The 275th Hunger Games

~Reapings-Districts One, Two, and Three~

Cami Pendleton - District One

"Cami, you'll be fine. Don't panic, little sis," my older sister Coco tells me. She pulls me tight in a hug, kisses my hair, and then we head our separate ways. She goes into the seventeen year old section, and I walk into the twelve year old section. I stand in the middle, smushed between a bunch of kids.

Today is the reaping day of the Hunger Games. It is my first reaping, as I am twelve. This is Coco's second to last reaping. "Hey Cami," my best friend Avery says appearing behind me. "You look beautiful," I tell her. Avery always looks beautiful. She has long black hair and blue eyes. Today she is dressed in a white blouse, a white skirt, and black shoes. Her mother always does her hair in pinned up braids. "So do you," she says.

I am wearing one of Coco's old outfits, a short blue dress and white shoes. My hair is in a French braid. Just then, District One's escort, Aviana Veletta steps out into the podium. "Good afternoon District One!" She says in her high-pitched Capitol accent which to me is quite annoying. "Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favour! As you know, this year is a Quarter Quell. I will explain the rules to you once again."

"This Quarter Quell, three Games will be held. The first, this one, will have all female tributes. The second one will have all male tributes, and the surviving six from each Game will compete in a big Game of twelve tributes," Aviana explains. "Now it's time for the drawing!" I let out a deep breath. I am so scared right now. She trots over to the big glass ball filled with all the girls names. I hold my breath. Oh God, I am so nervous. Aviana dips her hand into the bowl and swirls it around until she finally picks a slip. She walks back over to the microphone and unfolds it. "Avery Johnson," she announces.

Oh no. No. No. I turn to Avery beside me. All the blood is drained from her face. Her arms are stiff and still by her sides. Her feet look like they're glued to the ground. I know Avery, and I also know she will not last one second in the arena. Her parents have never taught her anything, no survival skills or weapons or anything. My parents and sister have taught me a whole bunch of things, from how to make a shelter to how to use a bow and arrow.

So. I know what I need to do.

Avery steps out of the section and starts to walk up. "I volunteer as tribute!" I call out, running out into the aisle. Avery whirls around. "I love you Cami," she says, tears falling down her cheeks. I walk up to the podium as Avery walks back. "I love you Avery," I breath as we pass each other. Tears fill my eyes, but I will not let them fall. I will stay strong.

"Hello dear. What's your name?" Aviana asks me cheerily. "Cami Pendleton. I'm twelve," I offer quietly. "Well, isn't that lovely of you to volunteer," Aviana says as I sit down. "Time for the second girl!" Aviana announces.

I'm not even listening anymore. I look out into the crowd and catch Coco's eye. She is crying. Big sobs. I know how she feels. I want to cry too. But I'm staying strong. My mom and dad are crying as well. I feel so bad, but I could not let Avery be in the Games.

Aviana picks another slip and crosses back over. "Serena Hemmings," she reads out. Oh, no. Serena Hemmings is my arch enemy at school. She always makes fun of me because I wear Coco's hand me down's when it doesn't even matter. Serena walks up to the podium, a smug look on her face. She probably wanted to get chosen so she could win and get all that money and live in the Victors' Village. She sits down in the seat beside me and shoots me a mean look. I bury my face in my hands. "And there you have it! The girls from District One, Cami Pendleton and Serena Hemmings!" Says Aviana.

Opal Mandel - District Two

Mayor Pritchett finishes his speech and I step out onto the podium. I am wearing a gold wig all curled up, a crisp white dress, gold jewelry, and white heels. I love being an escort but at the same time it is very sad to see the children suffer by being forced into the arena. I push that thought to the back of my mind and put on a big smile. Have to be happy when you're an escort!

"Hello District Two! I hope you are having a good afternoon!" I exclaim. I try to ignore the sad people of District Two. There is not one person smiling up at me. "Happy Hunger Games!" I say. Still no smiling faces. "It's time for the drawing," I announce. I step over to the glass ball and collect a slip of paper.

"Sky Rangoli," I tell the crowd. A tall girl comes out of the eighteen year old section. She has a mad look on her face. Four Peacekeepers usher her up to the stage. "Hello darling," I say, grabbing her arm and helping her up. She jerks free of my grasp. I gasp a little. "I'm Sky, I'm eighteen," she says, plunking herself down in the seat. "Okay then," I whisper quietly. I put a big smile back on and pick another slip of paper. "Princess Papillion," I read in a clear voice. A bright, smiling girl appears out of the sixteen year old spot. Well then. There is a smiling face in the crowd.

Princess sashays up to the podium. Her long blonde hair is in a big bun, and she's wearing a tight black dress. "I'm Princess. Sixteen years old," she says. "Sit down," I tell her politely. She sits down beside Sky and smiles at her. Sky gives her a ugly look back. Okay then. "And those are the District Two tributes! Let's give them a hand! Sky Rangoli and Princess Papillion!" I shout.

Glad that is done. Some girls have a lot of attitude.

Leanna Ramal - District Three

"Good afternoon," I say in a bored voice. I really do not want to be here. I hate being an escort. But my grandma was an escort, and my mom was an escort, so it's kind of a given. But I really, really hate it. I would not tell my mom that, of course. She thinks I love it.

Since I do not care how I look, I let the stylist dress me however. They dressed me in a big, pink, poufy dress and pink heels. They did gold eyeshadow and loads of blush on face, and in my long blonde hair they did a bunch of tiny braids. Now it is time to draw the names. First name. "Tayla Thompson," I announce. A young, tiny girl exits the twelve year old section. She looks very young, nine or ten even though she is twelve. "Hello sweetheart take a seat," I tell her.

Poor little darling. I shake the image of her sad face out of my mind. Now time for the next girl. "Wait! Wait!! I volunteer as tribute!" A girl yells. She rushes up. "Who are you?" I ask. "Tenlie Thompson, I'm seventeen," she says. Peacekeepers come over and usher Tayla away as Tenlie sits down. Tayla cries and screams as the Peacekeepers carry her back. I pick out another piece of paper and read it out.

"Ruby Gindles," I say. Ruby comes out of the fourteen year old section and slowly walks up, silently crying. I just want to hug her and say everything will be alright.

But I know I can't do that, because it will not.