The 275th Hunger Games

~ "Reapings"-Districts One and Two~

Cami Pendleton - District One

I loved being at home. When I first arrived, Mom, Dad, Coco, and I cried for days. I couldn't believe how much I missed them and how happy I was to be back.

But today is the day we get onto the train and begin our journey to the Capitol all over again for the big Games. Coco and I get up early today. I change into my hunting gear and Coco does my hair in two braids. We head off for the forest.

We do this a lot. Coco uses her bow and arrow to hunt and I know all about edible plants, berries, greens, nuts, and roots. Today Coco teaches me how to use a bow and arrow. I'm not the best but I'm going to practice more in training. Having a weapon will be helpful in the Games.

After we get our food, we head into the square and get some nice fresh bread from the bakery. We walk back home. Our parents aren't up yet, so we begin on breakfast. We put the loaf of bread, some strawberries, and goat cheese on the table. They soon wake up and come down.

"Thank you girls." Smiles Dad. We all sit down at our table and eat. I know they want to say a million things and tips to me, but we're all silent.

We have to be at the square at two o' clock, just like the reapings, although we're not being reaped. The escort will just say if anyone made it to the big Games from the district and then they will come up. It's pretty dumb if you ask me.

We eat turkey and vegetable stew for lunch and then we have to get ready for the "reaping". I put on a tight white dress. I keep the braids from this morning in. After everybody is ready we head down.

I search for my best friend Avery. I haven't seen her since the reaping. "Hi," I say from behind her. She whirls around and launches into my arms. I hug her back. "I'm so glad you made it," she says with tears in her eyes. "Me too," I say back. We talk until Aviana comes out and stands at the mic.

"Hello District One!! I will be saying the people's names who advance onto the big Games from our District!!" She announces cheerily. "The girl is a young twelve year old, give a hand for Cami Pendleton!" Exclaims Aviana. Even though I knew it was going to be me, it sounds weird. It makes it more real.

I stiffly walk up to the podium. I sit down. Aviana smiles at me. "The boy advancing on is sixteen year old Calvin Jameson!" Aviana says next. Calvin comes out and walks up. He sits down beside me.

"Those are the two tributes moving forward! Give it up for Cami and Calvin!" Shouts Aviana. We get ushered into the Justice Building and into a room. It soon opens and Avery comes bursting through.

I jump and hurry into her arms. I start crying a little. "Cami. You can do it. You're stronger than them. You can fend for yourself. I believe in you," Avery says to me, her hands on my shoulders. "I love you," I say. "I love you too Cami," she says, kissing me on the cheek. We hug one last time before the Peacekeepers come bursting in. They pull Avery from me. "I love you Cami and I'll always be rooting for you!" Avery exclaims as they drag her away. "I love you!" I call after her as the door shuts.

My family comes in next. I run into their arms and then they hug me one at a time. First, my dad. "Good luck honey. Remember everything I taught you. You can do it. Stay strong. Always remember that I love you," he says. I hug him tightly and say I love you too. Then I hug my mom. "You can do it love. You are so strong. I believe in you. We all do." Mom kisses my forehead and hugs me close. Finally I hug Coco. "Good luck sis. You were so strong in the last Games, you can do it again. I'll be watching every second," she says. "Thanks Coco. I love you," I say. "Love you Cami," Coco says. We all come together in one big hug. We're interrupted by Peacekeepers. They pull my family from me. Tears begin to fall. My family shouts stuff at me as they get dragged away. The door shuts and it's quiet.

Sky Rangoli - District Two

The morning of the "reaping" I wake up excited. I mean, I really don't want to leave my family but I'm excited to compete in the big Games. Also, Holly from District Seven and I were allies in the girls game so we decided to be allies in this Game.

I get dressed and put my long dark hair in a French braid. I head downstairs. At the kitchen table are my three older brothers Jack, Sebastian, and Ethan. Mom is preparing breakfast. I sit down. Mom comes over and serves us bread and berries.

"Good luck in the Games, Sky," Jack tells me. "Thanks," I say back. "Yeah, although girls don't usually make it very far in the Games," says Sebastian. "Okay then, well if I die at least I won't have to see your ugly face again," I snap. I hit him on the arm playfully while Jack and Ethan laugh.

"Are you going to be with your little ally again? Holly?" Asks Ethan. I hit him as well. "Shut up. She helped me and she's very nice and intelligent. I like being with her and one of us are going to win," I say. "A bit over confident now are we?" Says Ethan. I hit him again, this time harder.

"Boys stop making fun of your sister," Mom scolds as she joins us at the table. "Sorry. It's just little Sky here is so fun to tease," replies Sebastian. I raise my hand to hit him, but Mom shouts, "Sky, don't hit your brothers. And Sebastian, be nice to your sister." I glare at Sebastian. He fake smiles back.

We soon finish eating. I head up to my room. I'm so excited to Holly!! Around one thirty, I get dressed in reaping clothes. Jeans and a nice shirt. We walk down to the square. I'm the only person from District Two that made it.

"Hello District Two!" The escort Opal Mandel caps out. "We only have one person from District Two who made it. Sky Rangoli!" She exclaims. Everyone turns to look at me. I walk up. "Hello Sky," Opal says as I sit down, smiling wide. I smile back just to be polite. After a few more things from Opal, I'm escorted into the Justice Building.

My family comes in right away. I hug and talk to Mom first, then turn to my brothers. "Good luck, Sky. You'll do great," Jack says. "Thanks, Jack. I'll miss you," I say. "Try your best. I don't know if you'll do very well though," Sebastian says. "Yeah thanks," I say sarcastically. "Hey I'm just joking. Knock em' dead," he says. "Try your hardest, Sky. You're pretty strong for a girl," Ethan says. I glare at him but then hug him. Finally I hug everyone. "We love you Sky," they say. "Love you guys too," I say back.