EBONY OBSIDIAN
DISTRICT 1 FEMALE
18
I smile to myself. It's me who was selected to volunteer for the 30th annual hunger games! I did it! Part of me struggles to comprehend that I am to be a tribute. And then, quite possibly, a victor. I don't particularly like to think about the alternative. I can't stop reading. Reading the letter in my hands. The letter that reads 'Congratulations Ebony Obsidian'. The letter that means I volunteer in a week.
Someone knocks on my door. I don't even have time to respond before Lustra runs in. I smile, standing up to embrace my best friend. Well, continue to smile. The smile hasn't left my face since I read the letter.
"I'm volunteering!" I blurt out.
"That's brilliant!" Lustra replies as she beams at me, pulling away. "District 1's going to have another victor!"
My smile falters for a moment. "Not confirmed, there are a lot of factors. But hopefully!"
Lustra nods. "I'm sure you'll win! I'm so happy for you! We need to get you an outfit for the Reaping! Something that stands out when you step up on stage!"
I let Lustra continue to monologue. She's always loved fashion. I start to think about the realities of the situation. What if I do actually die? What if something goes horribly wrong? What if-
My train of thought is interrupted by Lustra's mother calling us downstairs for dinner.
Lustra continues to chatter as she skips the stairs, leaping down two at a time. I follow slightly behind her, taking the steps more slowly.
"Maybe I could design your Reaping outfit!" The idea occurs to Lustra.
The smile that had faded away from my face as the unpleasant thoughts invaded my mind breaks out again. "Sure! That'd be amazing!" It really would. I've seen some of the outfits she sketches in her room. And it'd be nice to have something that reminds me of her when I'm in the Capitol.
I moved in with Lustra's family when I was 14. I'd had enough of my home. I was so sick of my mother. She never had any time for me, unless I did something wrong. And I never met my father, so it was just me and her. Anyway, it's her fault that the other Volunteer kids make hell for me. But they won't be laughing when they found out I got picked. The raven-haired girl who's not entirely from District 1, picked as the volunteer instead of all those blonde and brunette empty-heads whose fathers weren't peacekeepers from 2. The ones who didn't get bullied for being different. The ones who I have to prove wrong.
The next morning is the final assembly for my year at the academy. Where I will be revealed as the one who has been selected to enter the hunger games. Where I will be invited up onto the stage, to shake the hand of my mentor – Iris Halo. She won when I was 10, the 23rd Annual Hunger Games. And I will win the 31st Annual Hunger Games. I will come back. I will prove them all wrong.
And I do. The next day, Lustra and I are walking into the Volunteer Academy, for Lustra the final time. Me, I'll be back. Probably.
Ruby Anais and Amethyst Ferro are there. They snicker as I walk past. I hear a whispered insult. I simply smile at them. Not worth my time, not worth the time of District 1's next victor. Neither of them know that I am the volunteer. And anyway, I'm used to teenagers being awful.
Miracle Cullinan smiles at me. She's pretty much the only one who's nice to me other than Lustra. She's nice to everyone. Naturally people use her for it, and no one has the heart to tell her that she's never getting back that money she lent.
I take a seat in the front row. Less distance to walk. Lustra sits next to me, beaming ear to ear.
Head Trainer Nephrite Mink walks up to the lectern, smiling thinly at the crowd. Our victors – all five of them stand behind her. Two of them are academy graduates, and also happen to be this year's mentors – Iris Halo, the aforementioned Victor of the 23rd, and Azure jade, the Victor of the 18th. It really is time that 1 had another Victor.
"Attention Candidates," Head Trainer Mink calls out, shattering my slight reverie. "As you all know, today is June 27th. And that means that today, I shall be announcing the lucky candidates who have been selected to compete in the 31st Annual Hunger Games, as well as the back-up volunteers."
I won't need a back-up volunteer, I think. Someone near the back of the hall scoffs.
Head Trainer Mink begins her annual speech. I've heard this so many times, every single year I've been at the academy. It never changes. I find it uplifting usually. But this year, it is utterly dull. I am impatient for her to get on with it, and reveal that I have proved my peers wrong. And finally, finally, her lecture on the history of the Hunger Games ends. I tune in again as I hear the names of the Victors being called. "Ivory Garnet, of the 3rd Annual Hunger Games, Jasper Lord of the 7th Annual Hunger Games, Clarity Astor of the 12th Annual Hunger Games, Azure Jade of the 18th Annual Hunger Games, and Iris Halo of the 23rd Annual Hunger Games. This year's mentors are Azure Jade, and Iris Halo." I smile at Iris, although she doesn't see me. At least, me specifically. She looks at the audience, scanning all of us.
"Now, I am proud to announce this year's tributes. The female Volunteer, of District 1, is…"
I smile, unable to contain my glee.
"Ebony Obsidian!"
There is a collective gasp from the rest of the auditorium as I stand up, walking to the stage. No one actually believes it. I would laugh out loud if I wasn't forcing myself to remain silent, biting my lip as I stride over to shake the hand of the Iris Halo. "It's an honour, Miss Halo."
Iris Halo smiles at me. "A pleasure to mentor you, Ebony. And please, do call me Iris."
I nod, confidently grinning from ear to ear as I step away from her to stand next to Head Trainer Mink.
"And, the male Volunteer, of District 1 is…"