated as you earn them! Dont forget to fav and review.

Until next time.